Zion's Finest

ITALIAN NATIONALS! Step aside, Gaius Julius, there's a new Italian on the scene with an appetite for conquest and a brilliant tactical acumen. His name is Emanuele Lucisano, and he is amazing. In this episode, Emanuele gives a report on how he piloted Vader to the top of the Italian National Championship, defeating THREE Spectre Cells on his ascent. After talking about his strategy during the tournament, Emanuele gives a broader perspective on the current meta and some thoughts on solving Spectre. Read Emanuele's report: https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/283457-italian-nationals-report/?tab=comments#comment-3483223 We will be finishing Wave One of our Slack Vassal League shortly. Wave Two just started. Please join us on the Slack channel so you can get in on Wave Three! It has been a ton of fun and a great way to get games in as we prep for regionals. Send an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com. Support us on Patreon! Go to patreon.com/zionsfinest Thank you for listening!

SPECTRE STORE CHAMP! In this episode, Aaron Ross--my dear brother--comes on the podcast to report on his winning the last store championship in Utah for the current season. He discusses his build, why he took Extra Armor over Doubt, what his command cards were, and how he thinks Spectre fared and will fare in the future. Aaron is an awesome local player and this is an excellent preliminary discussion of Spectre's clear strengths. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! If you're interested in participating in our Vassal League, please join our Slack Channel. The current season will be finished in a few weeks and we will be ready to start for another round. It's an excellent opportunity for players to get reps and for newer players to cut their chops with those who've been round the bend a few times. Send an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com and we'll get you an invite. Support us on Patreon! Go to patreon.com/zionsfinest

BATTLE REPORT! Lucas Davidson, the multi-multi winner of so many things, is the US National Champion! Lucas has been practicing with Vader since HotE dropped in Fall 2017 and, it turns out, he's pretty good with him. So much so that he was able to face an incredible gauntlet of players at Nova in order to take home the champion trophy. Lucas' insights are incredible for learning players. He emphasizes positioning, pace, and trading material in order to take home the wins when you need them. His episodes remain some of our most popular, and I know that you will love this episode too. Thank you all for listening! Please get me your OP results for the Google Doc: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Nk10Q5n8Xjr2byvP-7mD5IGdDyVQVqk_BSGuTiz58fM/edit?usp=sharing Join us on the Slack by sending an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com and support us on Patreon by going to patreon.com/zionsfinest. THANK YOU ALL!

BATTLE REPORT! (When we originally recorded this, it was going to be episode 66, which is why I announce it as such on the podcast. But events intervened and its release got a bit delayed. But here it is!) Brian dadgum left his mark on GenCon. Taking a nine activation Rebel list (Han, Drok, Jyn, R2, x2 rSmugs, RCP+), Brian was able to take it home at one of the major tournaments of the year. He provides an excellent report. One of the most notable aspects of Brian's list is his command deck, which DID NOT HAVE TOOLS FOR THE JOB!!! I KNOW!!! Thank you all for listening! Please get me your OP results for the Google Doc: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Nk10Q5n8Xjr2byvP-7mD5IGdDyVQVqk_BSGuTiz58fM/edit?usp=sharing Join us on the Slack by sending an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com and support us on Patreon by going to patreon.com/zionsfinest. THANK YOU ALL!

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN! In this episode, Isaac Borno gives a summary of his runner-up performance at UK Nats. Isaac is amazing, and he took Han Rangers out for one last spin before Lothal drops and we all run Spectre Cell and things that counter Spectre Cell. Obviously, Isaac is amazing, and this is very much on display as he regales us with his report. I know you will enjoy it! IF YOU WENT TO GERMAN NATIONALS, LET ME KNOW IF YOU PLACED IN TOP 8 SO THAT I CAN GET YOUR NAME TO YOUR LIST ON THE OP DOC: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Nk10Q5n8Xjr2byvP-7mD5IGdDyVQVqk_BSGuTiz58fM/edit?usp=sharing Please join us on the Slack Channel by sending an email to me at zionsfinestia@gmail.com and support us on Patreon by going to patreon.com/zionsfinest!  

