So I was reading the Wookiepedia and found the following:

The TIE Defender's weapons systems were designed to allow it to engage multiple enemy fighters[4] as well as the armed freighters frequently used by the Alliance.[9] It carried a formidable array of weaponry; in standard configuration it had four L-s9.3 laser cannons mounted on the two lower wings and two NK-3 ion cannons mounted on the upper wing. The laser and ion cannons could be set to fire separately or, if concentrated power was required, to fire-linked in either pairs or quartets.[7] The ion cannons could even be fired simultaneously with the laser cannons.[9] Two targeting sensors were located between each pair of cannons to provide the pilot with a constant stream of targeting information.[15] The ship also featured two M-g-2 general-purpose warhead launchers on the bottom of the pilot module,[6] each of which could be equipped with a standard load of four proton torpedoes or concussion missiles.[17] Depending on the mission profile, the ship could be fitted with alternative warheads such as proton rockets, proton bombs, or magnetic pulse warheads.[2] The inclusion of warhead launchers in the design was considered audacious by some members of the design team.[15]

How cool would it be if the Tie Defender could have bombs. Would it make them more playable again. I would love to go straight at someone, drop a bomb and K-turn.

Maybe well see some type of upgrade in the future for Defenders to carry bombs.

Nice!

LOL!

Hey it says they have bombs! So I'm just asking wouldn't it be cool to have them on defenders?

I think it would totally make them unique and interesting again.

In their current form I find them very unique and interesting. They're playable and in my area, played.

At some point, in some far, far off Imperial Aces-like expansion, I expect they may get a title or something to change them in some small way, but for now I'm very happy with a heavily shielded, cannon-capable ship with 3s across the board and a killer dial.

My Defender saved my bacon in my last tournament game. I was able to joust enemy Tie Fighters one at a time due to the K-turn and situation. I was able to take out Mauler Mithel, Howlrunner, and an Obsidian without taking too much damage.

It WOULD be cool to use an Ion Cannon from a Defender to hit someone, then drop a bomb, white K-turn behind them, and hit them again (if they are still alive after the bomb).

I believe the named ones are playable, but the poor un named ones are not. I don't think their dial is as good as you say, only having a straight green is so predictable. once they get stress, they lose their actions for the rest of the game, until they can safely make a straight move. Losing your action, is a killer in this game as we all know. 3 dice with no focus compared to 3 dice with focus -- Huge difference.

In most games I target lock immediately and then don't use it, because soon enough I will become stressed and not be able to take actions. Almost every good list has a way to deal stress now days. And it keeps growing!

I have continually tried new strategies and methods, but once they get stressed they are very predictable. Lets face it these are the best pilots in the Empire. Their training and testing is that of special forces, the fact that they can get stressed and not get over it, is just strange.

Remember these things were called X-killers, because they were so devastating. Trips as they were referred to, caused even the greatest pilots to have fear of them. Corran horan and others included.

In the game they way they are now they are just to predictable for the points.

If they had a system slot it would help, but unless your using rex, they are really not worth the points. IMO.

However, I'm still trying to use them because I spent money on them. Just like my 4 Tie Advanced. I force myself to use them, because I have spent money on them.

I believe the bomb the article was referring to was the bomb from Tie a Fighter the computer game. Proton rockets are slow so you had to speed up your ship prior to firing. In the game, there was one more projectile which was even slower and had no guidance system, it was just a giant bomb but still a forward launched projectile.

The laser and ion cannons could be set to fire separately or, if concentrated power was required, to fire-linked in either pairs or quartets.[7] The ion cannons could even be fired simultaneously with the laser cannons.

I like this idea even better

Yeah! Would be nice indeed

I believe the named ones are playable, but the poor un named ones are not. I don't think their dial is as good as you say, only having a straight green is so predictable. once they get stress, they lose their actions for the rest of the game, until they can safely make a straight move. Losing your action, is a killer in this game as we all know. 3 dice with no focus compared to 3 dice with focus -- Huge difference.

Delta's good is because low pilot skill makes that K-turn almost unblockable. If they get stressed, do a straight move. If you feel unable to take straight moves in a Defender then you're trying to fly the Defender as something else. Defenders have served me well and I've never had to use their red moves.

Point costs aside Onyx is worse than Delta.

Point costs aside Onyx is worse than Delta.

