List Testing with Charles!

After my bout with Elijah, I asked if Charles would be willing to test my list. We had just enough time before closing for a single game, so I had to make it count. He brought a modified version of his classic Vader/Jonus/Bomber list, something he said he would take to a tournament himself. We cut the 4x4 table down to 3x3 as best we could, deployed, and went at it, time limit in mind.


THE LISTS:
Tourney List: [100]

• Wes Janson + Swarm Tactics
• "Dutch" Vander + R5-K6 + Ion Cannon Turret
• Ibtisam + Opportunist + Heavy Laser Cannon

Vader's Bombers (Charles): [99]

• Darth Vader + Squad Leader + Assault Missiles
• Captain Jonus + Adrenaline Rush + Concussion Missiles + Advanced Proton Torpedoes
• Gamma Squadron Pilot + Adrenaline Rush + Concussion Missiles + Advanced Proton Torpedoes

Yes, I realize that the Gamma Squadron Pilot is not allowed to take Adrenaline Rush. I didn't notice at the time, and I'm pretty sure Charles didn't either, as he is not one to purposefully cheat. I'll inform him next time I see him. No worries though.

BATTLE REPORT:

The TIE Bombers line up their missiles. Vader gets a long range shot onto Vander, who takes minor damage from the Bomber's Assault Missiles, though the explosion radius depletes Wes' shields despite his superior cover. Ibtisam is the only Rebel to get a decent shot off, depleting Vader's shields.

The Rebels swing around the asteroid to fully engage the Bombers, but the surprising speed of the TIEs forces them into an improper formation, and Wes is shot down as he tries to avoid the asteroid. Ibtisam gets shots into a lone Bomber while Dutch ionizes the other, though the female Mon Cal takes heavy shield damage.

The ionized bomber runs straight into the asteroid, taking minor damage. Dutch tries another ion turret attack on the other TIE Bomber as he and Ibtisam try to swing around for another attack run. His shots miss wildly, however.

Dutch again tries to ionize the TIE Bomber before it can flip around, but misses due to interceding fire from Vader. Ibtisam gets a decent shot on the Bomber, but fails to destroy it.

The wounded TIE Bomber finally flips his ship, and his and Vader's combined fire finally destroy the B-wing. Dutch tries again to ionize Vader's ship, but the Dark Lord predicts his shots and moves deftly away.

dutch turns to attempt to avoid incoming fire, but the Bombers and Vader are too maneuverable, and he gets caught and finally taken down as well.

ANALYSIS:

Well, that battle was disappointing. First a misjudgement of turning radius forces Wes to take some damage, allowing the Assault Missile rain to almost take him out. Then, the entire time my dice were betraying me. I don't like blaming failures on dice, but I cannot deny that I was rolling poorly. Said poor rolls made it difficult to account for the abilities of the squadron, meaning that it remained mostly theory by the time I took it to the tournament.

We did spend about two hours in the parking lot after closing discussing tactics and squadron builds, and while some potential changes were discussed, the list proved too tight to be terribly malleable, and I stuck with Swarm Tactics.