Rexler, i think if properly supported, is going to be a great Counter to Decimators.

Give him a HLC, FCS and say a Shuttle with Fleet Officer nearby and watch those big fella's cry.

As he has been brilliant in Epic, I imagine this will be true.

In epic play, with access to Comms Boosters (because hopefully an imperial huge ship is on the way), Fleet Officers and other shenanigans, Defenders will be murderous. Unfortunately, -as I always said- stock Defenders are pretty incomplete in all aspects except basic stats, so they require too much upgrades/support to truly perform, which almost auto-excludes them from normal tournament play.

The moment we can start to play epic tournaments, I'm sure we'll see more of them fielded. The defender is a nice platform to be supported, but not to play on its own.

Honestly I'd just like to run three basic defenders with engine upgrades.

I'm almost tempted to run two Delta's and Rex....

Just coz I love me Defenders...

That and I want to run something a bit different from what I'm expecting to see

Lots of Falcon's, B-wings and Phantoms

DO IT! I would. I have a game night tourney Monday, I'm gonna let my interceptors have a break and take my defenders for a spin. If I had three, I would totally take them. As it is, I'm thinking two Defenders and a shuttle.

@phild0: Whether it's a success or utter failure, at least I know where to post my battle report when it's over

I wanted to use both Defenders I have so I put together Brath + PRedator, Vessery + VI, and a pair of Academy pilots. This is just for fun playing at home, not tournaments. Will see how it does soon.

My 'theory' list so far is

Rex w/HLC & VI 45

Fet w/Nav & VI 43

AP 12

Thoughts?

Suggestions?

I don't know if I'd run it, but the high PS looks really good. And both ships are beefy enough to handle Han Solo pretty well. Here's one thing that gets me: asteroids. Would you try to spread them out to have wider lanes and hopefully more options for Fett's ability, or would you try to cram them together and keep the fighting away from the asteroids?

Next tourney I'm bringing a defender. Not just because its cool, but its the best list I've seen. =)

Woohooo. Time to find out if I'm a scrub or not.

I have a tourney coming up and really want to bring a defender, so I'd be keen to know what your list is.

Or if anyone has some good ideas??????

We choose to go to the moon, and do the other things in this decade, not because it is easy, but because it is hard.

Is "hung up with"the new term for effective?

I'm losing out on the kids lingo these days.

Shakes fist and chases from the lawn....with a focus action.

So I just played two games using Rexler Brath, lone wolf, heavy laser cannon, and x3 Alpha Interceptors.

I won both games but I have to say that it was definitely challenging. I was never able to use Rexler's ability, while pilots like Turr Phennir, Keyan Farlander and Biggs were using theirs non-stop The lack of a boost on the T/D doesn't bother me as much as it used to but there was a point in the second game where I would have really liked to have the option of boosting!

Now that I have played 5 games with Rex I have to say that he is quite playable in casual games and I really enjoy the HLC on him! I had several people watch my games and not a single person suggested removing the HLC from the list, regardless of its high point value.

His ability does not come into play every turn it's true but wave five will help with that thanks to fleet officer, but I have inflicted three crits on a falcon with him reducing his firepower agility and making red moves very risky so it does happen.

What makes him lethal is high ps with four attacks at all ranges and a ship that can take a beating.

My 'theory' list so far is

Rex w/HLC & VI 45

Fet w/Nav & VI 43

AP 12

Thoughts?

Suggestions?

I don't know if I'd run it, but the high PS looks really good. And both ships are beefy enough to handle Han Solo pretty well. Here's one thing that gets me: asteroids. Would you try to spread them out to have wider lanes and hopefully more options for Fett's ability, or would you try to cram them together and keep the fighting away from the asteroids?

Tbh I was pretty **** tired when I thought that list up. Couldn't decide who to put in a list as I think both could work for taking down phantoms and fat falcons

My 'theory' list so far is

Rex w/HLC & VI 45

Fet w/Nav & VI 43

AP 12

Thoughts?

