ITOD Home > PSG Tour A1 (XW) > PSG Xa116: After Ram

Avg. Rating: 7.3

Reviews

MAJ Simeon "Wolfman" Ferros on 10 June 2012
Rating: 8
Cool mission, pity about the T/As

BGN Hermus Dogan on 21 May 2012
Rating: 8
Flew the X-Wing version for the additional challenge and managed a victory in my first run (surprisingly). Strategy below...

As a quick comparison of the craft choices, the X-Wing is definitely the better choice (in my opinion). It lacks ion cannons to disable ships, isn't as tough as the B-Wing, and has a smaller warhead capacity; but it's faster, more maneuverable, and has significantly better lasers than the B in terms of number and accuracy. As such, the X is vastly better for engaging fighters and evading fire from capital ships.

Moving on to the mission specifics, drop your entire torpedo load into the frigate as soon as the mission starts - then go for the ISD's shield generators. The B-Wings attack the larger ship first, so if you've already taken out its protection it'll be out of the fight (apart from fighters) in no time.

With the ISD out of the way I picked off a few fighters before moving in on the frigate. Downing its shields solo isn't really something you have to worry about, but drawing its fire away from the B-Wings and transports is pretty much vital (if only partly successful). Pepper it with laser fire as often as you can without losing your own shields in the process; evasion skills are important. If you have trouble remaining near the frigate without getting killed, concentrate on the TIEs going for the B-Wings. Save the T/As for later if you can, as they're less numerous and take longer to eliminate than T/Fs or T/Is.

Once the B-Wings have succeeded in disabling the frigate you have nothing to worry about but the TIEs. Keep picking them off until the Emerald and Opaline are captured and jump out. At that point you can mop up the remaining hostiles and/or head home.

LCL Lunac`her`inar on 16 May 2012
Rating: 6
B-wing

Ugh. I hate B-wings. That is all.


X-wing

This is a really tricky mission to fly in the X-wing. You don't really have the punch to be a big help with disabling both the target ships, the ISD Opaline and Nebulon B Frigate Emerald.

In my first run, I dumped all my torps on the Emerald, then focused on the fighters, and this way, the B-wings and Shock could deal with the Neb B. I got killed by the fighter screen before I could get started giving the Opaline a severe case of trench rot. In my tenth run I went back to this basic strategy and managed to squeeze out another 4k on the score, but my B-wings got killed before they could really get involved.

In runs #2-8, I tried the advice given in the secret black bar briefing screen, but this hasn't been as successful.

My advice: ignore Castor's advice, do it my way, knock the Nebulon B down to nothing so it's easier for the B-wings to work on. In the X-wing, you're too big to fit into the Neb-B's blind spot (you need an A-wing for that), so don't even try. Send your wingmates to take on the Opaline, but make sure to call them off before they blow her to smithereens, you need her alive. Meanwhile, take on the fighters so that the two transports (Shock 1 and 2) can get through and do their jobs.

When you're chasing the fighters down, be mindful of the cap ships. Keep your distance from them when you're dog-fighting, if you can. Those TIEs are tricksy, most of them will run back to their mothership to take-up a close defensive position.

In summary: this is tricky.

My theory on how to get a mission complete:
Step 1: fire all six torps at the Emerald.
Step 2: order your wingmates to attack the Opaline.
Step 3: take on the fighter screen while the B-wings and Shock take on the Emerald.
Step 4: mop up the fighters. Try to keep a T/A alive at the end so you can pick away at its shields, then allow it to recharge the shields, that way you can pad your score, until you get bored and decide you don't want to play with your food anymore.