Been trying to work out the best way to run this thing and while 3x Defenders is tempting i figure its more likely ill just get blown off the board so....

Rexler Brath + ( im really not sure what to give him, confused by options )

Howlrunner + Swarm Tactics

Obsidian Squad x3

A little 5 man mini swarm. 3 Tie's up front, Brath and Howlrunner providing support long enough to get into close quarters.

In regards to Brath. I havent a clue how to arm him. That list above has 4 points free. I could give him..

*Ion Cannon but that takes away from the point of flying him with Howl

*Predator/Outmaneuver but i havent seen it in action enough to see how often they would see use.

*Stealth Device maybe for more defence though in formation one Cluster missile ruins my day

*Swarm Tactics to add a 4th PS8 a turn

*Expose could work but again id have to make sure that lower AG isnt going to cost me.

...or i could just upgrade one of the Obsidians to another named Tie Pilot upto and including Mauler Mithel.

Really not sure on this one. Any help?

I would go Predator and not fly him in formation with Howlrunner, Predator is kinda awesome, because it then lets you focus as your action and you have a reroll and a focus so you *should* get 2+ hits per turn before the defender rolls his defense dice

Predator seems like a good choice. With howl alongside him he'll be getting 2-3 rerolls.

I agree with @Gundog. Give it Predator, but don't bother trying to stay in formation. Stay out of arc with that white K-turn and deal punishing volleys from the sides while their main force is focused on the swarmlet. If you keep Rex in formation, he will be the first to go, guaranteed.

Predator gives you the freedom to use your focii to get those crits you so richly deserve.

However, I am enamored with simply an Adrenaline Rush, for the one time you need a tight turn,

I also love Engine Upgrade on defenders. This lets you mirror the Banked Koiogran of the hypermobile B-Wing, but still without stress.

My first Tie Defender arrived today!

Bought for too much, but hey..

Why wait a month when u can get it now from a greedy ebayer!?

Im thinking Vessery and a cheap st-321 Shuttle and some AP Tie's with Targeting Computers!

I think Rexler will come into his own once the Fleet Officer comes online. For now, I'd use Vessery and perhaps some ships with targeting as spotters.

And put an Engine Upgrade on your Defender.

Guess ill just have to try expermenting with different things.

Also wondered why i wasnt making better use of that Swarm Tactics chain so heres how i stand now...

Rexler Brath + Predator

Howlrunner + Swarm

Black Squadron + Swarm

Academy Pilot x2

So I get either 3x PS8 and 1x PS1 or 2x PS8 and 2x PS4 depending what im against all with the re-rolls and Brath on his own, flanking around to cause some real damage once those shields are stripped.

Engine Upgrade on Defenders is like Push the Limit on Interceptors. Technically, it isn't necessary. However, the amount of mobility it offers is so enormous that once you have gotten used to using it you will feel positively crippled without it.

"I'll take Engine Upgrade for 4 points, Alex."

I kind of want to run two Deltas with HLC and a naked Jendon or Doom shuttle w/ APL. Don't know how it would run, but it would put out some decent damage.

I think 3 Onyx Squadron pilots could be a decent squad. Give one of them an upgrade of your choice. Too bad they don't have an EPT and you could run VI on all of them. **** you FFG!

My first Tie Defender arrived today!

Bought for too much, but hey..

Why wait a month when u can get it now from a greedy ebayer!?

Im thinking Vessery and a cheap st-321 Shuttle and some AP Tie's with Targeting Computers!

Problem is there isn't a cheap ST-321 shuttle. Still have to have Jendon and unless you're just putting it in there for beef and support it's still north of 30pts.

Engine Upgrade on Defenders is like Push the Limit on Interceptors. Technically, it isn't necessary. However, the amount of mobility it offers is so enormous that once you have gotten used to using it you will feel positively crippled without it.

"I'll take Engine Upgrade for 4 points, Alex."

I suggest downgrading one obsidian to an AP and picking up EU and Adrenaline Rush! That there's a nasty Defender!

Is Engine upgrade just to get him into position? How is he getting his Focus tokens for his ability if hes boosting? Im actually considering dropping everything down as low as possible to give him Predator and a HLC..

It means dropping a Tie and just running 3 but i have a more 'complete' swarm chain at that point.

Rexler + HLC, Predator, Engine Upgrade

Howlrunner + Swarm

Black Squad + Swarm

Academy Pilot

99 Points though Brath is starting to get pretty costly...(51 points)

My first Tie Defender arrived today!

Bought for too much, but hey..

Why wait a month when u can get it now from a greedy ebayer!?

