Seems like the B-Wing movements then become pretty predictable since you are always stressed.

Hmm, very tough to kill (for a Rebel ship), but I wonder if it's not a bad tradeoff versus Luke, if your goal is just to create a defensive monster. The major problem with any setup that relies entirely on Ibtisam being stressed is that your offense mostly goes out the window. Offensively, you're trading the opportunity to Target Lock (re-rolling as many dice as you want) or Focus (turning on average 1/4 of rolls into hits) for the ability to re-roll 1 die. That's not a good trade, in my opinion, even if it does cut both ways.

So let's take this comparison further. Luke's inherent ability is a mini-focus for defense. He can use it and still take whatever offensive action he likes. Realistically, that ability will work only 25% of the time, but it's still a real nuisance. Luke has 3 less hit points than the B-Wing, but also one more evade die... I'm too tired to do the math on that, but it's got to get somewhere in the neighborhood of being a wash. Luke can't take the Sensor Jammer, but can take R2D2 or another defensive droid. R2D2 restricts you to green maneuvers, but on the other hand, if your enemy's Focusing, the Sensor Jammer doesn't do much anyway.

Finally, Elusiveness only kicks in after you are attacked (and ideally, attacked successfully - you wouldn't want to be using it to re-roll enemy blank or focus rolls!). With Ibtisam at PS 6, this isn't completely unlikely to happen before she gets to shoot, but it's not a sure thing, either. If it doesn't happen, then you won't have that stress when your shot comes up and you won't get the re-roll.

Draw your own conclusions from this, but as clever as it is, I just don't like it. I don't like defensive builds in general (go figure, with that shiny Interceptor I have as my avatar), and this one in particular seems to give up a lot of initiative to your opponent, which I always try to avoid. Just for concrete comparison, the Luke build with R2D2, Elusiveness, and Stealth comes to the exact same cost. I still don't like putting stealth on Luke, but there it is for fair comparison. Meanwhile, Elusiveness makes a lot more sense when coupled with R2D2, since it's very likely you'll be clearing that stress each turn. Meanwhile, in your B-Wing, you now cannot perform the 3-bank or 4-straight the X-Wing can do and still use your Elusiveness. So is it worth what you're getting? I don't know, but that's all the thinking I can do on it.

Well I thought of a similar build, but maximizing on the tankyness.

Ibitsam + Stealth Device + Elusiveness + Sensor Jammer

Luke + R2D2 + Shield Upgrade + Elusiveness

Green Squadron Pilot + Stealth Device + Elusiveness

Its low on the firepower, 8 dice. But man I think that thing can tank. If you dont like the Green Squadron Pilot, you can always swamp him out for a naked Biggs. A little more firepower, but not as much dodge.

TheKestrel- I do understand what you have said, and I would like to comment.

Since Elusiveness triggers after I have my focus or tl, gaining the stress is not a real issue. Being able to move 1 forward gives me a few advantages as opposed to forced two (like tie fighters or equal distant large base ships). The b-wing is meant to be played on your terms, not your opponents. The stress gained from doing a hard maneuver or bank benefits my ship regardless.

I would like to note that stealth device is probably a waist of points, as Ibti is meant to negate most, not all of the damage dealt. I'm not sure where the other three points would go and I am working on variations. The idea behind ibti is to slow down the damage dealing, ensuring either a) ibti deals damage or b) my x-wings deal damage. Since this is a 4 ship build on rebels each with 3 attack the damage potential is good.

Since I have 4 Rebel Ships I can use one x-wing as a blocker for swarms, removing the chance for focus actions.

I am not horribly worried about ibti using the stress ability before attacked. While it would be nice, it is definitely not required.

Seems like the B-Wing movements then become pretty predictable since you are always stressed.

Not always true, you have the choice to use elusiveness or not, and there were parts in the game where not using it was advantageous over using it.

The 2 k-turn is the only shiny bit of movement on the B-Wing's otherwise crap dial. I see what you are thinking, but for me it's not worth the trade.

Pros: great defense on a decently shooty ship

Cons: cost, no k-turn, no offensive upgrades, Luke does it better.

If I faced your list, the game would be virtually decided before I ever fired a shot at Ibsitam, because she's the last target on my priority list.

.

If I faced your list, the game would be virtually decided before I ever fired a shot at Ibsitam, because she's the last target on my priority list.

I don't like these kind of replies. They are biased and based on poor piloting skills, lack of intuition, and predictability on your opponents part. There are many games in playtesting where I have won simply out maneuvering my opponent, even our higher skilled players our matches can go back and forth by making only 1 mistake.