Welcome to Episode One of Hasan's Finest! We all owe so many thanks to Hasan, whose salt supplies us with all we need to keep our Slack ruminatings savory and ready for maximum pillory. (Speaking of salty pillory, remember Lot's wife! I'm pretty sure that Hasan wrote a story about her in some book.) What really goes down in this episode is we review and comment on the second half of the organized play results from Summer 2018. We have a lot of fun reviewing what has done well and I know you will enjoy it. PLEASE REMEMBER TO GET ME YOUR ORGANIZED PLAY RESULTS! AND GOOD LUCK AT NOVA! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Nk10Q5n8Xjr2byvP-7mD5IGdDyVQVqk_BSGuTiz58fM/edit?usp=sharing Thank you for listening! Join us on the Slack Channel by sending an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com and support us on Patreon by going to patreon.com/zionsfinest.

GENERAL DISCUSSION! This episode was recorded at the conclusion of a (very small) local store championship that was taken home by me, running the Box, with Scott's Vader, Matt's IG, and Robert Moesinger's Jawa Swarm being the other participants. We had a ton of fun and, as I always say, it's better to be lucky than good. We don't really talk about the tournament, though. Instead, we spend our time discussing Robert's very creative Jawa Swarm, followed up with a discussion of the Jabba Pointers list archetype that is making the rounds, as well as the contents of Hondo's pack. I apologize for the background noise. It was recorded on-site, but despite a few noisy nerds nearby, it turned out a-okay. Again! Let me know if you have any organized play results for the Google Doc, we want all the data we can get: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Nk10Q5n8Xjr2byvP-7mD5IGdDyVQVqk_BSGuTiz58fM/edit?usp=sharing Thank you for listening! Join us on the Slack Channel by sending an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com

BATTLE REPORT! (After a SEVEN MINUTE introduction in which I go over news and the community's amazing response to the issue with the list. Feel free to skip me being mushy.) Collin Hambrick, a relatively new IA player, gives an amazing report of his TOP TWO finish at GenCon. Turns out that Collin is amazing. He ran a Scum Hunter list, without IG, but that didn't stop him. He gives an excellent report on his thoughts on the tournament. Let me know if you have any organized play results for the Google Doc: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Nk10Q5n8Xjr2byvP-7mD5IGdDyVQVqk_BSGuTiz58fM/edit?usp=sharing Thank you for listening! Join us on the Slack Channel by sending an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com and support us on Patreon by going to patreon.com/zionsfinest.

BATTLE REPORT! Scott brings home a store championship! In this episode, he gives a report on his championship run at Blakfyre Games. Spoiler alert, Vader is amazing, and Scott knows how to maximize his value better than almost anyone. After the report, Scott gives some thoughts on what he thinks Doubt is gonna do to the meta. It is an awesome episode that I know you will love! Let me know if you have any organized play results for the Google Doc: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Nk10Q5n8Xjr2byvP-7mD5IGdDyVQVqk_BSGuTiz58fM/edit?usp=sharing Thank you for listening! Join us on the Slack Channel by sending an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com and support us on Patreon by going to patreon.com/zionsfinest.    

When in doubt, call Brett. Which I did. And he provided an excellent elucidation concerning the oncoming meta. Brett is able to pull himself together (unlike me), in order to give a sober appraisal of where he thinks Doubt is going to take us. The sky isn't falling, quite, but it's clear that Rebels are going to have a tough row to hoe for a few months while things are getting figured out. The salt is kept to a bare minimum, and Brett makes some awesome points regarding what to expect when Lothal drops. Again, let me know if you have any organized play results for the Google Doc: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Nk10Q5n8Xjr2byvP-7mD5IGdDyVQVqk_BSGuTiz58fM/edit?usp=sharing Thank you for listening! Join us on the Slack Channel by sending an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com and support us on Patreon by going to patreon.com/zionsfinest.

