SHIP PROFILE: Y-Wing

Well, as we've not had a game this weekend, I guess I should pull my finger out and do another ship profile...

I resisted the urge to do the obvious X-wing profile after the TIE fighter in the last profile, but have instead plumped for the Y-wing - or rather the BTL-A4 Y-wing!
Bearing in mind the following is based on the original Y-wing Rebel set up (I've not really looked at the Scum & Villainy stuff yet), but the Y-wing just doesn't really do it for me.
Now I don't want to be accused of (any more!) Empire bias, but I think we perhaps play a bit to much dog fight type games and the Y-wing is better suited to a mission.
I mean, lets face it, the Y-wing wasn't designed for dog fighting. As shown in New Hope, it was designed to chug along in death star trenches getting blown up (oops sorry, a bit of propaganda there!)
Maybe it's that we need to play more missions.. with the Y-wings set to blow something pretty static up, I don't know, even though with a turret mounted secondary weapon they can certainly come in handy with our standard dog fights of flying head on at each other, and then shooting past!
The standard 2 primary attack I always find a little lame, although the torpedoes and, as mentioned above, the turret does help.
Pilot skills? I'll admit that Horton Salm can come in useful with his re-rolling of any blank results at range 2 and 3. I guess that if you stick a focus action him, you're guaranteed maximum hits... although with just 2 dice for a primary attack, and the aforementioned turrets, although being 360 degree firing arc, not being quite as much use with this skill...
On the other hand, to fly this pilot with the other named Rebel pilot ("Dutch" Vander) you may be on to something. Have Horton pick up a focus, Dutch to hand out the target locks, and then get shooting with some torpedoes... you'll be causing some damage!
Stick in a decent R2 unit to help protect you, and you may just stay alive long enough to cause the Empire a bit of grief...but I doubt it :)
Maybe I should have another look with the Scum and Villainy ships...
I seemed to notice I scored the TIE fighter last time, so as to marks... in the best X-factor tradition...hold the suspense just a bit longer... so you don't really care what the result was... errmm.. probably a 4 out of 10. Not bad, but no TIE fighter :)

Next time, I'll review, hhmm, maybe a big ship :)

A Double Dose of Trouble...

+10/04/2015+INCOMING MESSAGE++

It has been a tricky time for Vulture Squadron with increased activity in our sector. I am not sure they are linked but along with increased rebel activity a criminal group appears to be looking to intent on finding a profit from the current instability.
Firstly, a small squad of Vulture Squadron Ships encountered a Fire-spray, an Aggressor and a Star-viper. It was unclear whether these were linked to Black Sun or another criminal group.
When challenged they responded with their laser banks.
We managed to destroy the Star Viper but lost a TIE Bomber before the melee ended.
Upon immediately returning to base to report in these scum and villainy, word reached us that Rebel ships had been spotted.
A second wave of Vulture Squadron ships were despatched, and the rebels (a YT2400 and a new E-wing fighter) were destroyed without loss to the Vultures.

This upsurge in action leads me to request further support - especially with the arrival of the new powerful e-wing...

++END OF MESSAGE++

A busy - and fun night was had, with a near full house (much to Adams stress levels!) of myself, Simon, and Mike descending on Adams flat. Sadly Ben was side-lined due to an early flight to Spain the following morning - hopefully he'll join us again soon.

So - to business!

