Okay everyone, here are the squads. They span more than 10 years of my involvement with the game, and they all have a special place in my heart. Some of them probably hold up better than others (looking at you, Wall of Vong), but they are all designed to be fun, aggressive, and interesting to play. Not all super intuitive, so pick carefully.
1. Wall of Vong
http://www.bloomilk.com/Squad/89106/wall-of-vongThe squad that won me the “Biggest B*lls” award at Gen Con 2010. Took 23rd place (out of about 50 people, if you can believe it). Talon Karrde was added after the championships—I can’t remember what was there in his place, so this is the version I’ve chosen for this tournament.
Map: Rhen Var Citadel
2. Maxed-out Maidens--Randy
http://www.bloomilk.com/Squad/95206/maxed-out-maidensThe squad that really put me on the map as a squadbuilder, still competitive today. This squad more or less built itself—Imperials are probably the best faction for the Echanis, by virtue of the fact that they get both Opportunist and Accurate Shot. Not to give too much away, but the key to this squad is being able to shoot at what YOU want to shoot at.
Map: Gangster's Vault
3. SCRuPLs (Speedy Crazy Running Pilot with a LightSaber)--DarkDracul
http://www.bloomilk.com/Squad/124390/scrupls--speedy-crazy-running-pilot-with-a-lightsaber-In the early years of my involvement with the game, there was a squad called CRuBLs (I’ll leave what it stood for to the imagination). After the Klat Captain came out, I decided to apply the same theory to the underused 60-point Corran Horn. I actually had some success with this squad. This version has been updated to reflect recent advances in New Republic Pilot tech.
Map: Anchorhead
4. Mace in the Face--spryguy1981
http://www.bloomilk.com/Squad/114401/mace-in-the-face--7th-place--2012-michigan-regionals-Ah, the days when we have 20-person regionals, and a 7th-place finish was something to aspire to. This was the first squad that really marked me as a competitive player, and it has shown up, in various incarnations, through the present day. This squad is unique for the amount of mobility it gives Mace. Actually took this squad to a victory over fingersandteeth in the Team Tourney once upon a time.
Map: Rebel Fortress
5. Talon’s Hat Trick
http://www.bloomilk.com/Squad/132739/talons-hat-trick--fourth-place-chicago-regional-2014Once upon a Gen Con, I made a half-dozen customs of Talon Karrde, Information Broker. Not long after, I had the inspiration to use Embo in a Talon squad, for the ultimate deep strike potential. It rarely works, but the threat of it is pretty darn scary, and keeping him alive past the first round is super risky for the opponent. This squad differs a bit from the original version, but is true to the spirit.
Map: Great Library
6. Original Cin--thereisnotry
http://www.bloomilk.com/Squad/161375/original-cin--4th-place-2016-indiana-regionalThe first squad to take me to the top 4 of a Regional. Lost badly to Vong, but otherwise did very well, only to lose in the semis to Jason. The original squad had Marn in it—here, I have substituted Dr. Evazan. The same super mobility as Mace in the Face, but with more flexible offensive options.
Map: Rhen Var Citadel
7. Rebirth--UrbanShmi
http://www.bloomilk.com/Squad/167072/rebirth--2nd-place-2016-wisconsin-regionalThe first time I ever made the top table at a Regional, it was with this creative (if I do say so myself) Hethrir squad. Lord Hethrir was one of my babies on set 10, and I was super excited to play him with Vader of Lothal. A little bit Force-starved, but so much fun.
Map: Rebel Fortress
8. In the Army Now--gandalfthegreatestwizard
http://www.bloomilk.com/Squad/198058/in-the-army-nowJason took this squad to second place in Wisconsin, finishing just behind my Imperial Renaissance squad (not represented here). The fun of Satele as an Army of Light character is rivalled only by this squad’s huge movement.
Map: Off-World Shipping Center
9. Cutting the Corde--TimmerB123
http://www.bloomilk.com/Squad/203512/cutting-the-corde--1st-place-2020--holecon-This squad was my big secret all during the 2019 season. I was planning to come into Gen Con and walk out with the big prize. It didn’t work out that way, and I wound up coming in 8th place (out of 9). However, I still believed in the squad, and I wasn’t too upset when Jason took it to a win at HoleCon this year.
Map: Gangster's Vault
10. Another Sithy Squad--pntkd2
http://www.bloomilk.com/Squad/216134/another-sithy-squadSo, the Plagueis-Cognus engine has been around for a while. There’s nothing much new about this squad, except that it incorporates both Bandon and Wyrrlok, as well as the Dark Force Nexus. Jason took it to third place at the recent Indiana Regional on Vassal (I was fourth with a Talon Karrde squad), and nearly beat the Daala squad that ultimately won.
Map: Rebel Fortress
So those are the squads, and a reasonable version of my life in minis. I hope you enjoy choosing and playing!