POST-WORLDS META ANALYSIS! In this episode, JK and I quickly review the results of store champs that we have gotten thus far. We summarize  the winning squads and any interesting lists that happen to crack into the top contention. We cover where we are as of July 21, 2018 (give or take a few stores that haven't been logged yet). If you have any results, please let me know either on the Slack Channel, the forums, or at zionsfinestia@gmail.com. Here is the document that I've been working on: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Nk10Q5n8Xjr2byvP-7mD5IGdDyVQVqk_BSGuTiz58fM/edit?usp=sharing Thank you for listening! Join us on the Slack Channel by sending an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com and support us on Patreon by going to patreon.com/zionsfinest.  

LISTBUILDING! In this episode, Sam and I talk about how to think about making tier two and three figures work. Specifically, we focus on some core concepts of cost, value, and role that will help you in your efforts to get Biv and Saska to the top of the meta (just kidding. We're not miracle workers. BUT MHD ON THE OTHER HAND). We have a lot of fun, as you can imagine. YES I KNOW ABOUT THE FFG SPOILER RELEASED TODAY. I AM GETTING BRETT ON FOR AN EMERGENCY EPISODE AS SOON AS I CAN LASSO HIM DOWN. Join us on the Slack channel so you can join Matt and I in our collective freakout! Send an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com. Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/zionsfinest THANK YOU ALL!

STORE CHAMPIONSHIP! This is part two of Zion's Finest's reporting on the first seriously competitive event in our local meta. JK is the champion of Oasis Games in Salt Lake City! LET THE COMPETITIVE SEASON BEGIN! In this episode, JK discusses his list (JABBA?!) and how he was able to take home the prize. JK gives some awesome thoughts on getting the most mileage out of the non-IG Scum lists. If you have OP results, please let me know either through the Slack Channel or email. I LOVE YOU ALL! Join us on the Slack Channel! Send an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com! Support us on Patreon and get some sweet swag! Go to patreon.com/zionsfinest GIVE FIVE STAR REVIEWS TO BOARDWARS.EU, TWIN TROOPERS, FULLY ARMED AND OPERATIONAL, AND ZION'S FINEST! THANK YOU FOR DOWNLOADING!

STORE CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT! This is part one of our inaugural store championship tournament for the 2018 - 2019 season! This episode is a bit of a test format--I have a short introduction with my fellow jank builder Sam Sweeten followed up by short discussions with my first two opponents and then my concluding thoughts. In short, JKL let me down, and I have reasons. JK, however, took home the prize and gives his summary in the next episode (No. 59). Make sure to listen to that incredible report. Thank you so much for listening! Join us on the Slack Channel! Send an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com! Support us on Patreon and get some sweet swag! Go to patreon.com/zionsfinest GIVE FIVE STAR REVIEWS TO BOARDWARS.EU, TWIN TROOPERS, FULLY ARMED AND OPERATIONAL, AND ZION'S FINEST! THANK YOU FOR DOWNLOADING!

EUROS AND USCRU! In this episode, Isaac "Cajo" Borno joins me on the podcast to report on his showing at Euros. He was running Han Rangers with three rSmugglers, RHC (no R2)m and BotF. He reports on his matches; he made the cut and qcquitted himself admirably. After his Euros report, I ask him some questions about his thoughts on Han Rangers on Uscru. Isaac gives an amazing breakdown of the matchup vs. IG and Vader. Thank you so much for listening! Join us on the Slack Channel! Send an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com! Support us on Patreon and get some sweet swag! Go to patreon.com/zionsfinest GIVE FIVE STAR REVIEWS TO BOARDWARS.EU, TWIN TROOPERS, FULLY ARMED AND OPERATIONAL, AND ZION'S FINEST! THANK YOU FOR DOWNLOADING!

