Rexler Brath, HLC, Outmaneuver. 47 points for a beast that can (theoretically) put down 4 Crits at Range 3 with -1 (-2 for all practical purposes) to agility.

The question then, what do you support him with?

4 Academy Pilot

Engine Upgrade on Rexler

The first natural Imperial response, throw some TIE's into it. This frees up 4 points for Engine, which is great on the Defender, and 1 point for initiative. Simple, effective.

3 AP

Backstabber

Gives slightly more of an edge if the opponent goes for Rexler first, which is the correct response against this squadron. Problem is if he goes for the Swarm, Backstabber is useless and you'd rather have Engine upgrade on B-dawg.

Sigma FCS+Stygium

2 AP

Basically a better version of the above list; Forces the opponent to choose between dealing with Rexler and dealing with a Phantom+FCS. Most players will choose to take on the relatively squishier Phantom. Is a Phantom worth 2 APs? possibly, probably not...

Carnor Jax+PTL

2 AP

Personally I think Carnor is underrated and extremely fun to fly; He's the only ship that truly rewards pinpoint positioning and really punishes a turned flank. The only thing that lets him down is those fickle green dice and his piddling 3 HP, which leaves him just outside the competitive spectrum. Is Carnor Jax worth 2 Academy Pilots in the current meta? Sadly not.

Jendon+ST-321

2 AP

Considering Rexler needs some way to modify attack dice or he'll never ever use his ability, Jendon seems the most natural fit. After getting a lock in turn one Brath speeds off to turn the flank while Jendon takes his time acquiring target locks for an opening engagement with every ship firing with TL+Focus. The weakness is that you let the opponent dictate the tempo of the game, as you have to play slow in the opening stages to gain full use of Jendon's ability and title. Also, once Rexler and the TIEs are dead, Jendon is a sitting duck.

OGP + Ion + Tactician + FCS

2 AP

Probably the most competitive option; Shuttle presents a tactical dilemma; Turn into Rexler and take ion and stress from the shuttle, or turn into the Shuttle and take damage from Rexler while the Shuttle ion and stresses you. Both are bad choices.

Vessery+Outmaneuver+HLC+Engine

Engine on Brath

The comedy option, flying two Defenders is pretty hilarious if you alternate running away and chasing.

BH, Rebel Captive/Recon Spec

Backstabber

Somewhat lacking in overall damage, probably an annoying list if flown correctly but sadly middle-tier.

Echo + VI+RebCap+Adv Cloak+FCS

AP

Fun to fly but probably a little too squishy, and doesn't sync well as a squishy anvil to Rexler's hammer.

Jonus+Flechette+Munitions Failure+Deadeye

Scimitar+Assault+Cluster+Seismic

Could be interesting, if a little reliant on the alpha strike. Relies heavily on Brath to carry the late game.

Any other ideas?

Jonus is a great pairing with HLC Rexler, especially Predator HLC Rexler: it's effectively a full TL as you're likely to roll at least one hit. In an Epic game my heavy attack brigade was Rexler, Jonus and Krassis.

Rexler Brath, HLC, Outmaneuver. 47 points for a beast that can (theoretically) put down 4 Crits at Range 3 with -1 (-2 for all practical purposes) to agility.

The question then, what do you support him with?

Why Outmaneuver? Predator seems like a more natural choice, since it allows you the no-action dice modification you really want.

Rexler Brath, HLC, Outmaneuver. 47 points for a beast that can (theoretically) put down 4 Crits at Range 3 with -1 (-2 for all practical purposes) to agility.

The question then, what do you support him with?

Why Outmaneuver? Predator seems like a more natural choice, since it allows you the no-action dice modification you really want.

I do exactly this.

Any thoughts on a Brath+Predator, Doom Shuttle, Scimitar+seismic x2 build? I'm dying to try it, but have been unable to yet.

I like that build Sp00n.

I flew Brath last night for the first time and, man, he is sooo much fun! It was an unmodified list (Brath & Echo & Whisper) against Jonus and 3 Scimitars and Brath pretty much single-handedly took out my opponent's army. I used Brath's ability every single time, and even if it was for just one hit, the ability to flip a damage card face up is huge!

Watching all those poor Bombers fly around with, in some cases, multiple critical damages was awesome. Even my opponent thought it was pretty cool. Which led me to ponder the following list for the Regionals tournament coming up in 2 weeks.

