I never realized how amazing predator was going to be for tie fighters when it was first spoiled, but being able to have Howlrunner's ability without Howlrunner is pretty much awesome. My list early with Wave 4 was Whisper (ACD VI), Turr (VI Hull) and Soontir (PTL Hull). With Nationals results I tried running Omicron (EU FCS), Whisper (ACD VI FCS) and Soontir ( PTL TC). So today I was thinking, Soontir with target lock is good, arc dancing is fun, but could I get more bang for my buck and possibly not be as upset if I lost one of my ships? In comes Black Squads with Predator. So this is what I'm thinking.

Omicron - FCS and EU

Black Squad - Predator x2

Whisper - ACD and VI ( going to miss fcs :'( )

It's 98 points to bid for initiative, it has 3 more hull and 1 more attack than running with Soontir and the Ties are always rerolling at least 50% of their attack dice at range 2-3 and 33% at range 1. With the current meta being Phantom / Falcon dominated; Iosing the ps9 arc dodging can hurt me or could possibly not with turret ships, but using Soontir's barrel roll and boost to stay on my target. I think it's worth a shot.

Just run a doom Shuttle and keep FCS on Whisper. Hell if you didn't care about initiative you could put a Rebel Captive on Whisper too.

Just run a doom Shuttle and keep FCS on Whisper. Hell if you didn't care about initiative you could put a Rebel Captive on Whisper too.

I loathe the doom shuttle.

I have a serious question: why do people prefer Black Squadron + Predator to Alpha Squadron?

I have a serious question: why do people prefer Black Squadron + Predator to Alpha Squadron?

I can spend 17 points to have a ship that can reroll 50%-100% of its attack dice or go with a ship for 1 more point that has 1 more attack dice, can boost, can't reroll dice, and is PS1. I guess that's how I see it.

I'd avoid the doom shuttle with a dual flanker build, you're basically putting a self-destruct device on your tank. You'd be better off bumping the pilot of Yorr to hopefully eat any stress that may come Whisper's way.

I have a serious question: why do people prefer Black Squadron + Predator to Alpha Squadron?

I can spend 17 points to have a ship that can reroll 50%-100% of its attack dice or go with a ship for 1 more point that has 1 more attack dice, can boost, can't reroll dice, and is PS1. I guess that's how I see it.

That's just it: the Interceptor's extra attack die works just like Predator, except that it's better if you would have rolled all hits or crits on the TIE Fighter's attack. And with Predator + focus, that actually happens a lot.

So you lose 3 PS, but your average damage goes up by about 25%, and your dial and action bar get better. That seems like a reasonable trade for 1 point, to me.

You do have the option of taking an Evade with the BSP and still having the reroll on 1-2 dice.

Not that it is super, but it can be handy.

You have TIE fighters models and never bought Intercepters?

You have TIE fighters models and never bought Intercepters?

There is my problem. My local (56 miles away) store is out of them and so is their distributer.

I have a serious question: why do people prefer Black Squadron + Predator to Alpha Squadron?

Because Black Squadron can take an EPT, Alpha cannot (Sabre can though, that's 20 points for 3 attack instead of 14 for 2). Also, 2 reliable hits off 2 attacks can strip tokens quickly.

Predator also works without action, so you can BR and still get the reroll, which the Alpha would not get.

And that's how I see it, predator is benefiting me when I have to use my token defensively, when I'm stressed, when I bump, and if I'm shooting at ships that are PS2 or lower which is like EVERY support ship in the meta around our area currently. I love Soontir, but having 2 ships shooting and creating 1 more target to mitigate damage just seems like such a better option.

You have TIE fighters models and never bought Intercepters?

am I missing something here?

I have a serious question: why do people prefer Black Squadron + Predator to Alpha Squadron?

I can spend 17 points to have a ship that can reroll 50%-100% of its attack dice or go with a ship for 1 more point that has 1 more attack dice, can boost, can't reroll dice, and is PS1. I guess that's how I see it.

