I am toying with a new list idea. Its brave, some would say suicidal. I am trying to make a competitive 2 ship Imperial lIst. I know. Its out there, but i wonder if it would actually work. Here is a tentative list:

Bobba Fett (39) + Veteran Instincts (1) + Rebel Captive (3) + Seismic Charge (2) + Engine Upgrade (4)

Rexler Brath (37) + Heavy Laser cannon (7) + Push the Limit (3) + Engine Upgrade (4)

• With only two ships u r gonna have to use hit-and-run tactics, something the firespray is very good at. when they give chase, and they will have to at some point come after you, they will have to worry about a seismic charge in their grill as well as retreating fire from the rear arc.
• With engine upgrade Fett should be able to fly by get a rear arc shot or two and boost out of trouble - provided he doesnt fly into blocking ships.

Combat Tactics (Rexler Brath)

• Rexler is a different kettle of fish. that HLC is going to have to blast away at long range (thats 4 defense dice for him )and he will be trying to hide behind asteroids if he gets rushed. just like Fett he will need to be wary of getting blocked (this is the worst thing that can happen to a ship that has Push the Limit).
• PTL will allow Rexler to burn a focus and target lock at long range for his crit dealing or barrel/boost out of some arcs and then evade in the same turn if he gets is in a tight spot but his goal is going to be to NOT get into close range of any enemy - using boost to run out of trouble and use the asteroids to help him increase the distance between himself and any ships.

thoughts?

Looks like it might be doable. I'll have to play around with it a bit and get back to you.

I don't feel it has the firepower or last ability to make up for Fett and Rexler's abilities. Also, since Rexler is basically designed to move around a lot with PtL it doesn't help that he's flying a ship that uses reds for the 1 and 2 speed hard turns. If you're an absolute master of dodging arc with a Defender, by all means go ahead and try it, but you're going to have a hell of a time with turrets and remaining defensive with a ship that's designed to mainly fly in a straight line. That being said, I have a lot of trouble flying the Defender because I'm much more used to the TIE Interceptor dial with it's more generous movement options.

Another thing, you have a lot of control with Fett because of his ability to move around his opponents, especially with VI on him, but the Firespray is a big fat target. Sure, it has durability, but I just can't really see this working without something else to give a real edge. It suffers from the same problems that most two ship builds have: not enough pulp and punch. Good luck to you if you can work it! I just don't see it as competitive.

Personally I would recommend against PTL on Brath as he just doesn't have the green maneuvers to be clearing the stress reliably all the while still getting to take shots.

I would drop VI and the Seismic on Fett and add Predator. That reroll is golden and will be useful when you boost.

I would drop PtL on Rexler and replace it with Predator also. The reroll might just allow you to get off his ability.

PS 8 on both is still good and Predator will increase your damage output.

NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

The only viable two ship imp list pre-wave 5, is two firesprays.

Not a firespray and a defender.

NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

The only viable two ship imp list pre-wave 5, is two firesprays.

Not a firespray and a defender.

I'm sorry but I got to ask: Are you always this close-minded? I mean, never take a Tie Advanced cause they suck; Defenders need to be PS1; And now the only viable two ship is two firespray?

Open your mind a little, you might find that there is more than one way to fly a ship.

....

Regarding the OP, I would consider Lonewolf on Brath, the defensive reroll should be very handy for survival, you don't want to lose a ship too early to bad rolls, it also makes those red maneuvers, or just stress, not that bad since you still have a reroll for each roll you make. Also, Engine Upgrade is not as useful as it seems on a Defender, so I would use those 4(5 if you switch PtL for LW) points elsewhere. With the defensive reroll, I wonder if Stealth Device would be a wise choice. And upgrade VI on Fett for predator or Ruthlessness, you need to do as much damage as possible with only 2 attack per round.

Like the idea! Have tried a variation once although I think needs finetuning.

As mentioned above I dont like PTL on Rex as he is limited to straight greens, I prefer predator so you can save the focus for his native ability.

I tried gunner with Boba, but I think going the Fetigator route might be best given you will have a lot of space. Maybe even go for a proton bomb just for the mind games.

Looks fun/effective. Another solid list idea from The Brown Bomber!

I think id personally swap to Gunner on Boba if you are going to run Engine though. Also helps ensure that Boba's shooting is meaningful. VI will make up for the anti Phantom tech that Rebel Captive provides. Both setups have their merits though.

As far as imperial 2 ship pre Wave 5 ships not being viable, I've seen a list with Rexlar and Kath, both with Predator and HLC, Captive. and Seismic on Kath too, that I really liked. Different concept, though. It DID seem to make up for the minimal number of guns on the field. Id definitely say that was a viable list. Rex's 3 agility and better use of HLC can make up for not being a Firespray.

I echo the statements above putting Predator on Rexlar instead of PTL and consider dropping seismic charges on Boba to give him Predator/Outmaneuver

Also Tactician over Rebel Captive may be something to consider, that way you can choose who is stressed (to a certain extent) instead of your opponent, (of course an extra point may help for initiative passing as well would be a plus), Slave 1 and Flechette Torpedoes may be a good choice instead of Seismics as well combined with Tactician it could be a double stress or just worst case deny a range 3 bonus die to someone

I briefly theory crafted a Kath/boba list but never tried it out.

Boba proton bomb, expert handling, flight instructor

Kath proton bomb, expert handling, gunner.

I even devised an opening for them, but that was a while ago. For your list, I too would drop ptl on Brath without a good way to relieve stress (black with wingman comes to mind.) But if you're going the two ship route, have you tried a decimator? That might be good with fett.