Mid June X-Wing doldrums...

Not getting in as many physical games as I’d like these days…  Some events this weekend, but the 2 hour drive to compete for prizes that are Factions I do not play?  Less enthused honestly, but maybe.  I DO have Gen Con coming up and as my lists are Republic they are legal for both Hyperspace and Extended…  Mostly settled to 2 lists at the moment with the Iron Curtain and the 2 Jedi + support (2 x Torrent, an ARC or even a third Jedi) being the hands down favorites.  The Iron Curtain is easy to fly, but kind of boring honestly…  VERY solid ships and with the passive mods I can usually get double modified shots making the whole firing line extremely accurate.  Problem being of course what to do when the other side does not just line up and let me joust them off the table?  Imperial Aces have become a thing again with Vader and Soonter Fel + support being pretty darn good.  NOT a lot of Attack Dice, but then have the 2 I6’s and a bid making them move last for the likely Arc dodge.  Bringing my own Jedi as Arc Dodgers at least makes this a game…  Albeit a difficult one that I MUST land the blocks because as good as Anakin is, Vader and Fel are both likely to move AFTER him and that is never a good thing.  Well, in the hands of an expert of course, but since there are enough of those locally (well, semi locally I would say, certainly will b at the big events I am going to or thinking about going to)…  NOT something to bank on them making mistakes. 

At this point I am eagerly awaiting both the points update and the Wave 4 ship(s)…  The N1 Starfighter for the Republic looks quite interesting…  Almost a mix of the TIE Defender and the Jedi Aethersprites/A-Wings…  Sharing the “go fast for the free Evade” ability with the TIE Defender should make this a good one for a run and gun style of play I am comfortable with. Anakin, Mace and an N1 SHOULD make for a very solid list.  Still “should” because of course we have no clue what the specifics are on the new ships nor do we know that the current stuff is staying where it is points wise…  Slightly frustrating.

Still, if new toys coming out is the worst thing for me then I DO have it VERY good.  Pro tip, it is not :-) …  Lightning strike on the house fried our AC, Refrigerator and all of the circuits in the garage…  No one hurt, but damn those things are expensive.  Got them paid for and the HVAC techs pointed out the blackened refrigerant that indicated the lightning…  So except for the deductible it is covered.  Yea.  Of course an extremely stress filled couple of weeks.  But behind us now I suppose…  Job front?  Still applying and interviewing.  Can afford to be picky, but frustrating having jobs get pulled off the market WHILE you are interviewing for them of course.  And of course having to deal with extremely unrealistic qualifications for the salary level they are offering.  DID manage not to laugh at the one offer I got in a State just to the West of my current one…  Requiring the MS, 20 years experience, 10 in Management and offering half my current salary?  Oh, but with the potential to grow later to ALMOST what I am making now?  I did politely smile my evil little smile and tell them I think I know why they are having a difficult time finding qualified people to take that particular job :-) …

So, painting up Star Wars Legion things and my WWII British Airborne forces in the mean time...  Killer of time at least it is...

X-Wing, Mid June before the points adjustments...

So…  Waiting on the next points update…  Still.  Seems like we are in a stage of “solved meta” and kind of stagnating a bit. 

DID get onto the Thule Squadron Radio podcast here:  https://thulesquadronradio.podbean.com/e/episode-38-this-is-not-a-star-wars-themed-podcast/

Might be a bit long, but we chat quite a bit…  And one of my cats even gets to the cast J… 

Playing has mostly been my Jedi + Filler…  2 Torrents, 1 ARC or a third Jedi…  Though the 3^rd Jedi must be fairly lean and therefore far less resilient in general…  I say in general of course because with the 3 Agility that third Aethersprite MIGHT just dodge everything and survive…  It does happen on occasion.  NOT something to count on, and frankly that third Aether is really just there to support the main 2.  In my case Anakin and Mace with 7B/R2.  Thematically I would LOVE to fly Anakin and Ashoka as the cost is the same but +1 I and that third Force point are simply too good.  Ashoka’s ability is great, so long as your Force does not run out.  With only 2 though and regenerating only 1/turn I tend to run through it too quickly for my own good.  And Mace allows me to be a bit more aggressive which does suit my play style far more.  Anakin is still absolutely the best ship in the game for me.  When my luck holds and I play it smart, it is unbeatable.  J  When I make a mistake however…  Well, the game does tend to end a lot quicker.  Finding a lot of my games going to time with the Republic. 