Suggestions?

I don't know if I'd run it, but the high PS looks really good. And both ships are beefy enough to handle Han Solo pretty well. Here's one thing that gets me: asteroids. Would you try to spread them out to have wider lanes and hopefully more options for Fett's ability, or would you try to cram them together and keep the fighting away from the asteroids?

Tbh I was pretty **** tired when I thought that list up. Couldn't decide who to put in a list as I think both could work for taking down phantoms and fat falcons

did you by any chance see the big long message i sent you?

Next tourney I'm bringing a defender. Not just because its cool, but its the best list I've seen. =)

Woohooo. Time to find out if I'm a scrub or not.

I have a tourney coming up and really want to bring a defender, so I'd be keen to know what your list is.

Or if anyone has some good ideas??????

We choose to go to the moon, and do the other things in this decade, not because it is easy, but because it is hard.

Your a cheeky sod ain't you, you toadifiy Blerg :-P

Tis a great quote though.....probably one of the best moments in American history.

Thinking of running this

Rex + hlc 44

Doom bus 24

Black + out maneuver

AP

This leaves me with 3 points for either ptl out maneuver or predator on rex

Thinking of running this

Rex + hlc 44

Doom bus 24

Black + out maneuver

AP

This leaves me with 3 points for either ptl out maneuver or predator on rex

Predator. If you change the Doom bus to Captain Yorr, I would be more enthusiastic about Predator, and it might actually be a better choice than Predator. Otherwise, Predator is good. I feel like Outmaneuver will encourage Barrel Roll to get out of arc, but then Rexler is left without a Focus.

Why Black Squadron Pilot with Outmaneuver? "Backstabber" is a point cheaper, higher PS, and basically as effective, right?

Okay, so since everybody is posting their ideas, here's what I am running Monday. Talk me out of it, because it's awful!

Rexler Brath 37

Colonel Vessery + Decoy 37

Captain Yorr + Fire-control System

100 points

Here's why. First, Captain Yorr is there to help the Defenders make tighter turns. I think this is going to really amp up their maneuverability, and make them less predictable. With just the pilots, I'm at 96 points, so there isn't a lot of flexibility in upgrade selection.

All three ships can Target Lock, which helps Vessery. However, Rexler fires first, and may spend his Target Lock (especially in the early game while the opposing ships still have shields). Since Vessery fires at Pilot Skill 6, after Rexler, Vessery's ability won't activate because the Targe Lock will have already been spent. To get around this, Colonel Vessery can use Decoy to fire at PS 8, leaving Rexler to shoot at PS 6, where he is free to spend his Target Lock if he needs to.

Okay, what about Yorr? Well, if he uses his ability on both friendlies, he could end up with too many stress tokens to clear it and take a target lock action. Or, he could bump, and get no action. Fire-control System ensures that he can get a Target Lock to help out Vessery. But wait! Yorr fires at PS 4, after Vessery, so if he spent his TL last round, he won't get a new one until after Vessery's shot. Well, Vessery can choose to Decoy Yorr, switching himself to a PS 4, and Yorr to PS 6, so Yorr can acquire the Target Lock, and Vessery can inflict max damage.

So, what do you think? I think TIE Defenders are going to LOVE flying with a Fleet Officer in the squad, both for Rexler's ability and for defense, but in the meantime we'll have to make do without.

So I just played two games using Rexler Brath, lone wolf, heavy laser cannon, and x3 Alpha Interceptors.

I won both games but I have to say that it was definitely challenging. I was never able to use Rexler's ability, while pilots like Turr Phennir, Keyan Farlander and Biggs were using theirs non-stop The lack of a boost on the T/D doesn't bother me as much as it used to but there was a point in the second game where I would have really liked to have the option of boosting!

Now that I have played 5 games with Rex I have to say that he is quite playable in casual games and I really enjoy the HLC on him! I had several people watch my games and not a single person suggested removing the HLC from the list, regardless of its high point value.

