Fenn walks the Wookiees

[Rich P 907]

I've had this rolling around in my head for a few weeks now ... and I think it might have decent game, especially in the new high PS alpha war...

Lots of damage mitigation, and mods on shots too ... I'm putting it on the table this week to see how it does.

Does anyone have any thoughts about ways to improve the list?

Fenn Rau (Sheathipede) (20)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Hotshot Co-pilot (4)
Flight-Assist Astromech (1)
Vectored Thrusters (2)

Wullffwarro (30)
Selflessness (1)
Maul (3)
Ezra Bridger (3)

Lowhhrick (28)
Draw Their Fire (1)
C-3PO (3)
Rey (2)

Total: 99

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

https://geordanr.github.io/xwing/?f=Rebel Alliance&d=v4!s!275:27,213,253:-1:26:;252:235,250,165:-1:-1:;251:30,63,201:-1:-1:&sn=Unnamed Squadron&obs=

The idea is that Fenn is #1 priority as he neuters incoming offense ... Wulfwarro draws pain off Fenn to activate his ability, then Fenn/Lowhhrick work together to keep Wulf alive while he murders things. Maul serves a dual purpose of providing a way to clear stress from Wulf ... key to wookiee survival.

 

Edited January 15, 2018 by Dreadai

[theBitterFig 11,598]

I think that looks pretty solid.  I love Maul/Ezra on a Wookiee, Selflessness seems better on Wullff than on Lowhh, since Wullff wants to get into hull ASAP, and doesn't necessarily want to eat a bunch of crits.

It doesn't necessarily seem super high damage, though.  You've got 3/3/2 attack dice to start things off, and Lowhh won't ever have rerolls.  On the other hand, you'll have Hotshot preventing your opponent from having a focus token for defense on the priority target, which is nice.

The only change possibly worth considering would be M9-G8 to lock Lowhh, but I think FAA/VT seems at least as strong if not better.  I think it's ready for on-table experience, and feeling out any potential issues that way.  It'll be interesting to see how it handles a Harpoon volley in on the table.

[Rich P 907]

20 minutes ago, theBitterFig said:

The only change possibly worth considering would be M9-G8 to lock Lowhh, but I think FAA/VT seems at least as strong if not better.  I think it's ready for on-table experience, and feeling out any potential issues that way.  It'll be interesting to see how it handles a Harpoon volley in on the table.

Thanks for the comments ... I'm going to run it out tomorrow night at FLGS and later this week at regionals practice. I'll report back

[GrogEgrog 189]

I’ve run a few different versions of this. I’m going to move Ezra over to Low and start running an Inspiring Recruit on Wuff. You have to be careful not to over reroll with Maul because if you miss he’s hosed (had a 5 die at range one and it got evaded after I had rerolled 3). 

[Rich P 907]

1 hour ago, GrogEgrog said:

I’ve run a few different versions of this. I’m going to move Ezra over to Low and start running an Inspiring Recruit on Wuff. You have to be careful not to over reroll with Maul because if you miss he’s hosed (had a 5 die at range one and it got evaded after I had rerolled 3). 

What did you lose from Lowhhrick to make space?

i thought about putting strezra in rather than Fenn it’s a bit hardier but I think less effective at blunting the alpha, though it does apply a consistent threat of action removal. 

[Red42 166]

Ran a very similar list to this at the Cardiff regional at the weekend. Only went 3-3 but I feel the list had the potential to go at least 4-2 with the right matchups (and better play for me - Was sat at 3-1 and then made some mistakes in the last two games). I was looking to face an anticipated barrage of Harpoon missiles and didn't draw a single one all day. Instead I got matched up with quite a few similar lists and got behind in the damage race early from where it's tough to come back from. Totally wrecked triple Defenders though.

 

100 points

 

Pilots

------

Fenn Rau (26) Sheathipede-class Shuttle (20), Veteran Instincts (1), Hotshot Co-pilot (4), Flight-Assist Astromech (1)

 

Wullffwarro (37) Auzituck Gunship (30), Predator (3), Tactician (2), Jan Ors (2)

 

Lowhhrick (37) Auzituck Gunship (28), Selflessness (1), Tactician (2), C-3PO (3), Hull Upgrade (3)

[GrogEgrog 189]

1 hour ago, Dreadai said:

What did you lose from Lowhhrick to make space?

i thought about putting strezra in rather than Fenn it’s a bit hardier but I think less effective at blunting the alpha, though it does apply a consistent threat of action removal. 

