His current ability is actually very unique. I think it would be a complete shame to nuke it completely just because we don't like it, especially if the replacement is more of a "brute force" type skill.

If you draw 3 damage cards, you have a 52% chance of getting a Direct Hit. Even if you don't get a direct hit, being able to choose one of three damage cards makes for some REALLY interesting and awesome situational tactics. The only problem is that the ability doesn't trigger often enough. Allowing one hit to get changed to a crit fixes this, without being overpowered (I think).

The epic ships announcement mentioned something about new damage decks with the rebel transport. Maarek's ability might make a comeback - if it works with those.

http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_news.asp?eidn=4312

"Even though the Rebel transport is depicted at a scale that allows you to maneuver it in battle, it is still so large that it comes with multiple new damage decks to track hits against different sections of its hull."

I dont think it needs fixing. i feel it isnt ment too be that common of a ship and its a way to vader unique in that way.

Personally i would probably fly maarek more if he both cost less and had a lower PS but still had his elite skill slot, perhaps PS 5.

I feel this might benefit his current ability, letting him shoot later in the round after another ship has hopefully stripped away a few shields.

At the end of the day I find I like his current ability but only if you can connect with it which is obviously the problem

In the essence of full disclosure I havent used Maarek enough in enough different roles, but looking at EnglishPetes glass cannon post could Maarek find a place in an elite squad.

Eg.

Vader + squad leader + stealth

Soontir + PTL + stealth

Maarek + marksmanship + stealth

We have established the Advanced is not the best dogfighter but has anyone tried this

His current ability is actually very unique. I think it would be a complete shame to nuke it completely just because we don't like it, especially if the replacement is more of a "brute force" type skill.

If you draw 3 damage cards, you have a 52% chance of getting a Direct Hit. Even if you don't get a direct hit, being able to choose one of three damage cards makes for some REALLY interesting and awesome situational tactics. The only problem is that the ability doesn't trigger often enough. Allowing one hit to get changed to a crit fixes this, without being overpowered (I think).

Ok, you don't want to butcher Maareks ability but enhance it so it would trigger more often in a game. I must confess Maareks ability would be useful and interesting if the chances were higher to trigger it. In any case it is unique.

I'd prefere unique and useful. And that is what Maarek might become. So I'm fine with this.

What would fit best to produce the crit?

(a) one hit to one crit -or- (b) one eye to one crit?

If we would go with (a), Markmanship could still be used to increase the chances to get a crit.

If we would go with (b), Markmanshipwould be redundant, Expose and Opportunist would come in handy.

Would you provide us with some figures? Figures matter

I hate to nerf marksmanship any more but i would vote ( a) it seems a better fit and giving him an ability so similar to marksmanship (option b) doesn't sit right with my gut.

But i am interested to see the figures.

Could that abiliry then be abused by using marksmanship or expose etc.. i dont know.

When changing an eye you at least possibly limit the chances of all crits.

On a side note, I do hope that one day a pilot does get your proposed skill of crits or even hits bypassing shields

His current ability is actually very unique. I think it would be a complete shame to nuke it completely just because we don't like it, especially if the replacement is more of a "brute force" type skill.

If you draw 3 damage cards, you have a 52% chance of getting a Direct Hit. Even if you don't get a direct hit, being able to choose one of three damage cards makes for some REALLY interesting and awesome situational tactics. The only problem is that the ability doesn't trigger often enough. Allowing one hit to get changed to a crit fixes this, without being overpowered (I think).

Ok, you don't want to butcher Maareks ability but enhance it so it would trigger more often in a game. I must confess Maareks ability would be useful and interesting if the chances were higher to trigger it. In any case it is unique.

I'd prefere unique and useful. And that is what Maarek might become. So I'm fine with this.

What would fit best to produce the crit?

(a) one hit to one crit -or- (b) one eye to one crit?

If we would go with (a), Markmanship could still be used to increase the chances to get a crit.

If we would go with (b), Markmanshipwould be redundant, Expose and Opportunist would come in handy.

Would you provide us with some figures? Figures matter

General thoughts: Luke's ability to change an eyeball to an evade is at PS8 skill, so I would assume that if we had an ability to change an eyeball to a hit/crit, then that would also be a PS8 ability. Adding an extra ability on top of that would make it PS9, or possibly just too unbalanced period. So I see option a) as the only balanced option for PS7 skill. I personally wouldn't want to change his pilot skill either way, PS7 sounds about right for him.

Figures. Lets see, I think I calculated the "one free eyeball to hit" on your PS8 "Starkiller" pilot in another thread. It's a really good ability just by itself, and appropriate at PS8 without anything else added. I will re summarize the hit distribution here for reference, as requested. Crits aren't considered, but you get the general idea.

This is without defense dice considered, just offensive dice.

