you're gonna want that cowbell.. err i mean predator.

Really, predator is killer. Finally played a game with my black squadron armed to the teeth with predators and outmaneuvers. Predator did not dissappoint at all. Constantly fed me extra hits without a howlrunner present or worrying about staying in formation.

Outmaneuvers didn't do as well as I had hoped.. I think backstabber and outmaneuver helped rangle my opponents movement giving me a bit of table control (who really wants to end up right in front of 3 ties that take away your agil or add att dice) though i really only used it twice the whole game. One attack was a whiff and the other got a clean kill on a wounded y wing.

Really wish I had more than 3 predators.. don't want to buy another defender. I also believe predator will work great on 2 EPT green squadrons. Can't wait for rebel aces!

Long story short, i really think there is merit taking a few black squadrons w/ predator in just about any imperial list. You will get alot of use out of em.

http://www.hulu.com/#!watch/536145

EDIT: My list

2 x BS with predator

2 x BS with outmaneuver

1 x BS with wingman

1 x Backstabber

Probably going to swap out wingman for elusiveness next time.. might even drop backstabber for elusiveness to have all 4 PS. It's really convienant being able to move all at the same PS....

Backstabber doesn't have an EPT slot, so he can't take Outmaneuver. But cool write up otherwise. From the few games I've played, I agree that Predator seems to be better than Outmaneuver. And for the most part, the math supports that too...

2FR vs. x AGI:

1 = 1.46

2 = 1.11

3 = .82

4 = .59

5 = .42

6 = .29

2F vs. x-1 AGI:

1 = 1.50

2 = 1.15

3 = .85

4 = .61

5 = .43

6 = .30

And then if you're looking at 3 attack dice:

3FR vs. x AGI:

1 = 2.31

2 = 1.94

3 = 1.59

4 = 1.27

5 = .99

6 = .76

3F vs x - 1 AGI:

1 = 2.25

2 = 1.88

3 = 1.53

4 = 1.22

5 = .95

6 = .72

So... Summary of this is that Predator increases damage output practically the same as Outmaneuver does (assuming the opponent doesn't have a focus for defense). However, Outmaneuver can be stacked with TL+F, so it has a higher ceiling for damage. It also works better against token stacking defenders (recon spec + fel come to mind). But it doesn't trigger all the time. Both work on multiple attacks per turn. So unless you're building against one of the people above, or you plan on stacking TL+F, or are highly confident that outmaneuver will always be active and thus you'll attempt to TL+F, then you're probably better off with Predator. And note, this is not even taking into account predators 2 rerolls against low PS ships.

I've flown Black Squadrons with Predator twice now, win or lose (one of each, actually) they're pretty great!

Backstabber doesn't have an EPT slot, so he can't take Outmaneuver. But cool write up otherwise. From the few games I've played, I agree that Predator seems to be better than Outmaneuver. And for the most part, the math supports that too...

2FR vs. x AGI:

1 = 1.46

2 = 1.11

3 = .82

4 = .59

5 = .42

6 = .29

2F vs. x-1 AGI:

1 = 1.50

2 = 1.15

3 = .85

4 = .61

5 = .43

6 = .30

And then if you're looking at 3 attack dice:

3FR vs. x AGI:

1 = 2.31

2 = 1.94

3 = 1.59

4 = 1.27

5 = .99

6 = .76

3F vs x - 1 AGI:

1 = 2.25

2 = 1.88

3 = 1.53

4 = 1.22

5 = .95

6 = .72

So... Summary of this is that Predator increases damage output practically the same as Outmaneuver does (assuming the opponent doesn't have a focus for defense). However, Outmaneuver can be stacked with TL+F, so it has a higher ceiling for damage. It also works better against token stacking defenders (recon spec + fel come to mind). But it doesn't trigger all the time. Both work on multiple attacks per turn. So unless you're building against one of the people above, or you plan on stacking TL+F, or are highly confident that outmaneuver will always be active and thus you'll attempt to TL+F, then you're probably better off with Predator. And note, this is not even taking into account predators 2 rerolls against low PS ships.

backstabber was naked. I was running him with two BS w/ outmaneuver. He is actually a point cheaper and slightly has a better ability (i'd rather one more attack die than shooting at one less agility).

Thanks for the math, I've never been good with mathammering stuff out. Yep / I concur with both of you.

From the few games I've played, I agree that Predator seems to be better than Outmaneuver. And for the most part, the math supports that too.

Yup, no argument here. Predator will soon be among the most used EPT in the game.

You've inspired me to fly TIE Fighters for the first time with a similar list!

Predator = Howlrunner in a bottle.

I'm really liking Predator on Squints, especially on Turd Fergusen.

I am loving all of these posts. I have run the black squadron pilot with predator to great effect. Being able to take a barrel then having a reliable attack is really tasty!

I am loving all of these posts. I have run the black squadron pilot with predator to great effect. Being able to take a barrel then having a reliable attack is really tasty!

Exactly. The beauty of all the new 'passive' EPT's is that you don't have to sacrifice your boost/barrel roll to be effective in the combat phase.

I am loving all of these posts. I have run the black squadron pilot with predator to great effect. Being able to take a barrel then having a reliable attack is really tasty!

Exactly. The beauty of all the new 'passive' EPT's is that you don't have to sacrifice your boost/barrel roll to be effective in the combat phase.

Especially passive ept with no draw back and the only requisite is being able to shoot at something!