Still waiting on the Wave 4 stuff…  Assuming that the points update will coincide with the now delayed release…  Will see I suppose.  Should revitalize the game a lot…  And the next “wave” of Hyperspace trials are getting scheduled, and looking like I’ll be heading to Springfield in October…  After the Continentals or whatever the big event there is called now, Grand Championship?  Whatever, I’m in the first flight on Friday so we’ll see how well my Jedi fare there…  Will see if there are any other local events coming up…

X-Wing as the Republic...

So, getting in more games with my Republic forces…  I DID try the 2 Jedi list for a bit, but with only Anakin and Obi-Wan on the field it was good but extremely unforgiving.  A single mistake or bad roll and it is over.  So, probably a no for me.  The 2 lists I have been having success with are the Obi-Wan and 3 ARCs and the Anikin/Mace with 2 Torrents.  With the first list flying a single 104th  Squadron with Sinker and Wolfe.  Obi-Wan is basically just there to support and I lack the points to put the 7B upgrade on his ship.  Trying a swap to Luminara to help mitigate Damage but losing the 3rd Force point and I5 might be bad…  That list I’ve been calling my “Iron Curtain” list as I grew up watching the Pittsburg Steelers a lot in the 70’s (my father was from near there) and it just seemed apt…  NOT subtle, just line up and bull rush the other side.  Even if they DO get behind you, not the end of the world as there are still Arcs covering that area and I’ve spent a long time flying the ARCs between the two editions and so am fairly used to the quirks of the ship.  I am flying a slightly different version as the 104th cards are only 1/pack and I have re-purposed my “Rebel” ARCs to fly for my Republic forces…  And I like having the slightly higher I and re-rolls for everyone…  Seems solid.

The 2 7B’s and 2 Torrent list is amusing…  I’ve skipped a bid and Mace has Sense to help assure Blocking and the Torrents are surprisingly good at that…  I can see why this list has been doing so well in Tournaments.  I’m getting better at the whole fly to block thing that is pretty much the opposite of my normal “Ace” flying where I am trying hard to avoid being blocked and shot at while getting in my shots where I can… Flew it last evening and the Torrents got in more blocks than they did shots…  Mace with Sense made it fairly trivial to place the ships to block and it allowed me to get in the hits while the target was out of position and off balance…  This list with Luminara in place of Mace works out fairly well…  Less direct damage from the Jedi, but those Torrents last bloody forever…

Signing up for some events at Gen Con…  Trying for Nationals (or whatever they are called now) on Friday and maybe another Hyperspace event either Friday or Saturday…  Will see, likely will still be running my Republic forces then against the likely field of Rebel Beef (Beef Wedgeington as it has been dubbed :-) )… 

Post HS event X-Wing and minor updates...

So, the Bloomington Hyperspace Trial happened…  LONG day and I wound up close to the top, but in no danger of making the cut to play on day two.  Had a lot of fun and played the list I thought would do well.  ONLY minor exception being my last game where my opponent went to an absolutely glacial pace once he was in the lead…  Frustrating and I had to sit down and center myself a bit so I did not lose my temper…  :-)  Some things I suppose become easier as I get older.  Had the game gone another 2 turns I know Anakin could have swept the board for me, but alas it was not to be.  Got a load of neat alt arts and acrylic prizes, but most important I did enjoy playing a LOT of X-Wing.  

Think going forward I drop the ARC and swap to Obi-Wan from Mace.  Supernatural Reflexes on Obi-Wan since Anakin is priced JUST outside of sanity level at 32 points for that upgrade…  Still, I5 with SNR and the double repositioning should be difficult to catch if I choose to break off and run.  Anakin drops the Spare Parts for Afterburners since the extra Boosts even if I am Stressed is just REALLY good on this ship I think…  As it happens I am fairly good at arc dodging and being able to then boost to Range 1 for the extra Dice should allow me to clear the field a bit quicker.  Obi-Wan’s Pilot Ability is “neat”, but certainly NOT why I am bringing him.  Well, aside from being one of my favorite Jedi…  I5 and 3 Force being the break point where things get good for him to be a “Jedi AND Ace”.  Yes, the list is only 2 ships and both of them are essentially X-Wings with the dials of A-Wings…  But these are ships I do really enjoy flying and since I have no need to stay in anything like a formation should be difficult to pin down for most folks…  

