Top 10 pieces - 10 factions. Coincidence? Probably - but I will do one from each faction anyway.
These are the pieces that when I am trying to construct a competitive squad I won't build it without strongly considering this piece first. I usually start with this piece and then build around it.
These are not necessarily my "favorite" pieces, but the ones I consider to be the strongest in top tier competitive squads.
10. Mandalorian Gunsmith. (Mandalorian) This one was the toughest to pick (perhaps because I believe Mandos have the furthest to go to be top tier). But the Gunsmith just adds too much to your squads. A great reinforcement from Jaster Mareel, and override is always great. Twin is so easy to get in the mandos, and with Cunning +20 (Not to mention Ion gun +20 for those pesky droids and speeders), he becomes quite a slugger. Mobile built in keeps him alive. <Honorable Mentions: Mandalorian Counter-Intelligence Officer (though only through Jaster usually), Mandalorian Scout, Mandalorian Captain, Jaster Mareel, Pre Vizsla>
9. Darth Revan, Sith Lord. (Sith) By far the most expensive piece on my list - but he is what the Sith needed to compete. Since they don't have activation control (and never will most likely) they needed a way to get into the action in one phase. The 2 activation swap is that way. Typically with either Thrawn or Panaka or K-3PO (or the rarely used Darth Sidious, Sith Master) - You have to move a character into place, swap them via the aforementioned characters, and then do your thing. Now with this newer version of Revan, you can sprint in (Master speed no less) and swap in one turn, then do your dirty work in that same phase. Oh by the way he also has Master Tactician, Double, Cunning, Renewal, MotF 2, Lightsaber Defense, and Lightsaber Assault. Badass. <Honorable Mentions: Exar Kun Dark Force Spirit, Atton "Jaq" Rand, Darth Bandon, Darth Traya, Lord Kaan, Darth Zannah>
8. Ganner Rhysode. (New Republic) As soon as I saw this figure my jaw dropped open and I said this was the ultimate game changer for the NR. Levitation is so massive on this figure it cannot be understated. Get your slugger (Mara Jade, Jedi or Corran Horn JM) in their face. Pull that fragile shooter to safety. Give that Anakin or Jacen "bomb" enough distance to stand in the perfect spot to hit masses of enemies. This bit of tech gave the NR exactly what it needed. But oh wait - there's more. He also has renewal so he can do it EVERY TURN. Also he has Stealth, Loner, quick reactions, double attack, force push 2 and lightsaber sweep. Yeah. <Honorable Mentions: General Dodonna (stay tuned), Anakin Solo, Mara Jade Jedi, Han Solo Galactic Hero.>
7. Mas Amedda. (Imperial) The most important piece in any Imperial squad is from the Republic? Yes. All about the Booming Voice. Unlike Republic where some squads don't need commander effects and some commander effects are not range 6, virtually all imperial squads are CE focused and very often range 6. I debated either Thrawn being in the top spot (gotta include one of the 2 to be top tier) - then it hit me - you must use Mas with either! <Honrable Mentions: Admiral Ozzel, Arica, Thrawn (Mitth'raw'nuruodo), Grand Admiral Thrawn, Admiral Gilad Pellaeon, General Weir>
6. Battle Droid Officer. (Separatist) In the faction of droids, this little piece is simply too good to be left out. The argument would be that in an all living Separatist squad, he isn't needed. True, but those aren't top tier at the moment. Adding +4 attack with no range and it cannot be disrupted or "Bastila'ed" is so important. Whether you have a Lancer, IG's, Assassin Droids, Destroyers, or any attacking droid - you gotta include this droid too. <Honorable Mentions: IG Lancer Droid, A-Series Assassin Droids, Poggle the Lesser, San Hill, Darth Sidious, General Whorm Loathsom, T-Series Tactical Droid, General Grievous Droid Army Commander>
5. Bastila Shan, Jedi Master (Old Republic) She's a decent little Jedi on her own with double attack, lightsaber assault, lightsaber defense and renewal, but her attacking abilities rarely get used. She is all about her Advanced Battle Meditation. Leaps and bounds better than regular Battle Meditation - she basically creates board-wide disruptive - wiping out swaps, activation control, power boosts and any other commander effect by way of a force power. Oh yeah - if that alone were not enough, it also gives allies +10 damage. YIKES! <Honorable Mentions: Old Republic Senator, Carth Onasi Old Republic Soldier, Jedi Battlemaster, Jedi Seer, Atton "Jaq" Rand, Mira, Master Thon>
4. Yammosk War Coordinator. (Yuuzhan Vong) One of the biggest things holding back the Vong was that they were so special ability dependent, and many of those SA's were granted by other Vong, and often range 6. No Booming voice in this faction either. Well - with one easy swoop - the Yuuzhan Vong War Coordinator changed that. Now Yuuzhan Vong specific SAs and all CEs are unlimited range. Wow - easily worth it's 15 points alone. But that's not all - now with Telepathic Insight you can "steal" an opponents commander effect. Want a movement breaker like your opponent? Steal that swap. Facing activation control? Now you have it too! Oh - and Bastila can't turn your CEs off, because you are force immune. <Honorable Mentions: Yuuzhan Vong Worker, Nom Anor, Yomin Carr, Yuuzhan Vong Jedi Hunter>
3. General Dodonna. (Rebel) One activation or two, whichever suits your needs. Holy crap this is huge! The importance and dominance of this CE cannot be understated. It's the only thing that keeps Rebels and NR competitive. I would have given Dodonna the NR spot as well, but I didn't want to give him 2 spots (and Ganner is massive). He has spawned more dissent and bitching than virtually any piece in the game. There is no rational argument that he is not worth his cost in a top tier 200 pt squad. If that CE were ever to go to the Republic or Old Republic - nobody could touch them. <Honorable Mentions: General Rieekan, Elite Rebel Commando, Princess Leia, (too many awesome Lukes to pick one)>
2. R2-D2 Astromech Droid. (Republic) Show me a Republic squad that you think is competitive without this piece and I will simply laugh. Since he first came out he has been so dominant as to be an auto include in every Republic Squad. Override is of very great importance, but tow cable just makes him sick. Helping this faction solidify itself as "The movement breaker faction" early on - whenever I make a competitive republic squad, the question really is how do I spend the last 191 points. <Honorable Mentions: Mas Amedda, Captain Panaka, Yoda on Kybuck, General Skywalker, Mace Windu, Legacy of the Light Side, General Obi-Wan Kenobi>
1. Lobot. (Fringe) Old school from the UNIVERSE set. So much more than just override (although that is huge). He is so important in the meta these days, helping you bring in that last bit of tech to defuse those Nom Bombs, or blow through those mouse walls. He can help with activations of bring in another slugger. It's a rare top tier competitive squad that I build without him (Republic being one of the few factions where it happens, but he's even handy there.) <Honorable Mentions: R7 Astromech Droid, Ugnaught Demolitionist, Rodian Brute, Mouse Droid - all often brought in by Lobot>
You'll notice my list is mostly tech. Even the beefier pieces on the list are included for what they do other then attack. That is because tech is the key to winning games. Even though there has been a design team push to bring beatsticks up to par, tech still rules the day.
My challenge - make a top tier competitive squad without any of these pieces, and prove that it is top tier by doing well in a Regional or GenCon.
Love to hear feedback. I'm sure I missed some honorable mentions.
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