It really depends on what you put the other points in. I've played both, and I don't like Defenders without the HLC, but I tend to play elite lists with few ships.

People often say the HLC is too expensive, but consider that it is only worthless at R1. Beyond that, it's an either an extra attack die at R2+R3, and a -1 to your opponent's defense at R3. Comparable abilities are typically worth 3-4 points (Outmaneuver, Expose, Opportunist, sort of predator) and come with significant drawbacks or requirements for set up. The drawback of course for the HLC is turning your crits into hits, but I don't think that's nearly as big of a deal as the others, not to mention that it can be combined with those other abilities.

It's too many points for three attack dice in a small ship arc for me, though I can think of lists where a defender w/o HLC is a nice filler ship for various reasons.

I have Brath's ability trigger every other game (and it's more often when I have an HLC), which isn't a lot, but it also isn't actually an ability you pay for in his cost (you're paying for his PS) and it's been devastating when it goes off. It's also more likely to trigger when you have Predator on him and are facing hull heavy ships.

If it did trigger more often there would be cries for nerf.

People often say the HLC is too expensive, but consider that it is only worthless at R1. Beyond that, it's an either an extra attack die at R2+R3, and a -1 to your opponent's defense at R3. Comparable abilities are typically worth 3-4 points (Outmaneuver, Expose, Opportunist, sort of predator) and come with significant drawbacks or requirements for set up. The drawback of course for the HLC is turning your crits into hits, but I don't think that's nearly as big of a deal as the others, not to mention that it can be combined with those other abilities.

I have never thought of the HLC in such a way before! At R3 you pay 3 points for outmaneuver and 4 points for expose/opportunist without having to endure -1 agility, loss of action or stress (but initial crits become hits). Cool way of thinking about it!

Thinking of running this

Rex + hlc 44

Doom bus 24

Black + out maneuver

AP

This leaves me with 3 points for either ptl out maneuver or predator on rex

Predator. If you change the Doom bus to Captain Yorr, I would be more enthusiastic about Predator, and it might actually be a better choice than Predator. Otherwise, Predator is good. I feel like Outmaneuver will encourage Barrel Roll to get out of arc, but then Rexler is left without a Focus.

Why Black Squadron Pilot with Outmaneuver? "Backstabber" is a point cheaper, higher PS, and basically as effective, right?

Outmaneuver is for the anti C3PO in my list. Though you are right I do love Backstabber too but its C3PO that has me worried more than anything else that I will be facing.

As for Rex....... Not to sure what to put on him, outmaneuver like above, predator for obvious reasons, or ptl for a T/L + focus.

I know the stress might be harder to clear but at the same time it should make triggering his ability easier than just the one re roll from predator

Defenders are good at getting behind stuff but with a HLC ideally you won't be getting that close, me I end up using predator and it's usually enough, but every now and again your just going to roll 2-3 eyeballs and you spend the token.

The thing about Rexlar's ability is that it is 100% dependent on what your opponent is playing. So no, it won't likely be used every game. If you are facing ships with only 3 hull, it is better to keep the focus for offense. But when you are facing some nice juicy Falcons or Decimators, hmmm....

Rexler's chance of having a focus through both attack and defense and having an action at all is like 5%. Round it to 0.

When I consider Rexler I only consider him as a PS 8 Defender I can buff to PS 10. He has no ability. VI for me is an auto include. Makes the Phantom matches easier.

You have to compensate sorrily for that loss of EPT though. Either fleet officer or something. Prockets.

Predator is nice too.

Dare I add these lists?

Rexlar + HLC + VI

Sigma Squadron Pilot + Stygium Particle Accelerator

Sigma Squadron Pilot + Stygium Particle Accelerator + Intel Agent

100pts

Rexlar + VI + Proton Rocket

Sigma + ACD

Sigma + ACD + Intel Agent

100pts

Rexlar + VI

Shadow Squadron + ACD

Shadow Squadron + ACD

100pts

Why buff Rex's attack when you can buff the rest of your squad? Silly? Maybe