DID get the word from the Springfield TO that there will in fact be a Hyperspace event there in the second part of the season…  So July or later…  Signing up for some events at Gen Con as well, so there should be at least a few more big events that I am flying in.  Have to say I am rather enjoying the way my Jedi fly, will have to see if they stay more or less the same post the July points rebalance…  Not entirely sure how well I’ll DO at the events both in terms of placement and physically as it is extremely draining to be bending over those tables all day, but as I get more and more in shape these things do seem to become a bit easier…

Running a fair bit, typically ~5K/day and 3 days/week…  Lifting a bit, etc…  And now that the weather has cleared a bit (at least n terms of the temperature) I’ll be doing more yard work and the like so I’ll have my tan back in no time…  

The job hunt is still ongoing and I am applying further out as I am now over my 20 years here at the University…  Faculty positions as well as “IT Director” type positions as I’m qualified for either really…  Sadly some that I’ve interviewed with have what I consider extremely unrealistic salary expectations.  One required a Masters, 10+ years experience, Industry Certifications, etc…  And they were offering $35,000-40,000 for the salary.  Since that is below the range we START people here, I think I know why they are having a difficult time attracting qualified candidates.  Especially when those qualifications would command several times that salary elsewhere…  The CIO here is leaving in June and looking at the list of retirements there should be some local opportunities as well.  I would MUCH prefer to stay here I suppose given that I know so many people and am very familiar with the environment…  Will see what comes up as I’ve now gotten a LOT of interview practice and even several offers over the last few years.  Just none that I’ve accepted yet :-) …

X-Wing Déjà vu all over again?

Still testing with the Chromebook…  Seems solid, but finding a few more “gotcha” issues..  Some I never really considered like the Mersive Solstice connection App for Android not being compatible with this device.  Never considered that this is not running “real” Android, and so I incorrectly assumed that this device would just work there like everything else I encountered previously.  Opened a ticket with the Vendor, so we will see.  AFAIK I am the first testing this device type in this environment so it is certainly NOT a major issue.

The other issue I am having with the device is related to the physical size of the device I suspect.  The keyboard is just SLIGHTLY smaller that the ne I am used to and so typing is JUST a  bit off…  For me, not as much of a problem as I am certainly not a “professional level” typist like my wife…  I suspect she would have a major issue with this keyboard…

Watched a bit of the Denver System Open over the weekend between Prom “stuff” (2 daughters both going makes for an interesting time) and Endgame/GoT watching…  The winning list was one that one of the Podcasts I listen to brought as a group.  And it’s Palp Aces again…  Déjà vu all over again…  So, having some flashbacks to v1 with the cycle of TIE Phantoms leading to Fat Han leading to Palp Aces…  Mind, they brought a specific “Alpha Class Star Wing” as the second “Ace”, so not really a traditional Ace…  But an Ordnance carrier that does just throw out a LOT of Damage quickly even (and frankly MOSTLY) after performing a SLAM maneuver.  Mind, the SLAM has a Weapons Disabled token as part of doing the Action, but the Alpha has the ability to fire despite having the weapons disabled.  With the Advanced SLAM they can also perform a second Action as part of the SLAM, so Locks an Focus are usually there.

I think this is where my objection to a lot of the Extended stuff at least comes.  There are the rules of the game and then there are things that either ignore the basic rules of the game or are simply FAR too efficient as they get free extra Actions.  Looking specifically at the TIE Phantom here as they get the free Evades when they De-cloak.  Now, with the Evade, it activates Juke making their Offense unnaturally efficient along with their Defense being just better than another similarly priced Ship.  Probably illustrates an issue that FFG should balance sooner rather than later.

