Just posted in Team Covenant, but I want to share my thoughts with you guys and girls. What do you think? I really look forward to your ideas!

The main subject is what the title depicts. The meta is going to be filled with Decimators loaded with rebel captives, a myriad of Corrans chewing through layers and layers of decimator’s hull, dashing Dashes on steroids, and many swarms seeking justice against the new imperial behemoths.

Sometimes, we will see a phantom risking everything to avoid stress and gunners, but they’re fragile and the new meta is going to hurt, from VI chiraneau to Vadercimators, to any Hawk or rebel captive.

So I faced a new challenge: ¿Who could stop any of those enemies, and how many points remain to build my anti-decimator decimator list?

The answer was out there. Maybe Soontir Fel? As vulnerable as a phantom, more or less, can’t deal with a turret properly until February. Lone Wolf Kath Scarlett with a gunner and a loaded engineless Oicunn? Worked fine a few times but I’m going to struggle against mobility, Corran, or both (nevertheless, a Mara Jade + Rebel Captive in a VT-49, and a gunner Kath list is a quite nice imperial control squad). I went for some new meta-options with a stygium lone wolf whisper (Screw the PS bid), but is still fragile, even with 2 dice reroll + evade.

then I found him, Rexler Brath, with the option of being the nightmare he always wanted to be. Lone wolf Rexler. A flanking monster able to deliver damage to a tough decimator through the decimating focus crits. Able to deal with a Corran dodging his arc and forcing him to go for our decimator, and punishing him with focused fire. Dash runs? You run faster and exploit that goddamn hole. A swarm? Good luck hitting a 3 dice agility + reroll monster.

Well, to fight 4 rebel ship lists, the upper hand goes to the decimator. So…

How would you prepare that 2 ship imperial list? How would you load Rexler’s decimator friend with the 57 (56 if bidding 99 pts, to move after corran)?

Non mandatory keys:

PS 8 is very nice to start That way you move after Corran AND shoot with the decimator first if wanted, allowing it to strip tokens. That would make the Rexler’s pilot ability much easier to exploit many times.

Rebel Captive would be the ultimate anti expert interface – push the limit mechanic. He should be present if there’s not engine on the decimator.

Mara jade: She kept a corran horn doing useless greens all the time while Oicunn rammed him every turn until he exploded. She also helps with your lack of mobility, limiting the enemy if flown well.

Gunner: A two ship list with 6 red dice is prone to fail delivering damage. This is insurance, but also a waste against other decimators.

Predator: Yup. Just pointing how awesome it is. Also, 6 dice two ship build. Nuff said.

There are many more subjects I’ve analyzed, but I eager to know what you think!

Just posted in Team Covenant, but I want to share my thoughts with you guys and girls. What do you think? I really look forward to your ideas!

The main subject is what the title depicts. The meta is going to be filled with Decimators loaded with rebel captives, a myriad of Corrans chewing through layers and layers of decimator’s hull, dashing Dashes on steroids, and many swarms seeking justice against the new imperial behemoths.

Sometimes, we will see a phantom risking everything to avoid stress and gunners, but they’re fragile and the new meta is going to hurt, from VI chiraneau to Vadercimators, to any Hawk or rebel captive.

So I faced a new challenge: ¿Who could stop any of those enemies, and how many points remain to build my anti-decimator decimator list?

The answer was out there. Maybe Soontir Fel? As vulnerable as a phantom, more or less, can’t deal with a turret properly until February. Lone Wolf Kath Scarlett with a gunner and a loaded engineless Oicunn? Worked fine a few times but I’m going to struggle against mobility, Corran, or both (nevertheless, a Mara Jade + Rebel Captive in a VT-49, and a gunner Kath list is a quite nice imperial control squad). I went for some new meta-options with a stygium lone wolf whisper (Screw the PS bid), but is still fragile, even with 2 dice reroll + evade.

then I found him, Rexler Brath, with the option of being the nightmare he always wanted to be. Lone wolf Rexler. A flanking monster able to deliver damage to a tough decimator through the decimating focus crits. Able to deal with a Corran dodging his arc and forcing him to go for our decimator, and punishing him with focused fire. Dash runs? You run faster and exploit that goddamn hole. A swarm? Good luck hitting a 3 dice agility + reroll monster.

Well, to fight 4 rebel ship lists, the upper hand goes to the decimator. So…

How would you prepare that 2 ship imperial list? How would you load Rexler’s decimator friend with the 57 (56 if bidding 99 pts, to move after corran)?

