Preparing for first tournament, advice needed

By Ringo67, in X-Wing

Although I've been lurking for a while, this is my first post. I've got my first tournament coming up next Thursday and my experience is very limited. Both time's I've played its been during a demo, with me playing one of a pair of Rebel ships against two guys running a pair of Imperial ships.

I'm expecting I'm likely to get creamed, but my goal is to have fun and to learn as much as I can.

My collection includes two starter sets, X-wing, Y-Wing, B-Wing, YT-1300, Tie and a Tie Advanced.

I'm figuring on running a Rebel squadron, because I have a larger variety of Rebel ships right now and I'm not used to running large numbers of ships. Plus, I like that the Rebel ships generally can take a little more damage. No offense to the Imperials, though. ;)

Anyway, here's two squads I've come up with. I expect they're pretty pedestrian, but I'd appreciate any comments. Or, if there's a better combo out there, I'd love to know. This is all very new to me.

Thanks!

Option One (99 pts)

Biggs Darklighter

+R5-D8

+Proton Torpedos

+Shield Upgrade

Dagger Squadron Pilot

+Fire Control System

+Autoblaster

+Proton Torpedoes

X-Wing Rookie Pilot

+R5 Astromech

+Advanced Proton Torpedoes

Option Two (100 pts)

Ten Numb

+Fire Control System

+Veteran Instincts

Wedge Antilles

+R2-D2

+Marksmanship

"Dutch" Vander

+R5-K6

+Ion Cannon Turret

You've got good instincts, but there are some edits you should make.

In list 1, you have too many points on Biggs, whose entire purpose is to die first.

Moreover, there's probably a better use of the 14 points you've spent on torpedoes throughout.

In list two, you've got some nice options. As-is, I'd go with that one. There are definitely edits to make here as well, but none of the choices you've made are strictly bad: just a bit weird stylistically.

However, for your first tournament, I would highly suggest a Han Shoots First list. Look at the interaction between Han Solo and Gunner (or Luke Skywalker [the crewman] if you don't have a Slave-1 expansion yet), Fly that ship with two escorts, and you'll be golden. It's very friendly to early to moderate players.

my first torny list i was quite limited as only wave one stuff was out

I took luke skywalker r2d2

gold sqdrn-ion cannon r2 astromech

rookie x r2 astromech

rookie x r2 astromech.

It was a simple build but i flew well and came 4th overall, may have done better if i didnt fly my y wing off the board in one game.

I prefer 4 ship rebel builds especialy against tie swarms, most of the other rebel builds were either 2x2y or 3 ship rebels with wedge.

Squad one:

WAY too much stuff on Biggs. R5D8 costs too much, requires you to survive the round before you can spend the action to use and even then may not work; R2F2 is a better choice and even that may not always be optimal. Good luck getting Torps off of Biggs when he takes all the damage as well.

Probably too many upgrades period. Autoblaster is of limited use compared to a base 4 attack at that range unless all you face are Stealth Device equipped TIEs. Getting torps off with lower skill pilot is harder because you need TL.

Instead Try:

Biggs + R2F2

Dagger + FCS

Red Squadron Pilot x2 or Red, Gold + Ion Turrent

Squad 2:

Marksmanship isn't that great unless you can make multiple attacks or get bonus from Critical hit. HEY, Ten gets a benefit from the crit so maybe you should try that on him instead especially with TL getting picked up with the FCS. I almost worry about Dutch's ability going to waste as he moves up an TLs but the other two ships are still out of TL range.

Consider:

Ten + FCS + Marksmanship + ENGINE UPGRADE

Dutch + R2 + Ion Turret

Garven + R5 + Shield Upgrade

Although I've been lurking for a while, this is my first post. I've got my first tournament coming up next Thursday and my experience is very limited. Both time's I've played its been during a demo, with me playing one of a pair of Rebel ships against two guys running a pair of Imperial ships.

I'm expecting I'm likely to get creamed, but my goal is to have fun and to learn as much as I can.

