Let me preface this by saying that i having been playing a long time and i am well aware of the deficiencies of the Tie Advanced. I am aware that it is overcosted and there are other ships which can perform a similar role more efficiently. Therefore please do not come into this topic and start posting about how bad it is/what needs to be changed/etc. That is not what this thread is about.

The simple fact is, it is a **** cool ship, and i want to use some in a list, so i'm putting this challenge to you guys to see what you come up with.

In a 100 point list where you are forced to use two Tempest Squadron Pilots with Proton Rockets (48 points) what else would you take to give yourelf the best chance of victory?

My first three thoughts were:

Turr Phennir, PTL

2x Acadamy Tie

OR:

2x Acadamy Tie

2x Black Squadron Tie

OR:

4x Obsidian Squadron Tie

I would pair them with something tanky and hurty, and use the Tempest as a couple of flankers. I like the idea of a couple of shuttles or a firespray and something else.

Thats easy... Decimator of course. =D

Oicunn 42

Isard 4

Gunner 5

Intel Agent 1

Or 40 pt Whisper and one more tie is good too.

I like Firespray advocating too.

I would be tempted to

I would be tempted to

44 points

Captain Jonus

Homing Missiles, Assault Missiles, Push the Limit, Proton Bombs, Engine Upgrade

OR

42 points

Colonel Vessery

Outmaneuver, Engine Upgrade

AND

28 points

Tempest Squadron Pilot #1

Proton Rockets, Engine Upgrade

28 points

Tempest Squadron Pilot #2

Proton Rockets, Engine Upgrade

The Prockets won't really need the boost from Jonus. They're good enough. Jonus is 22 wasted point for little gain.

Vessery is very good though.

Also note that Jonus does not give himself 2 rerolls.

That's why Jonus has PtL :-)

If you really want to go Prockets on the Tie Advanced,

The TIE Advanced is a better platform for ProRock than the Defender is.
However, the Defender is better after firing them than the TIE Advanced is.
What to do...

Use both?

I'll strongly second Vessery, although I think I'd opt for an HLC and some extra stuff over an Academy TIE, but that's personal preference. He actually gives the Advanced a purpose aside from a one-shot rocket attack in that they also boost him. You have a nice formation with Vess and an HLC in back, maybe off to the side, and the Tempests up front. Make the enemy come through the Proton Rocket toting bodyguards before they get good shots on Vessery.

Vessery 35, HLC 7, Shield Upgrade 4 = 46

Tempest 21, Proton Rockets 3 = 24

Tempest 21, Proton Rockets 3 = 24

You have 6 points left to buy warheads and/or EPTs for Vessery.

I'd go with a Firespray. That's my answer to everything.

Part of the problem is that with skill-2 pilots, you are moving pretty early in the turn.

That's going to be an issue when attempting to put range-1, forward-arc-only, weapons onto a target. It will practically be a requirement that you have something else "set up your shot" for you, as (unlike the Defender) you cannot tote around your own ion cannon to arrange it. So...Lambda, Firespray, or Defender with an ion cannon, or (maybe better) a Bomber with ion torpedoes...once those are released.

I suppose a stopgap could be someone moving late in the turn that allows a position adjustment.

Tempest Squadron Pilot (28)
TIE Advanced (21), Proton Rockets (3), Engine Upgrade (4)

Tempest Squadron Pilot (28)
TIE Advanced (21), Proton Rockets (3), Engine Upgrade (4)

Darth Vader (38)
TIE Advanced (29), Proton Rockets (3), Squad Leader (2), Engine Upgrade (4)

...Vader can use his SL when needed for one of the Tempests to boost or BR into an actual shot. At PS9, and with 94 points you DEFINITELY get to decide who has initiative (you don't want it), you should be able to get *one* of the Tempests lined up on a target with Vader's elite talent...

I mean, that's still not a very good list, but it's all on the Advanced. Prockets are amusing and all, but the enthusiasm for them seems overrated. They are a range 1 weapon that can do, at max, 5 damage. A TIE Phantom's *base* attack does 5 damage at range 1, but it can also shoot out to range 3 when needed. AND you don't have to discard to use it!