A small Vulture squad took on Mike and Simon flying Scum and Villainy...I had 2 Alpha interceptors and a Tie Bomber (Gamma) and the Advanced. I went for a 2&2 split formation with the two sets of ships coming in at 45 degree angles from the corners. Mike was flying the Firespray (Kath Scarlett - S&V), and the Aggressor with IG-88D flying, and Simon took control of the Star Viper.
We agreed to play for just an hour to ensure we got a second game in.
Things started pretty well for myself with some pretty nifty flying (If I do say so myself!) and some good use of torpedoes managed to get the Aggressor and the Star Viper down to their last hull point.
I promised Mike I wouldn't mention his dodgy flying of the Fire-spray (Continually bumping into the back of the Aggressor) - Doh! sorry I have done ;)
The hour was up - no ships actually destroyed... a boring draw.
We decided to play one more round - and a speculative long shot from Simon (He makes a habit of that!) struck a direct hit on my TIE bomber and destroyed it.
Cue scenes of wild celebration...Then I took my attacks and destroyed the Star Viper...celebrations cut short to be replaced by smug imperial smiles. With the Star Viper having a higher points cost than the TIE Bomber, a victory for the imperials...or was it. A quick check of Adam's crayon drawn additional rules (!) said full points costs of ships... so the TIE Bomber with it's bombs, missiles and torpedoes... cost more than a naked Star Viper... Victory to Scum and Villainy... bah humbug!

Onto the 2nd game and as time was pushing on we had to hold back on the Tantive and transporter epic we were planning, and instead went for a simple 100 pointer Imperial vs. Rebel...
Mike joined me with Vulture squadron. He flew the two souped up Black Squadron TIE Fighters, and I again flew a TIE Advanced and TIE Bomber...
Adam and Simon opted for just two ships...Dash Rendar in his Outrider, whilst Adam grabbed a E-wing and about 50 add-on cards.

Long story short, the rebels were annihilated! Both ships destroyed without any (hull) damage  on any of the imperial ships...I think Mike could be swayed to the dark side...

Next game in a fortnight... may be a shorter night, and we are also planning some Star Wars Role Playing as well... watch this space!

Two Visiting Dignitaries...

+27/03/2015+INCOMING MESSAGE++

Vulture Squadron and the outer rim territories were pleased to welcome a visiting dignitary, the illustrious Moff Taylor. He joined us on a scouting mission where a group of rebels were encountered and engaged.

The Moff was given command of several ships, and I fear his days on Corruscant may have dimmed his senses a little since he left the academy...

As the battle ensued we were joined by another "dignitary", although this one threatened the safety of all the ships and each side fled to the safety of their home bases.

We will track down the rebel scum when the interstellar storm has passed...

+++END OF MESSAGE+++

Not sure where to begin with this one! lol

The wonderful Simon "Mr Star Wars" visited and joined a game between myself and Mike. I was flying Two TIE fighters, the two TIE Bombers and the TIE Advanced from Vulture Squadron, Mike fielded two X-wings, a Y-wing and an A-wing.
As Simon picked up the rules he took over the flying of the two TIE fighters and the TIE advanced... I continued with the Bombers.
Can't remember exactly how the game went, (Sorry Adam - not an excuse honest!), but I know my lightly armed bombers (one torpedo and one bomb each) managed to use nearly all their ordinance...After Simon initially sinned by splitting up his balsa wood TIE fighters, he made up for it with some awesome long distance shooting!... and mike showed just how versatile the A-wing is!...
Adam managed to get in to say hi about half eleven, and we were then joined by my good lady wife Beth, back in from a night out with the girls...and a little worse for where.
At least we can say she is a happy drunk!
For the safety of the models, we called it a draw and packed away quickly before she could cause any more mayhem!

Next game in a fortnight!

Sometimes you Just Have to Pay for Your Dirty Work...

+20/03/2015+INCOMING MESSAGE++

A report was received regarding smuggler rebel activity in the Sector controlled by Vulture Squadron.

Two Tie Fighters, a TIE Bomber and the two latest TIE Interceptors were despatched, and happened across the infamous Millennium Falcon, with its terrorist captain Han Solo accompanied by a rebel alliance Y-Wing and A-wing.

The rebels were engaged and although much damage was heaped upon the Rebel freighter it managed to escape whilst destroying the TIE Bomber and Interceptors.

The two TIE Fighters returned to base to report the nefarious goings on, and in this instance it was needed for a call to go out to a small band of, mercenaries shall we say.

