Alright so I want to use vader, because he's goddamn vader, but I'm having a real hard time seeing as 2 red dice is just so much worse than 3 without howlrunner, even though, when I use him, he's always the last to die. This is the best I could come up with:

Vader+Engine Upgrade+outmaneuver+proton rockets(when they come out)

Omicron Shuttle+Fire Control System+Engine Upgrade

Backstabber

Dark Curse

98 points, giving the shuttle a tactician sounds like a good idea. How do you guys use vader, or is he just too hard to fit in for the cost?

I enjoy using Vader+EU as a flanker; lately together with Soontir.

As a flanker, however, it's best to spend the rest of the points on something that will force my opponent to pay more attention to it, than to my flankers. I think the best for that is a small swarm of TIEs; depending on what you can afford for the points.

You don't use the dark Lord he uses you!

Vader won't die but it's true but he dies lack bite in comparison to soontir, rockets will be nice but it's only one turn then your back to being an expensive tie fighter.

What we need is Darth Vader in an avenger where he belongs.

Vader with Predator may also be an option. Maximizes his two dice and allows you to spend his actions on a focus/evade instead of a focus/TL.

Vader with Predator may also be an option. Maximizes his two dice and allows you to spend his actions on a focus/evade instead of a focus/TL.

Yeah predator would be a good fit, maybe outmanouver if people make the mistake of ignoring him the reduced green dice will compensate for only having two red.

About the only thing you need is the Engine Upgrade. With that, Vader is as slippery as Fel. From there, it's down to preference. I like Outmaneuver, especially with the Engine Upgrade. Suddenly, those 2 attack die aren't as terrible. Predator is always good. Push the Limit is fun if you want 3 actions a turn. Daredevil gives you more maneuvering options. Squad Leader can be helpful for your other ships. Good start for a Swarm Tactics chain.

Alternately, give him VI, and give Decoy to a Phantom. Now they shoot at 11.

Outmaneuver and EU. Still the best thing you can do to him.

Expose is always good on Vader. Allows you to turn his stats really good at range 1.

How many upgrades can you slap on Vader before those two attack dice just aren't worth the points you're putting on him?

(Of course Expose gives him that third attack die.)

The Black Squadron:

Vader with Outmaneuver and Engine Upgrade

Mauler Mithel

Backstabber

Dark Curse

Black Squadron with Veteran Instinct

He's one of the few outmaneuver is better on than predator because:

1. He can flank (pretty much assume he has EU)

2. The low base attack, think of all the times a 2 die tie attack next to howlrunner doesnt need to reroll. That's why people started mixing in a couple interceptors with her.

3. He has 2 actions already.

But ya it's not bad. There will be times you can boost into range 1 and focus, and on those turns predator will be great. But when you can't get into range 1, and you arent getting shot at so dont need to evade etc, he can just focus + tl and have wedge's text. Also you could consider VI as an anti phantom measure (better once he has a rocket). We used to play adrenaline rush on him to sometimes so once per game he could kturn double action.

He's pretty much the only pilot that Expose is worth a **** on. He often has the action to burn and you can set him up to not be shot at (using EU)

I also like to use squad leader and pair him with Jonus as a missile carrier

I've never tried expose but I may next time I play, haven't taken Vader in a while.

Keep in mind Expose on Vader basically just turns him into a PS 9 33pt X-wing with Evade

I've been doing a lot of vader lists lately and they have been steadily improving.

In my view, vader's double action plus squad leader is a very potent ability. tthough two red dice really does suck, double stocking offensive actions and getting into range 1 will net vader some serious damage. Defensively speaking vader can tank liket no other in the game. 3 agility with focus and an evad token, hen a barrel roll out of opponents range isn't appropriate - almost unhittable

the key with vader in my opinion is to match him with other tough ships like defenders and firesprays. This way you maximize the benefit of the action vader gives out - a tie fighter cant make use of a free action quite like a defendrs can.

also, pairing him with high damage partners makes it more likely that opponents will leave vader till last and an ubdamaged vader in the later game is one of the best things to find yourself with in this game best things

Keep in mind Expose on Vader basically just turns him into a PS 9 33pt X-wing with Evade

Except that you can choose to leave him with the agility of a TIE in case he's under fire.

How many upgrades can you slap on Vader before those two attack dice just aren't worth the points you're putting on him?

(Of course Expose gives him that third attack die.)

For me, the base 29 for the ship is too much for me. Every time I try to find a use for him I always wind up going with something else for the points.

Engine Upgrade and Daredevil turns Vader into a non-cloaked version of Echo.

Lotta good ideas here, thanks. Seems like the consensus is that 2 att, unless it's cheap(like all the other 2att ships), is awful. that's too bad, maybe if FFG released a title card "tie advanced x4" that gave them boost at 0 or -1 cost, then they'd be better? I dunno, I hope they tweak the Advanced though it's a shame to look at Vader and think "nope not worth it, I'll take this obscure EU guy instead of the freaking dark lord of the sith".

I'm not quite sure where you got that consensus. Vader is really the only Advanced pilot worth taking most of the time. Maarek has gained some usability in Epic, thanks to the big ship's small damage decks.

Vader is one of the best pilots in the game. He can only get better as more EPTs and missiles are released. His strength is in using EPTs that most pilots can't (or shouldn't) like Daredevil. Although, we may see his strength diminished once Rebel Aces is out and every A-Wing can PTL + Daredevil, or PTL+anything, really, with a similar stat line and dial for probably less points.

As for the OP, I probably wouldn't recommend running Vader with just a shuttle and a pair of TIEs for backup. His firepower is low (but very reliable), while the shuttle will have a hard time focus firing with the rest of the team, who also have low (and less reliable) firepower.

Flying him with Soontir+Turr, or other elite Interceptors, is usually a good idea. Otherwise I would say play him as a flanker with a full-on mini-swarm. Another natural pairing is with Echo or Whisper. Vader is hard to kill, and the Phantom hard to avoid being killed by, making it a good Hammer and Anvil type relationship.

Vader is one of the best pilots in the game. He can only get better as more EPTs and missiles are released. His strength is in using EPTs that most pilots can't (or shouldn't) like Daredevil. Although, we may see his strength diminished once Rebel Aces is out and every A-Wing can PTL + Daredevil, or PTL+anything, really, with a similar stat line and dial for probably less points.

I would avoid Daredevil Advanceds don't like stress

Vader is one of the best pilots in the game. He can only get better as more EPTs and missiles are released. His strength is in using EPTs that most pilots can't (or shouldn't) like Daredevil. Although, we may see his strength diminished once Rebel Aces is out and every A-Wing can PTL + Daredevil, or PTL+anything, really, with a similar stat line and dial for probably less points.

I would avoid Daredevil Advanceds don't like stress

Usually Daredevil is putting you in a position where pulling a green bank next turn is fine. And if it ends up not fine, you can usually boost + Barrel Roll or another Daredevil out of it.

Darth Vader is probably my favorite unique pilot to field, usually equipped with Squad Leader.

Just out of curiosity, has anyone experienced more positive results with Vader and Predator?