3PO. I’ve gone back and forth on Whether I wanted a stressbug or Fenn though

[theBitterFig 11,598]

10 minutes ago, GrogEgrog said:

3PO. I’ve gone back and forth on Whether I wanted a stressbug or Fenn though

Best of both worlds?  Fenn with VI, R3-A2, Inspiring Recruit?  No... that wouldn't work since Fenn would already be stressed from the robot before he wants to use his pilot ability.

[GrogEgrog 189]

Exactly. I also found my self wanting to be able to have Wuff not leashed to another ship when needed. 

8 hours ago, theBitterFig said:

Best of both worlds?  Fenn with VI, R3-A2, Inspiring Recruit?  No... that wouldn't work since Fenn would already be stressed from the robot before he wants to use his pilot ability.

 

[Rich P 907]

So I ran a slight variant this evening.

•Lowhhrick (36) - Auzituck Gunship
Draw Their Fire (1), •C-3PO (3), Chewbacca (4)

•Fenn Rau (26) - Sheathipede-class Shuttle
Veteran Instincts (1), Hotshot Co-pilot (4), Flight-Assist Astromech (1)

•Wullffwarro (37) - Auzituck Gunship
Selflessness (1), •Ezra Bridger (3), •Maul (3)

I played 2 games and won vs Quickpoon and Kanan Fenn. I learned a few things. 

The Wulfwarro build is spot on. The threat of selflessness being used to trigger his ability prevented at least 1 harpoon into Fenn during the gunboats game. Internal dice mods not needing tokens played havoc with debuffs from Fenn in the Kanan game and meant that even in bumps he was a credible threat. Maul/Ezra is a super cool combo, especially against 1 agility ships. 

I'm not sure about Chewbacca vs Rey. Rey would give Lowhhrick more bite once Fenn stops coordinating him to focus. He seems to be second target for opponents so getting offensive value from him while he is in play seems like a good idea. Problem is that Chewbacca is awesome with draw their fire. 

So first outing went well. A day of regionals practice Thursday, then FLGS next Tuesday. If I remain convinced I’ll take it to regionals. 

Something different to the waves of Kanan, DashPoe, gunboats and NymRanda I’m expecting. 

 

Edited January 17, 2018 by Dreadai
clarity and list correction

[GrogEgrog 189]

1 hour ago, Dreadai said:

So I ran a slight variant this evening.

•Lowhhrick (36) - Auzituck Gunship
Draw Their Fire (1), •C-3PO (3), Breach Specialist (1), Hull Upgrade (3)

•Fenn Rau (26) - Sheathipede-class Shuttle
Veteran Instincts (1), Hotshot Co-pilot (4), Flight-Assist Astromech (1)

•Wullffwarro (37) - Auzituck Gunship
Selflessness (1), •Ezra Bridger (3), •Maul (3)

I played 2 games and won vs gunboats and Kanan Fenn. I learned a few things. 

Wulf build is spot on. The threat of selflessness being used to trigger his ability prevented at least 1 harpoon. Internal dice mods not needing tokens played havoc with Debuffs and meant that even in bumps he was a credible threat. Maul/Ezra is a super cool combo, especially against 1 agi ships. 

Im not sure about hull upgrade vs Rey. Rey would give Lowhhrick more bite once Fenn stops coordinating him to focus. He seems to be second target for opponents so getting offensive value from him while he is in play seems like a good idea. Problem is that Chewbacca is awesome with draw their fire. 

So first outing went well. A day of regionals practice Thursday, then FLGS next Tuesday. If I remain convinced I’ll take it to regionals. 

Something different to the waves of Kanan, DashPoe, gunboats and NymRanda I’m expecting. 

 

Funny the games I played they always burned the bug down first.

I loved Ezra:Maul together I just didn’t have the restraint not to over re roll lol  

Let us know how you games go and how you’re deploying.  

 

[Rich P 907]

They both tried .... but with Selflessness, Lowhhrick and 2 green dice, he’s a tough nut to crack. 

I deployed in a triangle with the Wookiees just ahead of Fenn. Pretty much jousted both lists after a loose rock setup. 

[Greebwahn 925]

I LOVE that Wulfy . But I agree, the remaining challenge is: will anyone else really be able to deal damage? I really dig Fenn with M9/Weapons Engineer. However, I could definitely see you ditching WE to keep HSCP. I think losing FAA/VT for M9 would be worth it, to provide Low with a bit of punch, which is needed.

