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lobot_computer_liaison
image from Wizards of the Coast

Lobot, Computer Liaison Officer
Imperial Entanglements
#33/40

Date Reviewed: July 27, 2009

Ratings:  Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale 1 being the worst.
3 ... average. 5 is the highest rating.

100 pt: 3.33
200 pt: 4.00

 

Killer_Nacho
Lobot, Computer Liaison Officer, 15 points
Faction: Fringe
HP: 30
Defense: 12
Attack: 0
Damage: 0
Abilities: Unique, Cyborg, Fringe Reserves 30, Override, Recon

Hmm, so here we review the new Lobot, the Computer Liaison Officer version from Imperial Entanglements. This Lobot is an interesting support piece that can find its way into a lot of squads due to the fact that it is costed relatively well and is Fringe. First, let's look at the negatives. Its only stats are its exceptionally low 30 HP and 12 defense. This guy won't last long in a fight, so you'll want to keep him as far away from the fighting as possible. However, Lobot does have several neat effects at his disposal.

First, Lobot has Fringe Reserves 30. Getting 30 more points of Fringe units on a roll of 11 can be big, and there are many quality fringe pieces that you could grab for 30 points. Additional Ugnaughts for extra door control, Dash Rendar RS if you aren't using him in the squad, two Kel Dor Bounty Hunters, a few more support pieces... the point is, you can do a lot with 30 extra points. Of course, the mere 5% chance to get them per round is kind of a bummer. Although, with a little bit of initative control like Anticipation or Recon, this could be an almost reliable effect. Speak of Recon, this piece also has Recon, some self-synergy. Too bad that you need to get within Line of Sight of an enemy to use Recon, however, something you won't really usually want to do with Lobot. Recon can be used safely with a little bit of good playing if the opponent doesn't have someone with Accurate Shot, but still be careful. Recon should only be used if it is absolutely nessissary.

Lobot's final ability is the real deal-clincher, though... the almighty Override. If you've ever played in a competitive game, you know that Door Control is a large factor. Whether you use a piece with Override or use Ugnaughts to blow up potentially Overriden doors, you know that Door Control can be huge. Therefore, it just stands to reason that a 15-point Fringe overrider will see some use... espessially with some factions that lack a good Overrider for themselves.

As a package, Lobot does have several beneficial abilities for your squad. The weakness however is, of course, its overwhelming fragility compared to its 15-point cost. He can really swing the game in your favor. Reserves + Override + Recon is great, you just need to protect him.

100 points: 2/5, A little too high costed to really find a niche in most 100 point teams. The reserves could be huge in 100 points... but only if you're lucky.

200 points: 3.5/5, Like most things, he becomes a little more viable when more points are involved. In factions without an Overrider of their own, this guy can see a lot of play. Consider the Recon and the Reserves a bonus.

Sculpt: 3/5, Not bad.
Josh

Lobot, Computer Liason Officer (33/40, Rare—Imperial Entanglements; HP 30, ATT 0, DEF 15, DAM 0, DEP 15)

            For only 15 points, you’re getting a surprisingly useful Fringe tech-figure. Fringe Reserves 30 is pretty impressive and you get access to it whenever you roll an 11 for initiative. Thanks to Recon, Lobot can also give you two shots to hit that magic number each time your roll for initiative, increasing your odds of pulling it off. Like the original Lobot, he still comes equipped with Override which can still be pretty annoying, despite the proliferation of characters that can get around door control.       

            While the original Lobot was more expensive, he also had Fringe Reinforcements which basically turned him into a character that only cost 7 points because the 20 points from Fringe Reinforcements were built into his cost. Reinforcements is infinitely more reliable but at the same time, Reserves allows you to bring in more points and thanks to Recon, Lobot does have a pretty good chance of getting it. The only other drawback Lobot has is that he’s a Cyborg which does leave him vulnerable to Ion Gun meaning a lone Jawa with Ion Gun can take him down in a single turn. Override can help you keep him alive by hiding him away but if you do that, you don’t get to take advantage of Recon so it’s a pretty big trade off.