Agreed, the Delta is awesome, it's bottom-of-the-barrel PS is actually helpful for making the most of the white K-turn and avoiding blocking, the Onyx' PS increase isn't enough to compensate for that. Now, if the Onyx had an EPT slot in a similar fashion to how the A-Wing Green Squadron Pilot does, then it might be worth considering...

Lets face it these are the best pilots in the Empire. Their training and testing is that of special forces, the fact that they can get stressed and not get over it, is just strange.

Remember these things were called X-killers, because they were so devastating. Trips as they were referred to, caused even the greatest pilots to have fear of them. Corran horan and others included.

I think it's important for players to come to terms with the realities of the game and not dwell on why game mechanics do not mesh perfectly with fluff and film and books.

Take Games Workshop's Space Marines for example. Go read a Black Library book featuring Space Marines and then play a game of 40k with Space Marines. If the table-top Marine was close to equivalent with the book Marine he'd have 6 wounds, a 2+ armour/3+ invulnerable save, and toughness 7. Demi-godlike power levels.

The book Marine is the way he is so the book is entertaining. He's a titanic hero who does unbelievable things and survives the greatest terrors the universe can throw at him. He either wins the day or dies dragging hundreds of lesser adversaries to their deaths in spectacular fashion.

On the table-top he's much less Hercules and more Spec Ops soldier. He's an efficient warrior but can be countered. He's the way he is so the game's enjoyable. Some days he wins, some days he loses. He's a pawn in a dice game with two players who are both trying to win, facing off with roughly equal forces.

My point is love the fluff and love the game, but don't fall into the trap of trying to mix them together.

The TIE defender isn't a TIE interceptor on steroids. Since its original appearance just about everything has tried to make it more of a heavy fighter in the vein of a very fast Imperial B-wing and less of a Mary Sue Godfighter.

Actually I think what it really should have is an Astromech droid slot. (< Sarcasm, just in case you couldn't tell on your own)

The laser and ion cannons could be set to fire separately or, if concentrated power was required, to fire-linked in either pairs or quartets.[7] The ion cannons could even be fired simultaneously with the laser cannons.

I like this idea even better

I've mentioned it before, but a Defender only ion cannon that also has the ability to fire after a primary attack would boost the Defender, be fluffy, and let the Empire in on the two attack per turn wave.

Topics like this are tremendously tiresome, because they are assuming a flaw based on subjective, anecdotal experience. Now, let's consider the hard facts of the TIE Defender. It's 3's across the board with a white K-turn. These two features alone are close to worth what we pay for it to be added to a squadron. Now consider the variety of upgrades available. It gets even better.

There are posters on here who realize that. Thank goodness.

It seems the moment some fighters get a buff (Awing for instance) the forum explodes with well intentioned, but ultimately misguided, "fixes" for things players don't like. Using the Awing as an example, it got a huge buff in the form of the refit. It wasn't good enough for some. Now their attention is squarely fixed on the offensive firepower "flaw" in the Awing. That must be fixed! Why? Because you feel it lacking?

I'm glad that the designers don't rely on this forum for changes to their ships. I'm glad that these ships are all viable in their own way. I'm glad that I can see the uniqueness in each vessel and how they fit very different roles or playstyles. That makes for one helluva interesting game.

Using the Awing as an example, it got a huge buff in the form of the refit. It wasn't good enough for some. Now their attention is squarely fixed on the offensive firepower "flaw" in the Awing. That must be fixed! Why? Because you feel it lacking?

Seriously??!

Who on earth would suggest such a ridiculous thing?

The idea of bombs on a defender (or proton torpedoes) has merit. I could see that as a title modification. The quoted article does mention the modular ordnance launchers, so possible lore (it is legends lore currently), states it has possible. A title that replaces the missile with a bomb or torpedo is not game breaking or a crutch.

The idea that defenders are not playable as is, DOES NOT have merit.

The Tie Defender is from a computer game. In the same computer game any ship - even Tie Fighters - could carry bombs, missiles and torps.

The Tie Defender is from a computer game. In the same computer game any ship - even Tie Fighters - could carry bombs, missiles and torps.

Yup, just keep bombs for the ships who do have a true bomber role.

Bomber and Y-wings

The Tie Defender is from a computer game. In the same computer game any ship - even Tie Fighters - could carry bombs, missiles and torps.

Exactly!