[Red42 166]

How about this version? The only real compromise is dropping VI down to Adaptability on Fenn in order to squeeze everything in. Alternative, replace Rey with an Inspiring Recruit and you can go back to VI.

 

100 points

------

Lowhhrick (34) Auzituck Gunship (28), Draw Their Fire (1), C-3PO (3), Rey (2)

Wullffwarro (37) Auzituck Gunship (30), Selflessness (1), Ezra Bridger (3), Maul (3)

Fenn Rau (29) Sheathipede-class Shuttle (20), Adaptability (0), Hotshot Co-pilot (4), M9-G8 (3), Vectored Thrusters (2)

[Rich P 907]

I've had so much value out of FAA in the games I've played.  I absolutely love M9-G8, but being able to (almost) guarantee ability use is super powerful.

I might try it ... though considering the current NymRanda bogeyman, I'd likely deploy M9-G8 defensively to mitigate the TLT shots and blunt the threat of the harpoons.

Yesterday we had a regionals prep session, I played this version.

Wullffwarro (30)
Selflessness (1); Maul (3); Ezra Bridger (3)

Lowhhrick (28)
Expertise (4); Breach Specialist (1); C-3PO (3)

Fenn Rau (Sheathipede) (20)
Veteran Instincts (1); ;Hotshot Co-pilot (4); Flight-Assist Astromech (1)

Total: 99

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Learnings ...

• Using PS11 co-orinate to do the reinforce where you aren't sure what side the opponent will barrel roll to is clever.
• The list can Joust and tank Proton bomb/Torpedo/Torpedo ... with a blinded pilot reducing Fenn's ability to shut down mods, it felt 50/50 after an engagement test ... The RNG of the crits dealt with the proton bomb is nasty ... two damaged sensor arrays on the wookiees and blinded pilot on Fenn made me pretty sure that I'd lose a lot of health in the next turn as NymRanda capitalised on my inability to reinforce my ships to push the tlt damage through.
• This Wulf build is savage against low agility opponents... so is an absolute meta call. Maul/Ezra as a combo is less good against high agility ships.

I'm still unsettled on the Lowhhrick build ... he shoots last (typically) so Rey focus might be better than expertise as he can generate 3 evades with c-3po plus focus rather than guaranteed 2 (if targetted).  The list lacks punch, though ... maybe dropping Breach for Rey and Expertise for Predator as a possible answer.

 

[Red42 166]

You're right about the lack of punch. The list I took to regionals was great for mitigating damage, but against lists which did the same thing I fell behind as I was relying on Lowhhrick's unmodded dice to keep up and that's never a good thing. That's why I was entertaining M9-G8 on Fenn, without compromising the defense. But yeah, you could also go with the Predator/Rey option as well, I like that.

[Rich P 907]

Two more games in ... this time against Expertise Dengar with Timewalk Assaj.

Slight variant, yet further increasing the damage output of Lowhhrick

Wullffwarro (30)
Selflessness (1) Ezra Bridger (3) Maul (3)

Lowhhrick (28)
Predator (3) Rey (2) C-3PO (3)

Fenn Rau (Sheathipede) (20)
Veteran Instincts (1) Hotshot Co-pilot (4) Flight-Assist Astromech (1)

Total: 99

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Both games went well ... with the new Lowhhrick build proving it's worth ... firing last once all the tokens had cleared and rolling 2.5 hits on average on 3 dice. Pred/Rey is a really nice combo and more useful over the long haul than Chewbacca or Draw their fire. There is also the defensive benefit of focus giving Lowhhrick 3 evades with c-3po.

Next experiment is putting R2 astromech on Fenn over FAA. It has procced once after initial engage due to the rear arc and my flying style, and it feels like having green 1 banks and 2 turns will help Fenn stay in formation with the wookiees while clearing stress from ability usage. While FAA is awesome in late game, and in first engage, I'm not sure it overrides the ongoing value of R2 in mid-game.

Edited January 19, 2018 by Dreadai

[Red42 166]

1 hour ago, Dreadai said:

Two more games in ... this time against Expertise Dengar with Timewalk Assaj.

