The Tie Advanced has been my favorite ship since I was young Star Wars geek back in the late 70's. Even with the sub-par performance of the advanced I have routinely used Vader and Maarek (w/ opportunist he is pretty good) in non-competetive play mostly because of my soft spot for the ship and how AWESOME it looks. The advanced has always been a very durable ship and I like playing it. I am extremely excited for the Tie x1 card!!! This single change makes it possible to turn the advanced into one of the toughest or deadliest ships depending on the load out. I really think Maarek and Vader have the opportunity to see some serious gameplay. Having used Maarek numerous times I really think his ability is one of the most fun abilities in the game and it can be game wrecking for your opponent and now it gets some serious upgrades. I think that we could see the return of some of the old three amigo lists running a mix of Vader, Soontir, Tuur and Maarek. At gen-con I asked the president of FFG to address the issue of the Tie Advanced so I want to send a HUGE thank you to FFG!

This single change makes it possible to turn the advanced into one of the toughest and deadliest ships depending on the load out.

FTFY

TIE Advanced looks like it's going to be FUN!

The TIE Advanced was one of the first ships I bought for X-Wing when I first got into the game. I got it because of Vader. I got it because I thought it was gonna be awesome. I ended up getting a ton more on sale one day when I needed to replace some misplaced cluster missiles. As an owner of 6 TIE Advanced, I am super happy to see them finally get some love.

And yes, Maarek Steele is still effective with the right build. My squad builder video for him ends up giving a very nice list for him.

Hey, Crabbok, have you gone back and retooled your "Crabbok's Gambit" list with the new options, 'cuz I have

100pts Crabbok's Gambit 2.0

Vader w/ wingman, X1 title, ATC & cluster missile

Maarek Stele w/ marksmanship, X1 title, ATC, cluster missile & experimental interface

Captain Jonus w/ veteran instincts & proximity mine

Hey, Crabbok, have you gone back and retooled your "Crabbok's Gambit" list with the new options, 'cuz I have

100pts Crabbok's Gambit 2.0

Vader w/ wingman, X1 title, ATC & cluster missile

Maarek Stele w/ marksmanship, X1 title, ATC, cluster missile & experimental interface

Captain Jonus w/ veteran instincts & proximity mine

That's not bad. The one issue I had with the original, was that it was dependant on Vader to hand out the extra action with Squad Leader. All it took was one wrong move and all my ships bumped, thus no passed actions, ie no Target lock for Maarek, no double cluster missile, and the entire alpha strike was ruined.

This way you mitigate that risk by allowing Maarek to do his own double action independantly.

And it's only the first spoiler, I think more it's to coming, I think FFG will becaome the TIE Advanced in the fearest ship that show in the movies, and Vader will be the X-Wing slaughter that show in the Battle of Yavin, greettings.

That is my hope also, I want some more goodies in that box like they packed into the Rebel aces and transport.

A few nights ago I ran:

Vader w/Predator, EU, title, ATC

3 x Tempest w/title and AC

It seemed like it might have been a little too good, but it might have just been the list I played against. Between a focus, predator, and ATC Vader was putting out a lot of damage. The Tempests with their gauranteed 2 hits and Evade token whenever I didn't need to barrell-roll were very consistant and did a lot to insultat the list from the whims of the dice.

I look forward running Vader with an engine on him so he can arc dodge at PS 9 and not have to worry about focus or TL.

It's stuff like this and enthusiasm like this that makes me think X-Wing Miniatures could go on forever.

I'm serious.

This game already has a huge player base and as lively an assortment of cards and options as a game like Magic... and it's only getting bigger.

What did you run against? I worry that Tempests with AC won't kick out enough damage to beat down Fat Han or a Decimator + Phantom.

I, too find a new excitement for this game. Guess I have to catch up in terms of expansions now.

I'm also excited for the new TIE Advanced. Both for myself and to play against.

I had decided I would never be playing epic so would never buy any of the epic ships. 3PO and the X Wing pilots aren't enough for me to justify the cost.

This .... this may be the thing that changes everything.

Proxy them, I don't appreciate FFG policy of lumping very desirable cards with expensive expansions. I have a good job and enough money for them so I shell it out but this game is played by many people all stripes and some don't have $100 let alone $200 + for the epics. Before I could get the tie advanced I printed out all the cards in high quality on card stock and they looked very close to real. I really wish they would sell stand alone card packs for those who can't afford the expensive stuff.

Oh I will proxy the cards when I play with my mates. How much fun I have with that will decide for me if I shell out for the real thing.

I'll also need more TIE Advanced models first as well

What did you run against? I worry that Tempests with AC won't kick out enough damage to beat down Fat Han or a Decimator + Phantom.

It was Etahn with 4 ships. I don't think a Decimator would be too bad since they'd be putting about 8 damage on it thr first round (assuming everyone has the Decimator in arc).

It's stuff like this and enthusiasm like this that makes me think X-Wing Miniatures could go on forever.

I'm serious.

This game already has a huge player base and as lively an assortment of cards and options as a game like Magic... and it's only getting bigger.

I have great hopes as well.

But it's clear that X-Wing is not quite as big as a number of other tabletop miniatures games, just judging by the real estate this game takes up at the FLGSs.

Now, that may be because of the limited number of expansions out there as well as some logistical limitations on bringing the stuff to market.

But, do we want X-Wing to become hegemonic like WH40K?