I was wondering how people have or planned to use the Tie Defender. I am anticipating getting mine in the mail this week. Last night, I decided to give Rexler Brath a go on Vassal. My build:

Rexler Brath (37)

HLC (7)

Predator (3)

Stealth Device (3)

Omicron Group Pilot (21)

FCS (2)

Gunner (5)

Tactician (2)

Engine Upgrade (4)

Backstabber (16)

In the future, I'd give Rexler a hull upgrade instead of a stealth device. He had two hull left after two shots (and a defensive focus)! Not being able to take an evade means you can lose this point heavy ship rather quickly. All it takes is a few bad rolls. The 4K turn was useful, but I don't really know if it justifies the cost.

In regards to Rexler himself, I didn't use his ability that game. It certainly has potential, but the circumstances have to work out just right. You may need to use that focus to hit with your attack or hold it for defense. And if you're just picking off shields, the ability is useless. I think this ability will be most useful against large ships with a lot of hull and low agility. Personally, I'd rather have an ability that's always useful against any list, especially given the cost of the ship.

I wanted to know what people have thought of it so far for those who got one early or tried it on Vassal. I really want to like this ship but I feel like I'm missing something here. When I look at the E-Wing in particular, the Defender looks overcosted. I'd gladly trade the white 4K turn and canon slot for one less hull, a systems upgrade slot, an astromech slot, an evade action, and save three extra points!

Don't get me wrong: I'm not here to declare that the ship is useless or isn't worth it. I just want to share my opinion and experience so far and see what other's have experienced as well. There seems to be a lack of recent Defender discussions around here (Phantom be damned!).

Unless we get an ability to pass Focus tokens Rexler is delegated to the shelf (so to speak).

Vessery on the other hand, now he's spiffy.

I'd be curious to hear peoples' opinions as to what ships, pilots, abilities, etc. synergize well with the TIE Defender. I think that, more than anything, is my reservation about fielding it. It's obviously a good ship, but very expensive, and I'm not seeing a lot of obvious pairings like I am with, say, the E-wing or Phantom.

I have won a lot of games with Rex but never used his ability.

What do you think about Vessery+HLC and Back stabber+TC? Nice synergy with both PS 6. Back stabber moves first and fires after Vessery. Then you have points for Ties or Doom Shuttle I believe.

Engine Upgrade. Engine Upgrade, and have you tried an Engine Upgrade?

To quote the game that spawned the Defender: it seems [callsign] doesn't play well with others.

Make him the hammer to swing against an anvil.

Don't strictly go for the named ones, but Vessery is easier to implement at the moment. Rexler flying with a Decimator with a Fleet Officer on board will be around soon enogh.

I like this combo:

Captain Jonus + Swarm Tactics + Seismic Charges (26)

Delta Squadron Pilot + Heavy Laser Cannon (37)

Delta Squadron Pilot + Heavy Laser Cannon (37)

Those HLC's can now crit with the rerolls, and you'll never need to target lock.

I like Rexlar for his high PS and I too haven't really been able to use his ability but I don't care about that his shooting at PS 8 killing other ships before they fire has saved me plenty of times

I think about running this:

BH + Rebel Captive + Engine

x2 Delta Squadron Pilots.

Will swap out RC for Mara Jade for Wave 5. I think the stress factor will give the Delta's an advantage with the white K-turn

I like this combo:

Captain Jonus + Swarm Tactics + Seismic Charges (26)

Delta Squadron Pilot + Heavy Laser Cannon (37)

Delta Squadron Pilot + Heavy Laser Cannon (37)

Those HLC's can now crit with the rerolls, and you'll never need to target lock.

I thought about this squad too.

Unless we get an ability to pass Focus tokens Rexler is delegated to the shelf (so to speak).

Vessery on the other hand, now he's spiffy.

I've actually been considering a Vessery + 2x Sigma build. Something like:

Vessery + Adrenaline Rush

2x Sigma + FCS + Weapons Engineer + Stygium Particle Accelerator

If nothing else, it should help me practice with the new ships.

Although I could pair Vessery with a pair of buzzsaw shuttles and call it solved.

I haven't planned anything yet, but I can say that, as a Rebel player mainly, I'm more apprehensive of the Defender than the Phantom. Sure, the Phantom is unpredictable, has a 4-die attack and is well protected when cloaked, but the Defender just seems more robust/reliable. When I first saw its stats, 3s all around, I thought it would change the game drastically. Now that we know more, its high cost might be its biggest hindrance.

I like Rexlar for his high PS and I too haven't really been able to use his ability but I don't care about that his shooting at PS 8 killing other ships before they fire has saved me plenty of times

Typically the difference between PS6 and PS 8 is pretty minimal. The better ability and cheap cost are huge.

For Epic games I rather like the idea of Rexler and two Onyx squadron being 100(ish) points...

