I’ve been looking forward to writing this one for ages. Ever since those exceptional people at Eclectic Games in Reading gave me the opportunity to win a set of Guns for Hire I have been itching to use them in a tournament. Sure I’ve had games with them but next to putting them on a table in a genuinely competitive setting that’s just a bit of fun and games!

But before that a quick word on one of the best documents I have ever read…the FAQ… all I feel I need to say is WHOOP! Now that’s dealt with: Star Vipers.

For those who haven’t enjoyed the official preview articles about Guns for Hire:

Wednesday evening at Firestorm Cards in Basingstoke to play a couple of warm up games to see how it goes on the table.

What do you hear? (95)

Torkhil Mux Dalan Oberos Thweek Ion Cannon Turret Veteran Instincts Star Viper MKII 4-Lom Star Viper MKII Autothrusters Ion Discharger Autothrusters Pulsed Ray Shield Virago Mouldy Crow Advanced Sensors Glitterstim

I’ve finally bowed to the many comments running along the lines of “Why haven’t you flown Thweek yet?” because he is an answer to so many questions in the meta. I’m just sad the Virago title is unique so I can’t have both him and Dalan dancing around for fun.

A five point bid is probably excessive, but there’s nothing else that I want to spend the points on! Pilot Skill wars have been a thing since Wave 11 dropped and this list can mix it in that particular fight with Dalan topping Dash and Miranda, Thweek able to go toe to toe with PS 10 and 11 ships, and importantly Torkhil dropping them down to 0. Regardless of any other factors not getting shot is a good way of keeping MOV on the table! (That’s Margin of Victory for those who don’t live their lives surrounded by Tournament Speak.)

A bit of tweak was very apparent. Action economy leaves a lot to be desired. Pushing damage through proved to be very inconsistent as the ships spent so long gleefully barrel rolling around that they very often neglected those essential of ingredients to being successful: Target Locks and Focus Tokens. So some minor alterations; Dalan’s toys moved to Thweek and he stepped aside to let Guri enter the fray.

Nothing but the Rain (96)

Torkhil Mux Thweek Guri Ion Cannon Turret Glitterstim Star Viper MKII 4-Lom Star Viper MKII Autothrusters Ion Discharger Autothrusters Intensity Pulsed Ray Shield Virago Mouldy Crow Advanced Sensors

One of the big perks of this list is the points spread, not something I have really considered before, Guri is 31 points, Torkhil 32 and Thweek 33, which means no obvious target for my opponent for a points victory. No half point targets anywhere, and importantly a still solid 4 point bit to make use of Thweek.

After making the changes I won my second game against Chris Morrel’s twin Falcons having narrowly lost the first. I also used it in vassal games against Tom Duncan of the 186th and Damien Metcalfe, and managed to come up trumps in both. These games lined me up with a bit of confidence for a double header of Q4 kits over the weekend. Now it has been confirmed how Jabba actually works those illicit tokens are a bit shinier, not that I can see myself ever flying a 666.

Day one at Firestorm in Basingstoke, always a competitive crowd. The start of the day 9 of the 15 X-Wingers taking part in the event descending on a local cafe for epic breakfasts was definitely a good thing. The locals from Firestorm squadron hosting myself and Jesper and Alex from the 186th in a fiesta of coffee and fried food. Suffice to say I was ready for a nap at by the time we got underway, just as well I pulled the bye in round one.

One of the things I loved about the event was that everyone just chose to use FAQ ready lists. No last hurrahs for mind linked triple jumps, not four ship rebels, but lists using all kinds of new toys and getting ready for the new meta that will inevitably evolve in the next few weeks.

The day was a great learning experience, Thweek is a real handful and Guri really is beautiful to fly. Out of the 3 games I played I won one, lost 2, but there were clear dice moments in every game that swung them one way or another, sometimes you have to take in on the chin and realise that these things happen. Blanking out on 3 dice when you have a ready and willing focus is frustrating but that’s all part of X-Wing.

The game I won was a particular joy. Firstly it was against Firestorm Squadron member Jason Barton who has a very good record of beating me, secondly he was running a certain list that I have somewhat well documented bad juju with. But most importantly after the game he went and bought two sets of Guns for Hire to start building Star Viper lists with. They are obnoxiously fun to fly.

Jesper Hills went on to go 4-0 on the day with 3 Harpoons attached to Nym and two Kihraxz. Goddam those things are savage. When GfH first got announced I fell in love with them and they are as spectacular to watch in play as I thought they would be. I suspect it won’t be long until they are declared utterly broken and an negative play experience, which I can see peoples point on, but they are also hugely entertaining to play with and to spectate.

Jesper’s Harpoon List (100)

Captain Nym Black Sun Ace Black Sun Ace Deadeye Deadeye Deadeye Harpoon Missiles Harpoon Missiles Harpoon Missiles Twin Laser Turret Scavenger Crane Scavenger Crane Guidance Chips Guidance Chips Guidance Chips Dengar Munitions Failsafe Munitions Failsafe Extra Munititions

My list did enough to show me it has potential, it positions amazingly but the concern is it’s cutting edge and dice consistency, so there aren’t any changes being made for Sundays event in Shoreham hosted by KD GamesShoreham hosted by KD GamesShoreham hosted by KD Games, trying to fly better(er) before making changes after a handful of games is the mature way of developing a list right?

Shoreham was a smaller event, with only 10 people playing, and the Star Vipers continued to make me smile with glee, and my opponents say “what?” as they spun and danced out of firing arcs.

I had a better day of it than I did on Sunday, my only loss to Oli “Natties” Pocknell with his Dash/Poe build he’s been practicing with for weeks. An incredibly close win over Nymanda, a battle with some imperial Aces backed up by an Upsilon shuttle and finally taking 4 T70s on a merry dance.

So with a good few games under my belt with the Star Vipers I do have to conclude that they are definitely not going to regularly feature on the top tables at tournaments. They have potential as part of a squad but I don’t think you can build a list around them. I am however (predictably) going to persevere and see what I can do with them.

Things that need trying:

Thweek with a Fire Control System. Advanced Sensors makes him unreadable and virtually impossible to pin down, however it limits his damage output so brutally.

Xizor. Yes, I’m very much not a fan of his pilot ability, I think it’s utterly awful. But maybe with Veteran Instincts or Intensity he could well be strong.

Expertise and Fire Control System. That could be fun. Would make Thweek a lot less useful as the ultimate arc dodger (no system as Virago would have to go onto a pilot who has an EPT slot), but if you can’t damage your opponent in return then all the avoidance in the world doesn’t help anything.

I cannot praise the performance of Torkhil enough though, he is such a leveller and his performances against RAClo, Nym, Backdraft, and a host of other ships this weekend made him a vital component of the list, but I think I will be taking a shot at a pure Star Viper list. They are more fun than anything else I have ever flown.

THE STAR VIPERS WILL RETURN

(But I gotta try some Harpoon wielding Kihraxz nonsense soon)

If you’re looking for tournaments local to you then head over to the 186th Tournament Calendar and see what’s going on near you.