In New Zealand, we have our Hutt Regionals coming up shortly, so I'm keen to get a handle on what's good this season. These are some of my thoughts, but I haven't played any competitive games at 200 since the new sets, just some games against friends.

I guess GenCon showed us that there's less and less of an established pattern out there - we saw some squads that were quite different from anything that was played at regionals do really well, and as the v-sets add more and more strong pieces to the mix, but it's still nice to think about what's out there.

New additions that might shift what gets played at tournaments:
- Talon Karrde, IB, allows strong Fringe-only squads.
- Admiral Daala makes Trooper swarms viable for the Imperials.
- both of the above are quite likely to feature Ysalimiri, so there's probably going to be more Force Immunity out there than previously.
- the Czerka Shield Tech means that there's a counter to twin shooters - significant for builds like the Naboo death shots.
- a bunch of new pieces with strafe/galloping, at least a couple of which look really good
- some new key pieces with Jedi Reflexes/Djem So/Brutal Strike - Luke Hero of Endor, 72 point Vader, and Kyp Jedi Master.

So what are some good squads? These are some of my ideas:

- Imperials: Daala swarms look really good from what we've seen in 100 and 150 tournament in NZ. Snow Troopers with a ton of Commander Effects, or the tougher Elite Scout Troopers look like good builds, and there are probably more options out there too. Zyggerian Slavers/Raxus Prime Troopers for wall climbing deep strikes add another dimension too. They're definitely influencing my thinking about what to play in upcoming games.

- Fringe: judging on the one tournament I've seen reports on (GameHoleCon), Talon Kardde squads are very popular, and have done well. UrbanShmi's build with Embo, Dash, Marn, and Jarael was the tournament winner, but there are a few different builds out there that look good. Talon's damage boost CE, disruptive, movement breaker, and Ysalamiri bring a lot to the table.

- Separatists: Poggle bombs are a steal for 2 points and, with access to good strafers, Cad's charging fire bounty hunters, various droids, and good commanders (San Hill, Whorm, Darth Sidious), the Seps have a really deep bench of good options.

- Rebels - I feel like they have something good, since they have a good anti-swarm piece with Han Rebel General (can chop down to Han in Stormtrooper Armor with Accurate Shot), and a good Djem So practitioner with Luke Hero of Endor. Anyone got any ideas for a squad with these guys at 200 points?

- Republic - I feels like there's a new good build out there with Cin Drallig - he's a solid piece for 48 points. The only time I tried him, I maxed out the Jedi for his CE and did badly, but I was impressed by doug*platypus's 150 point build with Captain Rex in there as a solid shooter - seems like the way to go. I think Aayla, with Lightsaber Sweep and Brutal Strike, is a good piece in the

- New Republic - Weeks' Kyp squad definitely looks like a serious contender, unavoidable damage with movement and strong shooter backup.

I have little idea of what Vong squads to play, and I still like Old Republic, Mandos, and Sith, but I don't know if they got anything hugely significant last set - they've all maybe gone backwards a little, since the Shield Tech hurts Mandos and Ysalamiri hurts Sith and Old Republic.

Those are some of my (theoretical and not based on heaps of gameplay) thoughts - what do you guys think will be good?

--rebel strafe--
55 Luke and Leia on Speeder
27 Lobot
25 Han Solo in Stormtrooper Armor
17 Bothan Noble
16 Elite Rebel Commando
16 General Crix Madine
14 General Rieekan
12 Gha Nachkt
9 General Dodonna
3 Ugnaught Demolitionist
6 Mouse Droid x3

(200pts. 13 activations)

So i think this could be pretty nasty to face. Its not optimized (not sure if you really need Reiken).

You get 40 dmg strafes, possible 24 square 120 dmg with chargring/strafe + bothan except you need a mouse near the speeder when it lands.

Possible MTB, commando cannon and disruptive for stupid poggle squads.

--Durge--
56 Durge on Speeder
36 Darth Sidious
31 IG Lancer Droid
27 Lobot
10 San Hill
9 Battle Droid Officer
9 Poggle the Lesser
22 Geonosian Drone x11

(200pts. 18 activations)

This squad is a monster. Its double lancer on steroids. With strafe hate.
And bombs with close quarters fighting. Bring in a slave driver or two and you have an all kinds of wrong stuff happening.