"X-Wing, should pilot skill count more?" Topic

I have a number of games under my belt now. It struck me during my last game, when I was playing Darth and 2 Academy pilots. That Darth's chance to hit and be hit is the exact same as a rookie.

Now I know darth has more mauevers, gets to go last, etc. But in terms of straight up shoot and be shot. They are the same.

Seems like a small flaw in the game, which I do like a lot and trying to drag everyone I game with into it.

Cheers, Xin

Shooting first is a big thing .he shoots and scores is no return .

I also don't see the advantage of moving last, since you've already had to dial in your maneuver in advance.

If anything, I think moving first is an advantage, in those instances where you can block another pilot's maneuver.

Of course, getting to shoot first is what it's all about, and the real advantage, not to mention Darth's ability to perform two actions per turn, instead of just one.

I do agree that it seems to me, he should have a better ability to hit his target than all of the other pilots out there, especially the rookies.

The system works fine.

Let's use Darth Vader as an example, since he was mentioned….

Yes, Vader shoots first. This is HUGE. The ability to shoot and destroy a target before it can shoot at something else is a tremendous advantage. Vader also gets to do the 'double action' trick, which helps make his shooting more effective. Alternatively, he can barrel roll, which – by moving LAST, allows Vader to adjust position after everyone else has moved.

Then let's say we've got Porkins' brother Fatty in a Y-wing. Fatty is armed with a Proton torpedo, but he's only skill 2. In order to use the torpedo, he must establish a TARGET LOCK. This requires him to choose a target GENERALLY BEFORE IT MOVED (unless it is skill 1) that is within shooting range. The target subsequently moves, with a good chance (and with a good player) of either moving out of Fatty's firing arc, or moving to range 1 (where the torpedo cannot fire, as it's range 2-3 only).

Fatty, being a low skilled pilot, is going to have a difficult time using that proton torpedo. I'm not saying it's impossible – just that it's more difficult with a low skill pilot, especially against a player who knows what to do.

Moving last is a moderate advantage… but taking actions last is a BIG advantage.

Red Squadron Pilot moves, and has to declare actions, which may pretty much reveal his intentions (who he's shooting at, will he be able to shoot protons this turn, etc.)

Vader moves, then can determine:
-I'm in firing position. Choose Target Lock / Focus.
-Not quite in firing position. Barrel Roll, then Target Lock or Focus.
-Out of firing position. Focus and Evade, or Target Lock for next turn.

With the Boost Action from Wave 2, and the ability to add it to any ship, moving last will be a HUGE advantage.

yeppers. pilot skills reflected in the post-manuevers more than the actual movement phase.

Plus the two action if played right give DV a nice advantage when it comes to maximizing his shooting potential on the combat phase.

VR
James Mattes

Darth Vader is not the point here.

I see what you guys are saying about shooting first etc. But with DV he was just an EXAMPLE. The point is a 29 point pilot shoots exactly the same as a 20 point pilot. No diff, other than the order in which they shoot and perform actions. That's it.

And I'm not saying shooting first is not a big advantage. I'd always opt to shoot first given the opportunity. Just seems that pilot skill could mean for a little more.

Xin

The advantage of having a higher skill translates into firing first AND the ability to see what maneuvers and actions lower skilled pilots have already performed. This gives a higher skilled pilot much more information to help the decision process than a lower skilled pilot who must anticipate more of the game turn.

Xin, no offense intended buddy, but from reading your posts I don't think you fully understand the mechanics of the game. Give it time and defer to the more experienced Jedi….