So, I've been running a XXYA build and have had some success with it. However, it utilizes a prototype. Whenever it gets down to 1v1, it's always the A wing that's left, and it can't seem to ever win. Meanwhile, the other night I was flying a GSP w/ PTL, and it came down to it vs. 2 bombers and 1 tie, and pulled the upset. The PS3 (and PTL) were vastly important to victory. So I started thinking about how I could change my build to get a few points for a GSP instead of prototype. The following is one of the lists that intrigues me, but I'm not sure if I like it enough on paper to spend one of my few games trying it out. So I figured I'd ask for outside thoughts.

Garven

Dutch w/ ICT

Green w/ EH

Green w/ EH

This leaves me with 4 more points, I was thinking R2D2 on Garven. Unless he dies in 1 turn, it will be just as cost effective as a SU, and could potentially discourage people from attacking him. My concern with this list is the lack of hurt that it puts out, especially once Garven dies. I would suspect that the kill order would be Garven Dutch Greens. Until that happens, I would use the Greens as flankers, using BR or Boost to line up quality shots. Then Garven / Dutch would pass off a Focus or TL to make the shot count.

What are the other short comings of this list (besides the fact that dutch and garven can easily be blocked, and I really only have 1 big damage dealer). And do you think there's enough here to try out?

Expert Handling is sub-par compared to Push the Limit, especially on GSP's when you won't know where your opponent is going to land (due to higher PS.) With PTL, the Focus+Evade combo makes the A-wing one of the toughest ships in the game to actually hit. That takes two of your 4 remaining points to swap out, and for the last 2 points I would do something to make Garven and Dutch better off. Perhaps a generic R5 on Dutch to drop hull crits to regular hits, and a generic R2 to make Garven a better dogfighter.

I would honestly kill Dutch first then graven then the a's. I would agree with the lack of guns. What is the job you have in mind for the a wings? If it's just to survive then you are admitting defeat before you place your ships.

Well, with the prototype, the main point was to be a blocker. But the squad came in at 100, so whenever I lost init to TIEs, it lost most of its effectiveness. As for the Greens, it would be to flank, either from the side or behind, preferably behind PS2 pilots so they move first and I can move to where they were. I really don't think the build works due to lack of guns. PTL would allow the A's to R1 TL+F and become damage dealers, but then it's so generic and, blah...

I'm really looking forward to W4 when 3 ship builds become viable because there's so little creativity to be had with 4 ships right now.

I'm really looking forward to W4 when 3 ship builds become viable because there's so little creativity to be had with 4 ships right now.

You're going to hate me for this, but with the Z-95 coming out, I'm pretty sure the Wave 4 rebel meta will shift to 5+ ship builds.

I'm really looking forward to W4 when 3 ship builds become viable because there's so little creativity to be had with 4 ships right now.

You're going to hate me for this, but with the Z-95 coming out, I'm pretty sure the Wave 4 rebel meta will shift to 5+ ship builds.

I hope not... Though if you're just switching an X wing for two Z95's... you've only picked up 3 points. But still, that gives you even less points to play with for the remainder of the squad. Though I guess there's always the entire 5 Z95 + 1 40 pointer or something that you could do.

In order to get the most out of the greens, PtL is the better choice, but Garven really needs something to stay alive longer, so its tough to really make it work. I think R2D2 or shield up. Is needed on garven, so there goes your 4 pts...if you downgrade 1 green to testpilot, you can get PtL on the remaining green and at 99 pts have init vs 100 pt imperials. Not convinced that's great though.

I'd rather fly XXAY, personally. Switch one green to a rookie pilot, give the other green PtL and give garven stealth dev. Stealth device isn't great protection but opponents will prefer to shoot at the rookie first, keeping garven down on target priority.