Non mandatory keys:

PS 8 is very nice to start That way you move after Corran AND shoot with the decimator first if wanted, allowing it to strip tokens. That would make the Rexler’s pilot ability much easier to exploit many times.

Rebel Captive would be the ultimate anti expert interface – push the limit mechanic. He should be present if there’s not engine on the decimator.

Mara jade: She kept a corran horn doing useless greens all the time while Oicunn rammed him every turn until he exploded. She also helps with your lack of mobility, limiting the enemy if flown well.

Gunner: A two ship list with 6 red dice is prone to fail delivering damage. This is insurance, but also a waste against other decimators.

Predator: Yup. Just pointing how awesome it is. Also, 6 dice two ship build. Nuff said.

There are many more subjects I’ve analyzed, but I eager to know what you think!

Preach on Nynox. I like where your mindset is at on this. I Have been looking for a good method to use a Decimator/ Defender list because I refuse to belive that the Defender is going to be the next TIE Advanced.

Question tho i have enough points left over to throw an autoblaster on Rexler since autoblaster alows you to have uncanceled regular shots does rexlers ability alow those shots to become uncanceled crits....or is this a poor use of the extra 5points and ditch the autoblaster?

It won't work better than it usually does. Yes, you can turn face up those damages dealt with autoblaster.

Rexler's ability takes place after the attack, so it will just be and autoblaster attack at range 1, with classic uncancellable hits, and after that if you have a focus, and at least 1 damage card has been dealt, you could turn those cards face up.

If we talk about great synergy, a HLC is boss here, but the points cost just skyrockets. but if you REALLY plan to add an autoblaster, spend 2 more points and go for HLC.

Agreed for two points more your denying bonus agility giving rexler four attack at all ranges and because of his ability rolling hits has no negative side because he can flip them.

This is what im toying with at the moment but I would like to throw a Heavy laser cannon on Rexler as well

Captain Oicunn 42

Predator 3

Rebel captive 3

Mara Jade 3

Gunner 5

Rexler Brath

Lone Wolf 2

???????????

Now im sitting at 95 points and really wanting a HLC on Rexler

So what out of the upgrades should be dumped in order for Rexler to get a HLC

Predator.

This is what im toying with at the moment but I would like to throw a Heavy laser cannon on Rexler as well

Captain Oicunn 42

Predator 3

Rebel captive 3

Mara Jade 3

Gunner 5

Rexler Brath

Lone Wolf 2

???????????

Now im sitting at 95 points and really wanting a HLC on Rexler

So what out of the upgrades should be dumped in order for Rexler to get a HLC

If you don't get your engine upgrade, you may have a bad time against dash, but it's doable... but getting inside the doughnut, attacking him without return fire is BIG. Also, flying a loaded low PS decimator without Ysanne is very risky. Can be done with more PS against no turrets if you predict your opponent's movements.

Maybe Ysanne + rebel captive in Oicunn? Predator would help a lot, you fire AFTER Rex, so many times there would be no tokens to avoid damage!

What about RAdm, Determination, Ysanne, EU; Rex, Outman, EU. Hmm...

Lone Wolf Rexler Brath vs Decimator

I think others had a similar idea, but can Rexler handle the stress from the Rebel Captives on the Decimator?

Nynox how would your list look like if you are planing to do a build with a decimator and Raxler? Or is that information you are keeping secret till a tournament

Lone Wolf Rexler Brath vs Decimator

I think others had a similar idea, but can Rexler handle the stress from the Rebel Captives on the Decimator?

Nope, last week I totally neutered Rexlar with RC on Kenkirk. Never really got back in the game then was blown up.

Rexler

Lone Wolf

HLC

Kenkirk

Determination

Ysanne Isard

Gunner

Should be an even 100.

You fly your turtle Decimator wherever it needs to go while Rexler keeps his distance, but not too far, and pops targets with the HLC.

For a more aggressive build, swap to Chiraneau and replace Determination and Gunner with Expose. You lose the second attack and some defense but gain an extra die on all your attacks. Still 100.

How awful is this build?

Thinking competively here. I think Vessery is good option given he can use the TL from the Decimator. There's good action economy right there. Problem is the PS. And the problem with many of these lists is the PS. You'll be fighting 8s and 9s with possibly no initiative bid(depends how cheap you want to make your ships).

Kenkirk is the tank of the decimators but he's going to be playing more and more Chiraneau's that want you in RNG1/2. Kenkirk gets better the further away he is obviously which demands that you take Gunner as your opponent is going to be rolling modified agi dice. Taking Reb Cap is also a must IMO as you have to penalise your opponent for shooting at your deci. Ysanne, this card is brilliant, being able to action off her with EI or PTL in the combat phase, just awesome and to help his chances against higher PS being able to boost to safety is a very juicy peach(so Engine Upgrade would be nice). So ive hit a problem. To make Kenkirk a weapon capable of dealing with meta lists he just came to 63pts. My Chiraneau list has the rear admiral at 62pts, he rolls 4 red dice, is PS8 and that pilot ability, so good.

