The Virago.

By Englishpete, in X-Wing

I like the Virago (StarVyper) model and would like to put one on the table. I ordered the Titanium 3" series one that is pretty much on scale.

Now I could make up a card that fits it pretty well, but for the sake of flying it under the 'real rules' which ship is it most like.

The closest I can come up with is a Royal Guard Tie Interceptor with a Royal Guard card, Shield Upgrade and Targeting Computer.

Probably with PtL or Adrenaline Rush.

Would you object (in friendly games) to having the model on the board with those stats?

It also fits nicely with a Bounty Hunter themed list I want to use, but with more Bounty Hunter like ship models?

Just Curious.

(I will be painting the model)

Edited by Englishpete

Based on those cards, you could do a direct replacement with the stat cards for the Tie Advanced. Which based on the Wookiepedia description of the mass produced Vyper's being inferior to Xizors, would work out great.

You could add the engine upgrade for a boost.

That would also mean I could use the characters like Vader and just give them a new name.

Hmmm. I am liking this idea more.

Edited by Englishpete

For casual play, I also put together these cards.

I would use Tie Interceptor movement dials.

They would also have a 270 degree rear and side firing arc, but with 2 att not 3 as the primary cannons swivel

10443861426_7348814480_b.jpg

Edited by Englishpete

I love the ship, one of my all time favs, if not my overall all time fav. It needs more than 2 agility, one of it's main features is that it's wings continually moved so as to appear alive and meant it was very hard and disorientating to hit, so because of that I would deffo say it needs agility 3. 3 attack dice seems acceptable, but part of the specialty of the ship was that the super advanced computers made the lasers far more effective than standard and more powerful than the average fighter craft at the time. I also distinctly remember it was a large ship, almost slave 1 size, so perhaps having it at that size and then adding some hull points for that? Also remember Xizor bought the rights to that ship, so only 1 was ever produced during the rebellion era, it was a lot later than the inferior models were released to public. I think after yuuzhan vong war. And remember the whole wings moving to appear alive wasn't just to make it very hard to hit, but meant its weapons could have a 360 degree arc and meant the ship did not have a single blind spot.... so it's a ship that is very hard to put into game terms without it being very expensive, but your cards make it seem.... inferior by far. And the whole black sun operative in a star vyper just isn't right... but cards do look awesome

If it was indeed a large ship, then much of my dilemma with fielding as a Bounty Hunter is resolved as I will field it as exactly that. It doesn't need to be Xizor. It's such a cool model, I'd happily field it in Bounty Hunter mode. Frankly, Krassis Trellix could easily be substituted as Xizor.

The ability to Evade, I think, will make up for agility 2, especially if it is a large ship. Slave 1 card can add the Proton's option.

I'd have to take no crew, but that is OK.

I like this set up in that case:

49 points
Prince Xizor (Krassis Trelix)
Heavy Laser Cannon, Virago (Slave-1), Advanced Proton Torpedoes
Or
58 points
Prince Xizor (Kath Scarlet)
Heavy Laser Cannon, Push the Limit, Virago (Slave-1), Engine Upgrade, Advanced Proton Torpedoes

The torps are optional in both builds.

Edited by Englishpete

I looked further into the ship and it is about what I had on the Xizor card according to Wookiepedia.

X-Wing like shielding and hull, forward mounted laser cannons and 2 proton torp launchers.

It was as swift as a Tie Interceptor so may be 3 agility would work for it.

I would drop target lock from my original card.

Size wise it was 21 meters so B-Wing size or there about.

I would be happy to fly it with Interceptor stats of a Royal Guard Tie with shield and stealth device so it could be used in the game.

I think with it's stats that I've seen around it should look like a tie advanced but with proton torpedoes instead of missiles. Keep in mind that it has the exact same number of launchers and payload as an x wing. So I think one torpedo upgrade is appropriate.

I like the thinking. In all honesty, I think it should be identical to an X-Wing but use an Interceptor dial. That would pretty much make it a good solid ship.

So I came up with the stats I think work best. I will create the cards tomorrow.

For a standard Star Vyper;

PS 3

Att 3

Agi 2

Hull 3

Sh 2

TL, Focus and Evade

Upgrades; Proton Torpedo, HLC

Uses Interceptor dial

23 points

For the Virago

Same as above but PS 6 representing Xizor.

Add an EPS slot

Special rule: you may either choose to change one of your blanks to a hit or force your opponent to reroll one of his attack die.

This represents the targeting computer Xizor fitted or the difficulty in hitting the Virago.

