With PS6 interceptors, and no named ships on both parts, you will have troubles getting anything that they can't arc dodge. Turrets are the most obvious solution, and can completely shoot down Push the limit interceptors, since ion + stress = bad.

I would use

Gold Squadron Pilot (18)

Ion Cannon Turret (5)

R3-A2 (2)

Gold Squadron Pilot (18)

Ion Cannon Turret (5)

Flechette Torpedoes (2)

Total: 50

That's your perfect counter squad.

2 Golds + Ions at 46 points should be just fine too. The final 4 points of upgrades are just gravy.

Have you tried using his same list against itself?

Have you tried using his same list against itself?

They may not have enough ships.

Ya I say 2 bwings as well or a couple awings will do the trick. Also once rebel aces finally decides it wants to show up you could run 3 awings and a few points to spare.

Well you have 1 main problem that will be very difficult to counter, Royal Guards are PS 6. That means he will ALWAYS move last and shoot first. I bet you anything he came up with the proviso of only non-named pilots, because, for all intensive purposes, Royal Guard TIE Interceptors are named pilots. They are Saber Squadron Pilots with 2 EPT slots, Veteran Instincts and whatever you choose, and in this set up you would be crazy to choose anything other than PtL.

So he can never lose initiative. He does not have to fly properly, as he can always position himself to get around your fire arcs.

Want to beat him, you need turrets and tank.

Outer Rim Smuggler

Gold Squadron + Ion Turret

Or tell him, to allow named pilots.

Or you can say, "Fine, I am playing 2 Royal Guards with PTL." See how he can handle mirror matches that require planning.

With PS6 interceptors, and no named ships on both parts, you will have troubles getting anything that they can't arc dodge. Turrets are the most obvious solution, and can completely shoot down Push the limit interceptors, since ion + stress = bad.

I would use

Gold Squadron Pilot (18)

Ion Cannon Turret (5)

R3-A2 (2)

Gold Squadron Pilot (18)

Ion Cannon Turret (5)

Flechette Torpedoes (2)

Total: 50

That's your perfect counter squad.

2 Golds + Ions at 46 points should be just fine too. The final 4 points of upgrades are just gravy.

Yup same thing I came up with. Though HWK's are kinda fun

Also, I play a 24 or 48 pt format, which seems more fun. Also no named pilots.

in the 48 format, its simply two 24 lists put together. You still can't take a Defender for instance.

At 24 you have a lot less problematic options:

no RG PTL

no naked Sigma

no Rookie R2D2

this ensures that everything can be an equal match to the most basic list: 2 Ties or 2 Zs.

See if they were Saber PTLs, its a little easier to combat.

Heck... what do you think would win... a Saber with PTL or a Red with R2 astromech?

The Saber w/ PtL is almost as bad as the Royal except for that PS loss which could help even the playing field.

I haven't seen anyone here suggest that the Sigma could be counter to the RGP+PtL at 25 points so are we so sure that's a problem?

Definitely not. They're PS 4. A Red is PS4. A Dagger is PS4.

Whereas, the only way that you can get PS6 is Red with the astromech for VI.

You can take an RG with targeting comp though

Not allowing Named Pilots really give Royal Guard Pilots an advantage. They have by far the highest PS for any un-named pilots and they are one of the few generics that have access to Elite Pilot upgrades. And giving them PTL really makes them tough.

Is their a reason you don't use named pilots? A lot of the weakness for interceptors come from named pilots (or at lest pilots with higher PS)

Is their a reason why you don't use named pilots? If there is those same reason might exclude Royal Guard with PTL, even though they are generic they are still pretty elite, especially with PTL.

In general this shows why I like to play with rules are written. Not that they are ever perfectly balanced, but they do tend to be better than they would be with any tweeking I could do.

I bet you anything he came up with the proviso of only non-named pilots

Nah OP said his bro was a newb when they started playing - he just happened to pick what turned out to be a killer build.

I bet you anything he came up with the proviso of only non-named pilots

Nah OP said his bro was a newb when they started playing - he just happened to pick what turned out to be a killer build.

I actually suggested he use it. No one to blame but myself. He had no idea before, but he has fallen in love with it. (As we all did... Sigh.)

I get that I'd be good flying an identical list (who isn't, right?), but here's the deal...

1. I like the challenge of figuring how to fly a good counter list to win. I beat him with named pilots, but I want to learn to fly better when he makes the rare mistake. My matches are close and once he even green diced himself like a God.

2. I could fly identical, but we like cinematic scenarios for fun. Rebel no names come across two RGs headed back to base and bam... It's on!

3. I have beaten him with a YT, but wanted to see if I could with two smaller ships.

4. No matter what, I will be better overall if I keep trying to beat them. I'm figuring out dials and tactics the good old fashioned elbow grease way.

I really appreciate everyone's comments. Really cool that people are taking the time. Many thanks!

Good luck! I love that you're trying to get better by simply playing with suboptimal lists. It really does help your higher level playing by learning to predict where he will go with less maneuverable and lower PS ships. Good luck!

This I think is your best bet still:

Against squints you need turrets. I would use:

Gold squadron pilot with a Blaster Turret 22 pts.

Gray squadron pilot with a Blaster Turret R2-D6 and Predator 28 pts.

Just keep him out of range three and you have him.

With PS6 interceptors, and no named ships on both parts, you will have troubles getting anything that they can't arc dodge. Turrets are the most obvious solution, and can completely shoot down Push the limit interceptors, since ion + stress = bad.

I would use

Gold Squadron Pilot (18)

Ion Cannon Turret (5)

R3-A2 (2)

Gold Squadron Pilot (18)

Ion Cannon Turret (5)

Flechette Torpedoes (2)

Total: 50

That's your perfect counter squad.

2 Golds + Ions at 46 points should be just fine too. The final 4 points of upgrades are just gravy.

This was on the money. Never needed the flechettes or anything else. He had trouble staying at range three outside my arc. I easily defeated him! Next!

Against squints you need turrets. I would use:

Gold squadron pilot with a Blaster Turret 22 pts.

Gray squadron pilot with a Blaster Turret R2-D6 and Predator 28 pts.

Just keep him out of range three and you have him.

Much prefer taking out his maneuverability to the possible damage. Hit him once he was PTL'd and never looked back.