So, tomorrow I am planning on attending my first X-Wing meetup at a local store. I had been looking at trying out the following list:

Ten Numb (31) + Marksmanship (3) = (34)

Green (19) + PTL (3) = (22)

Rookie (21) + R2 (green maneuvers) (1) X2 = (44)

(100) points total

However, I have since been rethinking my strategy. Given that Ten Numb would probably be my opponent's first target, I would want to give him the best chance at survival. With that in mind, I thought about tweaking it to the following:

Ten Numb (31) + HLC (7) + Marksmanship (3) = (41)

Prototype (17)

Rookie X2 (42)

(100) points total

The plan would be to let the Rookies and Prototype fly in close for engagement while keeping Ten at range 3 (as much as possible) where he would at least have an extra defense die against a primary weapon attack. With HLC he would be plenty effective that far out and would hopefully get at least one crit through with each attack.

Thoughts?

not sure exactly how it adds up but you could swap out one of the rookies for biggs (with r2d2 if possible) and switch the other to a prototype and spend any extra upgrade points you have left on other stuff. biggs stays with the b-wing doing green maneuvers when possible. if the opponent concentrates on the b-wing and x-wing the a-wings may be able to sneak in behind them or something.

note: I'm not very experienced and have never flown a-wings or b-wings (primarily because I mainly fly imperials) so this may not be a good strategy but try it before hand and see how it goes and tell me after

I think the second list, you haven't given Ten any more chance to survive, you've made him an even bigger target. I mean, you have made him more powerful, but he's not going to live any longer, and you've hurt your A-Wing to do it.

If you are seeking to make Ten a bit more survivable, you might want to consider:

Ten Numb + PTL + Advanced Sensors + Engine Upgrade

Makes him hypermobile, though I should point out that most people do this on Ibti for cost reasons.

Another idea is Ten Numb + Marksmanship + Sensor Jammers

This means any shot on Ten that isn't focused loses a hit. That can be pretty big. Plus, this gives the Prototype pilot a roll, blocking (to cause action loss). You still have points to spend too.

^what do you think about my idea? would it work?

Ten Numb and HLC work against each other since HLC negates crits. I'd stick with the first build.

Frankly, your first list is OK by me. Numb isn't superpowered (only the elite skill) and you have three other ships to block/deal damage. Look at this way: if they are focusing on Numb, the others should have free reign to deal damage. You may consider dumping the A for another X if you want the extra point of offense, but I'm growing increasingly respectful of A's, particularly late game when it's almost impossible to pin them down one on one.

As far as Biggs goes, he sucks up fire. That's why he exists. I don't get that the OP is wanting to shift this to a Biggs list in that Ten Numb is not so souped up as to need the bodyguard. Were that the case, I'd push for Ten, Wedge, and Biggs as a three piece ensemble set to annoy.

I guess my thought with the HLC was that I can attack for 4 at further range and hopefully still get the one crit through marksmanship.

I do like the sensor jammers idea but the more I think about it, I think the first list is going to be the way to go. As you guys pointed out, the sexing list makes him more of a target and I don think it's worth sacrificing additions to the other three ships for the HLC.

I do want to keep this at a four ship list so I'm not sure about fitting Biggs in.

Appreciate the comments.

With those two definitely the first. Yes, TEN is the "big" target at 34 points compared to three ships at 22 but in the second Ten becomes a HUGE target at 41 which is almost twice as valuable as the next two ships at 21 a piece. If I'm going to make Ten expensive I'd do it the way SableGryphon is suggesting.

this may be stupid (and probably is) but hypothetically if you get rid of all upgrades you could get biggs + r2d2 and keep the numbers of ships as they are

or you could keep marksmanship and not have r2d2 (probably smarter) to have that uncancled crit as long as you do score a hit and roll at least one focus

edit: if this is stupid tell me so I can stop wondering if its stupid

But then Ten wouldn't have marksmanship. And that upgrade just combos too well with him to pass up unless you really need to.

All in all though Ten is tough enough that he should be able to do some damage before he goes, and any time spent chewing through his stupid amounts of health is more time for the other ships to whittle away at their firepower and make it harder to down the high agility ships later.

this may be stupid (and probably is) but hypothetically if you get rid of all upgrades you could get biggs + r2d2 and keep the numbers of ships as they are

or you could keep marksmanship and not have r2d2 (probably smarter) to have that uncancled crit as long as you do score a hit and roll at least one focus

edit: if this is stupid tell me so I can stop wondering if its stupid

The problem with Biggs + R2D2 is that he's going to be, by necessity, the only target for your enemy. He only has 5 hitpoints and 2 Defense dice. That means you'll be lucky for him to survive long enough to use R2D2. Indeed, I'm personally not a fan of Biggs for this reason. The goal is to get your enemy to split their fire as much as possible, not to focus it. He can be good to protect a high value target, but that's still a lot of points to spend for that privilege.

But then Ten wouldn't have marksmanship. And that upgrade just combos too well with him to pass up unless you really need to.

All in all though Ten is tough enough that he should be able to do some damage before he goes, and any time spent chewing through his stupid amounts of health is more time for the other ships to whittle away at their firepower and make it harder to down the high agility ships later.

and the second option i posted?

and the second option i posted?

Biggs without R2D2 and leaving Ten with Marksmanship? Well, it would work, at least somewhat. I'm not an expert with this sort of list. Have a an ORS or a Shuttle and I'm your man. It really depends on how you fly in. Honestly, I don't think Biggs is worth the price here. Maybe Garven? I don't know.

what about:

Ibtisam + elusiveness 30

green 19

wedge 29 +r2 astromech or something else with one cost

rookie pilot 21

?

is the strength of a b-wing in ten numb or would the above work as well?

my hope is maybe it splits enemies fire between wedge and ibtisam so the b-wing survives longer. on the other hand the b-wing wouldn't have an offensive advantage over the x-wing anymore so maybe they would all shoot wedge first

hypothetically you could also reduce the green to a prototype and then give ibtisam the fire control system or in addition drop the r2 and give ibtisam advanced sensors