We've seen some great articles in the "Turn 0" series of articles by Paul Heaver, and numerous other posts and articles elsewhere. Setup is definitely a key factor in claiming victory over the opponent. However, as I read battle reports here and there, and as I play games in my area, it seems that the majority of squads deploy in a tight group in one corner. I understand some of the advantages: it prevents you from being flanked on one side, opponents flying towards you from the side will be denied the Koiogran Turn, you can all focus fire on the same target, etc.

Here's my current go-to squad:
Soontir Fel (Push the Limit, Hull Upgrade, Royal Guard TIE, Targeting Computer) [35]
Royal Guard Pilot (Push the Limit) [25]
Saber Squadron Pilot (Push the Limit) [24]
"Backstabber" [16]

TOTAL [100]

I never start this squad in a corner. Instead, I deploy my ships spread out across my edge. I usually don't have a ship in both corners, because thy would be too far apart to reach the target at the same time, but there is some good distance between ships.

A typical set up may look like this

O O

O

B S R F

_______________________

If the opposing squad is directly across from "Backstabber," he'll turn 1 towards the middle of the field to slowplay. The interceptors will meet the attackers at an angle, and if they bank to meet us head on then "Backstabber" gets a side shot. If they don't, he'll jet out of there and the TIE interceptors will be able to shoot them without return fire. I also make sure as many asteroids as possible are deployed close to my edge so we can zoom past them and into the open.

I've had pretty good success. This set up is greatly beneficial for TIE interceptors because it gives them the necessary wiggle room to perform their fantastic dogfighting maneuvers, boosts and barrel rolls.

Do any of you deploy across your edge, rather than in a tight cluster in the corner?

Hi I have different deployments, never deployed in corner or edge, more in the center:

A B c D -----you all know this manuver

A BC D ------Flanking deployment either A or D will flank or BC

AB CD ------------This deployment will force enemy to break apart their formations or both sides con move to the center

A

C

B

D ...............Comething like that but much closer, this gives me a ot of maneuverability wothout the ships interfering with one another

At the end, it all depends on the ships and the role I want them to have.

Since I fly formations, I just set up whereever will allow me to get to the space where the asteroids are not going to be a factor. If that's the middle, that's the middle.

If I am playing something that likes 'The Merge' (jousting) then I like to fly as close to the edge as possible as when they come to get me it's a lot more difficult for them to get good maneuvers after the first merge.

If I'm playing interceptors they spread out.

I mainly fly in an offset box

X X

X X

low skill in front, higher in back, can handle any same bank or turn, can pivot by making the right hand guys do 1 faster bank or turn than the inside. flies tightly sideways between rocks

Typically I play a Named TIE Swarm or a 4 Rebel List. With TIE Swarm, I deploy in a block formation near one edge, lower PS in the front and toward the center. With Rebels, I deploy in Pinwheel with the furthest back ship making a 2 turn to join the rest, as his base would be partially off the table otherwise. Also, generally play at least PS4+, so that I get firing priority and I can deploy opposite of them.

Depending on my opponent, I either place asteroids to 1: Stay out of my way by placing sparsely near my own edge or 2: Cause problems for the opponent by placing them densely and turning into the asteroid field on Turn 2 or 3, forcing them to engage me in the rocks.

That's what I'm talking about. Most people deploy in boxes. I've listed a few of the reasons that I've heard about why deploying in a box is good. Why do you do it? What advantage does it give to your squad? Do you feel that flying in a box can be a disadvantage?

With my spread out deployment I've been able to consistently avoid the arcs of all opposing ships with a Barrel Roll + Boost combo, or sometimes even with a single Barrel Roll. In a few games I've played, the box/pinwheel/windows formations have destroyed my team, but most of the time it seems like a liability, and I wonder why people keep doing it when they are so easily outmaneuvered.

Or have you guys had plenty of success against TIE interceptor builds?