He's in a weird spot, because his draw is action economy, but Vader does it better and at 4PS higher.

Vader has good action economy while unstressed, unblocked and during the activation phase.

Alozen has good action economy when winding up at Range 1 of an enemy, irrespective of when that enemy gets into Range 1, even if he is stressed.

Vader's high PS works to his advantage when deciding which actions to do, but he gets blocked by every single pilot in the game, and becomes just a level 9 Tempest (with EPT).

Now that I think on it, Alozen is a pretty good choice for Enhanced Scopes. He gets to save a Target Lock for the start of combat step. Turn him into a blocker whose actions are guaranteed...

I might consider that Ruthlessness/AC/Cluster build on Alozen over Vader. The whole build comes to 32 points, but has some perks. Alozen moves early enough that a Target Lock cannot be relied on, so AC mitigates that. If they do end up at Range 1, he'll punish them with ruthless missiles.

He's in a weird spot, because his draw is action economy, but Vader does it better and at 4PS higher.

Vader has good action economy while unstressed, unblocked and during the activation phase.

Alozen has good action economy when winding up at Range 1 of an enemy, irrespective of when that enemy gets into Range 1, even if he is stressed.

Vader's high PS works to his advantage when deciding which actions to do, but he gets blocked by every single pilot in the game, and becomes just a level 9 Tempest (with EPT).

Now that I think on it, Alozen is a pretty good choice for Enhanced Scopes. He gets to save a Target Lock for the start of combat step. Turn him into a blocker whose actions are guaranteed...

I think you're onto something with Enhanced Scopes. Alozen suddenly becomes the blocker, moving before everything, with three Agility, and the capacity to K-Turn and punish immediately (with a TL attack to boot). The only real downside I see is that ES don't help the two attack dice at all, but I think you can build him into a solid squad that utilizes him well. Give him Intimidation, maybe Vessery as a wingman, or just a whole bunch of TIEs jumping on the VIP.

Alozen also has the advantage of being 4 points cheaper. I mean, its a minor thing compared to the other great points folks have made, but it is relevant. A lot of my excitement about this fix is in relation to filling a slot in a point range that didn't have many options prior. Vader is fantastic, and just got better, but he runs in to a point range that has far more competition.

Alozen also has the advantage of being 4 points cheaper. I mean, its a minor thing compared to the other great points folks have made, but it is relevant. A lot of my excitement about this fix is in relation to filling a slot in a point range that didn't have many options prior. Vader is fantastic, and just got better, but he runs in to a point range that has far more competition.

And you're not wrong. Alozen can take just an Advanced Targeting Computer and call it good, although I have no idea how reliably his ability will trigger. At 26 points that's a good chunk, but definitely not up at the Vader/Fel/Whisper range. Is there an EPT that you think explicitly helps Alozen down at PS5?

Alozen also has the advantage of being 4 points cheaper. I mean, its a minor thing compared to the other great points folks have made, but it is relevant. A lot of my excitement about this fix is in relation to filling a slot in a point range that didn't have many options prior. Vader is fantastic, and just got better, but he runs in to a point range that has far more competition.

And you're not wrong. Alozen can take just an Advanced Targeting Computer and call it good, although I have no idea how reliably his ability will trigger. At 26 points that's a good chunk, but definitely not up at the Vader/Fel/Whisper range. Is there an EPT that you think explicitly helps Alozen down at PS5?

He's pretty good already, so I'd keep him as cheap as you can. Maybe VI to make him attack sooner, but not a huge reason for that. He could also make good use of a proton rocket, even though ATC is primary only. If put him next to Howlrunner in a formation of ties or even other advanced to guarantee the two/3 hits from his dice plus the crit from his target lock.

Alozen also has the advantage of being 4 points cheaper. I mean, its a minor thing compared to the other great points folks have made, but it is relevant. A lot of my excitement about this fix is in relation to filling a slot in a point range that didn't have many options prior. Vader is fantastic, and just got better, but he runs in to a point range that has far more competition.

And you're not wrong. Alozen can take just an Advanced Targeting Computer and call it good, although I have no idea how reliably his ability will trigger. At 26 points that's a good chunk, but definitely not up at the Vader/Fel/Whisper range. Is there an EPT that you think explicitly helps Alozen down at PS5?

He's pretty good already, so I'd keep him as cheap as you can. Maybe VI to make him attack sooner, but not a huge reason for that. He could also make good use of a proton rocket, even though ATC is primary only. If put him next to Howlrunner in a formation of ties or even other advanced to guarantee the two/3 hits from his dice plus the crit from his target lock.

