Played a 150 point game last night. I used the defender and my opponent used the e-wing. The game went horribly bad and after two round I was down to only Col. Vessery w/ outmaneuver and Krassis/ HLC both with full health against an untouched Wedge, A'baht, and a nearly dead Chewie and Ten Numb. This is when the defender showed what he was made of! The White K-Turn is very VERY deadly. There is just no way for multiple ships to keep him in arcs. I was able to finish off chewie and Numb without taking a scratch because of the never say die evade dice that Vessery was rolling and Krassis just being Krassis with that HLC. I finally lost Vessery to wedge but not until he had taken out A'baht. Wedge with R2-D2 were able to take out Krassis for the win but it was a very close game. The defender was the hero, at three dice and 6 hits he can survive a ton of punishment. For 100 point games I could see a Firespray/Defender/Shuttle list doing quite well.

Col Vessery w/ Outmaneuver (38)

Soontir Fel w/ PTL/ TC (32)

Turr Phennir w/ PTL (28)

I think that I would skip Outmaneuver and give Vessery Veteran Instincts and Turr TC instead.

Cause if Soontir target locks, the chance is that he will use that target lock before Vessery has the chance of take advantage of it!

I lost a Col. Vessery in the first round of shooting in a game last week. So he feels pretty squishy to me.

First, Kath fired an HLC and got three hits. I rolled all blanks, so all of Vessery's shields went away.

Next, a Scimitar Squadron Pilot fired a Cluster Missile. The first attack got two hits, and I rolled one evade, so Vessery took one hull damage.

The second Cluster attack rolled three hits. I rolled one evade, and Vessery died.

It was awesome.

Awesome....LY bad..

I'v been on the business end of blanks... a lot.

I lost a Col. Vessery in the first round of shooting in a game last week. So he feels pretty squishy to me.

First, Kath fired an HLC and got three hits. I rolled all blanks, so all of Vessery's shields went away.

Next, a Scimitar Squadron Pilot fired a Cluster Missile. The first attack got two hits, and I rolled one evade, so Vessery took one hull damage.

The second Cluster attack rolled three hits. I rolled one evade, and Vessery died.

Median and mode of the damage for that set of attacks is 3, and that's assuming you don't have focus for Vessery. To put it another way, the odds of losing Vessery to an HLC shot and a Cluster Missile are about 11:1 against.

I lost a Col. Vessery in the first round of shooting in a game last week. So he feels pretty squishy to me.

First, Kath fired an HLC and got three hits. I rolled all blanks, so all of Vessery's shields went away.

Next, a Scimitar Squadron Pilot fired a Cluster Missile. The first attack got two hits, and I rolled one evade, so Vessery took one hull damage.

The second Cluster attack rolled three hits. I rolled one evade, and Vessery died.

Median and mode of the damage for that set of attacks is 3, and that's assuming you don't have focus for Vessery. To put it another way, the odds of losing Vessery to an HLC shot and a Cluster Missile are about 11:1 against.

And that's why you should not judge a unit or a build based on one game alone. Also, when only playing a casual game, you should not rely too much on probabilities. They will bite you.

I ran (personal) test runs Vessery unmodified and Brath (mounted with HLC) vs other Rebel squads with similar scores and the TIE Defenders mopped the floor with them.

Oddly the hardest contest was the Z-95 swarm(5) vs 2 TIE defenders. Some of the rounds just had some bad rolls where 2 hits got through. But with the TIE defender split up just running windsprints on the area they pretty much had a shot at something every turn (yay white K turns).

I also ran vs a loaded MF and an Z-95 support, then a 2nd game with an X-wing support. The TIE defenders mopped the floor with them. Vessery was like a snapping turtle keeping perpetual lock on the MF even without the HLC. Even giving the MF beneficial maneuvers to see what it would take to shake a TIE D.

By far the most flying fun I have had, and I have yet to test pilot the Phantom. Also I can see TIE Defenders where a cluster missile at them is a must right off the bat. Or Criss-crossing ordinance from a bomber.

TIE D may be pricey, but some of the most fun flying I have ever played.

I don't think the defender is squishy at all. Even if your opponent lands three hits you still have full hull left. That's much better then most ties. And then you can still k-turn with an action against your opponent that will likely be stressed.

I ran (personal) test runs Vessery unmodified and Brath (mounted with HLC) vs other Rebel squads with similar scores and the TIE Defenders mopped the floor with them.

Oddly the hardest contest was the Z-95 swarm(5) vs 2 TIE defenders. Some of the rounds just had some bad rolls where 2 hits got through. But with the TIE defender split up just running windsprints on the area they pretty much had a shot at something every turn (yay white K turns).

I also ran vs a loaded MF and an Z-95 support, then a 2nd game with an X-wing support. The TIE defenders mopped the floor with them. Vessery was like a snapping turtle keeping perpetual lock on the MF even without the HLC. Even giving the MF beneficial maneuvers to see what it would take to shake a TIE D.

