System Opens have boomed in the US for 2017. Coming off a hot regional performance, I was ready for any challenge the System Open could throw at me…or so I thought…

The biggest challenge at this event was myself! My opponents were all top shelf players to be sure. Yet, none of the lists seemed to have a great advantage over me. In the end, my own mistakes led to my demise.

For the event I kept my 8Baller list from regionals. The ships did get an upgrade thanks to Ryan at Red Glasses Studio.

8Ballers (99)

The Inquisitor — TIE Advanced Prototype Push the Limit, Proton Rockets, Autothrusters, TIE/v1 Ship Total: 34

Colonel Vessery — TIE Defender Veteran Instincts, Ion Cannon, TIE/D Ship Total: 39

“Omega Leader” — TIE/fo Fighter Juke, Comm Relay Ship Total: 26



Round 1:

Nerves always are a little high when going to a tournament. Especially with my history. I have yet to win the first game of a large tournament…Spoiler, this trend continues.

Kashyyyk 17 Round1 (100)

Dengar — JumpMaster 5000 Predator, Proton Torpedoes, K4 Security Droid, R4-B11, Guidance Chips, Punishing One Ship Total: 58

Bossk — YV-666 Veteran Instincts, K4 Security Droid, 4-LOM, Zuckuss, Inertial Dampeners Ship Total: 42



Looking at Bossk Dengar lists, I am uncertain how I’ll fair. I know if I get round Bossk I can handle him. Dengar is a little harder to deal with as I don’t want to take return shots. The higher PS also is going to make things a little difficult.

We set up in our respective right hand corners. I turned Vess and Omega towards the joust and pushed the Inquisitor up the flank to get around Bossk’s arc. Dengar got off a pop shot and I decided not to return fire from Range 3.

In the next round, Dengar tries to proton torpedo Omega Leader, but does no damage. Bossk is able to push 2 damage onto the Inquisitor with 4-LOM. Vessery scored a ion cannon shot on Bossk, but Omega Leader and the Inquisitor fail to do damage.

For round 4, Vessery does a 4 K-turn over a rock and takes 1 hit. The Inquisitor banks in to line up a Proton Rocket on Bossk. Omega Leader is facing Bossk and I know that the two are likely to bump and Bossk should end up on a rock. So I try to get greedy and 4 K-turn Omega. Lo and behold, the 4 K puts Omega’s rear just beyond the rock. Bossk bumps Omega as planned, but instead of being on the rock, he is stopped just in front of it.

Bossk finishes off the Inquisitor and Dengar puts 1 into Vessery. Vessery deals 1 to Bossk and two to Dengar. Omega Leader whiffs her attack on Dengar.

The next round, Bossk one banks and misses rock, again thanks to the wonderful block by Omega Leader. After that we trade shoots for a few more rounds. I loose Vessery and am able to get Dengar to 1 hull. The next turn, it ends with Bossk finishing off Omega Leader who had bumped into Dengar.

Loss 3X – 100. Starting 0-1 again…

Round 2:

Disheartened, I moved into the 2nd round hoping I don’t continue my trend, of going 0-2 in big tournaments. Starting 0-1 is bad enough. Getting to the table, I find that my opponent is a stellar player, having made it to many top cuts in the recent past.

Kashyyk 17 Round 2 (97)

Jake Farrell — A-Wing Push the Limit, Proton Rockets, Veteran Instincts, Autothrusters, A-Wing Test Pilot Ship Total: 33

Han Solo — YT-1300 Predator, Luke Skywalker, C-3PO, Engine Upgrade, Millennium Falcon Ship Total: 64



Looking at the lists, I am again a little afraid I have the disadvantage. Jake is going to be hard to catch and hit. Han is going to be hard hitting my squad. I knew I had to get Han off quick without losing any ships.

This match would prove to have a long grinding start. We chased each other around the board for many rounds without even firing shots. Finally, Han is able to get a shot off at Omega Leader and strips her shield. After that, it was back to more chasing.

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A short while later, the Inquisitor gets shot at and loses 1 shield. But, I am finally able to catch Han in a corner.

Vessery fires and hits with his ion cannon but looses a shield. The next turn, Vessery does a hard turn and barrel rolls back. Han does a 3 bank to land right in front of Vessery and has no where to run.

A second ion hits Han and 2 critical hits give him Console Fire and Damaged Cockpit (PS 0). Meanwhile, Jake is trying to get back into position.

A round later, Vessery finishes off Han with another ion and primary attack. Jake is unable to get hits on the Inquisitor at range 2.