Han is another issue, and the current one is the interaction between Han, R2-D2, the Inertial Damper and the infinite Regeneration that comes with that cycle.  And of course the I6 means that most if not all of your opponent’s Ships have moved when you reveal your Dial.  Giving you the option with full board knowledge of where best to put your Ship.  Choosing from 1 of the 8 potential placements as the YT-1300 has a native Boost Action.  Going full Fat Han gives you the Engine Upgrade (making the Boost white rather than Red) and Kannan Jarus to pull away the Stress that the Damper gives you.  Luke Skywalker Gunner is 30(!!) points, but with an additional Force and the ability to change your Turret facing after everything is done moving?  Turns out it is really good in this one particular application.  Especially where cost is a feature rather than a downside…  With a good player, good luck killing or even getting to Half Points this Han build.  And with re-rolls that are defined as “not re-rolls”, this is another area that there is an exception to the basic rules of the game…  You start to get too many exceptions in the game and the rules start to mean less and less over time…

Looking like this is what I am going to fly this weekend at the Hyperspace Qualifiers:

Anakin Mace Wolfe (199)

Anakin Skywalker — Delta-7 Aethersprite	60
R2 Astromech	4
Delta-7B	18
Ship Total: 82
Half Points: 41 Threshold: 3
Mace Windu — Delta-7 Aethersprite	46
R2 Astromech	4
Delta-7B	16
Ship Total: 66
Half Points: 33 Threshold: 3
“Wolffe” — ARC-170 Starfighter	51
Ship Total: 51
Half Points: 26 Threshold: 5

3 solid ships and Anakin being the perfect ship for the way I play...  Mace is another one that I tend to play a bit more aggressively and Wolfe is just solid...

Chromebook and upcoming X-Wing (Jedi)

Testing from the new Chromebook…  Went with the Dell Inspiron 3189 (I think), so a nice “convertible” laptop that can flip over and become a Tablet.  Running the Android OS, so feeling very similar to my Samsung S8 phone…  Bigger of course and a real keyboard, but slight learning curve hitting as I am so very familiar with the “standard” Windows laptops having used them since the Win 95 days…  One HUGE advantage of working in IT, I always had access to the beta builds of the newest OS and starting in the Hardware end of things would build or re-build my own laptops… So far as I have been managing my expectations for this device (I am typing the post ON it) It has been fairly solid.  Spent most of my day today wandering about in meetings and the battery is still showing 95%+…  For the price it seems to be an excellent device so far.  One of my co-workers did remind me that I can install the Microsoft RDP app on this thing, and I did, but honestly I doubt I will use it.  This device is a secondary “for use in meetings or when wandering about” only, so…

Getting in a LOT of reps in with my “Republic” squadrons for X-Wing, mostly Jedi…  Have to say, Anakin Skywalker’s ship is the perfect one for me and my play style.  VERY aggressive, I use the -7B variant and an R2 Astromech for him to give me the X-Wing profile with the A-Wing’s dial and Regeneration.  I DO have to play it a bit cagy as I cannot just joust things out of existence…  Well, NOT full health things.  I6 and the 3-4 Dice Attack I CAN usually kill something already damaged, but better by FAR to dodge their Arc and get in the shots unanswered.  Other than that though?  Ahsoka is solid as well, but I3…  One list I have tried a fair bit is Anakin, Ahsoka and 2 Torrents.  The Jedi have the -7B and R2 and the Gold Squadrons Torrents are just the base model…  198 points, so no real bid and those Torrents are frankly terrible.  The 3 Aethersprite lists with Anakin, Mace and Ahsoka work and Obi-Wan can slot in for Mace easily enough.  Force management is a hard one for me, I am ALWAYS running out so 3 Force is needed on the second Ace…  Obi-Wan has the I5, but his Pilot Ability is not so good in this sort of list.  Mace has an Ability I like (Regain a Force when you do a Red maneuver), but is only I4… 

Turns out I have painted a ship up in purple/grey that looks good for him, so leaning toward that…  DO want a bigger bid though.  Anakin works SO much better if he moves AFTER everyone else.

Brings me to the meme list I am actually considering.  Anakin with Supernatural Reflexes (32 points!!!), R2 and the -7B paired with Obi-Wan sporting the -7B and an R2 unit…  12 point bid, so I might use the Spare Parts Canister as well, but…  It is solid, but VERY unforgiving…

X-Wing, after Wave 3 hit...