.

If I faced your list, the game would be virtually decided before I ever fired a shot at Ibsitam, because she's the last target on my priority list.

I don't like these kind of replies. They are biased and based on poor piloting skills, lack of intuition, and predictability on your opponents part. There are many games in playtesting where I have won simply out maneuvering my opponent, even our higher skilled players our matches can go back and forth by making only 1 mistake.

I think that is his point. The B-Wing doesn't have a great dial so your choices are going to be more predictable if you want to take actions. The B-Wing is good as a stand off weapon, not a close range brawler.

Well I think the B-Wing is capable of more than a lot of people give it credit for (check out this article for some hijinks: http://teamcovenant.com/theorist/2013/09/04/the-genius-of-ackbar/ ) but its genius is using the tools at hand to avoid fire arcs and shoot without worrying about return fire. And the fact that if you give one an HLC it's rolling 4 dice against you all day long at any range.

I think the B-Wing is fine brawling, if you know how to fly it. You're not going to out-evade anyone, so you might as well get in close where it's easier to overfly fire arcs and you've got the edge in firepower.

My bigger issue is putting Stealth on a B-Wing - they get so much more out of AdvSensors or Fire Control, depending on which way you fly them. Both are cheaper, and both will last you the whole game, where Stealth on a 1 agility will MAYBE save you from a range 3 pot shot but is unlikely to last more than a round or two. Just because you CAN turn a minivan into a street racer doesn't mean it's a good idea.

Seriously, take Advanced Sensors, use it to barrel roll before moving, with an eye to avoiding fire arcs, and you'll get much better return on investment for the points.

.

If I faced your list, the game would be virtually decided before I ever fired a shot at Ibsitam, because she's the last target on my priority list.

I don't like these kind of replies. They are biased and based on poor piloting skills, lack of intuition, and predictability on your opponents part. There are many games in playtesting where I have won simply out maneuvering my opponent, even our higher skilled players our matches can go back and forth by making only 1 mistake.

I may have been unclear. I was not saying that I would beat this list. I am saying that tankey Ibsitam would be ignored until the majority of the game had played out. She is the last target on my kill list. If I kill the three rookies, game over. If you kill half my ties and a shuttle without losing more than one x-wing, game over. This game is a damage race. Your Ibsitam build doesn't slow me down if I leave her for last when the game is basically over. Luke suffers from the same problem. He's hard to kill but that doesn't make your whole list hard to kill.

The B-Wing doesn't have a great dial so your choices are going to be more predictable if you want to take actions. The B-Wing is good as a stand off weapon, not a close range brawler.

Before play testing I agreed with you, but now I think the B-Wing is only a close range brawler. That 2 k-turn is amazing. 4 straight maneuvers are red. The lack of maneuverability is mostly big moves, but the B-Wing is just fine at distance 2 maneuvers.

CrookedWookie is absolutely correct.

His point about advanced sensors and fire control systems is spot on. Those upgrades shore up the weaknesses of the B-Wing: stress issues because of the very red dial, and the cost of using barrel rolls (missing opportunities for offensive actions).

It can also make up for most of that speed-4 red, if it does a speed-3 forward and barrel rolls an extra half a length forward.

The B-Wing has great manoeuvers. I don't get how people don't see this. it has not many ways to get rid of stress though. And especially Ibtisam who wants to be stressed is just crazy good.

Also this list is not at all a dumb idea. But i think i would include Biggs to the list and make it a 3-ship. The 3 X-Wings are always a solid choice but i think you still need to support your B-Wing more.

So I played vs 2 bh with gunner and 2 Tie fighters against Anthony who is one of our regional Champions and Along with myself placed at the Top 18 at Gencon.

Asteroids were scattered with no tactical placement to simulate our opponents choosing random locations (which often happens) and allows us to practice flying from all placements.

He deployed his two Ties near the middle, I placed my 3 xwings to the left side of the board, he placed his two KSE on the same side. Ibi deployed to the right of the Tie Fighters, forcing him to choose what he was going to go after, a swarm of x-wings or ibi.

Round 1 had little effect since we all moved minimal distance forward (his ties went 3 forward instead of two).

Round 2, His ties advanced forward again, placing them between two asteroids on either side and one about 2 1/2 distance infront. . My x-wings (in a 2 front 1 back formation) move forward with 1 TL and two focus actions The Bounty Hunters bank 3 towards the center of the map putting them in range 2 of my front Xwings. They Both TL my X-wing that TL'd.

Ibi has been banking in at an angle putting her as a prime target for the Tie's range 1/2.

