Rex with predator (40)

Howl with swarm tactics (20)

Academy x 3 (36)

What would be the best way to spend the last three or four points do you think? Stealth on howl or Rex, hull or shield on someone?

It's the squad I've been running lately. People get so worried about the potential of a three-dice attack coming from their flank that they'll sometimes even prioritize him over the other three-dice Defender attacking from their front. Beyond that, he's a solid PS6 ship who doesn't need any support for only 16 points.

I took Defenders in one of my very first 100 point matches and I got myself KO'd pretty quick. Don't run them naked unless you really know what you're doing with them.

That said, I have 3 for a reason, and I will be using them.

Jacob

I love the Defender. Still think the Generics should be PS 2 and 4 respectifully and Boost should have been stock, but other than that its a great ship.

Defenders were my least anticipated ship before wave 4 came out , but are now my favorite wave 4 ships.

I've had great success with HLC/Predator/EU... but that ain't cheap, to be sure.

I love the Defender. Still think the Generics should be PS 2 and 4 respectifully and Boost should have been stock, but other than that its a great ship.

@ Geko

Found a winning tactic against Defenders in another thread, feed them to your dog

I made the mistake of buying 2 Phantoms and 1 Defender. Now as i work out my lists im kinda wishing id gone the other way around.

The 'problem' i have with them is resisting the temptation to make them utter beasts with upgrades but ive often thought a fast/cheap Swarm to rip off shields, before letting Rexlar trololo his way through their face down cards seems like a fun way to play.

Defenders are as good, awesome and lovely as interceptors were when wave 2 got released. And thus, they will be played as much.

The worst part of Defenders is they take up more space in my Plano than any other small ship. At least until Xizor comes out.

@ Geko Found a winning tactic against Defenders in another thread, feed them to your dog

LISTEN MATE I think I'm just going to stick to the good old fashioned "range ruler sweep" tactic...

I took Defenders in one of my very first 100 point matches and I got myself KO'd pretty quick. Don't run them naked unless you really know what you're doing with them.

That said, I have 3 for a reason, and I will be using them.

Jacob

And what would this list look like, 3 deltas and 10 points on some toys or two deltas, Rexlar and predator?

I think my original plan was more about epic play, but I want to continue to use them in dogfights as well. I have no idea what my squads will look like, I want to get better at the game before I start to work them in.

My first try was a pair of naked deltas with a 40 point Echo. The Deltas did alright for a while, but up against a 5 ship Rebel list they didn't have enough shots.

Jacob

Rex with predator (40)

Howl with swarm tactics (20)

Academy x 3 (36)

What would be the best way to spend the last three or four points do you think? Stealth on howl or Rex, hull or shield on someone?

What about upgrading an Academy to a named TIE or making them all Obsidians so they aren't vulnerable to Predator themselves.

As soon as Rebel Aces drops, I'll be trying out triple basics w/proton rockets.

As soon as Rebel Aces drops, I'll be trying out triple basics w/proton rockets.

Oooh....i think i like that.

I've used my friend's Defenders about three times and although I've never actually won with them yet, I went ahead and bought two because I'm convinced I can fly them a lot better than I am. One mistake I've been making is putting EU on them. I'm no longer going to attempt using them as an air superiority craft, which was a big mistake. Now that I've bought a couple, I can't wait to use them!

Me and some others have been praising the Defender for so long now against so many rejection that to finally see others come around and love the ship for the beast it is leaves me speachless.

Welcome into the club, we got fuzzy dice.

Rex with predator (40)

Howl with swarm tactics (20)

Academy x 3 (36)

What would be the best way to spend the last three or four points do you think? Stealth on howl or Rex, hull or shield on someone?

What about upgrading an Academy to a named TIE or making them all Obsidians so they aren't vulnerable to Predator themselves.

That's what I've done when I played that team. That, and give a Hull upgrade to Howl instead of swarm tactics.

Me and some others have been praising the Defender for so long now against so many rejection that to finally see others come around and love the ship for the beast it is leaves me speachless.

Welcome into the club, we got fuzzy dice.

I know right everyone was worried about the phantom they missed the real threat.

Maths is a useful tool but it does not tell the whole story, we said from the start the k turn meant it wasn't over costed.

Generics you don't need to upgrade but to make the most of the named pilots you need to embrace the cost to make them shine.

Once more we can declare...ffg do playtest!

Their predictability can be used against your opponent as well. A lot of people forget it has a one sharp,especially after they see you four k-turn once or twice. I've managed some good side shots with my Defenders.

Oh yeah they get that look when they expect you to k turn and instead you bank right where they don't want you.

Oh yeah they get that look when they expect you to k turn and instead you bank right where they don't want you.

I'd imagine that it must feel like the moment where you finally get to use that immunity to iocane powder.

Ok, this thread motivated me, to build a squad around the defender.

I never played it before, since I was sure it is not competitive.

I'll give it a second chance and a closer look.

Ok, this thread motivated me, to build a squad around the defender.

I never played it before, since I was sure it is not competitive.

I'll give it a second chance and a closer look.

A good basic build is two onyx defenders with a mercenary firespray carrying a recon specialist.

Nine fire power twenty two hit points to chew through, you lose on PS but while they are turning after the first pass you've k turned and are pouring in damage every turn.

Only whit k-turn is worth a lot.

Defenders are weird. They sometimes feel absolutely unkillable (usually the late game) and incredibly fragile (usually the early game).

They aren't efficient jousters, they probably have the worst jousting stats in the game as per the Maj's calculations. They are the most deadly lategame ship, however.

I still think they're overcosted by maybe 3-4 points.

Will definitely see a buff when new cannons arrive in S&V.