100 POINTS: In this format, I just don’t know how useful he’ll actually be. While dropping an extra 30 points of a Fringe characters can be a big swing in this format, it’s not a terribly reliable prospect so you may just wind up wasting 15 points that could have been better spent elsewhere. SCORE: 2

200 POINTS: Since you’ve got a lot more points to spend in this format, Lobot becomes a much better option here. A deploy cost of 15 points is just a drop in the bucket, especially since there’s the chance of bringing in another 30 points of Fringe characters in the right circumstances. You’ll also want him around for Recon to provide you a degree of initiative control, which is a must anymore at this point level. Bringing Override along is also nice since door control has become much more important recently. You’ll need to give him a few bodyguards to keep him alive but for 15 points you’re really getting a lot to play with. SCORE: 3.5

Gunnar "Darth
Malstrom" Malstrom
Lobot, Computer Liaison Officer (Fringe-R)
Cost: 15
Defense: 12
Attack/Damage: 0

Special Abilities:
Unique
Cyborg (Counts as both a Droid and a non-Droid; living; subject to critical hits and commander effects)
Fringe Reserves 30 (If you roll exactly 11 for initiative, you can add up to 30 points of Fringe characters to your squad immediately before your first activation of the round)
Override (At the end of his turn, this character can designate 1 door that he can see as open or closed; it remains open or closed until the end of this character's next turn, or until he is defeated)
Recon (Roll twice for initiative once per round, choosing either roll, if any character with Recon in the same squad has line of sight to an enemy).

Today we open the vault and go back to Imperial Entanglements to look at the piece that might be the best non-mouse droid piece in the set… Lobot, Computer Liaison Officer. Like a majority of the pieces in this set, this is a remake of a figure from way back when… Lobot from Universe. Now both of them are very useful and I think a look at both of them will give you an idea as to which one you should play.

Now first off they both are Fringe, cyborgs, and have override. Override might singlehandedly be the best special effect in the game. The ability to open doors and close doors across the board can absolutely change a game. I have played against multiple override squads and not gotten off one attack. This ability is just nasty, and with Lobot this ability gets a little nastier.

Most override pieces are on droids, well Lobot (and the Elite Rebel Commando) can receive commander effects, which could cause them a much longer life. Give them evade from Wedge or Rieeken and you can possibly prolong their life quite a bit. Now you can actually bring them out of corner and have them open doors that would otherwise be shut.

Now the main difference between the Lobots is that the original Lobot gives you Fringe Reinforcements 20, which allows you to add up to 20 points of fringe pieces to your squad (these do not count as victory points by the way). This could give you a slight advantage, where you can see what your opponent is running and customize your squad to better play against their squad. Your opponent is running several override pieces… you can now add 6 uggies. Your opponent is running a very melee heavy squad you want to bring in a really good shooter… bring in Lando Dashing Scoundrel. The sky is the limit.

Now the new Lobot instead of having reinforcements has Fringe Reserves 30… which lets you add 30 points of Fringe pieces when you roll an 11 for initative. Now those 10 more points of Fringe pieces means the difference between Dashing Lando Scoundrel and Dashing… well Dash Rendar Scoundrel, or three more uggies or mouse droids if needed. To help himself out new Lobot also has Recon, which means that you can roll twice for initiative instead of once to give you a better chance of hitting that 11. IMHO I have learned never to count on reserves because when I really need them, I never get them… instead just be happy when you do get it.

So looking at the two Lobots I would say just think about what else you have in your squad. Are you a little short on points and have 20 points of small Fringe pieces, because minus the 20 points of reinforcements original Lobot is only 7 points. If you have a couple big guns in your squad, but you fear they might not be enough… run new Lando and pray you roll an 11. Both pieces are fantastic pieces that could fit in any squad.

Onto the ratings…

100ts 5/5: Lobot at 15 points should easily fit into any size squad. People might not think 15% of your squad on a piece that can't attack is a waste of space, but if you roll 11 and your 100 point squad just became a 130 point squad you will be happy that you added him. Plus I think a lot of times people disregard override in 100.

200pts 5/5: Here Lobot is just as good. If you don't get your 11 it will not be as bad, but still Override is huge and Lobot is one of the best pieces with Override. If you don't have him… what are you doing… leave, go buy him… or just sit there at your LGS and buy boosters till you pull him. You won't regret it.


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