Round two knocked off shields on my X-wing and took a sheild or two off a BH and one damage on a Tie.

Round 3

His ties bank forward right towards my x-wings and focus

My Front right xwing kturns between a bh and Tie, placing him in a good firing position with the Tl he did not use last turn.

My back X-wing does the same but currently has no target.

My right xwing does a hard 2 right and slams into the damage Tie

His damaged BH blows past my xwings and Kturns giving my second xwing a target now

His fresh bh just slams into my Kturned xwing.

Ibi slams into a Tie banking 1 into it loosing stress from getting shot at.

Shooting- Ibi shoots at the Tie and it takes another damage

The BH's fail to destroy another x-wing due to lack of actions but do inflict damage

My xwings put damage into the hull on the already hit BH

Turn 5

After stable maneuvering I loose an X-wing but Take out a Bh in the process (the BH have been attempting to kill my x-wings this whole game). I also take out a Tie.

Turn 6 I loose my second X-wing but also take out his other Tie

Turn 7- Here is where Ibi shines. After dogfighting the rest of my team, he has to take on my 1 less shield ibi and 1 fresh tie.

Ibi is now forcing 1 of two options 1) attempt to pelt ibi down slowly and take damage from the xwing, or 2) Attempt to take out the xwing using offensive abilities like TL while leaving him open to attacks from Ibi. His large base meant that I could continually move 1 or 2 and be fine for shooting arcs.

He attempts to take out IBI

Ibi's defensive abilities are actually control abilities. He cannot Target lock since I can sensor jam any hits, he cannot evade for the same reason. He is forced to focus. Now the BH does have gunner, but TL is much more effective.

After 3 rounds of shooting thereafter the KSE is dead and ibi has lost only 3 shield total (using range 2 as the sweet spot for firing due to my low agi) The x-wing had come in to do one final 4 dice attack which had finished him off.

The main point about Ibi is the ability to control your opponents actions and your own.

" I will just focus every turn" Really means, You are forcing me to focus every turn. I take away your other abilities on your action bar and render them almost useless.

TL for me is useless on IBI, simply because I get a free Reroll while stressed. My dial is now my ally and I have no reason not to use any move available to me. I still get my chance for using defensive actions as well.

Edit: I'm going to focus on your x-wings means. I am going to take out your primary damages because I cannot quickly kill Ibi. That is also forcing you to play how I want you to play.

The B-Wing has great manoeuvers. I don't get how people don't see this. it has not many ways to get rid of stress though. And especially Ibtisam who wants to be stressed is just crazy good.

Also this list is not at all a dumb idea. But i think i would include Biggs to the list and make it a 3-ship. The 3 X-Wings are always a solid choice but i think you still need to support your B-Wing more.

The Ibi has been doing well so for after about 4 matches. I do need to playtest more but as of now I am happy with how the ship performs by itself.

Squad Variations

Ibtisam, sensor jammer, elusiveness

Blue Squadron Pilot, Fire Control Systems

Xwing Rookie

Xwing Rookie

Squad Variation 2

Ibtisam, Sensor Jammer, Elusiveness

Blue Squadron Pilot x3

I like Squad variant 1 more simply because x-wings do have a greater amount of distances maneuvers and the added b-wing with FCS is a little more offensive.. However playtesting will tell.

I'm trying to picture how elusiveness stacks with ibtisam... can you break it down for me? Wouldn't you already be stressed to trigger the pilots ability, and therefore be ineligible to use elusiveness?

So for B-wing Dials we have

1 Hard-Red

1 Soft/Forward Green

2 Turn/Bank White

2 Straight Green

2 K-Turn Red

3 Bank Red

3 Straight White

4 Straight Red

While Playing, as noted before, B-wings are excelling at close-medium range. The Dials supports this, given I have all possible moves within a 1/2 movement template it is easy to have a target and stay with it. I RARELY have used bank 3, Straight 4. Ibi has always come in at range 3 while my other ships are hitting at range 1/2.

I always weigh my options and think about my firing arcs, included is the possible collisions with ships or asteroids. If I am to take a red maneuver (loosing my chance to elusiveness) it is because a) I will not get shot at or will get shot at range 3 (exclude ordinance/hlc) or can get a range 1 shot by doing so. I have found that gaining stress from elusiveness is easy to remove as well. Since I am trying to stay in CQC I am normally making 1 banks with barrel rolls or range two maneuvers since it is ok for me to leave the stress on.

The Combo works like this on paper

The Attacker makes 3 attacks at range 2 (lets forget TL and Focus atm)

Hit, Hit, Crit (ouch!)

