Chewbacca the meat shield

By RyonAndo, in X-Wing

so just playing around with a 100 point squad

Chewbacca, Millennium Falcon Title, Nien Nunb, Flight Instructor, Engine Upgrade, Draw Their Fire (53)

Rookie Pilot, R2-F2

Rookie Pilot R2 Astromech

Not sure how it would compete but I have yet to build a YT squad, I like Chewbacca a lot, he seems like a bit of a tank to me, I know this squad doesn't have much to boast as far as fire power goes. Advice and constructive criticism is always welcome.

Most folks will instantly tell you to trade Nien Nunb and Flight Instructor for a Gunner.

FI isn't really a good option on a ship with only 1 evade die, and Gunner is simply astonishing on a Falcon, definitely fixing the worries you had over firepower.

However, in a world where Chewbacca is feeling tanky, DTF is a phenomenal option. Dude ignores Crits that didn't come from a Saboteur, and this would let him extend that general Wookieness to the whole fleet.

Weirdly enough, Luke Skywalker with R2-D2 is a much better tank than Chewie. He's severely harder to hit, and by regenerating the shields, he erases the critical hit entirely, rather than turning it into a hit.

That's a lot of points on Chewie, but his damage output is only going to be so-so. R2-F2 is OK damage mitigation, but if your opponent can shoot someone else, then it's just a wasted action. You also have 2 additional actions available (evade, boost), in addition to focus and target lock, but you can only take one per round.

If I were flying against you, I would probably focus down the R2 Rookie or Chewie first, and clean up the R2-F2 Rookie last.

That said, I'm a big fan of the Wave 3 Han Shoots First list:

Han Solo, Millennium Falcon, Push the Limit, Gunner, Recon Specialist (58)

Rookie x2

But you can also use Chewie for this same build, it fees up 4 points which you can then use to upgrade one of the Rookies to a B-wing with Advanced Sensors:

Chewie, Millennium Falcon, Push the Limit, Gunner, Recon Specialist (54)

Blue + Advanced Sensors

Rookie

That said, I am sure there are ways that you can make a tanky Chewie build work too, you just need to keep your damage output up somehow.

For less damage but more tankiness, you could try something like:

Chewie (46)

Luke + R2-D2 + Draw Their Fire

Blue + Advanced Sensors

Your opponent would be smart here to try and focus down the Blue first, then probably Luke, and lastly Chewie.

Edit: You could also swap out the Blue for Biggs, both are 25 points. It's basically the Biggs + Luke + Wedge combo, but with Chewie instead of Wedge.

Edited by MajorJuggler

There are 2 types of Tanking in the game Damage Tanking and Action Tanking.

Damage Tanks : are obvious Biggs and anyone with EPT-Draw Their Fire.

Action Tanks : are Kagi, Yorr, and Lower PS Ships with Navigator combined with an Intel Agent; Basically Blockers .

(NOTE: Navigator and Intel Agent don't have to be on the same ship just operate near each other; also with enough Game Sense you don't need the Intel Agent).

I've notice that Chewie is rather mission specific for "Tanky-ness"

the DTF build is great for lower PS groups, PS4 or less. (Damage Tanking)

a APL+Navigator+Intel Agent+Expert Handling build is great for higher PS groups. (Action Tanking)

Combining the both may work on Chewie but it may force to many shots his way.

There are 2 types of Tanking in the game Damage Tanking and Action Tanking.

Damage Tanks : are obvious Biggs and anyone with EPT-Draw Their Fire.

Action Tanks : are Kagi, Yorr, and Lower PS Ships with Navigator combined with an Intel Agent; Basically Blockers .

(NOTE: Navigator and Intel Agent don't have to be on the same ship just operate near each other; also with enough Game Sense you don't need the Intel Agent).

I've notice that Chewie is rather mission specific for "Tanky-ness"

the DTF build is great for lower PS groups, PS4 or less. (Damage Tanking)

a APL+Navigator+Intel Agent+Expert Handling build is great for higher PS groups. (Action Tanking)

Combining the both may work on Chewie but it may force to many shots his way.

Agreed.

The problem with using Chewbacca as your tank is that he goes down very easily to focused fire, with only 1 defensive die, and has enough points sunk into him to cripple your fleet if he DOES go down.

Try this.

Chewbacca

Wedge with push the limit and r2 astromech

Biggs.

That list is an absolute monster to face for most things.

Here's Chewbacca list I've been noodling around with:

Chewbacca + Push the Limit + Nien Nunb + Gunner + Millennium Falcon
Biggs + R5 Astromech
Rookie Pilot + R2 Astromech (though I could lose the R2 to gain initiative)
I figure the ability to focus and evade would be helpful. And if I really want to ensure a hit, I could target lock, giving me an effect similar to having Han as pilot. Plus, Nien Numb would help quickly get rid of the PTL stress.
I'm not sure about Biggs, though.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. :)