Tie advanced, now possibly the best ship in X-Wing?

[Knucklesamwich 802]

With all the pilots now spoiled have we seen the advanced move into contention for best ship? Look at the possibilities! Vader, Stele, Eclipse are all not only viable but will probably be the new go-to guys for me at least. The tempest is an incredible value at 21 sporting an accuracy corrector. I can't wait to get my hands on Eclipse with that choice of movement options. I have always had a soft spot for the advanced and I played it even before the fix but now it will be hard for me NOT to play this beast!

[SpikeSpiegel 2,077]

Juno Eclipse definitely changes everything for me.

[stevensonson 1,785]

You know FFG is good when they turn Maarek 'Worst Pilot in the game' Stele into a Crit dealing monster.

[Knucklesamwich 802]

I am so appreciative that FFG listens AND responds when there is a problem with some design elements. That is why FFG gets my money and others (WoTC) never will again

[Rodafowa 2,483]

I imagine they're going to be especially strong against big turrets where they can either take one target lock for ACD and just keep shooting at the same thing turn after turn, or if they're running Accuracy Corrector the big turret hasn't got the agility to make them pay for the low ceiling on the number of hits they'll roll.

[YwingAce 2,546]

You know FFG is good when they turn Maarek 'Worst Pilot in the game' Stele into a Crit dealing monster.

I'm afraid poor Arvel has always had that role. Or Wrath.

[bmwrider 124]

I am so appreciative that FFG listens AND responds when there is a problem with some design elements. That is why FFG gets my money and others (WoTC) never will again

preah on brother!

I agree 100%

[bmwrider 124]

So what hapen to the tie only upgrade that changes red maneuvers to white? Was that just BS

[Teh HOBO 302]

I played with Vader all the time because he was my favorite "fun" pilot to fly and let me tell you the advanced's problems ran deeper than over costing. It has a frustrating dial, no 1 turn, no 1 straight and the greens are limited to 1 banks(it's only 1 straight moves) and 2 and 3 straights. It flies like* a defender without the super K. Don't get me wrong, I love the fix, just temper your expectations, especially with all the stress mechanics out there(Vader HATES stress)

 

*Like not exactly, obviously there are nuances, but if you've flown both you see the similarities.

[Aminar 1,949]

So what hapen to the tie only upgrade that changes red maneuvers to white? Was that just BS

Comes with the Punisher.

[ficklegreendice 34,362]

so I'ma post my initial reaction before reading the article so we can get a fun little before/after reaction

 

I think the Advance is going to be a tanky bastard relatively on the level of the Star Viper (many similarities including high agility, good health, slightly sluggish dial) only they have actually useful, beefy generics

 

Now to see how the article will completely blow my mind!

 

first observation: there's a hair on the 3d model viewer and it's throwing me off!

Edited May 4, 2015 by ficklegreendice

[smccaughan 354]

Juno Eclipse will be a Game Changer!!! the ability to change her speed at will. Look out she is going to be crazy good.

[vyrago 1,051]

I am so appreciative that FFG listens AND responds when there is a problem with some design elements. That is why FFG gets my money and others (WoTC) never will again

 

It's also why they are arguably the best boardgame company right now.  They do this with many of their games, and its effin' fantastic.  

[TasteTheRainbow 8,726]

Vader is still the only actual monster on the way, I think.

[Knucklesamwich 802]

Juno is CRAZY that choice of moves it freakin nuts. She has 20 movement options!

[SpikeSpiegel 2,077]

Juno + Veteran Insincts + Advanced Targetting Computer + Engine Upgrade = Soontir's going down!

[smccaughan 354]

Juno is CRAZY that choice of moves it freakin nuts. She has 20 movement options!

Yeah and she doesn't have to choose speed until she reveals that is nuts

[macar 408]

Vader is still the only actual monster on the way, I think.

Not true, Commander Alozen is a mini Vader. If you put him with Predator or EU he still gets two actions a turn (if you or the enemy finish in range 1) Meaning he is a less effective vader but can still act like him on occasion for cheaper.

[smccaughan 354]

Juno + Veteran Insincts + Advanced Targetting Computer + Engine Upgrade = Soontir's going down!

That would be an interesting match up. I wonder if this would make her as maneuverable as echo now?

[smccaughan 354]

 

Vader is still the only actual monster on the way, I think.

Not true, Commander Alozen is a mini Vader. If you put him with Predator or EU he still gets two actions a turn (if you or the enemy finish in range 1) Meaning he is a less effective vader but can still act like him on occasion for cheaper.

 

Put Carnor Jax in the squad and watch the destruction.

[Rakky Wistol 2,903]

The best...probably not.

 

The most flexible to build around... that I would agree with.

 

There are very few ships that have such a wide spread of powerful pilot abilities that really redefine how you would build and play a ship.

 

It's like all the tie advanced are suddenly unique or something...

[Nightshrike 1,810]

Juno + Veteran Insincts + Advanced Targetting Computer + Engine Upgrade = Soontir's going down!

 

Super excited to try this build now.

[Zombane 5]

Can Juno do a 6 forward?

[ficklegreendice 34,362]

Alright, did my reading

before we get started, I'd like to point out my central concern with the Advance and particularly ATC:

1. Low PS target-locks are very unreliable because you can't be positive about where the enemy is going to end up

2. Taking a target-lock means you're sitting on 3 agility...and nothing else. You're trusting your fate to an entity fickler than a kitten with A.D.D

On that note:

The PS 3 seems like a big P.O.S, at first glance (taken only on the merits of his ability). My largest concerns involving low PS target-locks and unmodified green dice stand.
Where he might shine is as a pseudo Biggs, because a naked Tie Advance that can flip up damage is just begging to get shot. At 24 points, he's cheaper too

The PS 5 we've known about for a while. He's not nearly as useful as Guri i.t.o of how a TL interacts with game mechanics over focus (only used for offense, can only use on that turn if you get an enemy in range 1 AND in arc, can't be stacked with other target-locks...) but his is a slightly more reliable iteration of low PS target-lock.

And now, herr Strom. Herr Strom has won my heart.
You know how Gemmer absolute **** over 2-dice ships with his essentially four agility? Strom is better, because instead of adding a fickle die you're removing a far more reliable red from the equation. Plus, he doesn't have to be a target for it to pay off, which is going to piss off fat turrets something fierce

Imo, he's the definite clear winner of the box.


And now the lovely Juno.
While herr Strom I think wins out in terms of mechanics, she is probably the single most interesting pilot to have come out in quite some time I don't know how well we're going to be able to exploit that added maneuverability, but holy cow is that dial a beauty to behold!


All in all, I'm expecting

 

a.) Vader to see the most consistent use

b.) Strom to show at least occasionally once we figure out how to best exploit him. Most optimistically, I'm expecting to see him used only slightly less than Vader
c.) Juno & Mareek for the crazy, crazy potential they have which is difficult to quantify on the forums and needs to be explored on the table
d.) The Imperial Ps 3 Biggs, maybe Alozen
e.) Generics bringing up the rear in a 3 agility + auto-thrusters world

Edited May 4, 2015 by ficklegreendice

[DariusAPB 6,925]

So, Juno with stay on target?