After hearing about Farlander and how he was apparently the protagonist of the X-Wing game, I thought more about Maarek Stele. In comparison… well there really is none. Farlander has a much more applicable ability in an infinitely more able ship. Now, I have to qualify this next statement with a fact: I know next to nothing about the EU. I don't really know Brath or what he's famous for (except that a lot of people correctly called him as a Defender pilot). But when you look at both Stele and Brath, they have abilities that deal with critical hits. Both pilots also fly a Defender, obviously. Could it be that Rexler is the Maarek we never really got to have?

It's certainly a possibility. I myself remain mostly ignorant of many PC Star Wars games that were simply before my time (though I do think they're charming and have their own merits!) but speaking from a strictly gameplay sort of view, yes, this is probably the case. They also likely kept Maarek in the Advanced to allow both pilots on the same team without sacrificing one or the other. Whether they're actually going to be flown at once is yet to be seen, but it certainly could happen. I have a feeling we might see a bit more of Maarek being fielded to deliver a blow to Epic ships, but I still feel his ability is underwhelming given the ship he flies and limited applicable ordnance he has at his disposal. He'll likely be benefiting heavily from the new missile that comes with the Rebel Aces later in the year.

See, I really want to use Maarek, or rather I want to want to use him… but each time I build a squad, I just can't seem to justify him for the points. But I'm really excited to see how applicable Brath is. Who knows, maybe I'll think of Maarek while I use Brath (i'll just have to be careful not to say the wrong name).

Should make a squad with Brath, Stele, and Gundark in it just for laughs.

Try Maarek with Jonus and Krassis. Maarek's ability shines with cluster missiles, marksmanship and Jonus backing him up,

Maarek felt thematic for his abilities because in TIE Fighter you could select sub-components of starships in your HUD to blow off. Granted, with fighters hitting anywhere wrecked the fighter, but I thought it worked.

The problem is the fighter Stele is yoked to. He never flew the TIE Advanced, the the TIE Advanced is at the moment the weakest fighter in the game in terms of combat ability. He's a great pilot wasted on a terrible ship.

Against 0 defence huge ships Maareks ability should work ... after the shields went off.

Yes Maarek flew almost every craft of the Empire - exept for the Tie Advanced X1 ...

So it was logical to get him in the Advanced X1!

Now he can write in his bio:

"I flew EVERY Imperial single seater ship. The last one was a pile of crap without having Lord Vader's Sith powers but then we got an update and new upgrades for the ship and finally I was able to deal with the X-Wings and those nasty B-Wings. Wished I could go back to the Tie Defender from time to time ... but they say they have this 'Brath' now. Never heared of him, though.

If at least they would let me fly a Tie Bomber again - I'd show them what protons could do in the hands of a pro. But no, I'm sticking here in the Tie Advanced X1 - hell they don't even let me out of its cockpit ... I ... I need a shower, badly ..."