So, Sunday morning at the con here in Rockford, there is a tourney. 100 points fighters only lists, no large ships.

I think I wanna run this...

Darth Vader (29)

Outmaneuver (3)

Engine Upgrade (4)

Royal Guard Pilot (22)

Push the Limit (3)

Stealth Device (3)

Hull Upgrade (3)

Royal Guard TIE (0)

Royal Guard Pilot (22)

Push the Limit (3)

Stealth Device (3)

Hull Upgrade (3)

Royal Guard TIE (0)

Total: 98

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Thoughts...

Any comments about Vader, need not be made. Thanks

Seems solid to me.

I'd remove one SD and give Prockets to Vader.

In fact I'd remove both give Vader Prockets, TC to 1 RGP and 1 point for init

only question would be how you want to handle ACD phantoms w/ Rebel Captive. Your Royals cant exactly attack them due to PTL, so Vader has to go first, and the only worry would be Vader not dealing enough damage fast enough.

There's also some concern about TIE swarms, where they could attempt to block your Royals and finish them off at close range.

I would try to either give Vader a missile (I vote for Assault), or upgrade one of the royals into Soontir / Carnor, maybe even both. Im comfortable with either hull or stealth on the TIEints, but both is a bit excessive, and probably not as worth it as bringing Soontir or Carnor or even Turr.

EDIT: If you can use Wave 5 stuff, give Vader Lone Wolf and Proton Rockets. Lone Wolf on Vader is simply amazing, due to his lousy 2 dice attack and his double actions.

You ask us to comment on a list and then tell us to ignore 36 points of it? What exactly are you after? A review of the Royal Guard Pilot and title?

You ask us to comment on a list and then tell us to ignore 36 points of it? What exactly are you after? A review of the Royal Guard Pilot and title?

it's a fair request. Most, if not everybody's first reply would be "take out Vader, replace with XYZ"

basically, Vader needs to be in there, and while he's in there, he kinda enjoys engine upgrade, and while he has engine upgrade, Outmaneuver is pretty good on him actually

It looks pretty solid, prokets on Vader is a valid option get behind them TL and focus would deliver one hell of a punch.

or upgrade one of the royals into Soontir / Carnor, maybe even both. Im comfortable with either hull or stealth on the TIEints, but both is a bit excessive, and probably not as worth it as bringing Soontir or Carnor or even Turr.

EDIT: If you can use Wave 5 stuff, give Vader Lone Wolf and Proton Rockets. Lone Wolf on Vader is simply amazing, due to his lousy 2 dice attack and his double actions.

^ this

And we all know that Soontir/Jax/Turr would be a better fit, but Vader it is and Vader it shall be.

"So say we all"

You ask us to comment on a list and then tell us to ignore 36 points of it? What exactly are you after? A review of the Royal Guard Pilot and title?

it's a fair request. Most, if not everybody's first reply would be "take out Vader, replace with XYZ"

basically, Vader needs to be in there, and while he's in there, he kinda enjoys engine upgrade, and while he has engine upgrade, Outmaneuver is pretty good on him actually

And suddenly he's 36 points. That's more than a Firespray, more than a Fel PTL, more than an TIE defender, more than Echo ACD. Why not stick a Homing Missile on him too and push him over the base cost of a VT-49 Decimator?

Upgrading Vader isn't fixing the fact that he costs far too much for a two attack ship, it's exacarbating it. Sure, he can get a good proton rocket off, but 32 points for missile delivery? In terms of combat, he can be beaten in every way by Soontir Fel. Fel's got 3 attack, better action economy a better dial, better arcdodging ability and all for a lesser price. For the same price he can match durability if you load him up with mods. The TIE defender, also in this price bracket, is more durable than Vader while still having a viable attack. Same with the Firespray. At this time Vader is outright inferior to all of them. Defying the prevailing wisdom is all well and good but we're almost talking Munitions Failsafe on a TIE fighter here.

There's a reason the Empire is said to be a ship down. Until the imminent fix for the TIE advanced x1, Vader only has one place in this game, and that's on a Lambda Shuttle or a Decimator.

