american game: X-Wing: Results from Worlds and Interceptors

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

X-Wing: Results from Worlds and Interceptors

Shooting stuff in space.

Check out some of the winning lists from the X-Wing World Championships this year. It's been pretty hectic for me all week so I apologize for the lack of posts. BlizzCon was also this week and I swear, I'm getting too old to be working 64 hours in a single week.

Anyways, let's talk about X-Wing! Take a look at some of the lists.

Paul Heaver (World Champion)

Biggs

Dagger Squadron + Advanced Sensors

Rookie Pilot

Dallas Parker (World Finalist)

Howlrunner + Stealth + Determination

Dark Curse

Academy Pilot

Jonathan Gomes (Top 4)

Luke Skywalker + Shield Upgrade + R2-D2 + Draw Their Fire

Rookie Pilot

David Bergstrom (Top 4)

Howlrunner + Stealth Device

Backstabber

Obsidian Squadron

Academy Pilot

Jim Blakley (Top 8)

Rookie Pilot

Blue Squadron

Gold Squadron

Brandon Barthel (Top 8)

Wedge + Push the Limit + R2

Biggs

Rookie Pilot

Neil Howard (Top 8)

Captain Jonus + Squad Leader + Seismic Charge

Scimitar Squadron + Cluster Missiles + Concussion Missiles

Scimitar Squadron + Advanced Proton Tropedoes + Proton Tropedoes

Academy Pilot

What I find strange is that there's not a single list here that has Interceptors. A lot of comments from several players I've communicated with lately is that the meta is very spammy. More ships means more hull points, means more survivability, and thus more attack dice to throw out right? Do you think this is the general direction that the game is going? More dice with re-rolls that can be thrown out at you from Howl + Ties, 360 turrets, a good amount of shields/firepower from Bloody Daggers? That can lead to a really stale meta for sure, especially if people have no reason to include the latest Wave 3 ships.

Let's talk about Tie Interceptors for a second..

What is it that makes Tie Interceptors lackluster in performance from a point-cost perspective?

I've been rolling with Interceptors since I started playing and although I've lost games, I don't think it's a complete wash. I manage to perform well vs. a good number of lists/players so I'm wondering what the issue is.

Let's compare something really quick, with a list that's been pretty popular as of late. The same could be compared to the winning list from Worlds this year with the only variation of downgrading the RSP for a Rookie + Biggs.

2x Red Squadron Pilots

2x Dagger Squadron Pilots w/ Advanced Sensors

With Imperial Aces coming out, we will see a fair share of competitive options. The biggest is Targeting Computer being available to Royal Guard Ties and Soontir Fel. However, this does come at a price and some will argue that Fel is the only one that will be able to properly use it.

For the points, I think a Saber Squadron Pilot with PTL (24) or a Royal Guard Pilot with PTL (25) is pretty competitive with all things considered. You're looking at double actions can be be cleared with some of the best maneuvers in the game. The ability to Evade + Focus every turn gives you the ability to put out good damage from all ranges, and being able to Boost + Barrel allows you to fly around firing arcs with ease. Sure, you're vulnerable to 360 turrets, but you can play a ranged game and still preform decently since you're throwing out 3 dice per attack with focus while advancing 2-green, and your opponents are shooting back at long range + 3 agil + Evade.

I would like to hear your thoughts on this, especially if you've recently participated in Worlds.