My collection includes two starter sets, X-wing, Y-Wing, B-Wing, YT-1300, Tie and a Tie Advanced.

I'm figuring on running a Rebel squadron, because I have a larger variety of Rebel ships right now and I'm not used to running large numbers of ships. Plus, I like that the Rebel ships generally can take a little more damage. No offense to the Imperials, though. ;)

No Offense!? We have more offense and more defense! That is why we are superior. REBEL SCUM!

Now then... Welcome.

I would run list one changing up some of your upgrades as previously noted. BIGGS will die and will die first. With any upgrade on him you have to be prepared to never get to use it. Also, Xwings already pack 4 dice. Torpeados are usually not the best use of points but don't put it on biggs for sure.

id probably go with XXBY

something like...

Squad#1 100pts

Biggs Darklighter (15)

Dutch Vader + Ion Cannon (28)

Red Squadron Pilot (23)

Dagger Squadron Pilot (24)

or

Squad#2 100pts

Biggs Darklighter (25)

Dutch Vader + Ion Cannon + R2 Astromech (29)

Rookie Pilot + R2 Astromech (22)

Dagger Squadron Pilot (24)

or maybe XXXB

Squad#3 100pts

Luke Skywalker + R2D2 (32)

Biggs Darklighter (25)

Rookie Pilot (21)

Blue Squadron Pilot (22)

Edited by The_Brown_Bomber

Why not go XXXB with

Wedge w/ R2 Astromech

Biggs

Rookie

Blue Squad with an Ion Cannon or FCS

I kind of like a list of

Garven

Dagger Squadron w/fc

Red Squadron

Grey Squadron w/ion cannon

So very similar to what Brown Bomber is advising, just with slightly different pilots.

Wow, lots of great replies. Thanks!

I'm gonna really dig into them over the weekend, but here are a few quick notes:

I put these two list together on the fly, so I expected they would be a little "weird."

In list 1 I was looking to keep Biggs around for as long as possible. It sounds like if I use I should keep him fairly basic and let him soak up the damage.

I'm going to take another look at Han Shoots First. I've run the YT-1300 in one of the demos I did. That 360-degree turret is pretty nice.

Also, XXXB and XXBY seem interesting. I've seen a lot of love for the B-Wing on this forum and I'm thinking about investing in another one.

That leads me to another question: Is there a ship that would be worth buying to improve my options?

3 shuttles is always good ;)

no b-wings and x-wings are very popular for rebels

to run the empire you need at least 4 more ties lol

Fly what feels right bro. Don't force a ship if it doesn't feel right. I learned that with a-wings. I tried flying them and how i play doesn't fit how they should be flown . so i cut my losses and focused on becoming more proficient with other pilots and ships. Don't get tunnel vision when squad building. You miss out on good pilots.

I'm not sure If I should start a new thread or add up to this one as I'm facing a similar issue...We'll be playing our first tournament on the 25th and I can't fly my fav squad as I have not enough ships (a friend can borrow some Imperial cards he won't be using)

Available:

Y
B
HWK
YT
2A
4X
Lambda ( <3 the miniature :)

Most likely I'll be facing lots of Daggers so I'd like to fly a good counter to it's PS4 / AGI1. I see two ways, either very mobile 'high' PS pilots or Ions. I don't feel playing with Biggs nor YT...

################## 1 #####################

Ibitsam + Push The Limit + Advanced Sensors + Engine Upgrade

Rookie + R2 Astromech

2A Green Squadron + Veteran Instincts

################## 2 #####################

Rookie + Stealth Device

Green Squadron + Daredevil

Gold Squadron + Ion Turret + R2 Astromech

Dagger + Ion Cannon + Advanced Sensors

Do these squads look 'right' to you ? What do you think will be more effective, high PS + boosts or Ions ?

I know I won't beat my friends imperial squad nor a swarm so I don't expect to win yet I'd like to be feared by all Dagger lists out there :ph34r:

TIA

Edited by polmoneys