The New Darth Vader and his Black Squadron

By TheRealStarkiller, in X-Wing

Curious about creating effective fluff lists with Vader + buff and Black Squadron members (named and generics).

Darth Vader (32)
TIE Advanced (29), Swarm Tactics (2), Title (0), ATC (1)

Black Squadron Pilot (17)
TIE Fighter (14), Predator (3)

Black Squadron Pilot (17)
TIE Fighter (14), Predator (3)

Black Squadron Pilot (17)
TIE Fighter (14), Predator (3)

Black Squadron Pilot (17)
TIE Fighter (14), Predator (3)

Vader let fire a squaddie first, so he might get the crit on a shieldless target.

I definitely approve. I appreciate thematic lists far more then optimized. Personal preference as it were...

-Cal

I like the thematic style of this list, as it offers an alternative to defaulting to Howlrunner. My problem is that I love kitting Vader out with Expose and now with ATC/x1 it's even better.

Darth Vader - Black Leader (33)

TIE Advanced (29), Predator (3), TIE/x1 (0), Advanced Targeting Computer (1)

Mauler Mithel - Black 2 - DS-61-2 (20)

Veteran Instincts (1), Targeting Computer (2)

Backstabber - Black 3 - DS-61-3 (16)

Dark Curse - Black 4 - DS-61-4 (16)

Black Squadron Pilot (15)

Draw Their Fire (1)

Draw crits to the generic, fire for effect with the rest.
It's just maximum fluff :P

Loving the thematic list.

Good stuff, i think its far more important to play the 'spirit' of the game than to have something thats killer but just doesnt feel like 'star wars'.

Be nice to see this in a game facing off against a Luke and 'red squadron' force :)

Darth Vader - Black Leader (31)

TIE Advanced (29), Determination (1), TIE/x1 (0), Advanced Targeting Computer (1)

Mauler Mithel - Black 2 - DS-61-2 (20)

Predator (3)

Backstabber - Black 3 - DS-61-3 (16)

Dark Curse - Black 4 - DS-61-4 (16)

Black Squadron Pilot (17)

Predator (3)

Slightly modified list.

Mauler with Predator should be quite effective in range 1.

Vader gets Determination, just because its he on the artwork and its only 1 point left.

Darth Vader (31)
TIE Advanced (29), Squad Leader (2), Title (0), AC (0)

Mauler Mithel (20)
TIE Fighter (17), Veteran Instincts (1), Targeting Computer (2)

Black Squadron Pilot (15)
TIE Fighter (14), Draw Their Fire (1)

Backstabber (18)
TIE Fighter (16), Targeting Computer (2)

Dark Curse (16)

Vader finally is able to command his squad while pounding at least 2 hits every round!

Backstabber and Mauler can be quite deathly with TL + Focus and Vader helps them doing so.

Edited by TheRealStarkiller

Darth Vader (36)
TIE Advanced (29), Expose (4), Experimental Interface (3), Title (0), ATC (1)

Mauler Mithel (17)

Backstabber (16)

Black Squadron Pilot (15)
TIE Fighter (14), Draw Their Fire (1)

Black Squadron Pilot (15)
TIE Fighter (14), Draw Their Fire (1)

Expose Vader on your own risk and pound like a Phantom!

Hopefully those Blackies are able to catch some crits if Vader is exposed.

They will gladly give their lifes to save their Lord.

Go Star Killer... GOooo!

:D

It is great to see our Sith-Daddy back in action in a big way.

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DAT...

:lol:

What is the buff you are referring to?

I ran a similar 60 point list yesterday to test out the TIE x1 title.

Darth Vader - TIE x1, Accuracy Corrector, Squad Leader, Experimental Interface

Academy Pilot x 2 (one with targeting computer)

I think I will take Adv. Targeting Computer next time, drop the targeting computer on the academy, and keep a point for initiative bid.

As nice as 2 hit results with Accuracy Corrector is - it is only 2 hit results. Any 3+ agility ship with a focus or evade token laughs at Darth Vader.

The action economy was pretty great, though. Vader takes his two actions and uses EI to stress and send a third via Squad Leader. The TIE Fighters were very wily.

I won with Vader untouched vs. Whisper (VI, ACD) and Dark Curse (Shield upgrade).

Yeah. Looks like he IS the best pilot in the galaxy ... finally.

At least he is now like the swiss (sith) army knife of the Empire.

What is the buff you are referring to?

:blink: ................ :huh: ........... -_- .... :ph34r: read the news

I ran a similar 60 point list yesterday to test out the TIE x1 title.

