Well if this years X-wing championships is any indication, large ships can play a HUGE role in most dogfight games these days, not just because of upgrades, but because of their ability to box out movement.
That tactic seems to be key to dealing with the Tie Phantom class, along with ion and stress attacks- both of which seem to be a cornerstone of release of Wave 5 the YT-2400 and the VT-49 Decimator.
There is of course other cool mechanics included with the ships, like some special agility gaining abilities for the Decimator (because it has 0 agility base), and some special rules to let players do more when touching obstacles.
Plus both have a very convenient 360 degree main armament as well!
Personally my favorite new twist on this release is to use the Decimator and as a space ram and muck up opponents movements in general while still being able to function as normal and get bonus attacks for both colliding with and being hit by other ships during the movement step.
Overall I think those mechanics are just the “spice” to the dish of new releases, as the stress and ion attacks seem to be the “meat and potatoes” that wave 5 was built on.
What will you be playing when wave 5 is released?
Checkout all the new ships, pilots and upgrades below in my first look video review! –
MBG
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at the Las Vegas Open, each of which attracts thousands of players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the 2011 Adepticon 40k Team Tournament. He was even featured for his painting in issue #304 of Games Workshop’s White Dwarf Magazine.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
