Alright, so I've loved flying the generic Defenders so far, and tomorrow's going to be my first chance to start playing with the named pilots. While kitting them up, I started realizing something: I'm thinking Predator on Defenders isn't quite the godsend I initially thought it was. My logic applies more to Vessery than Rexlar, but neither particularly overwhelm me.

Vessery's the sort of ship you really want to build a squad around to get as much target-locking goodness as possible. Since dice can't be rerolled more than once, putting Predator on something that has (optimally) endless target locks doesn't seem the most cost-effective, so I'm thinking of running Vessery with Outmaneuver and an Engine Upgrade (something I'm thinking I might make standard for Defenders I play).

Rexlar seems more suited to Predator usage, but since I've not played either of them, I'm not quite convinced yet. My logic is Predator with an HLC would be worthwhile, but makes for a pricey ship (especially if I still keep the Engine Upgrade).

So, this isn't a Predator-bashing thread or anything of the like, I'd just like to hear why my thinking may be faulty (if it really is), and why Predator should still be a contender for my Defender builds.

Predator on Vessery is worthless if you want to build a Squad around him. Rexlar though Predator is fricking amazing being able to reroll at least one of your dice every turn no ifs ands or buts means you can worry less about being blocked with your high PS or needing to stress yourself with a hard 1 or2 turn. It also means you realistically only need to choose between barrel roll/boost(if you equip a EU) or Focus (naturally good when having rerolls with a 3+ dice attack/3+ Dice defense, and a bonus that his pilot ability is Focus dependent)

Vessery it could be useful if you wanted a cheaper option without designing the squad for him by say Vessery+MiniSwarm but at that point I feel you might as well pay the 2 extra points for Rexlar if you Don't want to Exploit Vessery's ability with other TL capable ships

Vessery isn't all that great anyways. So I would sell you something different, like Rexlar with predator.

Predator on Vessery doesn't work most of the time as you can easily get opportunistic target locks from his ability which makes Predator redundant (you can't re-roll dice you have already re-rolled); Veteran Instincts is a way better pick for him as it allows him to chose from almost all target locks you can put on the table, not just those of PS6 and below (meaning you can pair him with almost all named pilots that can TL or recieve a Targeting Computer)

On Rexler Predator is a given for the reasons stated and also for one more: Rexler is at his best if he can Focus as much as possible; Predator not being an action makes it more likely Rexler gets to use his card ability

(Note if you are concerned with Rexler+HLC+Predator+EU being pricy, take down the HLC to an Ion Cannon; due to the wording Rexler can crit with his ability even with an Ion Cannon as soon as you hit hull - deadly against Imps, and adding value to beta strikes against Rebels)

Vessery and Predator's a no as if you set him up right he gets a full reroll. Predator's great on Rexler because ideally he always focuses.

Outmaneuver on Vessery and a friendly TL = you will fall in love with him.

Thanks for the advice, everybody. Looks like I'll keep Outmaneuver on Vessery, and give Predator a go on Rexlar today. I'm using them both in a 225 point battle today. Rest of my squad is a doomshuttle and ST-shuttle, both with Wingman Black Squadrons. Plenty of HP, plenty of attacks, plenty of high priority targets, and plenty of TL's for Vessery! I'll let you all know how well the named Defenders serve the Emperor later tonight!

Predator on Vessery is more like an insurance policy. Ideally you will have a free target lock with him every round, but that isn't always possible if you can't get a TL on his target for some reason or if he loses all his TL support ships. Worth the 3 points? Who knows, try it and find out.

Other than not working with Vessery's ability, predator is a great upgrade for the Defender, as it lets you not completely lose the ability to modify dice while stressed, which works well with the Defender's inability to efficiently clear stress. And of course Rexler Brath likes it because it lets him modify dice for free without spending focus, and he needs to keep focus for his ability.