The intro…
Hello and welcome to this week’s blog!
It’s shaping up to be a short but quirky one today as circumstances outside of my control have meant that I am both sort time AND utterly exhausted. Well, ok, one of the circumstances was in my control but playing games with friends until after midnight with work the next day still feels like it was worth it.
On the news front, the Lone Star Open took place this past weekend! Congratulations to Rob Petit who took Rebels to the win over Jeremy Chamblee’s Imperial list. Refreshing to not see Republic on the final table!
Interestingly the list that’s won the last few big events was nowhere to be found. Did Texas just decide to ban it?!
If you’re interested the you can find the Roll Better link here.
That’s about it for news, it’s moved on.
Patreon update…
It’s still that month! I’ve covered the alt arts and last week I talked about the dial covers/astromech heads. Sadly though I did find that I forgot the picture! Oops! Here it is now instead…
Continuing the theme that’s been running for, umm, I’m not sure how long actually? Is the Exile template! This time it’s the 3 bank and all tiers Veteran and higher will get one!
If you’d like to get your hands on some Exile swag or just support the blog out of the kindness of your heart then you can sign up to be a Patreon supporter here. I would massively appreciate it!
Alright then, on with the main event!
The, uh, batrep…?! (JARGON ALERT!!)
Ok, look, there is a game that was played and I have pictures and details and everything I need to do a full batrep on it.
But actually the game itself isn’t what I want to talk about.
Unless you’ve been living under a pretty huge rock, you’ll know that AMG are no longer developing X-Wing.
You’re also quite likely to know by now that the community has stepped up and organised the X-Wing Alliance (XWA). One of the first things the XWA is looking to do is to make a points update as, let’s be honest, with the current points being almost 15 months old (barring the small changes made in January when Endor points came out), many people are quite bored with the current set. Multiple large events have been won by the same list or a slight variation on it and with high health lists simply outlasting each other there is very much a feeling that changes are needed.
Pre-dating the XWA or even AMG ending development of the game, Nick from 312 Squadron had already decided to have a go at making some points changes. I felt it was time for a change so I thought ‘why not try out these new points?’
Now, being the rather sub-par and unenthusiastic list builder that I am, I decided to join 312’s Discord and ask for list suggestions in the 312 points list building channel.
I had a few suggestions but, partly for the laughs and partly because the other list I fancied the look of needed Rogue Class Fighters (and mine were not at home!), I opted for this monstrosity.
Captain Hark (6)
Clan Training (1)
Imperial Super Commandos (8)
Drop-Seat Bay (5)
Swivel Wing (0)
Ship Cost: 6 Loadout: (14/14) Half Points: 3 Damage Threshold: 5
Lieutenant Sai (5)
Gar Saxon (6)
Shield Upgrade (8)
Ship Cost: 5 Loadout: (14/14) Half Points: 2 Damage Threshold: 5
Patrol Leader (6)
Veteran Turret Gunner (3)
Shield Upgrade (8)
Dauntless (0)
Ship Cost: 6 Loadout: (11/12) Half Points: 3 Damage Threshold: 8
Major Rhymer (3)
Feedback Ping (1)
Cluster Missiles (4)
Munitions Failsafe (1)
Ship Cost: 3 Loadout: (6/7) Half Points: 1 Damage Threshold: 3
Total: 20
This is ridiculous. Firstly, you’ll notice the very welcome return of the Lambda shuttle. After all, standard, extended, who cares? In a casual non-competitive environment there’s very little (if anything?!) in Extended which would be classed as overpowered. The Lambda shuttle is cool and iconic.
Secondly, yes, that is three large base ships AND a Bomber. Filthy.
Thirdly it’s mostly low initiative. Rhymer at 4 is the highest and while low initiative in the current meta is neither common or good, I think in this case, though, the opportunity to take up SO much board space without losing your action options could be beneficial.
Anyway, I dug it out, packed it up and headed down to our new local store, Sin City.
This would be our very first time there and, with it being new, Rebecca Westwood was a little bit late turning up (which was fine!).
When she arrived, she took one look at my list and knew it could be a long evening.
Soontir Fel (BoE) – TIE/in Interceptor (5)
Apex Predator (BoE) (0)
No Escape (BoE) (0)
Blank Signature (BoE) (0)
Feedback Emitter (BoE) (0)
Ship Cost: 5 Loadout: (0) Half Points: 2 Damage Threshold: 1
Ciena Ree – TIE/in Interceptor (5)
Elusive (4)
Disciplined (2)
Shield Upgrade (8)
Sensitive Controls (0)
Ship Cost: 5 Loadout: (14/14) Half Points: 2 Damage Threshold: 2
Second Sister – TIE/in Interceptor (5)
Predictive Shot (1)
Ruthless (1)
Cluster Missiles (4)
Shield Upgrade (8)
Sensitive Controls (0)
Ship Cost: 5 Loadout: (14/14) Half Points: 2 Damage Threshold: 2
Maus Monare (BoE) – TIE/in Interceptor (5)
No Escape (BoE) (0)
Outmaneuver (0)
Fuel Injection Override (BoE) (0)
Ship Cost: 5 Loadout: (0) Half Points: 2 Damage Threshold: 2
Total: 20
So that’s 15 health in total (compared to my 45). There’s i6 but my list is low initiative anyway and actually being able to block them will be quite likely.
We randomly drew for a scenario and OF COURSE Assault at the Satellite Array was picked. I suggested that we change it. We got Chance Engagement. I’m not sure that was too much better for Rebecca.
We got set up and got started.
I had no idea what I was doing really but my general plan was to cruise into the middle and see what was there to shoot at.
Rebecca went for the full flank but made a slight error with Maus meaning he (?) got left behind.
Despite having the full flank onto Hark, Rebecca’s dice UTTERLY failed and I lost one single shield.
One.
This was the turn that sealed it though.
After Rebecca’s red dice were a complete no-show in the last turn, mine decided to turn up in force while Rebecca’s green dice decided to fall in line with her reds…
Rhymer one-shots Second Sister with a Cluster Missile and then nicks a shield from Soontir with a second shot. Follow up shots from my other ships finish off Soontir for the cost of half of Hark.
That put us as 13 – 4 after turn 3. Things went slightly better for Rebecca for a turn or two but it wasn’t too long before I managed to get half on the two remaining ships without giving up any more points myself.
Final result: 20 – 7 win
The conclusion…
Clearly the result of the game is neither here nor there. It was pretty one-sided but we still had fun.
The main thing to take from this is that a refresh of points is well overdue. Under FFG we had pretty regular updates combined with shifts in the meta from new releases.
Clearly AMG’s approach was to try and get the game fully balanced which, while I appreciate the sentiment, was never actually going to be achievable.
The XWA’s approach will be more like FFG’s. Nerfs and buffs to rebalance but also to rotate some things in/out to bring some variation to what sees play.
Speaking of which, it’s worth sharing this recent video of an AMA video from the XWA.
That’s about it from me for this week. Like I said, bit of a short one but should be back to normal next week!
The outro…
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