Im thinking Vessery and a cheap st-321 Shuttle and some AP Tie's with Targeting Computers!

Problem is there isn't a cheap ST-321 shuttle. Still have to have Jendon and unless you're just putting it in there for beef and support it's still north of 30pts.

You could run OGP + ST-321 and a WPN ENGI for 27 points. Not too expensive. Vessery doesn't need to be passed TLs by Jendon to be effective, and in fact it would be kind of pointless. All he needs is a sweet blue TL on the enemy and he can let loose. He has a built in FCS and can be TL and focus for maximum destruction. The 321 and WE will allow you to keep TLs on anybody Vessery needs to kill.

My tentative list for Vessary:

35 Colonel Vessary

4 Cluster Missiles

22 Royal Guard Pilot

3 Push the Limit

2 Targeting Computer

22 Royal Guard Pilot

3 Push the Limit

2 Targeting Computer

Three PS6 ships, with 7 points to play around with. I haven't decided on how to flesh it out, beyond the obvious inclusion of Hull Upgrade on the RGPs. I'm also not sure if I'd take Munitions Failsafe for Cluster Missiles, or make an initiative bid instead.

For Brath, I'll defer to KO's opinion and offer this list:

37 Rexler Brath

4 Engine Upgrade

3 Predator

18 Howlrunner

2 Swarm Tactics

12 Academy Pilot x3

I'd prefer a little more protection for Howl and some higher PS ships, but three shooting at PS8 is nothing to sneeze at. I might consider swapping out Predator for either a BSP + Draw Their Fire (instead of an AP), or Hull Upgrade on Howl.

Engine Upgrade on Defenders is like Push the Limit on Interceptors. Technically, it isn't necessary. However, the amount of mobility it offers is so enormous that once you have gotten used to using it you will feel positively crippled without it.

"I'll take Engine Upgrade for 4 points, Alex."

That is why I try to avoid it lol, I am trying to avoid smoking that first cigarette.

That being said the white K-turn is just amazing, I played a Vassal game yesterday. 2 generic Naked defenders were left against Han with EH+EU, Ibby with EU and PTL, I kept track and I used 7 K-turns in that match more than perhaps my last 5 games COMBINED.

The best part in my opinion is you don't need to worry about bumping with it as much, yes you lose your action, and are pointed the wrong way, but that is no different than bumping with a straight, and you just K-turn next round or whatever, but any other ship can't so they have to be much more wary when trying to K-turn because Bumping AND getting the stress really hurts

37 Rexler Brath

4 Engine Upgrade

3 Predator

18 Howlrunner

2 Swarm Tactics

12 Academy Pilot x3

I'd prefer a little more protection for Howl and some higher PS ships, but three shooting at PS8 is nothing to sneeze at. I might consider swapping out Predator for either a BSP + Draw Their Fire (instead of an AP), or Hull Upgrade on Howl.

From Wonder. Messed up formatting again.

Just use quote tags and you'll be fine.

Is Engine upgrade just to get him into position? How is he getting his Focus tokens for his ability if hes boosting? Im actually considering dropping everything down as low as possible to give him Predator and a HLC..

Short answer, I don't know. Long answer, a Focus token is nice but if you're not pointing at the bad guy it is pretty nearly useless on any ship, including Rexler. The white 4k is very powerful, but it is true that Defenders have trouble bringing their nose around in close quarters. Combine that white 4k with EU, however, and suddenly you are not only making tight turns, you are getting behind those foolish enough to try to short-turn inside.

Give Rexler Predator, Engine, and HLC, and he is a monster. A very, very expensive monster, but a monster nonetheless. In descending order I would give up HLC, then Predator, then Engine, and I would downgrade Rexler to Vessery, Onyx, or Delta before I gave up the Engine.

Personally I'm a fan of Outmaneuver + Ion Cannon. I know it doesn't have quite the punch of HLC and Predator, but it's a lot cheaper and still very effective. Plus you can put the extra points into better squadmates, so you don't lose all your eggs if Rex bites it.

I feel like the defender just REALLY wants a Engine Upgrade. Its not about getting used to it, but more like you're not getting the potential out of the ship in a way.

I do like the idea of having predator reroll 2 dice and howlrunner _maybe_ roll 1 on the first pass.

A simple 30 pt Defender isn't bad either.

how would this do:

Vessery + adrenaline rush 36pts

OGP+ gunner 26 pts

Bounty hunter +gunner 38pts

100pts total

how would this do:

Vessery + adrenaline rush 36pts

OGP+ gunner 26 pts

Bounty hunter +gunner 38pts

100pts total