A Little History on the A Wing
The A Wing made it's debut in Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi as part of the Rebel attack on the 2nd Death Star. It, along with the B Wing, marked the first new Rebel fighter designs since the X Wing and Y Wings attacked the first Death Star in Star Wars IV: A New Hope.
The A Wing, as we know it today, was really born from Return of the Jedi concept art by Ralph McQuarrie. His painting of an A Wing really established the look.
The only film appearance of the A Wing was in Return of the Jedi when the Rebels attacked the Second Death Star. While no "Hero" Character flies an A Wing, it is still prominent in that battle. Far more then the much more unusual looking B Wing. At least one A Wing makes it into the Death Star superstructure and, of course, the kamakazi A Wing that kills Darth Vader's Super Star Destroyer.
A Wing Expansion
The actual A Wing expansion comes with the A Wing, of course, as well as the usual set of cards. This includes 4 pilots, and a good selection of upgrade and weapon cards.
The Model
The Model itself is the smallest ship in the game. But, it's small size doesn't mean it isn't packed with details. The paint job on the model is also very well done. It isn't as dirty as the previous X Wings, but still contains plenty of patchwork panels and other details.
Despite the small size, I'm still not sure this ship is to scale with the other ships. Comparing the cockpit of the A Wing to the cockpit of the X Wing, we see that the A Wing's cockpit is significantly larger then the X Wing's. In the movies, the A Wing pilot appears to be pretty crammed in his cockpit, while the X Wing cockpit seems pretty roomy in comparison. It's not that big a deal, however, and I can imagine the outcry if the A Wing were any smaller than it currently is.
Beside a minor touch-up or repainting the markings there isn't too much to improve on this model!
The Game Stats
Firepower 2
Agility 3
Shields 2
Hull 2
BOOST, TARGET LOCK, FOCUS, EVADE
The A Wing is obviously the Rebel's version of the TIE Fighter. A small craft with light Firepower and high Agility. Agility 3 is a boon against the plethora of 2 Attack dice TIE Fighters, on the other hand, the TIE gets the same advantage of the A Wing. The A Wing does have other advantages. They can take 4 overall hits. Not as good as an X Wing, but better then your TIE or TIE Interceptor. Two shields buys you some time before being smacked with a critical. Even the cheapest A Wing has a Missile slot allowing you to take TIE Killing Homing Missiles.
Pilots
Tycho Celchu - Pilot Skill 8 - 26 points
You may perform actions even while you have a stress token. Tycho is a character from the X Wing Novels and it's good to see him in the game. He is the best A Wing Pilot available and has, perhaps, one of the best skills. Pair him up with Push The Limit for extra fun!
Arvel Crynyd - Pilot Skill 6 - 23 points
You may declare an enemy ship inside your firing arc that you are touching as the target of your attack. Not quite as useful a skill as Tycho but still powerful. He is best used to cause havoc with the enemies movement, blocking key units and still getting a 3 dice attack. In some ways I wish his pilot skill was lower!
Green Squadron Pilot - Pilot Skill 3 - 19 points
Generic pilot. I don't find him that useful yet. I suppose if you suspect you are facing a lot of Academy TIEs then he might be good for the slightly better initiative.
The cheapest A Wing, and also the cheapest Rebel fighter currently in the game. A good flanker or wingman for Tycho.
Weapons Cards
Cluster Missiles - Attack value: 3
Spend your Target Lock and discard this card to perform this attack twice. Good against Agility 2 or lower opponents.
Agility 3 ships have an easier time avoiding damage from the cluster missiles.
Concussion Missiles - Attack value: 4
Spend your Target Lock and discard this card to perform this attack. You may change 1 of your blank results to a HIT result.
Poor man's proton torpedo. Still a good attack to Hit a non-evading TIE at range.
Homing Missiles - Attack value: 4
Discard this card to perform this attack. The defender cannot spend evade tokens during this attack. Almost like it was designed to kill high Agility TIEs. You don't spend the Target lock when firing so you still have it available to re-roll your missed Attack Dice.
No Evade for the target is bad news for TIEs and kind of useless against Rebels.
Upgrade Cards
Deadeye
You may treat the "Attack [Target Lock]" header as "Attack [Focus]". When an attack instructs you to spend a target lock, you may spend a focus token instead.
This is an interesting card. Not uber-powerful or a game changer but gives you a little more tactical flexibility. Not sure if you are going to attack or defend? You can throw down a focus and Not Lock your self into an Target Lock.
Push the Limit
Once per round, after you perform an action, you may perform 1 free action shown in your action bar. Then receive 1 stress token.
This card almost seems like it was designed to go with Tycho. Add it to him always and you won't be sorry.
Conclusion
Overall I recommend the A Wing. In and of itself, it's a cool model of an iconic spaceship. Well painted and detailed. In game, it changes the dynamic and gives the Rebels new options in their builds.
I give it 4 Concussion Missiles out of 5.
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