Okay that sounds pretty interesting. Him next to Howl in a Swarm could be fun, even if his pilot ability isn't triggering all that often as a result. He could be an interesting choice for the Wingman EPT next to a PtL/Stealth Howlrunner. If Alozen takes a Focus or Evade every turn after he has a Target Lock, he's going to take a while to take down (much longer than a Wingman Black Sq Pilot).

Alozen also has the advantage of being 4 points cheaper. I mean, its a minor thing compared to the other great points folks have made, but it is relevant. A lot of my excitement about this fix is in relation to filling a slot in a point range that didn't have many options prior. Vader is fantastic, and just got better, but he runs in to a point range that has far more competition.

And you're not wrong. Alozen can take just an Advanced Targeting Computer and call it good, although I have no idea how reliably his ability will trigger. At 26 points that's a good chunk, but definitely not up at the Vader/Fel/Whisper range. Is there an EPT that you think explicitly helps Alozen down at PS5?

I'd honestly feel pretty comfortable with him at 25. He is in a great range as he stands, and I feel like even just him plus his x1 upgrade makes for a great piece at the value.

As far as his ability, I genuinely feel like he is balanced around it being very situational. It feels a bit like Gemmer Sojan, you take him for the value, the ability is just an extra helping of awesome when it kicks in.

For EPTs, I actually feel like he has good options in most of the points values. Adrenaline Rush or VI are both great fits for him. AR lets him capitalize on his motif, blocking some poor jerk and grabbing a lock, then k-turning and blasting him with a focus. With any more points you start getting in to great options like Outmaneuver, Lone Wolf, Intimidation, Ruthlessness, whatever fits the role he is playing today.

I think my only minor issue is that his ability plays poorly with AC, which is fine, as some conflicts will just lend to more diversity.

I do want to try him with Enhanced Scopes and VI tho, it seems so goofy, but so much fun.

He's in a weird spot, because his draw is action economy, but Vader does it better and at 4PS higher.

Vader has good action economy while unstressed, unblocked and during the activation phase.

Alozen has good action economy when winding up at Range 1 of an enemy, irrespective of when that enemy gets into Range 1, even if he is stressed.

Vader's high PS works to his advantage when deciding which actions to do, but he gets blocked by every single pilot in the game, and becomes just a level 9 Tempest (with EPT).

Now that I think on it, Alozen is a pretty good choice for Enhanced Scopes. He gets to save a Target Lock for the start of combat step. Turn him into a blocker whose actions are guaranteed...

I think you're onto something with Enhanced Scopes. Alozen suddenly becomes the blocker, moving before everything, with three Agility, and the capacity to K-Turn and punish immediately (with a TL attack to boot). The only real downside I see is that ES don't help the two attack dice at all, but I think you can build him into a solid squad that utilizes him well. Give him Intimidation, maybe Vessery as a wingman, or just a whole bunch of TIEs jumping on the VIP.

I think that Vessery really benefits from the TIE Advanced buff. The problem that I always had adding him to a list was that I felt that I had to build a list around him and spend points that served no purpose beyond letting him use his ability rather than being able to insert him into a list. With the Advanced we now have fairly maneuverable small base ships that are almost as durable as a Defender that get him his free target lock. I have a feeling that we are going to see Alozen and Vessery paling around a lot in the future.

The problem I've always had with Vessery is that I keep having to spend everyone else's target locks before I get to him shooting. Alozen is nice because he can pretty much almost always get a TL, and his PS 5 means he won't use it until just after Vessery goes.

Alozen is nice because he can pretty much almost always get a TL ...

With the range 1 limitation I would not count on it.

The problem I've always had with Vessery is that I keep having to spend everyone else's target locks before I get to him shooting. Alozen is nice because he can pretty much almost always get a TL, and his PS 5 means he won't use it until just after Vessery goes.

ATC helps with this as well, as you wont be spending locks as freely with them running around.

The TIE Advanced is and pretty much always has been a great companion to Vessery, save for the whole being unusuable thing. Which IS sorta a big thing.

They have the right cost to fit into his list, don't require any accouterments order to facilitate him, and have complimentary survivability.

He could be an interesting choice for the Wingman EPT next to a PtL/Stealth Howlrunner. If Alozen takes a Focus or Evade every turn after he has a Target Lock, he's going to take a while to take down (much longer than a Wingman Black Sq Pilot).