Darth Vader - TIE x1, Accuracy Corrector, Squad Leader, Experimental Interface

Academy Pilot x 2 (one with targeting computer)

I think I will take Adv. Targeting Computer next time, drop the targeting computer on the academy, and keep a point for initiative bid.

As nice as 2 hit results with Accuracy Corrector is - it is only 2 hit results. Any 3+ agility ship with a focus or evade token laughs at Darth Vader.

The action economy was pretty great, though. Vader takes his two actions and uses EI to stress and send a third via Squad Leader. The TIE Fighters were very wily.

I won with Vader untouched vs. Whisper (VI, ACD) and Dark Curse (Shield upgrade).

Ah! Yes!

This would be my 60 point lists:

Darth Vader (32)

TIE Advanced (29), Squad Leader (2), Title (0), ATC(1)

Academy Pilot (14)

TIE Fighter (12), Targeting Computer (2)

Academy Pilot (14)

TIE Fighter (12), Targeting Computer (2)

or an even fluffier version:

Darth Vader (30)

TIE Advanced (29), Determination (1), Title (0), AC (0)

Black Squadron Pilot (15)

TIE Fighter (14), Draw Their Fire (1)

Black Squadron Pilot (15)

TIE Fighter (14), Draw Their Fire (1)

Protect Lord Vader at all costs!

Edited by TheRealStarkiller

I ran a similar 60 point list yesterday to test out the TIE x1 title.

Darth Vader - TIE x1, Accuracy Corrector, Squad Leader, Experimental Interface

Academy Pilot x 2 (one with targeting computer)

I think I will take Adv. Targeting Computer next time, drop the targeting computer on the academy, and keep a point for initiative bid.

As nice as 2 hit results with Accuracy Corrector is - it is only 2 hit results. Any 3+ agility ship with a focus or evade token laughs at Darth Vader.

The action economy was pretty great, though. Vader takes his two actions and uses EI to stress and send a third via Squad Leader. The TIE Fighters were very wily.

I won with Vader untouched vs. Whisper (VI, ACD) and Dark Curse (Shield upgrade).

Ah! Yes!

This would be my 60 point lists:

Darth Vader (32)

TIE Advanced (29), Squad Leader (2), Title (0), ATC(1)

Academy Pilot (14)

TIE Fighter (12), Targeting Computer (2)

Academy Pilot (14)

TIE Fighter (12), Targeting Computer (2)

or an even fluffier version:

Darth Vader (30)

TIE Advanced (29), Determination (1), Title (0), AC (0)

Black Squadron Pilot (15)

TIE Fighter (14), Draw Their Fire (1)

Black Squadron Pilot (15)

TIE Fighter (14), Draw Their Fire (1)

Protect Lord Vader at all costs!

Yesh - initially I had wanted to throw TC on both academies but liked the idea of Experimental Interface. I think it works, but it was my first time flying TIE Advanced and I hadn't realized how lame a 1 bank 1 forward green dial is. I'll run what you suggested, along with the Adv. TC.

I don't think giving a Tie Advanced stress is the way to go.

I don't think giving a Tie Advanced stress is the way to go.

Darth Vader (36)

TIE Advanced (29), Expose (4), Experimental Interface (3), Title (0), ATC (1)

Black Squadron Pilot (15)

TIE Fighter (14), Draw Their Fire (1)

Black Squadron Pilot (16)

TIE Fighter (14), Wingman (2)

Backstabber (16)

Dark Curse (16)

One to eat crits, one to eat stress.

Edited by TheRealStarkiller

I don't think giving a Tie Advanced stress is the way to go.

Probably not as big of a deal in a 60 point list since there aren't as many ships who can block.

However, I just don't see running Vader without Engine.

I don't think giving a Tie Advanced stress is the way to go.

Probably not as big of a deal in a 60 point list since there aren't as many ships who can block.

However, I just don't see running Vader without Engine.

Run him with an Engine Upgrade if you want use him as a flanker.

If you want him to stay in touch with the Black Squadron, save the points.

Darth Vader (36)

TIE Advanced (29), Outmaneuver (3), Engine Upgrade (4), Title (0), ATC (1)

Backstabber (16)

Mauler Mithel (17)

Black Squadron Pilot (15)

TIE Fighter (14), Veteran Instincts (1)

Black Squadron Pilot (15)

TIE Fighter (14), Veteran Instincts (1)

Ignore this Vader like in the past, he will kill your ships unlike in the past.