After payment was made they saw off the rebels from the sector, although I suspect they may yet return...

++END MESSAGE++

well basically here's what happened...Mike flew the falcon with the only pilot worth having  (!) along with a basic Y-wing and A-wing. The Vulture squadron flying (as detailed above) flew in fast all guns aimed on the Falcon.
Like my previous piece on the TIE Fighters it nearly worked! In a couple of turns the Falcons shields were gone as was the bulk of its hull - I could smell victory!
Sadly the TIE's got split up (Good use of the engine booster Mike added to the Falcon) and the Interceptors and TIE bomber were destroyed.
With 3 hull points left between them the TIE fighters departed the board, handing victory to Mike.
Adam then flew as Scum and Villainy (2 Y-wings and Kath Scarlet in the Fire-spray), and after chasing the rebels into an asteroid field destroyed them.
I pointed out to Adam this was essentially an Imperial victory, and that I had clearly paid him off, (See Empire Strikes Back for a previous example of this...) for some reason he disagreed!
So I suppose... no more points for the Vulture squadron... Currently looking like -

1. TIE Bomber -  Gamma Squadron - 18 Points
2. DESTROYED
3. TIE Fighter -  Obsidian Squadron - 13 Points
4. TIE Fighter -  Obsidian Squadron - 13 Points
5. TIE Advanced  -  Tempest Squadron - 21 Points
6. Lambda-Class Shuttle - Omicron Group  Pilot - 21 Points
7. (Blank)
8. DESTROYED
9. DESTROYED

No extra points so 145....

Tactically I was pretty impressed with the 4 TIE fighters flying in hard and fast and so nearly destroying the Falcon, but I was let down by the TIE Bomber, weighed down with Torpedoes, missiles and bombs, and again I failed to make them count... I may have to re think how I use them in future...
For now, I will replace the destroyed ships like for like and upgrade the two Obsidian Squadron TIE Fighters to Black Squadron Pilots, giving them a Pilot skill of 4.

So revised list...

1. TIE Bomber -  Gamma Squadron - 18 Points
2. TIE Bomber -  Scimitar Squadron - 16 Points (Replacement)
3. TIE Fighter - Black Squadron - 14 Points
4. TIE Fighter -  Black Squadron - 14 Points
5. TIE Advanced  -  Tempest Squadron - 21 Points
6. Lambda-Class Shuttle - Omicron Group  Pilot - 21 Points
7. (Blank)
8. TIE Interceptor -   Alpha Squadron - 18 Points (Replacement)
9. TIE Interceptor -   Alpha Squadron - 18 Points (Replacement)

140 points of 145 used....

A bonus game this week with the next night due being Good Friday... So a special guest in Mr Simon Taylor coming for a sneaky game!

SHIP PROFILE: TIE Fighter

Now I know there's lots of good sites and forums and stuff out there in the wilds of the Internet that goes into great technical detail on the different ships available for X-wing. All the specifications, the best tactics, the probabilities of them doing what you want them to do if used in a really really specific manner...If that's what you want go find them...
What I was more interested in doing on this lil' ol'd blog was just talk about the ships, how I've used them... what I like or not about them... then if you agree, or disagree you can leave me a comment - or not. Adam.
So, where to start... I know the game is called X-wing, but I'd rather start with the lowly TIE Fighter.
As is probably obvious I love Imperials, and specifically love TIE fighters (okay I'll admit to loving the Decimator as well but that is for a whole different set of reasons!)
For a pure unaltered flying experience, not worrying about pilots or special abilities or secondary weapons, the TIE fighter I THE ship... That speed, the tight turns, the barrel rolls... Oh I love a barrel roll.
A stack of TIE fighters swarming around the falcon.. I love it... When the falcon destroys a TIE fighter, no one bats an eye lid... but when a TIE fighter finishes off the falcon (Sorry to remind you Mike)... Awesome...
When you do start looking at the named pilots and their skills they sum up the TIE fighter and empire so well... Back stabber... Mauler Mithel.. it's all about getting up close and dirty... extra hits when shooting outside of firing arcs... all nasty stuff. I guess kind of what you'd expect from the people who blew up the peaceful planet of Aldderan...
In fact it's just occurred to me that I should mark the ship... based purely on my gut feeling... Hhhhmmm... for the TIE fighter I give a ... Mighty 8 out of 10... It would be a 10 if it wasn't for the fact they are made out of balsa wood - "Damn you empire - at least give them 1 shield to protect against Critical hits!!!"...

