Star Wars: X-Wing – HMP Droid Gunship Preview
The Droids are getting a funky-looking new ship with some potent power-ups. Let’s take a look at the new HMP Droid Gunship!
The HMP Droid Gunship looks like a hover-drone with it’s circular body. But don’t let the shape mislead you, it’s actually got some pretty great moves and packs a decent punch, too. Fantasy Flight Games put out a preview of the ship and now we’re going to see what this ship can do.
“A late-war development for the Confederacy of Independent Systems, the HMP Droid Gunship marks a new direction for Separatist starfighters. While still capable of being deployed in overwhelming numbers like their predecessors, these relentless droids also feature a number of improvements that make them some of the most versatile—and dangerous—small fighters in the Separatist arsenal. “
The Ships
Here we have the basic ship. It’s fairly beefy with 5 hull and 3 shields. It’s not super agile with only 1 agility die, but’s weapon packs two dice and it’s arc is the front 180° giving it some leeway in the targeting department. It also has an interesting new ability called Networked Aim. This ability changes the way Target Locks work – you don’t get to use the Target lock to re-roll, instead you can re-roll the number of dice based on how many friendly target locks are on the target. That’s an interesting change for sure.
Up next we have a unique variant of the ship – the DGS-047. Same basic stats but it has the added ability to double-up or even triple-up when you’re attacking a target. This one will reward you for getting those front arc and bulls-eye shots with additional locks and strain generation.
The Geonosian Prototype is another ship that has two “*” by the name – that means you can field 2 of them in your list. Again, same basic ship but now it has another ability. If you’re firing a missile or cannon attack at a target and you happen to have a tractor token on them as well, you’ll have the option to re-roll up to 2 of those attack dice. This seems like an ability you’d want to build for if you wanted to take advantage of it.
Here we have the Separatist Predator. This one is a generic ship with an initiative of 3. That actually puts it in a pretty good spot. It’s a basic ship but it could allow you to setup a lot of other attacks or maneuvers.
Here is the DGS-286, another unique ship. This one’s added ability allows it to take friendly calculate tokens from ships within 0-1 range. If you need to get that “Droid focus” for an attack, this one is perfect for that.
And finally we have the Onderon Oppressor – another dual “*” card. It’s ability allows it to double-up when it barrel rolls. If you’re stressed, you get a calculate token.
Upgrades
This ship has some interesting upgrade slots from what we can see. Double Missiles and Double cannons does open up some cool builds. But let’s check out what some of the ships upgrades are.
Multi-Missile Pods are a double missile upgrade. It does require a calculate or target lock to use, but you can spend extra energy tokens to roll more dice if they are in your front 90° (one extra) or bulls-eye arc (two extra). Pump up the damage with better piloting – I like it!
A 3 die attack that can deny the defender the range bonus? Nice. It’s not crazy but it’s not super amazing – and it takes up two cannon slots.
And finally Concussion Bombs are also included. What does this bomb do? Check it out:
“When this device detonates, each ship and remote at range 0–1 is dealt a facedown damage card. Then, each ship at range 0–1 must expose a damage card unless it gains a strain token.”
That could be a nasty surprise.
HMP Droid Gunship Expansion Pack $19.95
A menacing silhouette slides overhead, repulsorlifts humming ominously and eyes glowing with malevolence. The HMP gunship’s presence invokes fear thanks to predatory droid intelligence and an unpredictable capacity to strafe targets with devastating missile pods, bombs, and a wide-sweeping array of laser cannons.
AdvertisementThe HMP Droid Gunship Expansion Pack unlocks new possibilities with a beautifully detailed HMP Droid Gunship miniature and six ship cards with their own programming and protocols for battle. Your droid gunship can be further modified to your exact specifications with eight upgrade cards, or you can follow the recommendations of three quick build cards to get your gunship into battle as quickly as possible.
This ship is slated for release on September 25! Mark your calendars and get your Pre-orders in today.
