B-Wing Beach Party!

[SpikeSpiegel 2,077]

It's Summer in October now that Rebel Aces is out- so bust out the board shorts, throw on those Ray Bans and lather on that sun tan lotion because its about to get hot!

Its a B-Wing Beach Party and the surf's up!

Blue Squadron Pilot (22)

B-Wing/E2 (1)

Tactician (2)

(25) x4

Total: 100

Rebel Aces has me all giddy inside and I just love the Refit and the E2. So many more options for some awesome builds, one of which is posted above. It's basically just B-Wing spam but with the added nutritional value of Tacticians. Have a Han at range two? Have 4 stress tokens. Have a Phantom coming my way? Look out, brah! I just 2k'd into range two and we're gonna have a stress festival! TIE Swarm coming to a local 3x3? You get a stress token! You get a stress token! You get a stress token!

Obvious problems:

-In order to run 4 ships, I have to pass on the systems upgrade.

-In order for Tactician to trigger, things need to be at range two.

-PS2 will probably get chewed up rather quickly.

But having four Beefy-B's with Tacticians is still deadly because I'll either be benefitting from the extra attack dice from range one or evade dice from range three, and if my opponent's ships are in range two, it'll be bad news for them. You can also exchange one of the B's with Biggs for the added survivability and PS5 shot (but then it wouldn't be a B-Wing Beach Party...).

Here's another Tactical B-Wing list that I brewed up for the waves:

Dagger Squadron Pilot (24)

Fire-Control System (2)

Heavy Laser Cannon (7)

B-Wing/E2 (1)

Tactician (2)

(36) x2

Dagger Squadron Pilot (24)

Enhanced Scopes (1)

B-Wing/E2 (1)

Tactician (2)

(26)

Total: 100

This list ups the PS and includes the firepower of the HLC, as well as having the FCS for even more consistency with rerolls on the next shot while still being able to distribute stress whenever they're in range two of the enemy. However, the expensive B's makes for a derpy B, but with Enhanced Scopes, it can potentially be flown as a blocker and still take its actions. Of course, you can always exchange it for Biggs (which would actually be way better, but again, Beach Party and all...) for the added survivability of the B's.

"Why Tacticians?" you may ask.

Well, I feel like this meta has driven been so far up the Rock-Paper-Scissors mentality's rectum that we've lost a sense of creativity for competitive lists. Also, the lists that are really popular don't like stress at all. Stressing out Han or Chewie takes away the evade action and limits them to 4 potential maneuvers if they want to clear the stress, stressing out a Phantom denies them their ACD trigger, and stressing out TIE Swarms will limit the entire formation's movement in order to regain their ships' actions for the next turn- which they will probably forego for the sake of the swarm strategy, but even then, an Academy TIE without an action is still a less effective Academy TIE.

This list gives you 3-4 ships (2-3 with Biggs) that can dish out stress for 3 points per ship. By being able to fly a tanky formation that can potentially hand out more than one stress token in a single turn, you are 1.) denying the actions for that ship's next turn and 2.) making its movement that much more predictable for you to zero in and possibly stress out even more. Also, being on B-Wings gives your stress-machine strategy a maneuverable dial (since Tacticians still trigger even when stressed) and a jousting, resilient powerhouse of a ship to fly in.

I also highly recommend wearing beach attire when using these lists for added effectiveness.

What do you guys think?

[paul1 25]

I really like tactician even though it's limited to range two it seems to me a majoriety of combat situations are range two.

[Blail Blerg 7,335]

I love it, but it could be better with less redundancy.  

 

Take Jan Ors instead of one of the Tacs. 

[Blail Blerg 7,335]

Also.  We forumgoers should totally get together for a community annual bash =P  

[Corellian Corvette 1,733]

I like your tactician idea. You should see my tactician + ion cannon builds. Some times I add in flechette torpedoes for 2 stress with tactician.

[zannal 13]

I've played a good many games with a friend who had 3 tactician B-wings and one with an ion cannon rather than a tactician. The extra little bit of control really helps vs a rebel mirror match.

Edited October 3, 2014 by zannal

[SpikeSpiegel 2,077]

I love it, but it could be better with less redundancy.

Take Jan Ors instead of one of the Tacs.

I should give that a try, it could add some survivability to the squad without needing Biggs. Although, I still have a feeling a Tactician may be more relevant. I plan on doing some extensive play testing this weekend and I'll definitely be throwing her in one of the lists!

I like your tactician idea. You should see my tactician + ion cannon builds. Some times I add in flechette torpedoes for 2 stress with tactician.

I've played a good many games with a friend who had 3 tactician B-wings and one with an ion cannon rather than a tactician. The extra little bit of control really helps vs a rebel mirror match.

It seems like Ions would add more to the control aspect, which I like for engaging targets at range 2 or 3. Maybe the three ship build I posted one of the B's can drop an HLC so that the other two an carry Tacs and Ions. Edited October 3, 2014 by SpikeSpiegel

[magadizer 617]

I totally agree with you about the fun and variety that Rebel Aces brings. Bring on the creativity!