Battle Report 9/18

[Ron olivier]

Last night there was a light turnout for the bi-weekly tourney, 5 entrants.

My list was a tweak to the lists i have been running lately.

Turr Phennir w/ Veteran Instincts
Howlrunner w/ Swarm Tactics
4 x Obsidian Squadron Pilots

First Round I got a bye. Byes are tough, because I can only watch the games and make a nuisance/distraction of myself.  I tried to content myself with practicing maneuvers with my swarm. I'll let the other players report these games.

Second Round, paired up with Bill, who was running
Wedge Antilles, Rookie Pilot
2x Blue Squadron w/ Advanced Sensors

I had Initiative with only 98 points. My swarm tactics was useless.
Bill placed Wedge and rookie side by side on the right from my perspective, and his 2 blues side by side in the middle. I placed my swarm facing the x's, and Phennir all the way to my left, suspecting he would need the blues to turn toward the swarm. I moved 3 forward with the swarm to make sure I could get a range 1 bid for next round, but still be out of range 1 this round. I was a little cautious with phennir, since his b-wings went straight forward. 
Next round the swarm closed in, and his B-wings committed to help with the swarm, but too far still to do any serious harm. The swarm took out wedge in this turn, and started on one B-wing. Phennir Got a good shot in on the B too. 
Next turn, i think the damaged B was finished off, and we got in a furball. My numbers won out. Turr Phennir was great in this game. His arc-dodging ability is great.
I think he got Howl and two ties.

Next match up was with Brian, who was running
Omicron Group Pilot w/ Darth Vader
Soontir Fel w/ targeting computer and push the limit.
Whisper with VI/ Advanced Cloaking Device, gunner

This is Probably my first time against a real phantom build that had been practiced with.
He set up his doom shuttle on my right corner, soontir and whisper in the middle.
I placed my swarm across from the shuttle, and again, Phennir on the far left.
First turn, shuttle stayed still. Moved the swarm moderately, same with phennir.
Brian somehow got fel to approach in range of phennir, Me thinking I actually had the advantage, shooting first, and still being able to boost/barrel roll after. I whiffed my attack. Soontir One shotted Phennir! First Turn.
At this point, I threw caution to the wind.  Next turn, my swarm sprinted to the shuttle and took it down to 2 hull. when he returned fire on howlrunner, he missed, then used vader for a crit, killing himself in the process. Of course, it was the crit that ignored your pilot ability! .
5 non-rerolling ties versus the slippery duo. I tried my best to get in his way and make things difficult in general. But one by one, the ties went down. I think I took the shields off echo. Great game,

[commanderfrost]

Great recap Ron!

Here's Thursday night from my perspective. What a ride this evening was! I brought a new list with me, and it performed well beyond my expectations.

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Soontir's Whisper
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100 points

Pilots
------

"Whisper” (44)
TIE Phantom (32), Gunner (5), Fire-Control System (2), Veteran Instincts (1), Advanced Cloaking Device (4)

Soontir Fel (32)
TIE Interceptor (27), Push the Limit (3), Targeting Computer (2)

Omicron Group Pilot (24)
Lambda-Class Shuttle (21), Darth Vader (3)
===================================================================

Going into the night, I had two real goals: Practice with the Phantom in a tourney environment, and Practice with the shuttle in a tourney environment. Anything beyond that was gravy.

Game 1 vs Dave.

Dave is running a new list as well - 2x HWK and 2x Bwings.
===================================================================
Dave's Hawks and Bees
===================================================================

98 points

Pilots
------

Rebel Operative (23)
HWK-290 (16), Ion Cannon Turret (5), Tactician (2)

Rebel Operative (23)
HWK-290 (16), Ion Cannon Turret (5), Tactician (2)

Blue Squadron Pilot (26)
B-Wing (22), Sensor Jammer (4)

Blue Squadron Pilot (26)
B-Wing (22), Sensor Jammer (4)
===================================================================

The game begins with me slowly advancing the shuttle from the far corner, and hoping to swoop in behind his grouping. We end up spiraling around the top left (from my view) of the field,  around pot shotting each other. I am never able to get solid shots on any one ship to focus one of them down. Dave maneuvers VERY well in every game, but he was inspired in this match up.