It think Alozen will make a good Wingman candidate in a lot of lists. He is relatively durable and has enough flexibility with his maneuvers to be where you need him. He's not particularly pricey and doesn't really need an EPT, so the opportunity cost for taking Wingman is low.

Wingman really opens up the dial for Defenders, letting them use their red turns and be less predictable and having a Wingman out there makes Fleet Officer an even stronger crew. With all the stress inducing effects that are floating around now it might be worth putting him in a list to help PTL and EI ships not be crippled by Rebel Captive and R3-A2.

Alozen is nice because he can pretty much almost always get a TL ...

With the range 1 limitation I would not count on it.

With ACC or ATC, Alozen should be picking up free TLs that he doesn't need to spend frequently enough to keep Vessery happy.

It think Alozen will make a good Wingman candidate in a lot of lists. He is relatively durable and has enough flexibility with his maneuvers to be where you need him. He's not particularly pricey and doesn't really need an EPT, so the opportunity cost for taking Wingman is low.

You may well be right. And one of the three other unique pilots may fit that bill even better. Or cheaper.

I run my vader with out manuever proton rockets and engine upgrade been trying to decide which system upgrade it is between fcs and the new advanced targeting or maybe accuracy corrector

ATC is a serious buff to their primary attack, but means that they need something else to get rerolls on their attacks. I am going to be a little irritated if a couple advanceds escorted by howlrunner becomes a thing. A lone TIE fighter with a mini swarm of TIE advanceds is just so backwards lorewise.

I'm hoping this brings Vader up to the point he should be, as the best pilot on the board, period. There are two builds I am looking at with him, and trying to decide which I like more:

Darth Vader (29)

Lone Wolf (2)

Advanced Targeting Computer (1)

Engine Upgrade (4)

TIE/x1 (0)

At 36 points, great mobility, rerolls from Lone Wolf on offense and defense. PS9 means he can target lock reliably. ATC gives a free crit on attack.

Darth Vader (29)

Lone Wolf (2)

Accuracy Corrector (0)

Engine Upgrade (4)

TIE/x1 (0)

At 35 points this will always get 2 or more hits on offense and allows for two actions for positioning or defense.

Fantastic article, can't wait to start trying these out.

E.

Hmm. Just thought of something:

Maarek Stele (27)

Marksmanship (3)

Experimental Interface (3)

X1 Title (0)

Advanced Targetting Computer (1)

34 points of Crit-boating madness.

Hmm. Just thought of something:

Maarek Stele (27)

Marksmanship (3)

Experimental Interface (3)

X1 Title (0)

Advanced Targetting Computer (1)

34 points of Crit-boating madness.

38 if you add Cluster Missiles...

Note: You cannot use ATC and spend your Target Lock on the same attack.

ATC is a serious buff to their primary attack, but means that they need something else to get rerolls on their attacks. I am going to be a little irritated if a couple advanceds escorted by howlrunner becomes a thing. A lone TIE fighter with a mini swarm of TIE advanceds is just so backwards lorewise.

My Mathwing is weak but it seems like ATC + 2 dice with nothing to modify the roll should be about on par with 3 dice + either focus or TL. You'd probably be better off not worrying about keeping formation and just taking another Advanced over Howlrunner if you have the points unless you are going for something like:

Howlrunner (w/Swarm Tactics?)

3 x AP

2 x Tempest w/title + ATC

Hmm. Just thought of something:

Maarek Stele (27)

Marksmanship (3)

Experimental Interface (3)

X1 Title (0)

Advanced Targetting Computer (1)

34 points of Crit-boating madness.

38 if you add Cluster Missiles...

Note: You cannot use ATC and spend your Target Lock on the same attack.

You also can't use ATC with the Cluster Missiles as it only works with Primary attacks.

My Mathwing is weak but it seems like ATC + 2 dice with nothing to modify the roll

But Howlrunner allows for the roll to be modified, and since with ATC you keep the target lock from turn to turn you can presumable focus (or marksmanship), so it is ATC + 2 dice focused and TLed. With the added benefit that the advanceds are dangerous enough on their own that Howlrunner might not be the #1 target.

Alozen also as 2 shields to eat crits with draw their fire. At 27pts with ATC, he can replace an Academy and a Black Squadron w/ DTF in a Howlswarm, adding Howl's reroll to his focused, ATC boosted attack.