Slight variant, yet further increasing the damage output of Lowhhrick

Wullffwarro (30)
Selflessness (1) Ezra Bridger (3) Maul (3)

Lowhhrick (28)
Predator (3) Rey (2) C-3PO (3)

Fenn Rau (Sheathipede) (20)
Veteran Instincts (1) Hotshot Co-pilot (4) Flight-Assist Astromech (1)

Total: 99

 

I'm probably going to run this version at the weekend at a small local tournament. I'd be interested to hear how you get on with the R2 though as well. Not having a green 1 bank is sometimes a bit of a pain for Fenn, and having the 2-turn green would be nice as well. But yeah, FAA is very hard to give up for reliably proc'ing Fenn's ability.

[Rich P 907]

42 minutes ago, Red42 said:

I'm probably going to run this version at the weekend at a small local tournament. I'd be interested to hear how you get on with the R2 though as well. Not having a green 1 bank is sometimes a bit of a pain for Fenn, and having the 2-turn green would be nice as well. But yeah, FAA is very hard to give up for reliably proc'ing Fenn's ability.

Sweet - tell me how you get on!

regarding FAA it’s amazing for ensuring Fenn is part of the initial engage, but after that he tends to not be able to use it. (Until the enemy has 1 ship left) 

ill report back on R2 as soon as I get a game or two in. 

[uscsmurf 59]

R2 on Fenn is amazing. Especially when your opponent forgets that you took it over FAA. Have 1&2 turn maneuvers to clear stress is a life saver, and to me gets more use than FAA would. Combined with Nein Nunb you can clear stress like crazy and have way more maneuver options late game. This way also, you don't really need Kanan or Inspiring recruit, etc... to help de-stress as you have almost all green options to do so. 

[Rich P 907]

nien Nunb is nice but the hotshot copilot is so good for damage mitigation I could never cut it. 

 

[Red42 166]

Yeah, Hot Shot is basically stapled to Fenn at this point. It's way too good not to have.

[Greebwahn 925]

On 1/19/2018 at 8:56 AM, Dreadai said:

Wullffwarro (30)
Selflessness (1) Ezra Bridger (3) Maul (3)

Lowhhrick (28)
Predator (3) Rey (2) C-3PO (3)

Fenn Rau (Sheathipede) (20)
Veteran Instincts (1) Hotshot Co-pilot (4) Flight-Assist Astromech (1)

Total: 99

 

This! This is so dope. Focus, reroll, reinforce on both wookies, FAA and HSCP on Fenn at PS11. That's a frighteningly effectively balanced list.

[Red42 166]

So I took it as I said to a local tournament (20 players) and ended up third with a 3-1 record and the highest MOV of everyone on 3 wins. Sadly lost the very last game to 5 crackshot A-wings, made some mistakes in that one, notably being overzealous with Maul re-rolls and getting Wullffwarro into a bad position as a result. I did however beat Dash-Nym (100-26), Han-Nym (100-26) and Dash-Poe (100-0) so I'd say the list is pretty decent. In that third game I managed to trade Fenn's shield for Poe. Couldn't have gone any better, really!

 

Need a little more practice to really get the best out of it, but so far so good.

Edited January 21, 2018 by Red42

[Rich P 907]

12 hours ago, Red42 said:

So I took it as I said to a local tournament (20 players) and ended up third with a 3-1 record and the highest MOV of everyone on 3 wins. Sadly lost the very last game to 5 crackshot A-wings, made some mistakes in that one, notably being overzealous with Maul re-rolls and getting Wullffwarro into a bad position as a result. I did however beat Dash-Nym (100-26), Han-Nym (100-26) and Dash-Poe (100-0) so I'd say the list is pretty decent. In that third game I managed to trade Fenn's shield for Poe. Couldn't have gone any better, really!

Thanks for the update - glad it works out for you in the wild.  Did your opponents have a consistent first target? How did you approach each game - did you line for the joust, or were you a bit more circumspect in approach?

I've one more game night tomorrow before my regionals ... I need to play out a couple of games against Miranda/Nym to see if I have any game there ... I ran the opening 2 rounds of engage against myself at home and came to the conclusion that Fenn dies without draw their fire on a wookiee ... and doing that blunts Lowhhrick.

I think that the initial version of the list, with Chewbacca, draw their fire etc and Lowhhrick being purely defensive can tank NymRanda - I'm not sure this more balanced version can ... in addition, the second variant seems much better against a wider variety of lists ... 

Here's hoping for the TS/Genius FAQ to land this week ... preferably the day before regionals!