Ibi uses Elusiveness on the critical and FCS on a hit

The new Dice result is

Hit, Focus, Focus

Two of the 3 dice can also now not be rerolled.

Ibi now defends

Blank, (doh)

Ibis ability kicks in

Evade

You have now turned 3 hits into a total whiff!

To answer your question, of course if you have a stress elusiveness will not come into play that round. It would also only come into play once per round if triggered. I do like it on ibi for the reason of the large amount of shields the b-wing has. It compliments the Crit rerolling into another Crit.

Ohhhhhh. Wow, that's a swell combo. Thanks for breaking it down.

So I played this the other day and my dce were a little mad at me. I'll post a report soon.

Noticable weaknesses are the xwings. While good, aren't great. Going to see what 3 ship Falcon builds are available

So for B-wing Dials we have

1 Hard-Red

1 Soft/Forward Green

2 Turn/Bank White

2 Straight Green

2 K-Turn Red

3 Bank Red

3 Straight White

4 Straight Red

While Playing, as noted before, B-wings are excelling at close-medium range. The Dials supports this, given I have all possible moves within a 1/2 movement template it is easy to have a target and stay with it. I RARELY have used bank 3, Straight 4. Ibi has always come in at range 3 while my other ships are hitting at range 1/2.

I always weigh my options and think about my firing arcs, included is the possible collisions with ships or asteroids. If I am to take a red maneuver (loosing my chance to elusiveness) it is because a) I will not get shot at or will get shot at range 3 (exclude ordinance/hlc) or can get a range 1 shot by doing so. I have found that gaining stress from elusiveness is easy to remove as well. Since I am trying to stay in CQC I am normally making 1 banks with barrel rolls or range two maneuvers since it is ok for me to leave the stress on.

The Combo works like this on paper

The Attacker makes 3 attacks at range 2 (lets forget TL and Focus atm)

Hit, Hit, Crit (ouch!)

Ibi uses Elusiveness on the critical and FCS on a hit

The new Dice result is

Hit, Focus, Focus

Two of the 3 dice can also now not be rerolled.

Ibi now defends

Blank, (doh)

Ibis ability kicks in

Evade

You have now turned 3 hits into a total whiff!

To answer your question, of course if you have a stress elusiveness will not come into play that round. It would also only come into play once per round if triggered. I do like it on ibi for the reason of the large amount of shields the b-wing has. It compliments the Crit rerolling into another Crit.

You called it FCS in the play-by-play - I assume you mean the jammer instead?

So I played this the other day and my dce were a little mad at me. I'll post a report soon.

Noticable weaknesses are the xwings. While good, aren't great. Going to see what 3 ship Falcon builds are available

There are just enough points to run BLue Squad + HLC X2 and Chewie, though I know you're going for a defensive Ibitsam

So for B-wing Dials we have

1 Hard-Red

1 Soft/Forward Green

2 Turn/Bank White

2 Straight Green

2 K-Turn Red

3 Bank Red

3 Straight White

4 Straight Red

While Playing, as noted before, B-wings are excelling at close-medium range. The Dials supports this, given I have all possible moves within a 1/2 movement template it is easy to have a target and stay with it. I RARELY have used bank 3, Straight 4. Ibi has always come in at range 3 while my other ships are hitting at range 1/2.

I always weigh my options and think about my firing arcs, included is the possible collisions with ships or asteroids. If I am to take a red maneuver (loosing my chance to elusiveness) it is because a) I will not get shot at or will get shot at range 3 (exclude ordinance/hlc) or can get a range 1 shot by doing so. I have found that gaining stress from elusiveness is easy to remove as well. Since I am trying to stay in CQC I am normally making 1 banks with barrel rolls or range two maneuvers since it is ok for me to leave the stress on.

The Combo works like this on paper

The Attacker makes 3 attacks at range 2 (lets forget TL and Focus atm)

Hit, Hit, Crit (ouch!)

Ibi uses Elusiveness on the critical and FCS on a hit

The new Dice result is

Hit, Focus, Focus

Two of the 3 dice can also now not be rerolled.

Ibi now defends

Blank, (doh)

Ibis ability kicks in

Evade

You have now turned 3 hits into a total whiff!

To answer your question, of course if you have a stress elusiveness will not come into play that round. It would also only come into play once per round if triggered. I do like it on ibi for the reason of the large amount of shields the b-wing has. It compliments the Crit rerolling into another Crit.

You called it FCS in the play-by-play - I assume you mean the jammer instead?

haha yes thank you, I did mean sensor jammer