Vader is the worst to put stress on. For one, he already gets 2 actions. Can you give him 3? Yes, but then you are forced to do a green action. His green are pretty predictable and not that hard to block him. Also, you might limit yourself as to where to go in the next turn. What's nice about Vader, especially with Engine Upgrade, is that he can go almost anywhere in a turn. He can go straight, bank, or turn....then do a barrel roll and boost to end up anywhere. Knowing where he is going to be is going to make it easier to take him out. I think the few times you would use it is not worth the risk of using it.

Evade on Vader is something I've thought about even before the fix. I think it's even better now. He goes so late in the turn that you can use it on turns that you know you won't be targeted by much. It gives you an extra die and with the fix, you also get a crit. If you are able to get behind someone at Range 1, you will get 4 dice and a crit on top of that.

Vader is the worst to put stress on. .......................................................................................................................................................................................... that.

I don't think giving a Tie Advanced stress is the way to go.

Darth Vader (36)

TIE Advanced (29), Expose (4), Experimental Interface (3), Title (0), ATC (1)

Black Squadron Pilot (15)

TIE Fighter (14), Draw Their Fire (1)

Black Squadron Pilot (16)

TIE Fighter (14), Wingman (2)

Backstabber (16)

Dark Curse (16)

One to eat crits, one to eat stress.

The stress is an insurance policy for the TIE escort. I take Vader's 2 actions when I need, but if I need to turtle him but still support his escorts, I can stress with EI to doll out the barrel, focus, or evade the TIE fighter needs.

I agree re: the predictability of the green on the TIE Advanced dial.

I know Engine Upgrade is a popular choice for Vader, but the TIE Advanced is not the dodecahedron of win our excitement would lead us to believe. I'd rather keep his cost relatively low and have him work as a support ship for more toothsome predators.

If Vader is able to get a shot off on that Fat Han, then it's worth it. If he has to barrel roll and boost to fire...and miss, it's OK. He gets that one critical hit. Will the Falcon use it's evade token for it? That uses that up for the rest of the ships. I think the ability to always get a critical hit in on an attack at PS 9 will be something interesting.

Is it necessary? No. I do like a cheap Vader. Is it very cool? Heck yeah!

150 points of Black Squadron fun:

Darth Vader (33)
TIE Advanced (29), Predator (3), Title (0), ATC (1)

Mauler Mithel (22)
TIE Fighter (17), Push the Limit (3), Targeting Computer (2)

Backstabber (16)

Dark Curse (16)

Black Squadron Pilot (17)
TIE Fighter (14), Predator (3)

Black Squadron Pilot (16)
TIE Fighter (14), Wingman (2)

Black Squadron Pilot (15)
TIE Fighter (14), Draw Their Fire (1)

Black Squadron Pilot (15)
TIE Fighter (14), Draw Their Fire (1)

I ran a similar 60 point list yesterday to test out the TIE x1 title.

Darth Vader - TIE x1, Accuracy Corrector, Squad Leader, Experimental Interface

Academy Pilot x 2 (one with targeting computer)

I think I will take Adv. Targeting Computer next time, drop the targeting computer on the academy, and keep a point for initiative bid.

As nice as 2 hit results with Accuracy Corrector is - it is only 2 hit results. Any 3+ agility ship with a focus or evade token laughs at Darth Vader.

The action economy was pretty great, though. Vader takes his two actions and uses EI to stress and send a third via Squad Leader. The TIE Fighters were very wily.

I won with Vader untouched vs. Whisper (VI, ACD) and Dark Curse (Shield upgrade).

Ah! Yes!

This would be my 60 point lists:

Darth Vader (32)

TIE Advanced (29), Squad Leader (2), Title (0), ATC(1)

Academy Pilot (14)

TIE Fighter (12), Targeting Computer (2)

Academy Pilot (14)

TIE Fighter (12), Targeting Computer (2)

or an even fluffier version:

Darth Vader (30)

TIE Advanced (29), Determination (1), Title (0), AC (0)

Black Squadron Pilot (15)

TIE Fighter (14), Draw Their Fire (1)

Black Squadron Pilot (15)

TIE Fighter (14), Draw Their Fire (1)

Protect Lord Vader at all costs!

Yesh - initially I had wanted to throw TC on both academies but liked the idea of Experimental Interface. I think it works, but it was my first time flying TIE Advanced and I hadn't realized how lame a 1 bank 1 forward green dial is. I'll run what you suggested, along with the Adv. TC.

This is why you give Vader the EU.. gives him more maneuverability.

I'd probably do Determination on Mauler over any other EPT. He's already expensive for a TIE, and his ability makes him a likely early target to kill before he can get into Range 1.