Saw a rather well used Rexler, Echo 2x academy fleet used to great effect

Yeah, this is the ship I've been waiting for since I started playing X-wing a little over a year ago and now that's it's nearly here I'm having trouble figuring out what to do with it. Neither of the named pilot's abilities really do much for me; one requires that the rest of your ships be capable of applying target locks, to the detriment of their own defense, and the other requires you to have an unspent focus after shooting. Which leaves you with the lower PS pilots, which are still a lot to ask to pay for.

Now, I have no trouble spending on expensive ships, but usually I'm getting high PS and some unique ability out of it. With the Defender I'm spending 30 or 32 points for PS1 or 3, with no EPT. Granted, 3s across the board is pretty awesome, and the 4 k-turn is a big deal. Not just being able to act/push the limit after a K-turn, but even being able to K-turn while stressed, are both huge. But it feels like that's all I'm buying with the Defender, and it feels hard to justify. Which is weird, because I can look at say Corran Horn, who is 35 points base, and is also in a statistically pretty solid ship, but also has pilot text which is unique and immediately lends itself well to comboing with existing upgrades.

Given the lack of banking green maneuvers, and the white k, the most obvious combo that jumps out to me would be Ion cannons and outmaneuver. Which is 41 on Vessery. And then it's a question of what else do you bring along...

Ok, I'm going to try to make this work, if for nothing else than to see the looks on people's faces:

Vessery + Outmaneuver + Engine Upgrade

2x Storm Squadron + Stealth Device + Proton Rockets

Ok, I'm going to try to make this work, if for nothing else than to see the looks on people's faces:

Vessery + Outmaneuver + Engine Upgrade

2x Storm Squadron + Stealth Device + Proton Rockets

I had to look up what a "Storm Squadron" was. Oh, the TIE Advanced...

Ok, I'm going to try to make this work, if for nothing else than to see the looks on people's faces:

Vessery + Outmaneuver + Engine Upgrade

2x Storm Squadron + Stealth Device + Proton Rockets

The Stealth Devices won't do very much, the Proton Rockets gain only 3 from agility, even if your agility is over 9000.

You might change them for hull upgrades and bulk them up.

I like Rexlar for his high PS and I too haven't really been able to use his ability but I don't care about that his shooting at PS 8 killing other ships before they fire has saved me plenty of times

Typically the difference between PS6 and PS 8 is pretty minimal. The better ability and cheap cost are huge.

It allows you to potentially finish off Backstabber, Turr, Garven, Dutch, Ibtisam, Farlander, Jake or Jonus off the board before they get to return fire for that round. Likewise, only PS9 pilots can kill you before you get your shot off in a round.

Ok, I'm going to try to make this work, if for nothing else than to see the looks on people's faces:

Vessery + Outmaneuver + Engine Upgrade

2x Storm Squadron + Stealth Device + Proton Rockets

The Stealth Devices won't do very much, the Proton Rockets gain only 3 from agility, even if your agility is over 9000.

You might change them for hull upgrades and bulk them up.

Stealth devices were strictly for survivability. Hull upgrade would be fine as well

I think something with a swarm will be my plan.

Delta + HLC + Hull

5 x AP

Or...to reduce some of the Swarm hate in Wave 4

Delta + HLC

Obsidian x 3

OGP + Vader

Or try to sneak in an Interceptor

Delta + HLC

3 x AP

Tetran Cowall + PTL

I'm not sure of Tetran, since PS 7 is just below the PS 8 needed to fight Echo.

I almost prefer running the PS 1 Delta, as ill know if I need to spend the focus for defense, which is VERY important to keep this ship alive for long periods. I also find that the Ties causing a ruckus and movement denying lets that white 4 K Turn cause some serious pain.

Maybe the Naked Delta will be worth it in a Howlrunner based swarm.

Howl + ???

4 x AP

Delta + ???

You get 4 pts for flavor. I cant imagine it will feel good saving that Delta for last, nor trying to take it out first.

Delta Squadron Pilot (30)
Ion Cannon (3)

Soontir Fel (27)
Push the Limit (3)

"Whisper" (32)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Advanced Cloaking Device (4)

Total: 100

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Rexler Brath (37)
Predator (3)
Heavy Laser Cannon (7)
Engine Upgrade (4)

Colonel Vessery (35)
Predator (3)
Heavy Laser Cannon (7)
Engine Upgrade (4)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Yeah, I'm thinking we'll be seeing two ship lists emerge. Especially when the Decimator comes online.

A Defender and a Phantom should work as well.

I'm not yet convinced that the two defender list is viable (especially since the pilot abilities don't really complement each other at all... grr)

But I want to try it

Try this:

Colonel Vessery (35)

Opportunist (4)

Heavy Laser Cannon (7)

Assault Missiles (5)

Engine Upgrade (4)

"Echo" (30)

Veteran Instincts (1)

Fire-Control System (2)

Weapons Engineer (3)

Advanced Cloaking Device (4)

Total: 95

View in Yet Another Squad Builder