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The E-wing. In the Old Expanded Universe, the best fighter available to the New Republic. In X-wing, the second worse fighter in the game. Already unseen with the exception of Corran Horn, in recent months it has been rendered completely obsolete by the appearance of the T-70 X-wing, which surpasses it in almost every area for 3 points cheaper.

Base Profile: T-70 has higher PS in the Bracket, trades a point of Agility for a point of Hull. Win: T-70
Action Bar: E-wing has Evade and Barrel Roll vs. the T-70's Boost. Win: E-wing
Upgrade Bar: E-wing has System, T-70 has Tech. Right now, System>Tech. However, the T-70 has access to two amazing Modifications (Integrated Astromech and Autothrusters) that the E-wing does not. Win: Draw
Maneuver Dial: Pretty similar- E-wing gains a 5S, moves some greens around. T-70 trades a 3-K turn for the awesome Talon Roll Maneuver. Win: T-70

For comparison, for the same cost as a naked E-wing, a T-70 can be run with an integrated R2 astromech and Weapons Guidance, giving it a major edge in durability and maneuverability, and a modest advantage in firepower. Furthermore, in a few months the TIE/x7 will cost one point more, have an extra hull, a white K-turn, and free evade tokens.


So, what would you want to see to fix the E-wing? The challenge here is that Corran Horn is one of the best Rebel pilots in the game, so you cannot just slap on something like a Title or Advanced Targeting Computer.

My Idea:
R7 Prototype [Astromech] 0pt
E-wing Only
When defending, you may spend an evade token to convert any number of [eyeballs] into [evades]

My goal here is to emphasize the evasive nature of the E-wing, by giving it a way to maximize the effect of evade tokens. Corran isn't interested, as he would rather take R2-D2.

Sorry, I'm not seeing how R7 does anything that simply focusing doesn't already do?

Rip off Tarn Mison's pilot ability, and add an incentive to use Astromechs:

Networked Sensors:
Modification, 0pts
When an enemy ship declares you as the target of an attack, you may acquire a target lock on that ship.
If you equip an Astromech upgrade that costs 2 squad points or less, its squad point cost is reduced by 2 (to a minimum of 0).

This gives the generics better action economy, and a has a nice synergy with R7. It's more of a straight-jousting ability... but that's exactly the area where generics are weak. It doesn't preclude any sensor upgrades. It doesn't preclude the use of any astromechs, though it's obviously better with cheap ones.

And more importantly, it's not clear to me how useful this would be on standard Corran builds. It specifically does not buff the regen droids, Corran is usually shooting first, and already is generating target locks from FCS. It also prevents him from taking Engine Upgrade, though not all Corran builds use that. It would help in the specific case of Corran jousting an enemy ace... is that enough of an upside that it would make Corran OP? I would hate to resort to a "can't take this upgrade if your PS is 8+"

It's okay if any E-Wing fix enables alternate Corran builds, but it can't buff his standard builds.

Problem with the E-Wing is that is basically overcosted, any meddling may result in Corran become even better than he is now

Maybe a title or two like the Defender fix and a IA mod for it would be enough, it's a trixy one for sure

HumblePenitent wrote:
Sorry, I'm not seeing how R7 does anything that simply focusing doesn't already do?

It still allows you to just add +1 evade. This is just to allow you to avoid going "I wish I had focused".

 Crazy_Carnifex wrote:
It still allows you to just add +1 evade. This is just to allow you to avoid going "I wish I had focused".

Which is a tiny, tiny bonus that will do essentially nothing to fix the e-wing. And R2-D2 is still better on generics. The only reason you don't see R2-D2 generics is that there's very little reason to consider non-Corran e-wings when Corran exists for only a few points more.

Second Thought:

E-Wing Prototype [Title] -3pt
E-Wing Only
After you perform a Primary Weapon attack, assign this ship a "Weapons Disabled" token.

This does nothing to most E-wings, and works as a Chardaan/x7 equivalent which does not reduce the ships options. However, it removes Corran's ability (almost) entirely. The -3 point cost pushes the E-wing down to the same cost as the T-70. It's based off of the unreliability of Early E-wings main cannons.

That's a really good idea man, I like it. Maybe a different one, like how the TIE defender is getting 2, something that improves maneuverability. Maybe

R7 Prototype(astromech)-3 points
Ewing only
Your ship gains the boost action

Could be interesting, and would let it take Autothrusters, to really take advantage of those 3 dice and maneuverability.

Each ship fix has happened in a different way. I think that a special R7 Astromech would be an appropriate way to fix the Ewing. Just taking away points was a ham-fisted and rushed approach and it only worked because it took away the missile slot on the A-wing and cannon slot on the Defender. The generics are about 3 points too expensive, and a free action is generally worth about 3 points in mathwing 2.0.

Adding boost would be nice but a free engine upgrade jsut doesn't feel right. I don't see them as jousters, but kinda arc dodgers instead.... how about:

R7 Prototype (astromech) 0 points
Ewing Only
When you receive a focus token, you may perform a free barrel roll.
When you barrel roll you may use the (1 bank) template instead of a (1 straight)

You definitely don't want to improve Corran Horn. So a "you may not attack further this round" effect is the obvious option - not bad on Corran (as long as it's not compulsory) as it's an option.

The problem with an 'after you attack' prompt is that he might trigger it off his second attack, which is just as nasty.

Something akin to Turr Phenir's ability might be good; after all, being able to shift your arc about a bit, even if you're not firing out of it, is a big plus for etann a'baht, and any free maneuver action during the combat phase is good for a generic.

Maybe 'after you perform an attack [that hits? that misses?] perform a free barrel roll. You may not attack further this round'

I agree that I'd like to see the E-wing made harder to hit.

 Anpu-adom wrote:
Each ship fix has happened in a different way. I think that a special R7 Astromech would be an appropriate way to fix the Ewing. Just taking away points was a ham-fisted and rushed approach and it only worked because it took away the missile slot on the A-wing and cannon slot on the Defender. The generics are about 3 points too expensive, and a free action is generally worth about 3 points in mathwing 2.0.

Adding boost would be nice but a free engine upgrade jsut doesn't feel right. I don't see them as jousters, but kinda arc dodgers instead.... how about:

R7 Prototype (astromech) 0 points
Ewing Only
When you receive a focus token, you may perform a free barrel roll.
When you barrel roll you may use the (1 bank) template instead of a (1 straight)

While I like this idea the (1 bank) barrel roll is way too good without a penalty from what I've seen. I would probably re-word it to:

R7 Prototype (astromech) 0 points
Ewing Only
When you perform a barrel roll action, you may gain a free focus token.
When you barrel roll you may chose to use the (1 bank) template instead of a (1 straight). If you do so gain 1 stress.

The net result on a (1 straight) barrel roll is the same but now the (1 bank) barrel roll has a penalty and Kyle Katarn HWK-290 won't be triggering it.

Edit: As for a -pt upgrade that stops second attacks word it as "after your first attack this round gain a weapons disabled token" negates Corran without ambiguity. Maybe a +1 attack die but only 1 shot so it gives Corran a choice if he does take it, +1 red or another shot after evreyone else.