29 points

Edited by Englishpete

My only real complaint is that it's "Star Viper", not "Star Vyper". ;)

Ah, you make an EXCELLENT observation. I shall spell it correctly :-)

Also, further research shows that it was equal in firepower to an X or Interceptor and so no HLC upgrade is required.

Do not want to over soup the ship and break it for balance.

Edited by Englishpete

OK,

so I created the cards that I think are the final revision for me. You can add ship modifications as normal, so the ship is more personalized.

To make it completely fair. I'd use the Tie advanced dial for movement on the Mercs, as the ships were sub standard and use the Interceptor on the Xizor ship.

Would you allow me to play it in friendly games?

10457615925_42c7bc4d37_b.jpg

Edited by Englishpete

Further research shows that these ships were on the market on or around ABY 4. Which fits in with the timeline of the Galactic Empire/Rebellion.

Further, they were used by the Mandolorians as fighters.

With this in mind, I am really tempted to fly this as a fun list. Using StarViper models in place of the Advanced models.

48 points
Boba Fett
Ion Cannon, Push the Limit, Recon Specialist
26 points
Storm Squadron Pilot #1
Stealth Device
26 points
Storm Squadron Pilot #2
Stealth Device
Edited by Englishpete

Looks good, the wording on the Princes ability is a little awkward but otherwise it looks solid.

Your stats and reasoning are excellent, and I would love to see the ship on the table. Having said that, the upgrade of X-Wing to Interceptor dial, and the addition of the evade option compared to giving up an Astromech, and an increase in PS to 3 is certainly worth more than a single point. Baseline should probably be on the order of 24 or 25 points.

Prince Xizor's ability is VERY powerful both offensively and defensively. Comparing him to Soontir Fel at 27 points he is flat out superior by a wide margin. His cost, as written, should easily be 31+ points. Compared to Vader he has far more firepower (double, actually) with 3 attack dice and an automatic blank-to-hit. With his reroll ability he also has equal defense to Vader. Put him at 32 points and he will still be an absolute monster on the table.

Edited by KineticOperator

That is great feedback. I am going to tone down the dial to a Tie Advanced. I also think I will eliminate the whole defensive part of Xizor's ability.

Buying the Stealth upgrade can take care of 'harder' to hit.

Points wise, I think 23 on the basic with Tie advanced dial seems about right and 28 on modified Xizor seems good.

Thoughts?

Basic sounds spot-on. Xizor is still rocking double the firepower of a TIE Advanced, though giving up the defensive side helps tone him down. It also makes his ability easier to write and read, and simplicity is always a good thing. You could try 28, but I would think that 30 is closer to where you will want to settle. He is still significantly better than Vader who costs 29 (and is useful at that cost), he should be at least as many points.

I think making the dial the same as the TIE Advanced is a good idea. This allows the ship to have its own niche, still be very maneuverable, but doesn't displace the Interceptor as the go-to ship for outright performance flying.

30 points seems solid on Xizor and you hit my thinking on the head with the dial selection.

If you look at Vader, Xizor and Ten Nunb, Xizor seems to sit nicely in the middle of that range, so 30 makes sense.

I'll modify the cards and repost soon.

Edited by Englishpete

Just as an info point, here is the scale comparison. Pretty much exact.

DSCF0012-3_zpse53604b7.jpg

One final question.

Xizor is obviously a unique pilot, but I am thinking of adding wording to his card that states if you field him you may not field other StarVipers as if he was alive his was the only one in existence?

Edited by Englishpete

Honestly?

You have a great looking ship, interesting well-balanced stats, and some cool backstory. I would rather see a couple MORE pilot options than a reduction, so we can put a few of these babies on the table. Maybe just a unique Title card that allows him to reroll one defense die every attack for 4 points (comparing to Flight Instructor).

I am actually combing through ebay right now, thinking I may buy a couple to use with the stats and cards you have put forward.

Prince at 30 with reduced def ability

Reg at 23

Both with Tie Advanced dial? Another option might be the Tie Bomber dial with the kturn a 3 instead of 5. I don't know how mobile the ship was but that 1 forward would certainly make it unique. I can live with either.

I don't know what the title of his ship was but sounds like it's a good mod. You could also just make it Luke's ability, might be easier to compare cost.

I would eliminate the evade ability.

To quantify; this ship is allegedly 21m tall (around 60-70 feet, which seems a little excessive). It will not manouevre like a TIE, it's more in the assault shuttle territory.

Edited by aadh