Random thoughts on Punisher and X-Wing

So, random thoughts… 

Punisher review: 

“OK” if you are looking for PC mindless violence.  I liked the Punisher comics back when I was a kid, but even then I knew it was really just a retelling of the Mack Bolan/Executioner series.  See, I read a LOT when I was a kid, so I probably had a FAR broader exposure to a lot of random things.  But in any case, the lead character is the highly trained Sniper/Special Operator (?) I guess…  Mack Bolan’s character was far and away the most believable…  He WAS a sniper, on a team which was the “proto” A-Team from Vietnam.  He had teammates that were things like the medic, demo specialist, heavy weapons, and close in work, etc…  Was NOT all just him.  The Punisher is pretty much the one man A-Team.  Fine I guess given his setting is the “Superhero” world, so not a huge stretch since there are Blind Ninjas, Mystic Martial Arts Experts and immortal enemies (see: Defenders/Netflix J)…  But in my limited experience the guys I know who are sniper types are probably not also the same ones I’d want beside me doing building clearance or doing demo work…  Just saying.  The group of guys I used to shoot with, I was an average shot at the longer range targets out to 600m.  I’d have slightly better than a 50% hit rate with the old off the rack Garand and standard ammo.  They would be in the 100% range.  I shoot a LOT better if I can move and am shooting at moving targets.  I have pretty decent reflexes I’m told…  But I guess that’s just my long winded way of saying that Frank Castle is a superhero type in a world that HAS superheroes…  My bigger objections actually came with the VERY carefully PC environment they set up.  Every bad guy had to be a rich white male.  The ones who were not quite that were the ex-GI terrorist.  SO much I dislike about that character, but I guess I have a lot more skin in that game.  He’s portrayed as a low IQ dupe/tool who was easy to influence and then cast aside by the evil war machine.  Fixated on the 2^nd Amendment to the point of committing terrorist acts to “make a point”.  So, the low IQ grunt somehow just “finds” exotic weaponry like sound suppressors for the expensive Military type pistols and things like Claymore AP mines…  Oh, AND the expertise to wire them up in frighteningly effective booby traps.  These are NOT things one finds at say, Walmart.  Suppressors are Class III devices, so TECHNICALLY legal.  If you jump through the hoops, register, pay the fees and taxes and have a VERY good Attorney who specializes in such matters.  NOT common.  I've SEEN a handful of them over the years, and I'd probably say I was a LOT deeper into that world than most...  Claymores are even more so.  NOT something one would simply “come home” from Afghanistan with.  I’ve used a number of them (I WAS a demolitions specialist), and know the likelihood of those making their way back to the States from overseas is effectively zero.  Bringing us to the big question of what is he, an idiot or a genius?  Portrayed as the idiot, but somehow able to on a cab driver’s income pick up a LOT of very expensive and illegal military hardware and the correct training to employ the same that an Infantry grunt simply would NOT have?  :-)  Not even rage inducing things, just really disappointing for me I guess. 

J  So, I have issues with the series, but probably specific to the ex-GI crowd.  The character in “Daredevil” was pretty darn good…  Will I watch season 2?  Probably.  But honestly I liked Iron Fist and the Defenders a lot more.

On to X-wing though…  The big Wave 12/13 drop hit and seems like meta which WAS in flux is hit with another big change.  Harpoons EVERYWHERE.  This seems a problem…  That particular Missile allows you to keep your Target Lock, has the insane extra Damage condition (that splashes to Range 1) making it a “just better” option for a Missile.  Coupled with the fact that the Reload action that allows you to just keep firing them off?  Makes the few things that can break TL pretty good.  Honestly, concerned someone local will bring the Krayt (Chris Allen I think?) Squadron of 3 Nu Squadron Gunboats with just LRS and the Harpoon with the 34 point Quickdraw.  SO many Missiles…  The Wookies are right out against that sort of build.  Just cannot handle that many Harpoons. 

Saying that, this is what I am looking at running at Mattoon:

KuldaFennThweek (97)

Torani Kulda — M12-L Kimogila Fighter	27
Veteran Instincts	1
Harpoon Missiles	4
Unhinged Astromech	1
Long-Range Scanners	0
Ship Total: 33
Fenn Rau — Protectorate Starfighter	28
Push the Limit	3
Autothrusters	2
Concord Dawn Protector	1
Ship Total: 34
Thweek — StarViper	28
Fire-Control System	2
Autothrusters	2
StarViper Mk. II	-3
Virago	1
Ship Total: 30

More of a Missile carrier, Ace and Thweek to Shadow another Ace to give me essentially 2 Aces.  I REALLY like the way the Starviper actually flies.  It is essentially a TIE Fighter with a bit better Health, but it flies really oddly…  Fenn does Fenn things.  The best Mandalorian flying the best ship I think the S&V Faction has I think.  He is a really good PTL Ace.  Kulda, I am looking at either the LRS or Chips, but LRS seems right for the moment.  Not looking at his ability much, just PS 10 and that damn Missile with Reload. 

Now, if I want to play a more “fun” squad I’ll fly:

FennGuriThweek (97)

Guri — StarViper	30
Intensity	2
Advanced Sensors	3
Inertial Dampeners	1
Autothrusters	2
StarViper Mk. II	-3
Virago	1
Ship Total: 36
Thweek — StarViper	28
Autothrusters	2
StarViper Mk. II	-3
Ship Total: 27
Fenn Rau — Protectorate Starfighter	28
Push the Limit	3
Autothrusters	2
Concord Dawn Protector	1
Ship Total: 34

2 Starvipers J…  And the PTL Ace.  So, fun I think…  And another likely one for me to fly.

The Titan event is later in the month and I’m running my dual Firespray list…  Little different, but…  J  And time to test it later I think…