VT-49 Decimator... Decimated

+++INCOMING MESSAGE+++

A VT-49 Decimator and a TIE advanced were on a recent scouting mission in this area of the outer rim, when they were set upon by rebel alliance ships.
Details are sketchy at present but is believed that the nefarious smuggler Han Solo, along with his Woke sidekick and the rebel pilot Skywalker were to blame flying the Millennium Falcon, along with an X-wing man.
The x-wing was destroyed, and much damaged caused to the infamous ship, but a lucky last shot brought down the gallant Decimator and crew.
Retribution will be swift, and brutal.

+++END OF MESSAGE+++

Well, I suppose it had to happen eventually, but the VT-49 has finally been brought down! It took a fat Han build to do it though., and again the fine balance of the X-wing game shone through.
The set-up was Mike flying The falcon, with all its famous crew on board and a solitary x-wing, against myself with the decimator and a single TIE Advanced (piloted by Luke's very own Dad - we wanted to keep it in the family!)
I knew what Mike was flying, so set up a similar formation... maybe my first mistake! As much as the tank link Decimator takes up a load of points for a single ship, in hindsight I could have supported it with at least 2 or even 3 other TIE's for the 100 point squad.
The two factions started in opposite corners, and whilst the Imperials streaked across the middle of the board, the falcon and escort made its way around the edge.
First hits were landed, and the falcon with push the limit, was initially revelling in its multiple actions. More by luck than design, the Decimator was giving out extra stress tokens, with its Rebel Captive on board.
Soon the x-wing was destroyed, closely followed by Darth Vader in the TIE Advanced (Spinning off the board rather than being destroyed, obviously...)
A war of attrition began, with the ships doing a fair amount of bumping and barging, as the falcon made headway into the decimators 12 hull, and 4 shields.
As the falcon was on the verge of destruction... Chewie took one for the team, clearing one damage, and giving a shield back, before Han landed the killer blow.
A really good close game, with just two hull points left on the board by the end of the game.
So victory to Mike, and here's to a whole lot more x-wing in the new year!

Campaign...

Background…

Word has leaked out that a new imperial ship yard is being constructed in the outer rim region, to bring the pirate and crime lords, as well as the rebels to heel. Little is known about the where and when’s of this happening…

First Mission...

"Well look what we’ve found… " A small cargo ship with a TIE fighter escort is spotted by two other factions….

The imperials have to get from one side of the board to the other...The Cargo ship can move forward either 2 straight, or 1 bank…

The 2 factions (either 2 S&V or S&V and rebel) have to "capture" the cargo ship...

and get off their side of the board...

To capture the cargo ship, it must receive 3 hits…. whoever lands the 3^rd hit, takes control of the freighter…

As soon as one side "captures" the cargo ship... the other side can attack them...

:)

Imperials quite low powered (75 points) ... the other factions 100 points...

Set squadrons...
Did we decide we were doing this...

• 100 points • Just Pilot / Ships – No add-ons.
  
  



• (When you play a mission you pick from the list and add what cards you want from the points available for that mission...)



• Initially only one named pilot • Squadrons for each mission can only be picked from these pilots • Exceptions if specific missions call for it…



• The same named pilots cannot be used by different factions (i.e. only one Boba Fett) • First come first served in getting a named pilot (In letting me know – I am final judge!) • As each mission completed – extra “squadron points” allocated so you can increase your pilot roster



• After first mission additional named pilots can be added • If a named pilot is killed in a mission… they’re dead and cannot be brought back (Will see how this goes based on how many missions we manage…)

And the squadrons are of course....

• Adam - Rebel "Disco Squadron"



• Mike S&V - "The Glossop Faction"



• Dave - S&V "Ringer Squad"



• Ben - Rebel "Asteroid Squad"



• Phil - Imperial "Vulture Squadron"

Just who's Side are you On?