Well, after a number of games into the new edition with the Wave 3 stuff on the table I have come to a few conclusions…

Hate:  I hate it J…  “Just a bit” under costed (Now say that in Bob Uecker’s voice ala “Major League”) at 3 points.  Compared to the “Light Side” upgrades available to the Jedi in the Republic?  Just ludicrously cheap.  Mind, just my opinion per usual, but with most of my powers being set on a “sliding” scale where something almost completely useless like “Brilliant Evasion” coming in at 6 points for Anakin Skywalker?  So, double the points for something that MIGHT hit once in a blue moon and MIGHT save me a Force point?  Compared to the gain a Force for EVERY Damage taken (Shields, Hull, whatever…)?  So, the Sith Infiltrator will almost always be full up on Force negating the hard choices WRT resource management I face with the Jedi…  Seems a bit too good.  Now, the Supernatural Reflexes was the obviously OP thing that needed to be adjusted before Wave 3 hit and the I6 Anakin would have been way too good.  I get it.  But now it seems Hate is taking the place as the abusive one.  Hoping it is not a “wait for July” thing. 

As it stands now, none of my Jedi are taking Force abilities as I am finding the resource management portion to be the thing I am struggling the most with.  Anakin with the 7B modification is REALLY good.  And I’m a fairly decent Ace player and dodging Arcs is the key to playing that Ship.  My experience playing Soonter Fel is coming in handy, but I DO think Anakin is a superior version of that Ship.  Costs a lot more, so that follows… 

Other than Anakin?  Well…  Some of the Arcs are solid, but I think ALL of the named ones are slightly overpriced…  Wolfe being the one I think I’ve flown the most for slightly obvious reasons …  

The V-19’s?  Seem like overpriced garbage.  I’ve not flown any, but faced several and they fall in somewhere below the Z-95 and TIE with respect to their utility.  Issue being they NEED Ordnance to become effective.  They’re too expensive and simply not as good as a basic TIE.  Putting on the Missile puts them as too expensive to be effective as filler or even a Swarm.  Lacking Shields, and their Dial is just bad…  Had the Homing Missiles not jumped in price?  Maybe they would have been good, but as it stands now?  A single Missile slot and no Reload action locks them to just bad choices for the Missile upgrade.  Having to spend 4 more points to go to I3 and getting the Talent Slot?  Nope.  Crack Shot or the Dedicated one might be amusing, but I3 still just gets killed too quickly and compared to say the Vulture where jumping from I1 to I3 is only 2 points?  Not worth it, so the V-19 is going to be a “Shelf Unit” for me in my office it seems… 

The other Jedi?  Mace is decent, Ashoka is good I suppose…  I3 though and only 2 Force limits her.  Mace being I4 is extremely limiting.  His 3 Force is good though…  Will likely be running Obi Wan I think as I am finding I5/3 Force to be the break point between the good/mediocre Jedi…  All are perhaps a bit expensive, but I can work with it as long as I can field 3 of them with upgrades.  I DO think that they made the Configurations for the Aethersprite just a bit too expensive though…  Hopefully this is something that gets adjusted down as few of us seem to be flying the Jedi now… 

Droids are solid:  Yes, surprisingly difficult to kill overall…  Calculate is not bad, and the sheer number of them on the field makes for a VERY interesting game…  They have good Ordnance options, excellent synergy within the Faction and are frankly darn cheap.  And with so many customization options there are a lot of different lists that they slot into…  I think that we will see a fair number of good lists from the Faction with these as a big part of it…

Sith Infiltrator:  Another solid one…  Coupled with Hate being too good makes this a solid choice I think.  I5 on Darth Maul, the crew options are all pretty good, Cloak and Barrel Roll on a Large Based Ship that has a pretty solid Dial.  2 Sloop, 5 K-turn, solid Turns, etc…  Maul with the double tap knowing that he is likely to have full Force due to Hate being stupid cheap is not a hard choice I think.  So, it comes down to having to Arc Dodge him well enough to ignore him or be able to kill him REALLY quickly.  Seeing a fair number of lists with either 2 of the Infiltrators or Maul with a mini Swarm of Vultures…  All of them seem solid.

So, the game seems to be in a VERY good place with so many viable options, and with the next big event being Hyperspace I am really looking forward to flying either 3 Jedi or 2 Jedi and an ARC...  Should be fun at least...