I put proton torps on one of the rookies because Luke will need his action for R2F2, so he won't be able to target lock. In my fun build, torps work on Wedge because of Dutch giving him a free target lock.

Finally just something people might hate…but what the heck I think there is something here (yes I know it has no ion cannon)

Luke Skywalker + R2-F2

Red Pilot (23)

Red Pilot (23)

"Dutch" Vander + R5-K6 (25)

or

Luke Skywalker + R2-F2

Red Pilot (23)

Red Pilot (23)

Gold + R5-K6 + ion cannon

or

Wedge + R2-F2

Rookie Pilot (21)

Rookie Pilot (21)

"Dutch" Vander + R5-K6 (25)

or

Wedge Antilles + R5-K6 (31)

Biggs Darklighter (25)

Rookie Pilot (21)

Gold Squadron Pilot + Ion Cannon Turret (23)

or

Luke Skywalker + R2-F2 + Swarm Tactics (33)

Rookie Pilot (21)

Rookie Pilot (21)

"Dutch" Vander + R5-K6 (25)

Two attack dice vs three defense just isn't good odds.  While still using only 2 attack dice, the ion cannon brings enough benefit with 360 degree targeting and the ion effect to even things out.  While I think a Y-wing without an ion cannon could work, I personally would use it as a proton torpedo carrier in that case.

I think 3 ship Rebel lists can work.  You just have to make sure that the three pilots you have are really worth the cost of having one less ship.  I think The Wedge, Dutch, Horton List could be it.

I have never used Horton yet.  But I like him.  I just like Wedge too much to not take him and then I have used up a lot of points.

dvang said:

I'm willing to go as far as saying that, if you're playing to win, you shouldn't ever send a Y-wing out without an ion cannon. It's an approach that combines the offensive power of a generic TIE fighter with the agility and maneuverability of an elderly Hutt. Your opponents are fairly safe just ignoring it, or they can focus fire on it to pick up an easy kill.

The only thing that rescues the Y-wing is the 3-die turret. Now you don't have to maneuver, you just have to approach, which the Y-wing can manage much more easily. While you won't do much more damage than you would with your primary, you're substantially more likely to actually hit, and you have the additional benefit of locking down the target's movement.

Plus they're only 23 points, which is a bargain in a Rebel list. The only thing cheaper is a Rookie Pilot with no upgrades--which isn't to degrade the Rookie's usefulness, but including one Y-wing does a lot for the available tactical options in your list.

@Hrathen: I'm not at all convinced that 3-ship Rebel lists can work. I don't have good notes on all of our matches, but I think 3-ship Rebels are 1-10 at the moment in my local group. That probably qualifies them to give coaching advice to the Detroit Lions or the NY Mets, but I'm not interested in playing them in a competitive setting.

Hrathen said:

I'll try it out this weekend and see how I do. Who knows? I'll post tourney updates in the battle Reports section if i get a chance.