I mean, consider that - Tempest + Prockets can do 5 damage at range 1 (once) and 3 damage from then on, and 2 damage at range 2-3, for 24 pts. While a Sigma + nothing can do 5 damage at range 1 (EVERY attack), and 4 damage at range 2-3, for 25 points. Yes, you lose a hull and an agility, but you also gain a pilot skill point and the cloak action (which gives you that agility back, and then some).

Sorry to say, but the TIE Advanced is just REALLY OVERPRICED, and the prockets aren't enough to help it.

Tempest Squadron Pilot (21)

Proton Rockets (3)

Munitions Failsafe (1)

Tempest Squadron Pilot (21)

Proton Rockets (3)

Munitions Failsafe (1)

Tempest Squadron Pilot (21)

Proton Rockets (3)

Munitions Failsafe (1)

Tempest Squadron Pilot (21)

Proton Rockets (3)

Munitions Failsafe (1)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

lol

I've already put Proton Rockets on Vader a couple of times. I think it worked out alright, even if I didn't win those particular battles. I'm not about to get a second Advanced or put anyone other than Vader in the Advanced, but I do like having the Proton Rocket option to make Vader toss out a few more red dice.

Sorry to say, but the TIE Advanced is just REALLY OVERPRICED, and the prockets aren't enough to help it.

Did you not read the OP!? You're not allowed to say that!

Now, hang your head in shame, and say you're sorry.

(In case you missed it, the tongue in my cheek is referring to this thread.)

Tempest Squadron Pilot (21)

Proton Rockets (3)

Tempest Squadron Pilot (21)

Proton Rockets (3)

"Howlrunner" (18)

Hull Upgrade (3)

Royal Guard Pilot (22)

Royal Guard TIE (0)

Squad Leader (2)

Hull Upgrade (3)

Experimental Interface (3)

Total: 99

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

The Tie Advanced is probably the cheapest way to get 5 attack proton rockets for the Imperials. However the deficiencies with that build are essentially the deficiencies with the proton rockets. It is only range 1 and it burns your focus token. The best Tie Advanced pilot would be Darth Vader who is the only pilot who makes the Tie Advanced worth the point cost.

Sure you could say TL at range 3 and then close the gap to range 1 and focus. Still that risks loosing arc and also risks getting blocked by lower pilot skill ships.

Still proton rockets are alright. Even on 2 agility ships you get a 4 attack at range 1 that burns focus. However many people would consider that spending 3 points to put it on a Tie bomber or Headhunter would be a waste.

The Tie Advanced is probably the cheapest way to get 5 attack proton rockets for the Imperials. However the decencies with that build are essentially the deficiencies with the proton rockets. It is only range 1 and it burns your focus token. The best Tie Advanced pilot would be Darth Vader who is the only pilot who makes the Tie Advanced worth the point cost.

Sure you could say TL at range 3 and then close the gap to range 1 and focus. Still that risks loosing arc and also risks getting blocked by lower pilot skill ships.

Still proton rockets are alright. Even on 2 agility ships you get a 4 attack at range 1 that burns focus. However many people would consider that spending 3 points to put it on a Tie bomber or Headhunter would be a waste.

Totally of the original topic, but

3 x Delta's with Prockets :-)

Tempest Squadron Pilot (21)

Proton Rockets (3)

Tempest Squadron Pilot (21)

Proton Rockets (3)

Captain Oicunn (42)

Dauntless (2)

Intimidation (2)

Intelligence Agent (1)

Mara Jade (3)

Tactician (2)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Only give you 3 extra dice. Combined. Across the whole game. I think there are better ways to spend those 9 points.

Vader is the way to go for me. He consistently gets 5 damage out of there and with outmanuver, can be a monster shot at PS 9...for a lot of ships that's sheilds gone or roll an evade or die. At PS 9. That's bigtime. If the Advanced get any love, this will get even better.

I like the Vessery Builds. I'd probably go there with it.

I would go with the Vessery builds as well for now. However, I like Vader with support as he is a beast with Prockets.