Next time, I'll talk randomly about... Y-Wings!

The Latest Vulture Squadron Rosta...

Well, after the last mission, and victory with some losses, I've been a bit boring in the updated roster...
Still no named pilots, but I've got a "replacement" Shuttle, as I liked the way it grabbed Target Locks (with the "ST-321" title card) and am keen to move it up to the named pilot who can hand out those target locks to other ships...(Colonel Jendon I think...)

I've replaced the destroyed Academy Tie Fighter with another Interceptor... Let's see how they compare to the TIE fighters...

So the latest roster...

1. TIE Bomber -  Gamma Squadron - 18 Points
2. TIE Bomber -  Scimitar Squadron - 16 Points
3. TIE Fighter -  Obsidian Squadron - 13 Points
4. TIE Fighter -  Obsidian Squadron - 13 Points
5. TIE Advanced  -  Tempest Squadron - 21 Points
6. Lambda-Class Shuttle - Omicron Group  Pilot - 21 Points (NEW)
7. (Blank)
8. TIE Interceptor -   Alpha Squadron - 18 Points
9. TIE Interceptor -   Alpha Squadron - 18 Points (NEW)

138 pilot points of 145 available...Next time I upgrade, I guess it's time to start playing with some named pilots... will Vulture Squadron be able to take the ego's....

What Scum and Villainy is This...

Well... Latest game night, and Scum and Villainy have arrived... in force...

First up a game involving the two ships above, between Mike and myself with some vulture squadron ships... After this the Scum and Villainy (flown by Adam) against a  small Rebel force flown by myself... ugh. I don't like rebels!!!!

Reports to follow...


+06/03/2015+INCOMING MESSAGE++

What Scum and Villainy is this?

The instability being caused by the rebellion is making a mockery of the rule of imperial law. Emboldened by the gains made by other criminal gangs, two nefarious ships, clearly up to no good and intent on causing mischief, were encountered by several Vulture Squadron ships.
This included the newly delivered Lambda Class Shuttle, sent to assist our front line bombers, and to transport visiting dignitaries in some form of comfort.
The two criminal ships (a Star Viper and an Aggressor) were engaged by two Vulture Squadron TIE Fighters, a TIE Bomber, and the above mentioned Lambda Class Shuttle.
Both criminals were destroyed and whatever scheming they were up to disrupted.
Sadly, the newly delivered shuttle, along with a TIE Fighter were also lost.
Time to request a replacement from Corruscant...

+++END MESSAGE++

Another victory for the Vultures, although the loss of the Shuttle was a pity...the victory wasn't always assured - the new "Mangler Cannon" that comes with Scum and Villainy is pretty vicious...

So 10 more points for the Vultures... I'll replace the Lambda class Shuttle to help me get used to flying bigger ships (I did keep hitting Asteroids!)...

New Squadron list to follow tomorrow...


As to the second game...Hmmm... against my better nature I agreed to Adam's Demands for me to play Rebels, so I abandoned the Vultures, to play an E-wing and a couple of A-wings...

Adam was Scum and Villainy, fielding the Starviper, a Headhunter and a couple of M3-A interceptors. A combination of the worst dice throwing known to man (blaming the tools...) and again the Mangler canons, Adam made short work of the rebels...

Think I'll be back on the Imperials in a fortnight!