+++INCOMING MESSAGE+++

News reached us of a visiting dignitary...Darth Vader himself. On his way though he was accosted by a constant stream of, well, all different ships.

As each ship was destroyed another appeared, and one meddlesome bounty hunter in particular appeared to put the Dark Lord under, well, a bit of stress.

Their time will come...

+++END OF MESSAGE+++

Well this was a bit different and rather enjoyable! Based on a couple of different sets of rules out there on the t'internet. With us having a good few people coming (Mike, Dave, Adam and Myself) we all created a couple of 35 point ships each,

This meant no big ships, and quite heavily armed small ships.... all different factions, with one person containing one ship at a time. When it was destroyed... you came back on the board from the edge with a different ship (or the same one if you really wanted).
I think in the "proper" rules you're meant to score or keep track of who is damaging who or what ... but we didn't bother...don't think we'd last in a tournament!
And how did it go?
Well I missed the story telling bit of it...but it was really good fun.
Just having one ship each made for a really quick game - i.e. no thinking for ages about moves or interactions between ships... no one super strong ship or squadron, as ships would gradually get worn down, and new fully powered ships would keep entering the fray...

Will we do it again? Hell yeah!

One issue I had with Mike's first ship, was it's ability to give out Stress - no questions asked... Which he took great pleasure in doing to Darth Vader.
If you didn't spot the error in that statement let me spell it out...
DARTH VADER GETTING STRESSED... IT'S DARTH VADER! YOU CANNOT STRESS OUT THE DARK LORD OF THE SITH!!!!!
As Mike was pointed out, presumably his bounty hunter was giving Vader the finger whilst flashing pictures of a volcano onto his display...
Okay, that could be a bit stressful!

There's a New Kid in Town

+++ INCOMING MESSAGE +++

Message to Central Command - Urgent - There appears to be a new group of vagabonds and villains recently arrived in the sector - reinforcements needed urgently.

Vulture squadron was out on a routine mission - Minding it's own business even - when they were set upon by a much larger force of  ships. It is unclear at present if this was a group of rebel scum sympathisers or just a new band of lawless pirates.

The poor defenceless TIE fighters and Interceptors were all destroyed. We do not believe it was the previous groups we have encountered (The flying and shooting accuracy was too good).

Please send new TIE's ... may be even those TIE Phantoms I've heard such good things about... Oh, and a Decimator...

+++ END OF MESSAGE +++

Think I've managed to distort the truth and offend everyone there... Welcome David De Fouw!

So, a new player, and seemingly a new problem for Vulture Squadron. Myself and Adam have worked with David and he has (allegedly) been playing X-wing for a few weeks now so is pretty new to it.

Adam introduced him to our little group and all I can say is... ringer!

In the first game of the night I played a squadron of 3 TIE fighters and 2 TIE Interceptors against David who played a Scum & Villainy squad of an IG -2000, a M3-A Interceptor and the Moldy Crow. A carefully set up team with a stack of upgrades (novice player?)

What can I say, I was ripped to pieces! All ships destroyed without nothing more than a couple of Shields gone on Davids ships.

I was a little rusty, and managed to fly out of formation unintentionally(Shock Horror!), but did manage to get it back together - which I think may have been one of my problems... I was a bit too concerned with fancy formation flying, rather than landing shots on the opposition.

David flew well, but the squad was well thought out with the Moldy crow giving out focus tokens like they were going out of fashion, and an accuracy corrector consistently landing two hits against the TIES (3 hits and the Balsa wood ships are history!)

As well as the accuracy adapter Davids ships had a nasty ION turret and some other combination of cards that meant he kept Ionising me (so knew exactly where I'd be flying) whilst landing 2 damage (What's that all about?!?)

Sour grapes? You betcha! 