Ultimately time goes on us, and we Tie. Two weeks in a row!!!! If we had another 30 minutes I have no idea how the game would have rolled out, but it was certainly leaning in his favor at the end. 

Tie 0-0

Game 2 vs. Jason

Jason is flying a list I have never seen before.

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Jason's Etahn list
===================================================================

95 points

Pilots
------

Horton Salm (38)
Y-Wing (25), R2-D2 (4), Proton Torpedoes (4), Proton Torpedoes (4), Munitions Failsafe (1)

Tarn Mison (25)
X-Wing (23), R7 Astromech (2)

Etahn A’baht (32)
===================================================================

There were some more upgrades in there... but they didn't really come into play. I seem to remember Salm having Vet Instincts? 

I set up on the right side of the map with my Lambda, he sets up with his entire fleet opposite the shuttle, squared up to joust. The phantom and Soontir set up in mid field to address Salm that goes at 10.

He advances very quickly toward the shuttle with his squad. I stall out the shuttle in the corner, and flank hard with the phantom and Soontir. He fires a flurry of proton at the phantom, but I am able to avoid all by one damage to shields. Soontir does huge damage to Tarn, leaving him with one hull left. Whisper rips into Horton, and takes a good chunk out of him. With only one hull left on Tarn Mison, the Shuttle shoots at him, but misses. Lord Vader crushes the ship, and it is more satisfying than I could have imagined. This is what I want Vader to do - finish off ships that need to go.

From here we circle around, Soontir kills Etahn on the next turn and Horton Salm rips into the Shuttle. The shuttle goes down, but my guys are able to mop up.

Victory for the Empire! 100pts destroyed vs his 24 points of shuttle destroyed.

Last round vs Ron.

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Turr's Swarm
===================================================================
98 points

Pilots
------

Turr Phennir (26)
TIE Interceptor (25), Veteran Instincts (1)

Howlrunner (20)
TIE Fighter (18), Swarm Tactics (2)

Obsidian Squadron Pilot (13)

Obsidian Squadron Pilot (13)

Obsidian Squadron Pilot (13)

Obsidian Squadron Pilot (13)
===================================================================

I am more than a little worried looking at all of these maneuverable ships on the other side of the table!

First Round - both of our Interceptors are set up on the right side of the table to joust. My phantom scoots up a bit and cloaks. My Shuttle jousts with the Ties on the other side, but I only bump up, making them come to me and my Phantom. Turr and Soontir end up close enough to shoot each other turn one. Turr shoots me and barrel rolls away - I assume he is now out of range, but I try to shoot anyways and I am very surprised to find I have a range 3 shot at him. Soontir rolls three hits. Turr whiffs on agility - poof! Lucky dice here, but I will take it. 

I wheel around on the next turn to get some shots in on ties. the phantom smokes one right off the bat and soontir is out of position. The Ties rattle off a TON of shots at the shuttle who ends up only having two hull left. I shoot Howlrunner, but miss. I have Vader crush the tie and its a crippling Crit - ignore pilot abilities and elite pilot skill cards. Howl loses her reroll, and swarm tactics -this is HUGE. Vader is removed from the table, but this is totally worth it. We fly for a while shooting back and forth, but I eventually get all of the ties off the board.

Victory for the Empire! 100pts destroyed vs his 24 points of shuttle destroyed.

With a tie and two wins, I think I am in the same boat as last tourney, but no! I end up on top! Thank you to everyone for an evening filled with three GREAT games and great conversation. I learned a lot in each of these games and I know that I will need more practice with the shuttle and the phantom.

For next time: I am thinking of swapping out Gunner for Navigator on the Phantom, and I am not sure of the value I am getting out of Targeting Computer. The gears are working. I am glad I brought "Not a Firespray"  for this event, it made every game incredibly fresh - When we wrapped up I wanted to play five more games.

Was awesome seeing everyone tonight - lets get these ships flying again soon!!