Anyway back to defenders, theyre cool, but theyre so expensive! For 36pts i can have a super Soontir with loads of actions(and one being the Evade action that the Defs dont have) or one of the named Defender pilots starting at 35pts naked.

TLDR the Admiral is just too good to go past and defenders cost too much. But i do like that people are trying to find a way to use them, they are pretty cool ships with great abilities.

Nynox how would your list look like if you are planing to do a build with a decimator and Raxler? Or is that information you are keeping secret till a tournament

Nah! After some very good advice and my own thoughts, I went on the PS8 bid to allow the decimator to shot first. Also, Fleet officer it's a HUGE option to allow Rexler to use his ability with double focus. The decimator should have at least gunner (to compensate the lack of firepower) so in the end, the list looks like this:

Kenkirk (Defense die to compensate the lack of Ysanne) 56

VI

Gunner

Fleet officer

Rebel captive

Rexler Brath 39

Predator

At this point we can place an engine in any of both, it will improve the chances against Dash if placed in the defender, or against swarms if placed in the decimator. I tried it yesterday against the worse possible matchup, which in my opinion is a Fat Han (c3po + R2d2 crew) and 3 talas. Wiped the escort with a 1hp Rexler, while I messed up and forgot the gunner which would have mean no return fire if 1 damage had been dealt to Rex. We were playing a tournament like 75 minutes round, so that gave me a win, but in a long game I was doomed.

Theorist gave me the idea of using a Patrol with a HLC loaded Rexler, but with Predator and Engine, that puts Rexler in 51 points, and that scares me. A lot. 51 points 6 hp thing.

Lone Wolf Rexler Brath vs Decimator

I think others had a similar idea, but can Rexler handle the stress from the Rebel Captives on the Decimator?

Nope, last week I totally neutered Rexlar with RC on Kenkirk. Never really got back in the game then was blown up.

That's why I want PS8 (or decoy) in the decimator, to eat stress if needed, and keep Rexler healthy.

I Like running this:

Rear Admiral Chiraneau

-Expose

-Moff Jerjerrod

-Rebel Captive

-Mercenary Copilot

-Experimental Interface

Rexler Brath

-Lone Wolf

Assuming your dice don't hate you, it puts out a silly amount of damage for a two ship build and has a couple throw away crew for those pesky crits

Tried this yesterday:

Rear Admiral Chiraneau

- Determination

- Rebel Captive

- Ysanne Isard

- Weapons Engineer

Colonel Vessery

- Veteran Instincts

- Heavy Laser Cannon

Equal pilot skills means whichever I feel like first, and also means I can fire Vessery first, stripping shields, and then having Chiraneau chiraneauing an eyeball into a crit on the then-shieldless ship. With plenty of target locks I'm quite likely to land 5-7 hits each turn, even without Gunner. All in all it performed admirably.

I'm thinking of redoing the list slightly, fitting in Rexler Brath next time, maybe something like this:

Rear Admiral Chiraneau

- Veteran Instincts

- Rebel Captive

- Ysanne Isard

Rexler Brath

- Lone Wolf

- Heavy Laser Cannon

This list hits less reliably, but the ships can more more independently, and at PS10 Chiraneau can take out Wedges and Whispers before they shoot. Should also be a little tougher.

Tried this yesterday:

Rear Admiral Chiraneau

- Determination

- Rebel Captive

- Ysanne Isard

- Weapons Engineer

Colonel Vessery

- Veteran Instincts

- Heavy Laser Cannon

Equal pilot skills means whichever I feel like first, and also means I can fire Vessery first, stripping shields, and then having Chiraneau chiraneauing an eyeball into a crit on the then-shieldless ship. With plenty of target locks I'm quite likely to land 5-7 hits each turn, even without Gunner. All in all it performed admirably.

I'm thinking of redoing the list slightly, fitting in Rexler Brath next time, maybe something like this:

Rear Admiral Chiraneau

- Veteran Instincts

- Rebel Captive

- Ysanne Isard

Rexler Brath

- Lone Wolf

- Heavy Laser Cannon

This list hits less reliably, but the ships can more more independently, and at PS10 Chiraneau can take out Wedges and Whispers before they shoot. Should also be a little tougher.