As I always tell my son if he loses "What did you learn?" Well apart from making sure I'm on Davids side, I learnt a couple of things

1. Only worry about formations if you're landing a lot of hits - if not - stop it!
2. Get better use of cards and upgrades - as you know I'm not a big fan of a stack of cards on a ship - I just like to fly the ships and shoot. I do think there are getting to be a few too many cards, causing too many things to happen without the throwing of dice (Accuracy Corrector...!). But I guess I cannot beat them - so I need to start using them!
3. The IG-2000 is an awesome ship... I knew this a bit from Mike flying him previously, but even more so now, I cannot see a down side to it. A fair bit of hull and shields, high primary weapon, high agility, a full action bar, no stress, and some funky special moves... and that's before you get to pilot abilities. And not that expensive (compared to the Falcon, or even a Decimator - which both have the agility of a boulder)

Sour grapes? probably... I think the Decimator and a couple of Phantoms may have to join the Vultures!

On the plus side, I (hope) that I've learnt something!

Second game of the night Mike and Adam playing Rebels vs Rebels - and a mix of old ships and the new force awakens X-wings...

Whilst I have my whinging head on, away from tournaments, I really don't like playing the same factions against each other (I suppose I could let Scum & Villainy square up...) Also, I don't like mixing the Force Awakens ships (and card abilities) with the original trilogy ships...

Adam ripped Mike to pieces, using a similar Moldy Crow and Wedge set up whilst Mike flew an AXE squadron (An A-wing, X-wing and an E-wing - Get it!). I guess Mike will be back to his trusty Scum and Villainy next time round...

So, what have I learnt overall, for all my sour grapes and whinging and whining?

1. All squadrons must spell something
2. What a great game -
3. When do we play again?

(Now then, time to rebuild Vulture Squadron...)

It looked bigger on the Desk...

++ INCOMING MESSAGE ++

Word has reached us of a high level of Pirate activity in the sector. This must be dealt with immediately. These Scum and Villainy are undoubtedly rebel sympathizers and must be crushed as soon as possible to spare their message spreading any further.

A newly arrived raider corvette will be sent out to find and destroy these by way of training. The crew (especially the gunners) are a little wet between the ears, and would benefit from some live action against these lowly pirates.

++ FOLLOW UP ++

The Raider has returned, the Pirates were more heavily armed than initially thought. They have dealt with the incursion - with just a single ship fleeing the scene - but I fear the pirate issue may be larger than predicted. I think further gunnery training is required... 

++END OF MESSAGE++

Well, the first game in what seems like ages, and after much catching up, only time for a short one (plus the lure of a shiny new X-Box to "Test"). In attendance were Mike, Ben and myself, with Adam a bit under the weather, and Simon watching Star Wars again ( or something ; ) )
 As implied above, the night was mainly a "tester" night for my new toy, the quite awesome looking Imperial Raider" which I was lucky enough to get for Christmas!
Now, with my penchant for small agile ships (Did I mention I love TIE fighters?) to jump to a massive ship without a single Lambda Class practice along the way was... a little trying.
That Said, with 150+ points on each side on the table, Mike seemed happy enough with 2 big S&V ships, plus a couple of small ships.
The main main gag  (!) of the night was around how the Imperial Raider, as lovely as it does look, definitely "looked bigger on the desk"!
With over 300 points of ship on the board, I was a bit concerned that a standard 3' by 3' would not be big enough... so we stretched it to 4' by 3'... and in the end managed to play in about 2' by 2'!!!
So what happened?

• I crept forward in the the raider, building up Energy reserves... 
• Mike Raced across the board, Boosting  for all he was worth to get up close to the Raider
• Mike peppered the Raider with attacks, stripping the fore of shields
• I replaced all the Shields :) 
• Mike stripped more shields... 
• I replaced shields
• I was throwing up to 14 attack dice with little lasting effect... 
• Mike stripped more shields
• I replaced Shields... 
• I failed to hit Mike ... 
• I flew into Mike's ships and destroyed them ...
• :)
• Slave -1 some how escaped... : (

So, more practice needed; confirmation that the raider is a really nice looking ship; next game - Ben vs Adam!!!!