0 hits 1 hit 2 hits 3 hits avg

25% 50% 25% 1.0 2 dice, no actions

6.25% 43.75% 50% 1.43 2 dice, no actions, 1 focus to hit

6.25% 37.5% 56.25% 1.5 2 dice, target lock

0.39% 18.36% 81.25% 1.81 2 dice, target lock, 1 focus to hit

12.5% 37.5% 37.5% 12.5% 1.5 3 dice, no actions

1.56% 20.3% 46.88% 31.25% 2.08 3 dice, no actions, 1 focus to hit

1.56% 14.06% 42.19% 42.19% 2.25 3 dice, target lock

0.024% 3.64% 29.05% 67.29% 2.64 3 dice, target lock, 1 focus to hit

So, being able to change 1 eyeball to a hit/crit is really good in its own right and is deserving of being a PS8 ability. You certainly can't make it eyeball to crit, AND add Maarek's natural ability, and then put that on a PS7 ship. Maybe you could get away with that being a PS9 combination, but even then I'm not sure - especially if it were on a 3 attack ship.

On a side note, I do hope that one day a pilot does get your proposed skill of crits or even hits bypassing shields

I agree, that would be interesting. It would have to be balanced, which could be difficult, but it would be interesting. Ten Numb's ability at PS8 is kind of similar, so we have a baseline there.

Also, Marksmanship on Steele would potentially be useful if his ability only changes a hit to a crit, not an eye to a crit, but I would still think that PtL might still be better. Off-topic, but I would consider making Marksmanship cost 2 points not 3, but I'm afraid that might break other situations in the process (Han shoots first, cluster missiles on vader, and a couple other corner cases).

Thanks for your input, MajorJuggler.

Now it would be cool if we had first-hand experiences with 4 Advanced + FCS.

Pete, would you organize a testgame with your mate?

Yeh, probably get one in next week.

I was able to fly my 4 Tempest list last night with the added FCS vs 4 Rookies with Engine Upgrades.

What an improvement FCS seemed to make. I was able to make damage stick. I won with all 4 Rookies down to two of my Tempests lost and two with shields out.

Dice on both sides seemed pretty even, but with FCS giving locks, the flexibility on using the focus dice made a big difference.

So you are satisfied with our little fix then?

One game does not a full test make, but it sure as heck looked good in practice :-)

Thats good to hear and this matches also my impression I had with my little 'shootout' duels.

Finally the Advanced is an equal match for the X-Wing ... of course the X-Wing is still capable of higher damage, but the Advanced does a more constant lower damage ...

I am satisfied with the results so far.

Yippeee. Wooo hooo

May I ask you to test this squads sometime?:

4 x Storm Squadron Pilot + Elusiveness

and

Maarek Stele + Markmanship

3 Tempest / Storm

I will fly some variants over the holiday period. I want to try Vader as well. :-)

Very well then. I'm looking forward on your reports

I am interested in experiences in using Maarek Stele with the FCS ... maybe he is 'fixed' as well already.

And of course about Vader ... is he finally the the infamous Dark Lord in space, worth to be feared? ...

(just like the Imperials fear Wedge)

Sounds good so far. Keep testing. Might inspire me to get more than one advanced!

I was able to fly my 4 Tempest list last night with the added FCS vs 4 Rookies with Engine Upgrades.

What an improvement FCS seemed to make. I was able to make damage stick. I won with all 4 Rookies down to two of my Tempests lost and two with shields out.

Dice on both sides seemed pretty even, but with FCS giving locks, the flexibility on using the focus dice made a big difference.

Interesting. 4 Rookies with Engine Boost is a weird squad. Maybe time to mix in some more traditional X-Wings and B-Wings. More data points are needed!

I will run my next few games with a 4 Adv + build in FCS list, will post the results.

As for the 4 rookies with engines: I flew them myself before, and they are very agile, more than the opponent expects. You get a big part of the flight magic of an Interceptor, with a better firepower (thanks to TL) and much more resistance. It's a dangerous list that looks harmless at first glance.

Another tester joined the cause. You are very welcomed.

Every bit of first-hand experience helps.

I played a bit with Vader and he is awesome! His 2 hits are pretty solid + he is able to do a barrel or an evade action if he gets into somebodies arc, or boost if you got engine upgrade. So even a vanilla Vader is worth to put on the table - just like a vanilla Wedge.

I a duel shootout scenario Vader is hard to defeat - even for Wedge ... since Vader has no trouble to use an evade action every turn and is only attacked once in a turn - while still having the power of scoring solid 2 hits.

Is Vader the best pilot in the Galaxy? I think he is. We could use some testing with him as well.

So, was there any reply after the guy who sent FFG the email suggesting that they do something about the TIEadv, like give it sensors etc?

They said if it came up in discussion ever they would pass on my comments.