I can't tell if your supporting Alpha Squadron or Black Squadron. When I read that, I'm like Alpha Squad sounds so much better than Black Squad. I've wanted to try Black Squad Predators but I can't justify the 17 points for an Anemic Ship, where the base Tie Interceptor is Death with a capital D. 18 Pts for three attack with the ability to boost in to get to 4 attack, let the force flow through you, roll, and the enemy ship goes up in flames or 17 points for the option to get a tie fighter that averages slightly better damage than a tie fighter. Which is 1 to 2 hits. Vs the capability to have 4 hits when out of someone's arc. It's no choice to me.

I have a serious question: why do people prefer Black Squadron + Predator to Alpha Squadron?

I can spend 17 points to have a ship that can reroll 50%-100% of its attack dice or go with a ship for 1 more point that has 1 more attack dice, can boost, can't reroll dice, and is PS1. I guess that's how I see it.

I can't tell if your supporting Alpha Squadron or Black Squadron. When I read that, I'm like Alpha Squad sounds so much better than Black Squad. I've wanted to try Black Squad Predators but I can't justify the 17 points for an Anemic Ship, where the base Tie Interceptor is Death with a capital D. 18 Pts for three attack with the ability to boost in to get to 4 attack, let the force flow through you, roll, and the enemy ship goes up in flames or 17 points for the option to get a tie fighter that averages slightly better damage than a tie fighter. Which is 1 to 2 hits. Vs the capability to have 4 hits when out of someone's arc. It's no choice to me.

"Hokey religions..."

You have TIE fighters models and never bought Intercepters?

am I missing something here?

I was offering an answer to Vorpal Sword's question.

oh, I see what you did there

I have a serious question: why do people prefer Black Squadron + Predator to Alpha Squadron?

I can spend 17 points to have a ship that can reroll 50%-100% of its attack dice or go with a ship for 1 more point that has 1 more attack dice, can boost, can't reroll dice, and is PS1. I guess that's how I see it.

I can't tell if your supporting Alpha Squadron or Black Squadron. When I read that, I'm like Alpha Squad sounds so much better than Black Squad. I've wanted to try Black Squad Predators but I can't justify the 17 points for an Anemic Ship, where the base Tie Interceptor is Death with a capital D. 18 Pts for three attack with the ability to boost in to get to 4 attack, let the force flow through you, roll, and the enemy ship goes up in flames or 17 points for the option to get a tie fighter that averages slightly better damage than a tie fighter. Which is 1 to 2 hits. Vs the capability to have 4 hits when out of someone's arc. It's no choice to me.

"Hokey religions..."

I find your lack of faith disturbing.

I'm not seeing it. For 2 more points you could have 3 Academy Pilots instead of two souped up Blacks.

I've been using Black Squad Predators a little bit lately, and I've come to the conclusion that they are pretty great. When you break it down an interceptor has pretty much the same defensive capability as the tie fighter when you are fighting a turret equipped ship. For 51 points, I think the black squadron is a great option.

Interceptors can quickly whittle down a falcon with concentrated firepower. The real trick is making sure it's your first target.

You do have the option of taking an Evade with the BSP and still having the reroll on 1-2 dice.

Not that it is super, but it can be handy.

And it's only comparable if you get the 2 dice reroll. The Alpha can evade and still get 3 dice attacks.

I have a serious question: why do people prefer Black Squadron + Predator to Alpha Squadron?

Because Black Squadron can take an EPT, Alpha cannot (Sabre can though, that's 20 points for 3 attack instead of 14 for 2). Also, 2 reliable hits off 2 attacks can strip tokens quickly.

But in this case the extra attack is often better than the ETP(predator) the BSP has taken.

Predator also works without action, so you can BR and still get the reroll, which the Alpha would not get.

So does just having 1 more attack, and its better than predator against 3+ PS targets.

Statistically, both options look interesting to me. I'd have to try them out and see what feels better in play.

I have a serious question: why do people prefer Black Squadron + Predator to Alpha Squadron?

I think Pilot Skill is a significant part of the reason in addition to the fact that predator can be both a stronger benefit when facing low PS pilots, in addition to the fact that you will suffer more with predator on your opponent's list, if you are a PS 1.