You ask us to comment on a list and then tell us to ignore 36 points of it? What exactly are you after? A review of the Royal Guard Pilot and title?

it's a fair request. Most, if not everybody's first reply would be "take out Vader, replace with XYZ"

basically, Vader needs to be in there, and while he's in there, he kinda enjoys engine upgrade, and while he has engine upgrade, Outmaneuver is pretty good on him actually

And suddenly he's 36 points. That's more than a Firespray, more than a Fel PTL, more than an TIE defender, more than Echo ACD. Why not stick a Homing Missile on him too and push him over the base cost of a VT-49 Decimator?

Upgrading Vader isn't fixing the fact that he costs far too much for a two attack ship, it's exacarbating it. Sure, he can get a good proton rocket off, but 32 points for missile delivery? In terms of combat, he can be beaten in every way by Soontir Fel. Fel's got 3 attack, better action economy a better dial, better arcdodging ability and all for a lesser price. For the same price he can match durability if you load him up with mods. The TIE defender, also in this price bracket, is more durable than Vader while still having a viable attack. Same with the Firespray. At this time Vader is outright inferior to all of them. Defying the prevailing wisdom is all well and good but we're almost talking Munitions Failsafe on a TIE fighter here.

There's a reason the Empire is said to be a ship down. Until the imminent fix for the TIE advanced x1, Vader only has one place in this game, and that's on a Lambda Shuttle or a Decimator.

He's Vader, you will be blessed with good dice rolls powered by the Dark Side of the Force.

It works in mysterious ways, do not question the Force.

and honestly anyone looking for actually competitive answers wouldn't bring Vader in the first place for reasons that everybody already knows by now. Just treat it as a challenge to build a good workable list with Vader in it.

Oh ya, you could also try swapping in Delta Defenders for the Royals if you wanted something equally tanky and equally painful

In that case why not Maarek?

You ask us to comment on a list and then tell us to ignore 36 points of it? What exactly are you after? A review of the Royal Guard Pilot and title?

it's a fair request. Most, if not everybody's first reply would be "take out Vader, replace with XYZ"

basically, Vader needs to be in there, and while he's in there, he kinda enjoys engine upgrade, and while he has engine upgrade, Outmaneuver is pretty good on him actually

And suddenly he's 36 points. That's more than a Firespray, more than a Fel PTL, more than an TIE defender, more than Echo ACD. Why not stick a Homing Missile on him too and push him over the base cost of a VT-49 Decimator?

Upgrading Vader isn't fixing the fact that he costs far too much for a two attack ship, it's exacarbating it. Sure, he can get a good proton rocket off, but 32 points for missile delivery? In terms of combat, he can be beaten in every way by Soontir Fel. Fel's got 3 attack, better action economy a better dial, better arcdodging ability and all for a lesser price. For the same price he can match durability if you load him up with mods. The TIE defender, also in this price bracket, is more durable than Vader while still having a viable attack. Same with the Firespray. At this time Vader is outright inferior to all of them. Defying the prevailing wisdom is all well and good but we're almost talking Munitions Failsafe on a TIE fighter here.

There's a reason the Empire is said to be a ship down. Until the imminent fix for the TIE advanced x1, Vader only has one place in this game, and that's on a Lambda Shuttle or a Decimator.

If you ask me the OP should have stipulated that this thread isn't intended for discussing Vader's overcostedness. Oh, wait...

Post #5.

You ask us to comment on a list and then tell us to ignore 36 points of it? What exactly are you after? A review of the Royal Guard Pilot and title?

I asked that there be no comment on Vader because I do want to use him. So the constant rattle on about the same old song.. which I know so well having been here so long, isn't what I wanted to hear, or discuss.

I like the idea of the P Rockets, but until today I didn't have them. At the con today a dealer had a Reb Aces so I bought it. I had been thinking Carnor for a sub for one of the Royals, and now that I have the P Rockets I can load out Vader with them.

Thanks everyone for your comments today, I didn't have time to check back in today until late.. and really .. it's tomorrow lol.

I do dig Soontir and Turr, Carnor could be good as well. but if I sub some in it will only be two. I am well aware I most likely will not be winning this, my first tourney, but I wanted to throw in a list that would be fun for Me, and use some good pilots. I am a big fan of Vader, and I dig the Squints as well, and have been wanting to run a list with both.