After some more chasing, the Inquisitor makes a hard turn to get around a rock, but keeps stress. Jake is able to pull wild maneuvers and ends up range 1 of the Inquisitor and kills him with proton rockets.

Nearing time, my opponent concedes after Jake is finally hit and ionized.

Win 100-34. Getting a better with a 1-1 record.

Round 3:

Finally moved up the tables after Round 2! It’s a new feeling, but short lived… I was finally going to have to go up against Paratanni. This being my first time against the list, it proved to be the most stressful and exciting game of the day!

Paratanni (100)

Manaroo — JumpMaster 5000 Attanni Mindlink Ship Total: 28

Asajj Ventress — Lancer-class Pursuit Craft Attanni Mindlink, Latts Razzi Ship Total: 40

Fenn Rau — Protectorate Starfighter Attanni Mindlink, Autothrusters, Concord Dawn Protector Ship Total: 32



Another strong a opponent with a strong list. The biggest issue here is target priority. Fenn can do the most damage to me, so I put him as target #1. Manaroo is annoying, but keeping her for last can be hit or miss. Asajj, I have dealt with her before and if I can flank well enough she’s not too much of an issue.

I figured I would try to take Fenn if I can get him, and fire at will otherwise. The movement started in my favor. Asajj shot down the side and away from the main combat. I lost Omega Leader in the 2nd round of shooting and Fenn was just out of arc for Vessery’s range 1 attack.

Yet, a couple rounds later, Vessery was able to push through 3 damage and the Damaged Cockpit (PS 0) critical on Fenn.

My opponent started to run with Fenn. Manaroo came across in front of the Inquisitor and Vessery. So I changed targets. Manaroo would drop down to half when I lost Vessery. All hope seemed to be gone for me and the Inquisitor. 1 hull Fenn, 1/2 of Manaroo and a full up Asajj with time running out.

Over the next few turns, I realized that I might have a shot at winning on points! (Post game math shows I would have gotten to a final salvo). So my inspiration was back!

Asajj ended up range 1 of the Inquisitor, and took a proton rocket to the side. Hit, hit, hit, hit, focus. Afraid of losing the Inquisitor, I decided not to spend the focus token. Asajj blanks and loses 3 shields with Latts…the Inquisitor rolls 3 natural evades on defense. If only I had spent the focus.

But what about Fenn who has been running around alone? The next turn I launch the Inquisitor with a 5 forward. I have to boost to get Fenn in range. I decide to take a target lock. The Inquisitor’s attack is hit, hit, focus. Target lock gets nothing better. Fenn rolls 2 evades… Again, if only I had focused!

Final salvo was so close to actually happening! Oh well.

Loss. 14-65. Moving down again…1-2.

Round 4:

At this point, I was feeling pretty exhausted. Two games in a row, I went to time. The last match was extremely hard to get through all the maneuvering to survive and try to exceed. This round my opponent seemed to be feeling just as ‘good’ as me.

Kashyyyk 17 Round 4 (98)

“Whisper” — TIE Phantom Veteran Instincts, Fire-Control System, Weapons Engineer, Advanced Cloaking Device Ship Total: 42

Commander Kenkirk — VT-49 Decimator Determination, Moff Jerjerrod, Rebel Captive, Ysanne Isard, Anti-Pursuit Lasers Ship Total: 56



Two regionals ago, I played Whisper and Rear Admiral Chiraneau. I learned I did not like Whisper, and I did not care for Decimators. However, I was confident I knew what was needed to win. It would prove to be luck! Luck was on my side this round.

In the 2nd round, Whisper decloaks and turns onto a rock. This leaves her open to take 2 hits from the Inquisitor.

The next turn, Whisper banks and fires back at the Inquisitor landing 1 hit. Between Vessery and Omega Leader, the two are able to bring down a cloaked Whisper. All in the 2nd round of combat and the 3rd round of the match!

Kenkirk joins the fray and after a couple of rounds, Vessery with 2 stress does a 4 K-turn and lands right behind him. Vessery takes some hard hits and goes down.

Yet, on the next turn, the Inquisitor gets his range 1 shot with proton rockets, landing 5 hits and crits for the win.

Win. 100-39. At 2-2, a pattern is emerging. Win 1, lose 1.

In all, we spent about 30 minutes of playing and a few minutes talking. My opponent did the best he could with limited kit and limited practice as he was in the middle of a move. I think this match up would have gone a lot differently otherwise.

Lunch Break:

There were no real food options other than a cart with cookies and pretzels. So, I waited a short while before going to the cart. There were no more pretzels…they promised they’d be ready, but it was time to return for Round 5. Thus no food going into the night.