At it's core:

Rexler Brath

Scimitar Squadron Pilot + Seismic Charges (there really isn't a better ordinance outh there for the cost, hands down) x 3

It's 91 points which leaves room for Flechette Torpedos and some type of upgrade for Brath. Anyway, I certainly don't mean to derail this thread, I just wanted to mention that Brath is awesome and whatever build you put him in should be fine.

I like your first option and sub in Predator for Outmaneuver.

4 Academy Pilot

Engine Upgrade on Rexler

Statistically, Outmaneuver does more damage than Predator since Brath already can TL (and should in the first engagement at Range 3 if you get the flank). Re-rolling damage dice is less important than -1 Agi, especially against Falcons and B-Wings and Phantoms.

solid idea guys

can't wait to try this out

Statistically, Outmaneuver does more damage than Predator since Brath already can TL (and should in the first engagement at Range 3 if you get the flank). Re-rolling damage dice is less important than -1 Agi, especially against Falcons and B-Wings and Phantoms.

I would have thought you want Predator to free up Rexlar's action to Focus so he can actually use his ability.

Statistically, Outmaneuver does more damage than Predator since Brath already can TL (and should in the first engagement at Range 3 if you get the flank). Re-rolling damage dice is less important than -1 Agi, especially against Falcons and B-Wings and Phantoms.

I would have thought you want Predator to free up Rexlar's action to Focus so he can actually use his ability.

i'm sure he means to use the target lock the next turn

however just because he has his ability doesn't mean you should just force yourself to have less hits just to use it

if it's the difference between getting in 1-2 hits vs getting in 3-4 hits because i rolled a couple of eyes on my red dice.. i'm not going to save it for a couple crits.. i'd rather put more damage through

Statistically, Outmaneuver does more damage than Predator since Brath already can TL (and should in the first engagement at Range 3 if you get the flank). Re-rolling damage dice is less important than -1 Agi, especially against Falcons and B-Wings and Phantoms.

Statistically Outmaneuver always does (a bit) more damage than Predator, but that's not really relevant. As McBain says upthread, the idea is to free up Brath's action so he can focus each round and trigger his ability more often.

Statistically, Outmaneuver does more damage than Predator since Brath already can TL (and should in the first engagement at Range 3 if you get the flank). Re-rolling damage dice is less important than -1 Agi, especially against Falcons and B-Wings and Phantoms.

Statistically Outmaneuver always does (a bit) more damage than Predator, but that's not really relevant. As McBain says upthread, the idea is to free up Brath's action so he can focus each round and trigger his ability more often.

I'm no maths guy - But I would prefer the Pred and Focus so you have the defensive option if you roll well and are just taking shields before you can eat into their Hull. Plus we have all seen what 3-4 unmodified green dice can do...

Statistically, Outmaneuver does more damage than Predator since Brath already can TL (and should in the first engagement at Range 3 if you get the flank). Re-rolling damage dice is less important than -1 Agi, especially against Falcons and B-Wings and Phantoms.

Statistically Outmaneuver always does (a bit) more damage than Predator, but that's not really relevant. As McBain says upthread, the idea is to free up Brath's action so he can focus each round and trigger his ability more often.

Right now my Rexler build of choice is Rexler with Pred, Vessery with VI, and a OGP with either ST-321 or a Weapon Engineer. This bumps Vessery to an 8 and lets him strip shields for Rexler while at least making Phantoms have to think a bit more.

Triggering Brath's ability in general is difficult, even when you have a TL+Focus, you want to use the Focus for defence.

Also the shielding on most ships precludes the use unless you're fighting TIEs and such. I prefer to take TL at range 3 and hold for the killing blow, but obviously your tactics shift depending on the ship you're fighting.

Pairing with Vessery is counterproductive to me, you'll either forgo the use of Rexler's or Vessery's ability.

A two Defender build I would make with

Rexler

Decoy

HLC

Engine Upgrade

As soon as they exist Proton Rockets, otherwise leave missile slot empty

Onyx Squadron Pilot

HLC

Engine Upgrade

Ion Pulse Missiles

Looks like a fun list to fly, but does need a certain ability in maneuvering bevause you only have two ships. With the Decoy you can delay Rexler if need be to maximize his potential while still staying in front of most swarms.

But I do feel Rexler will really start to shine when Wave 5 swings around as then you can really start to build to his ability with Proton Rockets and the Fleet Officer.

Maybe do something with Kir Kanos as well, such as:

Rexler

Decoy

Proton Rockets

Engine Upgrade

Kir Kanos

Stealth Device

OGP

Fleet Officer

Advanced Sensors

I'm considering this for my half of a 200point game next week.