TIE Pilot, I appreciate that not everyone likes Vader, but I really didn't want another discussion thread on the usefulness of him. The addition of the Procks will help and I may see if I can squeeze in Carnor, he is great with his ability and I can live without the RG title for the points I can throw to these minor changes.

Again, thanks for the responses, I have a few changes to make when I get up in 4 hours.. lol

I'd go with prockets for sure on vader. He's the best for getting a big hit!

Maybe you like royal guards or interceptors but when I see that list neither aspect strikes that much fear into me.

Can you put something that is immediately a powerful threat in? Like something obvious so that people forget vader.

Darth Vader — TIE Advanced 29

Proton Rockets 3

Omicron Group Pilot — Lambda-Class Shuttle 21

Fire-Control System 2

Mara Jade 3

Omicron Group Pilot — Lambda-Class Shuttle 21

Fire-Control System 2

Rebel Captive 3

"Backstabber" — TIE Fighter 16

Total 100

Colonel Vessery (35)

Heavy Laser Cannon (7)

Omicron Group Pilot (21)

Fire-Control System (2)

Darth Vader (29)

Outmaneuver (3)

Proton Rockets (3)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

For more fun take off the hlc add engine to vader and prockets to vessery! It's totally a lot of fun!

Colonel Vessery (35)Heavy Laser Cannon (7)Omicron Group Pilot (21)Fire-Control System (2)Darth Vader (29)Outmaneuver (3)Proton Rockets (3)Total: 100View in Yet Another Squad Builder

For more fun take off the hlc add engine to vader and prockets to vessery! It's totally a lot of fun!

I'm not a huge fan of the Shuttle, partly because it clearly requires an expert hand and I've not used it enough yet, and partly because it seems to require a bit of luck in who you go up against (everything does I suppose), but I reckon the Defender could well be a fun one for the OP, and I don't know what would fit the remaining points better than a shuttle, so, Like!

I probably would take the EU on Vader, he does need to get into R1 after all.

So, Sunday morning at the con here in Rockford, there is a tourney. 100 points fighters only lists, no large ships.

@Blail Blerg: You are out.

Hey cut me some slack it was three am.

I've posted by photo diary of the event over on TC. enjoy

http://teamcovenant.com/sozin/2014/11/09/2014-world-championships-photo-diary/

Is that a...

I take it all back, oneway. I take it all back.

Caught red handed!!!

I set a pretty high personal goal for worlds... Make the top 32 with a list that no one thought should be there!

I brought:

Darth Vader — TIE Advanced

Outmaneuver

Proton Rockets

Engine Upgrade

Soontir Fel — TIE Interceptor

Push the Limit

Hull Upgrade

Shield Upgrade

Royal Guard TIE

Omicron Group Pilot — Lambda-Class Shuttle 21

Fire-Control System

Intelligence Agent

In that shot I was 4-1 playing for my seat in the top 32. My only loss thus far was to Ira (the eventual #1 seed at the end of the day). I ended up losing to Ryan's Whisper plus mini-swarm. It was a great game with some major momentum swings. I ended up 4-2 with a MoV only strong enough for mid 20's.

I tried for the lottery on day 2 but was one of the few names not drawn. Ohh we'll guess this just wasn't meant to be Vader's year . Had a blast though. Already looking forward to next year!

Figured I'd quote this by way of apology.

Thanks, that picture is awesome, and no worries.

I ran the same Vader build, with Carnor , push, shield, and Royal with push and stealth.

The tourney was non standard, I only really played 2 regular face to face matches. The third game was called 'football' and was more fun than I thought it would be.

I only lost one ship each game, and in the first I almosr one shotted Wedge, rolling all 5 hits on the Procks.. I took a picture of the dice cause I know no one will believe me.. I'll load it later lol.

It was a fun tourney and we all had a good time, very much a 'fly casual' day. Met some people that get together at a local store, so I'll be heading there this coming week. Gonna bring the Decimator and see who I can fly it against.. seems everyone is chomping at the bit to fly against it.

Blail, I like those lists, wouldn't have worked today, but I can give them a try this week.