Yes, we must test missiles next.

I agree that concentrated fire on a target may be key here. Though I dropped 2 cluster missiles (alpha strike style) on the Falcon, in my second game, and did very little damage with them.. but then I had 2 ships fire on it each turn after that and finally got through the shields..

I am applying for a job a Chief Test Engineer at the Imperial Research Lab.

I actually own 2 of each of all the large ships.. some of those cards are just too important.. also in friendly games we use the ship builder programs and no cards,.. so any combo is possible..

Ran this yesterday:

Vader, Expose, Engine Upgrade, Concussion

Maarek Steele, PtL, Concussion

Obsidian

Academy

Played against:

Blue Squadron, HLC, Advanced Sensors, Shield Upgrade

Blue Squadron, HLC, Advanced Sensors

Blue Squadron, HLC, Advanced Sensors

I burned in full speed turn 1, but he didn't, so no one shot anything. Turn 2, he focused all around and I dropped both concussion missiles on one of the blue squadrons - It evaded one of vaders 4 hits. Maarek got 3 hits and a crit and the blue pulled a blank on defense. I the 3rd damage card down was a direct hit, so I chose that and the blue squadron went down without firing a shot. Blues both fired HLC on vader and landed 3 hits. The obsidian and Academy managed to knock 1 shield off of the blue squad with the shield upgrade. Next turn I tried to block with the Academy (he used advanced sensor to barrel roll and avoid the block) and selected moves that would let me focus fire on the Blue that had taken a hit. Vader boosted and barrel rolled out of the line of fire of both blues, but was only able to line up a range 2 shot on the other blue because of it and didn't do any damage. Maarek went head to head with the blue in range 1 and target locked and focused, the obsidian also hit range 1 with a barrel roll. They knocked off 4 shields and in return Maarek took 2 hits. The other blue put 2 hits on the academy. Next turn we both ended up K turning a bunch excluding vader & maarek. Vader lined up a shot on the damaged blue without being able to be shot by the other blue, so he exposed and target locked. Vader put 4 hits on the blue (horray for blanks) and the obsidian finished it off (did I mention horray blanks?). We ended up calling it at this point as the last blue just wasn't going to be able to win against 4 ships.

I ran this squad 2x on Vassal today:

Tempest + concussion= 25

Storm + Cluster = 27

Gamma Bomber + Concussion + seismic= 24

Gamma Bomber + Concussion + seismic= 24

Obviously not all Advanced but was very serviceable. The missiles make or break ya. I lost the first game to a BBXX list with Biggs. I had a rookie and Biggs with 3 health combined after the first pass and couldn't quite finish off either in a timely manner. It did come down to my 2 advanced vs. 2 bwings but as previously noted the Bwings chew em up fast.

2nd game vs. 2xblues + advanced sensors + chewie

Made sure the missiles were concentrated enough to knock out one bwing completely and the 2nd the next round. Took forever to mow down Chewie but taking evades all day helped.

Missiles and higher PS matter a lot. You could probably get similar results with 4 advanced + missiles but the seismic charges and the 5k turns are nice.

I've been thinking combos of mixed ships would be best in the long run, I will be trying this next time I get a chance...

I think I need to figure out this Vassal and jump in on the fun...

I am hoping against hope to be wrong, but the Vader, Maarek list with probably a Tempest is the way to go. Missile test first though.

That looks like a fun list there Pete...