This seems scary but want point cost is this. The Vesery Decimator combination has become brutal especially if you meet or beat the pilot skill of decimator with vesery. The only problem is that it makes the Tie defender the priority target as it does the most damage.

Oh and on a side note if they took wedge to a fight with the decimator they took the wrong pilot.

I don't mind them targeting the Defender. It's reasonably good at, eh, defending, especially if kept at range three for as long as possible, and ideally only in arc of a couple of attackers. They'll likely spend so much time taking him out that Chiraneau is way too intact by the lategame to deal with easily. Rebel Captive also ensures that my opponent's best pilot is permanently stressed, which makes him much more susceptible to Chiraneau's fire.

In my first game, Vessery died fairly early, but only after taking out an A-Wing and stripping four shields off Super-Dash, who then had to deal with Chiraneau shooting first and dealing 1-2 crits every turn. At PS7 Dash also had to move first, which made it tricky for him to keep his distance from the Decimator. In the second game Vessery took a whole lot of damage fairly early, but he also nearly killed Ten Numb, and stuck around at 1 HP for several turns, shaking off potshots from Headhunters. In both games, my opponent's hunt for Vessery made sure Chiraneau never dropped below 9 HP.

I don't mind them targeting the Defender. It's reasonably good at, eh, defending, especially if kept at range three for as long as possible, and ideally only in arc of a couple of attackers. They'll likely spend so much time taking him out that Chiraneau is way too intact by the lategame to deal with easily. Rebel Captive also ensures that my opponent's best pilot is permanently stressed, which makes him much more susceptible to Chiraneau's fire.

In my first game, Vessery died fairly early, but only after taking out an A-Wing and stripping four shields off Super-Dash, who then had to deal with Chiraneau shooting first and dealing 1-2 crits every turn. At PS7 Dash also had to move first, which made it tricky for him to keep his distance from the Decimator. In the second game Vessery took a whole lot of damage fairly early, but he also nearly killed Ten Numb, and stuck around at 1 HP for several turns, shaking off potshots from Headhunters. In both games, my opponent's hunt for Vessery made sure Chiraneau never dropped below 9 HP.

Maybe the key there is using Vessery instead of Rexler.

Today I'm giving a try to:

Patrol leader 40 (52)

gunner

Fleet officer

engine upgrade

Rexler 37 (47)

HLC

Predator

1 Point bid against Corran, or an intelligence agent. You can also swap the engine, but this hurts the decimator a lot. This list's is the final advice Theorist gave me, and I really want to try it. The second option I'm willing to try is:

Rexler 37 (46)

HLC

Lone Wolf

Oicunn 42 (53)

Predator

Gunner

Rebel Captive

Still 1 point bid that can be swapped for something, even Predator instead of Lone Wolf. Oicunn as a close quarters basterd (ramming or not) and Rexler in the outskirts shooting like madman. Nobody is really tanky, but the list punishes if you focus only one of them. I miss Mara Jade in Oicunn, but you can't have everything in life.

I went with a list close to builds using vessery

I've had a game where I used three defenders with ion cannons and the first turn one got focused on and reduced to one hull, it then proceeded to lead a b-wing and z-95 around the board while the other two killed wedge and another z-95, after five turns that one hull defender was still alive and he turned around and joined his mates in wiping out the last two rebels.

Today I'm giving a try to:

Patrol leader 40 (52)

gunner

Fleet officer

engine upgrade

Rexler 37 (47)

HLC

Predator

1 Point bid against Corran, or an intelligence agent. You can also swap the engine, but this hurts the decimator a lot. This list's is the final advice Theorist gave me, and I really want to try it. The second option I'm willing to try is:

Rexler 37 (46)

HLC

Lone Wolf

Oicunn 42 (53)

Predator

Gunner

Rebel Captive

Still 1 point bid that can be swapped for something, even Predator instead of Lone Wolf. Oicunn as a close quarters basterd (ramming or not) and Rexler in the outskirts shooting like madman. Nobody is really tanky, but the list punishes if you focus only one of them. I miss Mara Jade in Oicunn, but you can't have everything in life.

In your first list, I wonder if Fleet Officer will in fact be worthwhile. I can see it being situational (against large base ships it has the potential for huge pay-off when it helps Brath activate his ability) but against small base ships, I can't see it doing a whole lot...

I like your second list but feel Oicunn needs either engine or expert handling. I find decimators die way too quickly without some movement action to save them from focussed fire, but that could just be me?

I've been looking forward to trying:

Vessery w/ VI + HLC

Kenkirk w/ expert handling, rebel captive, Isard & weapon engineer

Agility 3 with that many hit points is not a joke.