Both leave room for a shuttle and 2-3 ties. With Rex I want him to modify his dice but VI seems pretty important. So:

Rex+vi

Doom shuttle

Ties

Rex+ vi

Jendon shuttle

Ties

But then I feel I might as well shave points and use vessary since I'm playing with TL's anyway.

So I guess my real question is:

Do defenders need the PS bid to win in today's meta?

Predator rexlar feels scarier. Rex with HLC should scare all.

It depends if your phantom hunting, if you are Brath with VI will shoot before whisper four dice versus two green which could end a phantoms day real quick if your lucky.

But even without VI four shots from HLC will likely land hits anyway.

Brath works better against falcons because of his ability, against whisper vessery probably wins thanks to TL paired with focus.

Fleet officr on that shuttle... focus is better than nothing.

Fleet officr on that shuttle... focus is better than nothing.

Are we sure that it's something he wants to use since it's not legal yet?

As to the question, I very much like Brath in a very falcon heavy environment, but you probably only want to take him if that's the case or if you have need of his native PS or access to PS 10. My favorite Brath is 47 poitns with HLC and Predator.

Overall, consider that if you are running target locks on your other ships Vessery is probably going to be more useful overall, since he has no need of Predator, so he can get PS 8 and be three points cheaper with what is essentially the same damage output, or you can put something like Outmaneuver on him, live with the PS hit and he's still cheaper.

Don't get me wrong, I love Brath, but I do think that we're at a point where he might need some more support (like Fleet Officer) if you have the option of plugging Vessery in because you've already got target locks going.

The thing that's tough about Vessery is that you do need to make sure you have opportunities for his ability to work. You don't have that issue in this list.

So I guess my real question is:

Do defenders need the PS bid to win in today's meta?

Predator rexlar feels scarier. Rex with HLC should scare all.

I don't think so. I've added a delta to my squads to great effect. Of course, if you only are flying 3 ships or something, then maybe. I don't know if I could play with less than 5 ships.

In my opinion, Rex with HLC is a waste of points. Almost half your squad, and so easy to block. So much for that 4 die attack. for 3 more points, you can get 4 tie fighters!

to easily defeat Phantoms you would need PS10 and above, or at the very least PS9 with initiative bid. Anything lower, you will need to resort to highly questionable methods (with regards to their effectiveness), eg. HLC, ion, bombs, turrets, etcetc

I look forward to having access to actual support shuttle. Fleet Officer looks like that option. I don't have that yet, sadly.

I like thahe named defenders for falcon hunting but havn't had enough games against phantoms with them to see if VI with no real modification or HLC with mods is a better ghost hunter.

In my opinion, Rex with HLC is a waste of points. Almost half your squad, and so easy to block. So much for that 4 die attack. for 3 more points, you can get 4 tie fighters!

If so one sided, why don't you try flying Rex, HLC, predator / lone wolf vs the 4 Tie Fighters as a mini practice game against someone? I think that those Tie Fighters will be in for a very rude awakening. That being said, Rexler Brath is overcosted by a few points but not to the point where he is a complete "waste".

To beat Falcons, bring HLC. To beat all phantoms, bring Soontir and an initiative bid. I prefer Vessery to Rexlar if you're bringing the HLC.

Rexlar feels like the best mix of the 2 since his PS beats phantoms and his ability wrecks falcons. Dust of Winged Gundark to really annoy falcons and I think you're looking at something fun. Enough points for a support shuttle and 1 more tie? I think so.

Vessery is cooler in the lore, just saying.

Rex+vi

Jendon+fcs+fleet officer

Winged Gundark

Black squad + wingman

Rex should have TL and focus through his own action or shuttle sharing. Fcs+ fleet officer gives near rebel-like action sharig options. Wingman unlocks Rex's dial, keeps the action factory going, allows the double stall or double turn moves. Ties are low enough PS to block falcons or phantoms and free focus means they can manus we and modify dice or focus evade turtle to stay in the game longer. A touch more crit fishing from winged G shooting 3rd.

