So, tonight I was finally able to try out a three shuttle list I had been working on during the League Night at Madness Games in Plano, TX.
First, the list:
Captain Yorr + Gunner + Fire Control System + Engine Upgrade + Intel Agent
Omicron Group Pilot + Gunner + Fire Control System + Engine Upgrade x 2
So, my first game I faced off against two Rookie Pilots and two Blue Squadron pilots. Both B-Wings had Heavy Laser Cannons.
This was the first time I had played with asteroids. As I had initiative, I placed one Magic Space Bus facing forward near each side. He placed both X-Wings and B-Wings on my left, facing the Big White Space Bus there. I then placed Captain Yorr to the left as well. First turn, I moved all my ships forward hard, moving three forward, followed by a boost. He turned hard left, trying to attack my lone shuttle. This turned out to be a mistake, as I was just outside of range three the first round. The next round, I banked in with my two shuttles on the left and rushed my right flank forward, catching his formation as it turned to face me.
This is where he learned the true power of a fully armed and operational Lambda shuttle. At normal range, I roll 3 attack dice. An X-Wing would usually dodge the one or so hits I had. Then, I acquire target lock. Gunner kicks in and I attack again. I get to use target lock for this second attack, so I would suddenly have two or three hits/crits. Plus I get to keep target lock. I moved my ships to concentrate fire on those areas he had to move. He was able to take down one of my shuttles with concentrated fire, but under my withering assault his fleet feel apart. With but one X-Wing surviving the next few rounds, and my two remaining Fairy Star Cows still having shields and turning to face him, he finally conceded. I was immediately impressed by how well this list handled, though it does take getting used to maneuvering these beasts.
The second round I fought against a different opponent. He took (I don't recall all the upgrades):
Blue Squadron Pilot + HLC
Horton Salm + Ion Cannon + 2x Proton Torpedoes
Kyle Katarn + Moldy Crow + Recon Specialist + Blaster Turret + Determination
This one I started my two Alabaster Void Manatees again one each side and Yorr near the middle while he set slightly to me left. This game I again rushed forward, reaching range three on the first turn with Yorr as he also moved forward. That initial shuttle took a pounding, losing its shields. I only managed to strip the shield off the crow. Next turn I moved forward, but the asteroid placement fouled most of my flight paths and I ended up further than I wanted. The dice did not go well for me this turn and I made the mistake of concentrating on the HWK. I wasn't able to finish Kyle until the third turn, after losing Yorr. Out of position, I was able to concentrate some fire on the B-Wing, but just could not finish it off, only getting one damage through per attack. Several turns passed and I just could not kill the B-Wing before the Y-Wing got in perfect position to hit my rightmost Mystical Vacuum Brahmin with the proton torpedo, destroying it. With my remaining vessel out of position and damaged, I conceded. I made several mistakes this game, notably concentrating fire on the HWK instead of the B-Wing or Y-Wing. I also maneuvered poorly. Even then, the fight was close but poor dice and excellent flying by my opponent took me down. I learned several valuable lessons in this fight and I certainly surprised my opponent that he had to work for his victory.
Finally, I played my first opponent again. This time, he decided to go with a Han Shoots First variant (I don't remember all the upgrades)
Han + Falcon + Gunner + Marksmanship
Rookie Pilot + R2 Astromech x2
Once more, I split my Ivory Fairy Bison to either side. He placed both X-Wings to my left. Because of the asteroid placement, I opted to put Yorr to my right. I moved one forward on the left as I brought my other shuttles arcing in from the right. I immediately misjudged and slammed Yorr into the rear of the Omicron Group Bovine. The next turn I move my left flank forward slowly again while I continued hooking my right into the center. Once more, Yorr's movement was fouled. This round I concentrated fire on the Falcon, stripping it's shields. However, the concentrated fire on the left shuttle caused it's shields to fold like wet tissue paper and gave it a single crit. Of course, it was the one that caused a damage any time that ship overlapped another.
I stalled my left. One the right, I had no particularly good options. I was deep in asteroids. I opted to pull my Organic Star Beef hard to the right, pulling him well out of arc and range, while Yorr moved slightly forward. I was able to land more damage on Han, leaving him with five hull, but at the cost of one shuttle. Now, his X-Wings pointed back towards him and Han pointed at me, I made the decision to break engagement. Yorr would head to my left and up, while my remaining Omicron Herd Buffalo would swing wide north and to my left. Han made a serious piloting error and ended up facing the corner of the map, with not a single maneuver on the dial able to prevent him from fleeing the field. The X-Wings hooked in, hoping the catch Yorr as he turned back down, but misjudged just how nimble the shuttle was, ending up at range one just inside the sights of my shuttle. A roll of three hits to no evades destroyed the X-Wing. That last, lone X-Wing versus two largely intact shuttles, and my opponent conceded.
I am really happy with this list. It has weaknesses, sure, but it's a solid, viable list. I had been considering several changes to the list, but these games made me rethink them. One of it's strongest strengths lies in the opponent underestimating it.
Edit: I corrected a couple issues and a host of spelling errors. I don't type as well when I'm tired.