Round 5:

I got set for this make or break round. I sit and relax talking with Ryan (the ship painter) who is next to me.

Time starts…my opponent hasn’t arrived. I am told to wait a few minutes as people are still coming back from lunch. About 10 minutes into the round, the judge comes to deliver score sheets. At this point, it is decided I can claim a win.

Very mixed feelings about this, but a win is a win I guess. And I got to go back to the cart and see all the pretzels have been reloaded! Yay food!

Win 100-0. Moved to 3-2.

Round 6:

Having been able to relax, get food, and enjoy a watching a few matches, I was ready to finish off the night. My opponent, however, seemed to be very tired. It was getting close to 8 pm at this point.

Kashyyyk 17 Round 6 (100)

“Zeb” Orrelios — Attack Shuttle Hera Syndulla, Phantom Ship Total: 19

Kanan Jarrus — VCX-100 Fire-Control System, Twin Laser Turret, Rey, Recon Specialist, Tactical Jammer, Ghost Ship Total: 52

Biggs Darklighter — X-Wing R2-D2, Integrated Astromech Ship Total: 29



The match up this round was not encouraging. I have done fairly well when dealing with VCXs, but was sure this would be a tough battle. Biggs would have to be the main focus due to his ability, though I would rather go after Kanan.

My opponent set up in the corner angled towards the middle. My only thought was how could I out flank Kanan. The Inquisitor should be able to handle the attacks. I figured he assumed I’d set up in the opposite corner. So oddly, I decided to start in the corner across from him. I did not really like this setup, as it allowed for an easy joust. Yet, the gamble paid off. My opponent moved this ships forward and away from my ships as they sped up the side.

Kanan was in the lead and dragging Biggs behind him. The Inquisitor was able to get behind Biggs, and take pop shots at him. Meanwhile, Vessery and Omega Leader worked on range control and arc maneuvering. They were to prevent Biggs from protecting Kanan.

Over the course of a couple rounds, the Inquisitor finished off Biggs. Kanan finished off Vessery with his twice per round Twin Laser Turrets.

An ionized Kanan allowed for Omega Leader and the Inquisitor to close in for the kill. After losing the Ghost, Zeb comes out damaged. The next turn, he does a 4 K-turn in hopes of getting behind the two Imperial ships. To his dismay, the Inquisitor had done a hard turn and was sitting perfectly for a proton rocket shot. The stressed Zeb took the full brunt of the attack and exploded.

Win. 100-39. 4-2! I can claim the first set of target locks and potentially move to day 2!

Round 7:

The last round of the night. I was fired up and ready to rock and roll. At least until I recognized my opponent. A fellow San Diego player and some one who had beaten my list a couple of times before.

Kashyyyk 17 Round 7 (98)

Fenn Rau — Protectorate Starfighter Push the Limit, Autothrusters, Concord Dawn Protector Ship Total: 34

Syndicate Thug — Y-Wing 18 Twin Laser Turret, R4 Agromech Ship Total: 26

Syndicate Thug — Y-Wing Twin Laser Turret, Unhinged Astromech Ship Total: 25

Binayre Pirate — Z-95 Headhunter Black Market Slicer Tools Ship Total: 13



The list match up seemed average. Two TLTs are pretty hard to handle, particularly when Fenn is there to deal major damage. I had to remove him quickly so I could survive the TLTs and take them out with my higher PS ships.

I’m not sure what happened to my mind in this game, but it went badly and did so quickly.

For the opening combat, Vessery took a strong hit from Fenn and TLTs. While my Imperials put out little damage.

The Pirate was at range 2 of the Inquisitor and I knew it would try to block him. For some reason I decided, to stick with a slow maneuver…and bumped right into his 2 forward. At the same time, Vessery did a 4 K-turn to keep guns on Fenn. But, he landed right on a rock. After maneuvering, Fenn had range 1 at the naked Inquisitor, while Vessery was open to range 1 of a Y-wing and TLT range of a 2nd Y.

And in this 2nd round of combat, I lost Vessery and the Inquisitor. Omega Leader tried to spend a few rounds to kill Fenn, but fell to the Y-wings and their Twin Laser Turrets.

Loss. 0-100. No day 2 with 4-3.

Recap:

In the end, I finished in 58th place at 4-3 with 766 MoV and SoS of 0.48.

Overall, I felt my match ups were fairly balanced games. None of the list I went up against were a direct counter to mine. Though I did see a few variations of the lists I played that did look meaner.

Each win and loss (outside of the ‘bye’) came down to piloting decisions. I made some good ones and lots of bad ones. My opponents also made some good ones and bad ones.