So I have never been a huge fan of XI7’s, even when they were hugely popular. My biggest problem with XI7’s is unless they are widespread across your fleet, and you are not relying on squadrons in addition to deal damage they don’t do what you pay them to do, namely keep your opponent from using their shields. Let me explain a bit more, using this list as an example.
Imperial II (120)
• Moff Jerjerrod (23)
• Local Fire Control (4)
• Electronic Countermeasures (7)
• Leading Shots (6)
• XI7 Turbolasers (6)
= 166 Points
Gladiator I (56)
• Ordnance Experts (4)
• External Racks (4)
• Demolisher (10)
= 74 Points
Arquitens Light Cruiser (54)
• Linked Turbolaser Towers (7)
= 61 Points
Gozanti Cruisers (23)
• Parts Resupply (3)
= 26 Points
Squadrons:
• Colonel Jendon (20)
• Maarek Stele (21)
• 4 x TIE Fighter Squadron (32)
= 73 Points
Total Points: 400
If our Arquitens deals 3 damage to a hull zone of a ship it redirects 3 of it to another hull zone then demolisher deals damage to a hull zone it redirects as well, then we send in Maarek Stele and his friend Jenndon to do some damage and if they still have redirects they redirect it and then our ISD attacks and the XI7’s are pretty much useless because they have already utilized all of their shields. Please note that even if we attack with the ISD first the effect is the same they are unable to use redirects effectively vs the ISD and then when other ships attack them they use them and still get likely the full value out of their shields. This is why I don’t like XI7’s if you are coordinating firepower which is one of the most effective ways to bring a target down its effect becomes minimal at best.
Now with all that said, I have been liking XI7s with Commander Plo Koon quite a bit (his AMM is coming) so it got me thinking about using it in other lists. So I think if you want to use XI7 I really think you have to lean into them. I think they can be great in lists with big brawlers and little to no support ships. In order to get the most from them and have them help you drill into the hull of opposing ships, I think there are two other upgrades that should be considered while using XI7s
First and I think foremost is Ion Cannon Batteries.
This card is pretty underutilized right now. Currently, it is one of the few critical effects that can trigger on both your attacks, if your opponent has a token they lose one of your choice. With 1.5 this is so much more impactful as there is probably a reason they had a token and this can really hurt lists that lean on Intensify Firepower or other upgrades like that. However, it is the second part that really helps XI7s Drill if they don’t have a token the defending hullzone loses one shield. This will help the XI7s damage get to the hull. ICB is a very underappreciated upgrade particularly in 1.5 and it pairs very well with XI7’s
Another upgrade is Assault Proton Torpedos.
This one is a little less important as I think in a lot of cases External Racks will probably work just as well, because more damage with XI7s means more damage gets through, but if you are going to be at close range for more than one turn Assault Proton Torpedos probably wins out with this drill strategy. APTs are at least something worth considering while bringing XI7s.
I think lists that really lean into XI7s as a core idea in fleet building can have success with them. This is because when you do focus fire all your ships get the effect of XI7s and your opponent is unable to use shields effectively. However, lists like the one above will get minimal if any use out of XI7s as they may not be able to utilize their shields on one of your activations, but they can on all the others. Here are a few examples of lists that I think can get some great value from XI7s:
MC75 Armored Cruiser (104)
• Kyrsta Agate (20)
• Walex Blissex (5)
• Weapons Battery Techs (5)
• Flak Guns (3)
• Reactive Gunnery (4)
• External Racks (4)
• Ion Cannon Batteries (5)
• XI7 Turbolasers (6)
= 156 Points
MC80 Star Cruiser (96)
• Weapons Battery Techs (5)
• Ion Cannon Batteries (5)
• Linked Turbolaser Towers (7)
• XI7 Turbolasers (6)
= 119 Points
MC30c Torpedo Frigate (63)
• Ordnance Experts (4)
• External Racks (4)
• XI7 Turbolasers (6)
= 77 Points
Squadrons:
• 3 x A-wing Squadron (33)
• VCX-100 Freighter (15)
= 48 Points
Total Points: 400
Imperial II (120)
• Admiral Screed (26)
• Emperor Palpatine (3)
• Local Fire Control (4)
• Flak Guns (3)
• Electronic Countermeasures (7)
• Ion Cannon Batteries (5)
• XI7 Turbolasers (6)
• Chimaera (4)
• Entrapment Formation! (5)
= 183 Points
Imperial II (120)
• Lira Wessex (2)
• Local Fire Control (4)
• Flak Guns (3)
• Electronic Countermeasures (7)
• Ion Cannon Batteries (5)
• XI7 Turbolasers (6)
= 147 Points
Gozanti Cruisers (23)
• Munitions Resupply (3)
= 26 Points
Gozanti Cruisers (23)
• Darth Vader (1)
• Parts Resupply (3)
= 27 Points
Squadrons:
• 2 x TIE Fighter Squadron (16)
= 16 Points
Total Points: 399
Venator I (90)
• Obi Wan Kenobi (28)
• Expert Shield Tech (5)
• Ordnance Experts (4)
• Mercy Mission (0)
• Assault Proton Torpedoes (4)
• XI7 Turbolasers (6)
• Tranquility (3)
= 140 Points
Venator I (90)
• Expert Shield Tech (5)
• Ordnance Experts (4)
• Intensify Firepower! (6)
• Assault Proton Torpedoes (4)
• XI7 Turbolasers (6)
= 115 Points
Consular Charger C70 (45)
• Clone Navigation Officer (4)
• XI7 Turbolasers (6)
• Swift Return (3)
= 58 Points
Consular Charger C70 (45)
• Clone Captain Zak (5)
• XI7 Turbolasers (6)
= 56 Points
Squadrons:
• 2 x V-19 Torrent Squadron (24)
= 24 Points
Total Points: 393
Providence Carrier (105)
• Kraken (30)
• Rune Haako (4)
• Thermal Shields (5)
• Intensify Firepower! (6)
• External Racks (4)
• Ion Cannon Batteries (5)
• XI7 Turbolasers (6)
= 165 Points
Munificent Star Frigate (73)
• Thermal Shields (5)
• Ion Cannon Batteries (5)
• XI7 Turbolasers (6)
= 89 Points
Munificent Star Frigate (73)
• Thermal Shields (5)
• Ion Cannon Batteries (5)
• XI7 Turbolasers (6)
= 89 Points
Squadrons:
• 2 x Vulture Droid Fighter Squadron (16)
• General Grievous (22)
• Phlac-Arphocc Prototypes (19)
= 57 Points
Total Points: 400
What are your thoughts on XI7s? How have you successfully used them? Until next time have a great week!
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