By far the most flying fun I have had, and I have yet to test pilot the Phantom. Also I can see TIE Defenders where a cluster missile at them is a must right off the bat. Or Criss-crossing ordinance from a bomber.

TIE D may be pricey, but some of the most fun flying I have ever played.

What we're you using for ships and upgrades?

I haven't flown the defender since Imdaar, but wasnt very fond of it.

I did pick one up and been having a hard time trying to build a squad with it.

Going to give this a try

Brath

Predator

Hlc

Howlrunner

Swarm tactics

Alpha Squadron

Black squadern

99 pts.

Plan is get initiative.

Keep them in formation

With Howlrunner use swarm tactics. Alpha shoots first, then Howl, then Brath.

Hoping at this point any shields are gone if any.

With predator and Howlrunner, can re roll 2-3 dice. Keep the focus for Brath ability

Kind of want to really try this. See if it's as easy as it sounds. I doubt it lol

I ran (personal) test runs Vessery unmodified and Brath (mounted with HLC) vs other Rebel squads with similar scores and the TIE Defenders mopped the floor with them.

Oddly the hardest contest was the Z-95 swarm(5) vs 2 TIE defenders. Some of the rounds just had some bad rolls where 2 hits got through. But with the TIE defender split up just running windsprints on the area they pretty much had a shot at something every turn (yay white K turns).

I also ran vs a loaded MF and an Z-95 support, then a 2nd game with an X-wing support. The TIE defenders mopped the floor with them. Vessery was like a snapping turtle keeping perpetual lock on the MF even without the HLC. Even giving the MF beneficial maneuvers to see what it would take to shake a TIE D.

By far the most flying fun I have had, and I have yet to test pilot the Phantom. Also I can see TIE Defenders where a cluster missile at them is a must right off the bat. Or Criss-crossing ordinance from a bomber.

TIE D may be pricey, but some of the most fun flying I have ever played.

What we're you using for ships and upgrades?

I haven't flown the defender since Imdaar, but wasnt very fond of it.

I did pick one up and been having a hard time trying to build a squad with it.

Going to give this a try

Brath

Predator

Hlc

Howlrunner

Swarm tactics

Alpha Squadron

Black squadern

99 pts.

Plan is get initiative.

Keep them in formation

With Howlrunner use swarm tactics. Alpha shoots first, then Howl, then Brath.

Hoping at this point any shields are gone if any.

With predator and Howlrunner, can re roll 2-3 dice. Keep the focus for Brath ability

Kind of want to really try this. See if it's as easy as it sounds. I doubt it lol

I'm not sure a HLC is such a good upgrade if you plan on getting Howlrunner Reroll. Remember that her ability only affect Primary attack. Maybe remove it, and drop the Alpha and Black squadron to a Obsidian Fighter and add another.

Brath + Predator

Howlrunner + Swarm Tactics

Obsidian Squadron Pilot x3

99pts

Ahh, ya, forgot that

Doh

The one upgrade I have found to be a huge win on the Defender is Engine Upgrade. It really makes up for those red turns.

HLC and Outmaneuver on Vessery

HLC and Predator on Brath

are the other variations I like, but always Eng. Upgrade...

How do you find your damage output is without focus on attack? I usually only use engine on a PTL ships and it's absolutely mandatory on a shuttle.

I am usually using an HLC and Outmaneuver as well, which helps keep damage high. Vessery's ability also helps hugely here.

Another way to look at it is it may provide a shot where none existed before.

banks + boost = 90 degree turn and no stress. Reds = 90 degree turn plus stress, which hurts you next turn.

EU also works nicely after a white K to change the angle of attack and move options next turn.

I have trouble seeing the love for the HLC on the Defender.

For me it screams out for an Ion Cannon. It's the ultimate jousting weapon because you can hit your intended target with it on the way in, and then K-turn behind it while it's crippled and finish it with a 4 dice TL primary at close range. And it gets even better with Outmaneuver (though I think the Delta is fine as is).

What am I missing?

The HLC gives you 4 shots at all ranges, (HLC at R2-3 and primary at R1) even if your K-Turn takes you out of R1.

The HLC with Outmaneuver is devastating 4 dice at all ranges with -1 Agi.

I'll take a potential 8 damage at any range over 2 turns rather than a potential 1 damage at R1 - R3 and 4 damage at R1 over 2 turns.

Obviously the HLC gives you the extra dice, but it's very expensive, and doesn't benefit the rest of the squad.

The Ion Cannon not only sets you up nicely for a K-turn coup de grace, but also screws with the enemy formation and allows the rest of your squad to pick their spots as well.

I'll give the HLC a go next time out, but I was extremely impressed with the Delta + IC.

Extremely.

Delta+ ic+ outmaneuver = ghastly.