BREAKING: Imperial Raider Unveiled by FFG!
5 Minute Read
Dec 19 2014
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The Imperials get an Epic-play huge ship of their own in X-Wing. Move over CR-90!
Introducing a New Huge Ship to X-Wing (TM) and the STAR WARS (TM) Galaxy!
Epic Play for the X-Wing™ miniatures game is about to get more epic…
Fantasy Flight Games is thrilled to bring you the all-new Raider-class corvette, a new Imperial ship for X-Wing Epic Play and a new addition to the Star Wars galaxy!
Designed in partnership with Lucasfilm Ltd. for use within the game’s Cinematic Play and Epic Play formats, the Raider-class corvette is the highlight of the upcoming Imperial Raider Expansion Pack.
The Raider-class corvette.
Kuat Drive Yards began manufacturing the Raider-class corvette in 6BBY as a dedicated anti-fighter vessel after it was successfully pitched by Lira Wessex, the designer of the Imperial-class Star Destroyer. She recognized that the Imperial Navy lacked a small, modern craft to reinforce the TIE fighter squadrons deployed by Star Destroyers, and she designed the Raider-class corvette as a durable, 150m vessel that featured multiple hardpoints and would excel at suppressing Rebel fighter attacks.
Like the Rebellion’s huge ships, the GR-75 medium transport and CR90 Corellian corvette, the Raider is too big for Standard Play and the game’s standard 1/270 scale. Accordingly, the expansion’s Raider miniature is presented at a relative scale that makes it playable, even as it dwarfs the game’s small- and large-base ships.
In addition to the Raider-class corvette, the Imperial Raider Expansion pack also contains one TIE Advanced miniature with a variant paint scheme, eight ship cards, thirty-four upgrade cards, and all the maneuver dials, damage decks, tokens, and game pieces that you need to fly your Raider and its TIE Advanced escort. Finally, the expansion introduces a new campaign, The Will of the Empire, in which you’ll command a Raider-class corvette and run a prototype TIE Advanced through its test flights in the wild, lawless sectors of the Outer Rim.
The Imperial Raider Expansion Pack comes with one Raider miniature, one TIE Advanced miniature, eight ship cards, thirty-four upgrades, a huge range ruler, and all the maneuver dials, damage decks, and tokens you need to launch your Imperial ships into Epic Play battles!
The Origins of the Raider-class Corvette
With its powerful primary weapon, Single Turbolasers, Ion Cannon Batteries, and multiple crew options, the Raider-class corvette is destined to make a massive impact in X-Wing Cinematic Play and Epic Play.
As a dedicated anti-fighter ship, the Raider offers a powerful counter to many of the Rebellion’s favored strategies. It also represents an exciting new addition to the Star Wars universe, and the development team offers insight into the ship’s origin:
“The impetus behind the Raider-class corvette came from a desire to produce an Imperial ship for X-Wing that was comparable in size and role to the Rebel corvette.
“Before we even announced the Tantive IV™ Expansion Pack, we knew Imperial players would need a comparable ship to lead their fleets in the game’s Epic Play battles. But none of the ships within the established IP and extended universe quite fit the bill. As we looked at ships that were larger than the VT-49 Decimator, the next possibility was the Lancer-class frigate at 250m; however, that was larger than we wanted for the scope of the game. Moreover, it didn’t quite fit the desired role, so we worked with Lucasfilm Ltd. and drew upon existing materials to create a new starship that fit seamlessly into the aesthetics and background of the Star Warsuniverse.
“The result was a cross between a Star Destroyer and a single-pilot fighter, something fast and aggressive.
“The Raider is a starship made specifically for anti-fighter warfare. Its six dual heavy laser cannons proved more accurate against snubfighters than the turbolaser batteries of its Star Destroyer cousins, and the disruptive effects of its ion cannon emplacements, along with the efficiency of its localized command, make it a powerful addition to small strike forces.
“It’s also a ship that’s particularly well-suited to fighting alongside a number of TIE Advanced. Both the Raider-class corvette and TIE Advanced are well-suited to quick assault missions. They are both equipped with hyperdrives and enough defenses to stand up to a wide range of threats. They can jump into a sector, launch a quick assault, and then jump away. Then, they can leave after the mission is complete. This makes them ideal vessels for use in the Outer Rim, and this is an idea that you’ll be able to explore even further within the context of the expansion’s campaign.”
–Andrew Navaro, Frank Brooks, and Steve Kimball
The Imperial Raider Expansion Pack contains one TIE Advanced with an alternate paint scheme.
Pushing the Limits of the TIE Advanced
While the Raider itself, is limited to use in Cinematic Play and Epic Play, the Imperial Raider Expansion Pack also contains a new TIE Advanced miniature with an alternate paint scheme.
Originally touted as a replacement for the standard TIE fighter, the TIE Advanced offered a significant number of improvements over the TIE/ln, but it ultimately proved too expensive for mass production. Similarly, in X-Wing, the TIE Advanced is a more powerful and durable starfighter than the TIE fighter, but it comes with a higher squad point cost.
For the extra squad points, though, the TIE Advanced offers shielding, the target lock action, and the ability to wield missiles, making it a more versatile and resilient fighter for those talented pilots who can truly take advantage of all that it has to offer. Thus, just as the expansion’s new TIE Advanced is legal for use within the game’s Standard Play, its new pilots and upgrades promote the fighter’s strengths, allowing you to take better advantage of all that its technological enhancements can offer.
The Imperial Raider Expansion Pack comes with six ship cards for the TIE Advanced, including four new, unique pilots, and it also introduces two potent, TIE Advanced only upgrades – the TIE/x1 Title and the Advanced Targeting Computer system upgrade.
Together, these upgrades greatly enhance the TIE Advanced’s existing strengths and give the Rebellion far more reason to fear such renowned Imperial pilots as Darth Vader and Maarek Stele. They also give you plenty of reasons to call upon the services of Commander Alozen and the other new ace pilots from the Imperial Raider Expansion Pack.
Crush the Rebellion
You can expect to power up your Raider in the first quarter of 2015. Until then, keep your eyes open for more information about this huge new Imperial ship and its accompanying TIE Advanced.
*****
Look for much more talk on this newest edition to the game in the days ahead here on BoLS. I can say that this will be an indispensable ship for every Imperial player to grab, just for the changes it will provide for the TIE Advanced family – not to mention the Raider itself!
Who’s already drooling? I WANT I WANT I WANT!!!
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Author: Larry Vela
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