Rexler

HLC, Outmaneuver

Jonus

Seismic Charge

OGP

Ion Cannon, Tactician

3 points left for either a stealth device on Rexler, a rebel captive on the shuttle or squad leader + VI on Jonus

How about Flechette+Munitions Failsafe? Turns Jonus into a stressbot which is great paired with Rexler's white K-Turn.

In a 100 point game I don't think Jonus puts out sufficient damage to be useful, though.

Jonus is great as a wingman for anyone carrying an HLC or Ion cannon, and the bomb is great. I've tried him alongside Trelix, and he's probably a bit much to buddy a single pilot but it does make a devastaiting combo. I'm guessing having two secondaries to benefit will be pretty tasty.

I do like the idea of adding flechettes + MF though. That paired with the tactician/ion in the shuttle would give some great board control.

Rexler / PTL (yes, crazy, i know)

Vessery / Veteran Instinc

Yorr Shuttle

Essentially a 2 ship build since empty shuttle doesnt count. Keep Rexler near the shuttle and you will unlock the TIE Defender's full potential. Vessery is also PS8 so you can use him to take advantage of Rexler's TL and also knock out the shields on Rexler's target before Rexler fires

So far my favorite build with Rexler is something I call Stress Balls, a play on a BSP + Wingman removing the stress of another ship like a stress ball might if a human were squeezing it (and TIE Fighters being nicknamed eyeballs).

Rexler + PTL + HLC (47)

Black Sq. Pilot + Wingman (16)

Mauler + Opportunist (21)

Black Sq. Pilot + Wingman (16)

Flies in groups of two, with my two heavies each accompanied by a Stress Ball to relieve the stress. Mauler doesn't benefit as well due to timing, but it lets him move more freely the following round after he uses Opportunist (which he only uses at range 1 megashot time anyway). Rexler taking TL + Focus or barrel rolling as needed every round and getting those HLC shots is brutal. And it comes in from opposite sides of the board, attempting to make my opponent choose one group or the other to focus on while I make him pay with the other.

2W 0L so far with it (it is still far from tourney ready, but is sure fun to fly)

Statistically, Outmaneuver does more damage than Predator since Brath already can TL (and should in the first engagement at Range 3 if you get the flank). Re-rolling damage dice is less important than -1 Agi, especially against Falcons and B-Wings and Phantoms.

Statistically Outmaneuver always does (a bit) more damage than Predator, but that's not really relevant. As McBain says upthread, the idea is to free up Brath's action so he can focus each round and trigger his ability more often.

Valid points about Predator vs. Outmaneuver generally. One situation I think might be interesting to consider is that if we continue to see more falcons because of Phantomphobia, I would prefer outmaneuver when facing a falcon (doubly so paired with Brath when facing C3PO on Chewie) because it's is far easier to get the benefit from it.

I Think Alex hit one of the biggest things here against a Falcon with 3PO Outmaneuver shuts that down completely, HLC blocks the r3 bonus, OM blocks the 1 agility Die, Personally I prefer Predator in most circumstances but if you are expecting ChewPO to show up (I would bet at least 1-2 at every tourney) Outmaneuver will be nice, I'm half temped to give Mauler OM and let him just hunt Falcons

Statistically, Outmaneuver does more damage than Predator since Brath already can TL (and should in the first engagement at Range 3 if you get the flank). Re-rolling damage dice is less important than -1 Agi, especially against Falcons and B-Wings and Phantoms.

Statistically Outmaneuver always does (a bit) more damage than Predator, but that's not really relevant. As McBain says upthread, the idea is to free up Brath's action so he can focus each round and trigger his ability more often.

Valid points about Predator vs. Outmaneuver generally. One situation I think might be interesting to consider is that if we continue to see more falcons because of Phantomphobia, I would prefer outmaneuver when facing a falcon (doubly so paired with Brath when facing C3PO on Chewie) because it's is far easier to get the benefit from it.

I Think Alex hit one of the biggest things here against a Falcon with 3PO Outmaneuver shuts that down completely, HLC blocks the r3 bonus, OM blocks the 1 agility Die, Personally I prefer Predator in most circumstances but if you are expecting ChewPO to show up (I would bet at least 1-2 at every tourney) Outmaneuver will be nice, I'm half temped to give Mauler OM and let him just hunt Falcons

Mithel with OM is a favorite of mine!