I did get to try the 3 Lambda list last night. Instead of having 4 shuttles it threw in some HLC and some extra upgrades like Vader. Pretty much started in the back right corner and parked with OGP, Yorr, and Jendon. I told my friend what my plan was, so he brought out a 2 BW and Wedge list. He is still new to the game, but the list did end up winning. I was able to blow away a BW, and then Wedge and the OGP died on the same turn. Formation starting breaking up, and the last BW was able to get across to my flank. However, both him and Yorr were able to barely miss the board edge and come point blank. BW fired with Initiative and got blinded pilot. However, Yorr had Vader on board so the Sith lord got so angry that he blew up his own shuttle to vaporize the BW.

Kinda a cool game, but I could see asteroids being a big issue if done right. Also if someone is expecting it, they should be able to maneuver to get out of some or all of the firing arcs. Can't really preposition, and the enemy has several turn to decide which board he wants to approach on (with no possible way of asteroids in his path).

I am an almost Mensa level genius. I figured out something to do with it despite its TERRIBLE dial and it even benefits from it.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-VoUEi9AbpPTkszUV9nTF9OU2M/edit?usp=sharing

Here's what I don't get. This strategy revolves around them being lined up - but as large ships, they can't start the game behind one another, right? So how do you maneuver them to form this stick - and by the time you have, aren't you far enough outside the edge that the enemy can just come and take you down on the side?

I think the model is good. The wings seem like they might not come down quite as far as they should, but they aren't off by much. I don't think you can really blame the paint job on FFG - the canon Lambda has a pretty boring paint job to begin with.

Perhaps but for whatever reason I was thinking this would be the opposite of what has been released. Since it is an Imperial Shuttle, the type that both Lord Vader and the Emperor used, I somehow expected a super clean, bright white polished look, except of course for a few gray panels and perhaps weathering on the underside and rear engines. But spiffy looking all shiny like.

Hmm, in a tournament if you were flying a 100pt squad against the four Shuttle squad above, and the shuttle squad did the above maneuvers, why bother attacking, you'll win by default since that squad is at 99 points. Take the modified victory and move on.

if there is a draw, the side with initiative wins.

the side with lesser overall points always gets initiative.

Not in a tournament setting. A draw is a draw is a draw. You must destroy (somehow) your opponent, not just let him camp out in a corner and claim victory.

And on the table... bleargh. I've tried it a few times, and really don't like it at all. The short range of the support abilities are VERY hard to use with something that maneuvers so badly, and the combination of large base and bad dial make it a beast to actually fight with. Some genius may find a touch for it, but I think that even with the relatively low cost it's not going to be a strong ship.

I am an almost Mensa level genius. I figured out something to do with it despite its TERRIBLE dial and it even benefits from it.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-VoUEi9AbpPTkszUV9nTF9OU2M/edit?usp=sharing

I have two major flaws with this particular list.

You cannot start large ships in a formation like this due to starting space requirements. you might be able to start yorr behind another, perhaps but it would be dicy at best it would need to be tested with real measurements. But would be clearly impossible to do all three. This leaves you with needing to move the no-name forward 2-3, then banking the two other ships from either side into it, this greatly reduces your focused fire power though due to the arcs.

Then comes the issue of what to do when you get flanked. A-Wings and Interceptors both have the real potential to just go wide out around asteroids then dash in with a 5+boost (and barrel roll for push the limit interceptors). Once they have you flanked there is no real way to do anything about it besides just conceding and hoping it doesn't happen again.

Then you have the matter of B-Wings. B-Wings can likely sit and take the trades and have a higher damage output too. Mean while if you take out a B-Wing or two nothing much is lost while if they take out Yorr they can then push past, and flank for a free win. B-Wings are 2 less hull for a cheaper ship that can actually manuver, you can run 3x B-Wings with HLC's and they will outrade the 3x Shuttle at range in most cases (outside of lopsided die roles which can happen). Further even if you ion a B-Wing in this scenario they don't particularly care as they were likely just going to 1 forward anyhow to continue pounding you with HLC's.

The other options B-Wings bring is 2x HLC B-Wings + Jan Ors which means an opening volley against Yorr of a 5dice range3, F/TL HLC and a vanilla focused HLC. While it loses the ability to kill off Yorr in the opening volley its a more "normal" build to take on fighters and such and has much more consistent damage and basically guarntee's Yorr dies on the second combat. After Yorr dies its simply the flank and gank.

The idea is novel and in a vaccuum you can make the triple shuttle space station formation work. But in a realistic game it just seems like a very punishable setup.

I can't evens get the wings anywhere near where they are supposed to be without the body splitting and the paint job is atrocious. I could deal with the paint if the wings would go into place without breaking the hull open.

I just got mine last week, I haven't had a chance to play with it yet. But one thing no one has pointed out yet is how cheap it is. 21 points for 3 attack dice and a whole lot of shields and hull. I want to try one with the HLC, but I will admit I am worried about that nasty dial. It may turn into a way for my bombers to get free target locks, but I just love HLC. We'll see if it works.

It will make lists eventually.

The meh part for me is the paint job. After seeing so many good customs of it the original really looks bad. Good thing I know a guy.

My impression is that FFG devs were truly afraid of making the lambda a very powerful support ship, and in their fear, they pre-nerfed it so much that it was born almost-dead.

IMHO, it is inevitable for it getting at some point new pilots, upgrades, or even erratas that 'fix' it to a more competitive level. Right now, it's a baby on a incubator, alive yes, but not much else.

I find the "space station" method the wrong approach for a multi-shuttle list. Several shuttle make a hell of a road block, bypassing them to get on their six is not an easy of a task as it is presented. Multi-shuttles certainly add a new challenges for both players.

http://community.fantasyflightgames.com/index.php?/topic/91495-bonjour-i-am-a-french-model-and-shuttle-pilot/