THERE ARE BLUE BIRDS OVER THE WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER BECAUSE LOCAL HERO LUKE SYKES IS THE EUROPEAN CHAMPION! And I got him to agree to come on the podcast! Hot dang! I almost titled this episode "IG is Overrated," because you know how many IGs made top 16 at Euros? Well, not very many, and Luke piloted a no-IG yes-Jabba (?!?!) list to the top! Luke regales me with his thoughts on his various matchups and how he plays to maximize the efficiency out of straight-up cheap hunters. He has some amazing thoughts on target priority and pace and--spoiler alert--he makes incredible use of Celebration and Price On Their Heads. If you ever hear typing in the background, it's me summarizing Luke's report--not plotting a takeover of the world (don't worry). Thank you so much for listening! Join us on the Slack Channel! Send an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com! Support us on Patreon and get some sweet swag! Go to patreon.com/zionsfinest GIVE FIVE STAR REVIEWS TO BOARDWARS.EU, TWIN TROOPERS, FULLY ARMED AND OPERATIONAL

THAT'S RIGHT CLAUSEWITZ, I STOLE YOUR LINE AND I DON'T EVEN CARE. IT'S A STRATEGY EPISODE. In this episode, I am joined by Ben Varnum to discuss core concepts of risk in IA and how it applies to three major principles of IA: activation economy, pace, and value. It is an awesome episode. Ben is a genius and it shows. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL STORES TO SEE ABOUT THEIR STORE CHAMPS: https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/op/store-championships/imperial-assault/ Join us on the Slack Channel! Send an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com! Support us on Patreon and get some sweet swag! Go to patreon.com/zionsfinest GIVE FIVE STAR REVIEWS TO BOARDWARS.EU, TWIN TROOPERS, FULLY ARMED AND OPERATIONAL, AND ZION'S FINEST! THANK YOU FOR DOWNLOADING!

NAL HUTTA MAP BREAKDOWN! Here's a link to the (very edited) map: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KGAOIw8qP5TtKAp49mWOjA_kMXAGjP_4/view?usp=sharing In this episode, Scott, JK, and I gather round the lantern--surrounded by the luminous soft glow of fireflies--to talk about everyone's favorite swamp. No, not the great bayou of Louisianna, but instead Nal Hutta--the home of the Hutts! We break down the two missions from the perspective of the three different factions. We talk about line-of-sight tricks, deployment, positioning, and pacing your games. We focus on how each faction should expect to count to 40 points on each mission from kills and objectives. Thanks again to Anthony Reynders for saving Episode 52. He shall be blessed with many blessings. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL STORES TO SEE ABOUT THEIR STORE CHAMPS: https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/op/store-championships/imperial-assault/ Join us on the Slack Channel! Send an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com! Support us on Patreon and get some sweet swag!

(FIXED THANKS TO ANTHONY REYNDERS, TO WHOM I OWE A LIFE DEBT. Podbean had some hiccups with the last two episodes. This is the fixed version of Episode 52, with Lucas Davidson.) STRATEGY! Take your brain medicine again, friends, because Lucas Davidson is about to break open your minds and spill in the sweet dew of his knowledge. In this episode, Lucas discusses three core concepts of Imperial Assault: Material, Positioning, and Pace. I have wanted Lucas to come on for a long time to talk about how he wins so many ding dang games, and he absolutely does not disappoint. He uses these concepts to illustrate how to thing about trades, pressure, and counting to 40. It really is so awesome. PLEASE FILL OUT OUR SURVEY AND HELP ME IMPROVE THE PODCAST: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdCRXGUAz2qcWU_SBxKZNTj1zKQC-VQazPOMFFwxMOWG7NHdg/viewform?usp=sf_link Join us on the Slack Channel! Send an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com! Support us on Patreon and get some sweet swag! Go to patreon.com/zionsfinest G