Fcs vs. ad sens is an interesting choice. With fleet officer I'm not sure you really need to go up to Jendon. That unlocks the buzz saw shuttle or an intel agent and shield upgrade for Rex.

How about a doom support shuttle? Ultimate crit fishing (3 ships in the list with crit effects) and unlike the regular doom shuttle it can still provide action economy when turning around.

Might need to make this a developing list thread. What to call this? HLC defender + doom shuttle certainly sounds like Boom and Doom. Taking the cow fishing? Boom, moo, doom, moo zoom with an engine upgrade and 2 shuttles?

Vessery is cooler in the lore, just saying.

If lore had much impact on the game Kir Kanos would be awesome.

Rex+vi

Jendon+fcs+fleet officer

Winged Gundark

Black squad + wingman

Rex should have TL and focus through his own action or shuttle sharing. Fcs+ fleet officer gives near rebel-like action sharig options. Wingman unlocks Rex's dial, keeps the action factory going, allows the double stall or double turn moves. Ties are low enough PS to block falcons or phantoms and free focus means they can manus we and modify dice or focus evade turtle to stay in the game longer. A touch more crit fishing from winged G shooting 3rd.

Fcs vs. ad sens is an interesting choice. With fleet officer I'm not sure you really need to go up to Jendon. That unlocks the buzz saw shuttle or an intel agent and shield upgrade for Rex.

How about a doom support shuttle? Ultimate crit fishing (3 ships in the list with crit effects) and unlike the regular doom shuttle it can still provide action economy when turning around.

Might need to make this a developing list thread. What to call this? HLC defender + doom shuttle certainly sounds like Boom and Doom. Taking the cow fishing? Boom, moo, doom, moo zoom with an engine upgrade and 2 shuttles?

Fleet officer generates a stress to use. If you're using it every turn then that's going to be keeping Wingman busy.

Rex+vi

Jendon+fcs+fleet officer

Winged Gundark

Black squad + wingman

Rex should have TL and focus through his own action or shuttle sharing. Fcs+ fleet officer gives near rebel-like action sharig options. Wingman unlocks Rex's dial, keeps the action factory going, allows the double stall or double turn moves. Ties are low enough PS to block falcons or phantoms and free focus means they can manus we and modify dice or focus evade turtle to stay in the game longer. A touch more crit fishing from winged G shooting 3rd.

Fcs vs. ad sens is an interesting choice. With fleet officer I'm not sure you really need to go up to Jendon. That unlocks the buzz saw shuttle or an intel agent and shield upgrade for Rex.

How about a doom support shuttle? Ultimate crit fishing (3 ships in the list with crit effects) and unlike the regular doom shuttle it can still provide action economy when turning around.

Might need to make this a developing list thread. What to call this? HLC defender + doom shuttle certainly sounds like Boom and Doom. Taking the cow fishing? Boom, moo, doom, moo zoom with an engine upgrade and 2 shuttles?

Fleet officer generates a stress to use. If you're using it every turn then that's going to be keeping Wingman busy.

That's why the shuttle also has FCS. If you need to do something else, as long as the shuttle has someone in it's sights, it keeps some action economy going...But ya, wingman is MOSTLY there for the shuttle buddy.

IMO VI Rexler without engine upgrade isn't all that impressive, you get to shoot before phantoms but you have very limited ability to adjust your arc to counter their maneuverability. If you aren't going to make Rexler an effective phantom hunter then you might as well take Vessery to save a few points and get those free actions.

Vessery + ruthlessness + hlc + cluster missiles

Yes, thats a lot of points, but just imagine the face of your rival when you fire the missiles, both attacks with tl and both dealing 1 extra damage. Add a Decimator to the squad for more fun...

Vessery + ruthlessness + hlc + cluster missiles

Yes, thats a lot of points, but just imagine the face of your rival when you fire the missiles, both attacks with tl and both dealing 1 extra damage. Add a Decimator to the squad for more fun...

That is a lot of points. Will give it a go fun night anyway