Hey all, I was curious on what the community thinks would be a better choice to run with a mini swarm of 4 TIE Fighters between a TIE Defender or 1-2 TIE Interceptors.

It really depends upon how you want to play! I would run Brath with HLC or Soontir with upgrades and then add another Tie...

Whew... that is a fun challenge.

They are both just so **** good. I think if you gave them their best upgrades and played them clean the Defender would win, but it would be a very close thing.

Tie interceptors are very very good with howlrunner. I have a favorite swarm that runs howl with two int's and three academies and it is very deadly against most lists and chews up big ships.

We are talking one on one combat here.

The Defender would win because of the extra stats and that white-Kay. Still the Interceptor could out fly it if everything goes right and pull out a nervous win. It is a very good challenging match-up.

Rexler with lone wolf and HLC plus three academy pilots and howlrunner could be alot of fun.

I'd say that two Interceptors will trump one Defender although it may depend on your skill flying, what you are facing, and the exact makeup of the squadron.

I don't have an exact make-up or even know what I'm flying against yet. I'm a brand new player and am heading to the store tomorrow to pick up my first squad and am trying to figure out what to purchase first.

You'll buy one of whatever they have in stock. So you'll be flying Y-Wings and TIE Bombers and HWKs.

Well I stopped by the store today so I know they at least defenders and interceptors, and those were the main two ships I was looking at after I picked up 2 core sets and a tie fighter expansion.

My last tourney I ran Rex with VI and Ion, Howly with a Determination and Hull and 3 academy's.

It was okay. I played wrong in a few games and got a bit unlucky in one but overall it was pretty solid. I'll just be tweaking upgrades now.

I think the HLC is the better option, though I'm looking forward to the Flechette Cannon when Scum hits.

Edit:

In answer to your question, Defender+mini swarm is good, though not Vessery. Min cost with Howl and Rex is 91, spend the rest to suit your meta and play style.

Hey all, I was curious on what the community thinks would be a better choice to run with a mini swarm of 4 TIE Fighters between a TIE Defender or 1-2 TIE Interceptors.

2 Interceptors.

In all semi-seriousness though, Interceptors are slightly lacking at least until Autothrusters come out, or if you proxy it now. I'm a fan of Defenders, simply from the white K-turn, and the fact I like rocketing around the battlefield at 3-speed for everything for them.

As to a better choice, well... that depends on your flying style.

If you like brute force, charge straight at 'em attacks, for the the TIE/Df. If you like being more subtle and are good at out-flying your opponent (or if you at least think you will be), go for the Interceptors.

I really enjoyed running tonight Fel and Phennir both with PTL and Stealth, and 2x Academy plus Gundark. I also ran the Squints with an Ion Defender with Engine Upgrade. Both lists were good and fun to play, not sure which I preferred more. The TIEs put out more damage and give blocking, but the Defender gives Ion, which Interceptors love, and can keep up with two PTLing Squints better than TIEs.

As a Defender fan, I have to say it comes down to what play style you prefer. Interceptors want to flank then dive into the fray. Interceptors want to arc dodge and knife fight. Defenders, on the other hand, want to flank and then stay at range and take shots at range 2-3. They can't make tight turns, arc dodge, or turtle with the same effectiveness of a PTL Interceptor. To pull this off, Defenders want (need) a cannon upgrade of some description for the range bonus. It can dive in to do work this its primary weapon, but it does not want to stay there too long.

Let's look at your options for both cases. First, you have a minimum of 54 points sunk into the Howlswarm. This is a good starting point, since its damage output and composite durability will pin the enemy and let your flankers do work. This leaves only 46 points left. A pair of Interceptors will only leaves 23pts each, which is not enough to run them with PTL. This pushes you either into two Alphas+miscellaneous upgrades or an Alpha plus a midrange Int if you are set on running two. However, Interceptors get drastically better with higher pilot skill and PTL so I would look at going with a single one and using the points saved on upgrades. Soontir Fel and Turr Pherrir are both excellent while Carnor Jax has the added bonus of being able to buff the TIE damage output. For Defenders, you basically have the Delta and Brath, plus cannons. The Delta will be cheaper and works fine with an Ion or HLC, plus has the bonus of attacking after everyone else has shot and cleared tokens. At 33 or 37 points, that leaves a lot of room for upgrades on the TIEs. Brath is also solid, but getting his effect off is tricky and risky. You have to land hits without focus AND give it up defensively early in shooting, which is not ideal. Predator or an HLC can help in the damage department while really committing to flanking helps in the durability department. Vessery is a waste without friendly target locks and the extra PS on an Onyx isn't all that useful.

They perform very differently. The Defender is extremely fast and reasonably tough, but it can't turn very well. The Defender is very brittle, but flies in circles around pretty much everything. Both hit very hard if played right, and I think both a well suited to flying alongside four TIE Fighters.

Howlrunner

Academy Pilot

Academy Pilot

Academy Pilot

Rexler Brath

- Heavy Laser Cannon

- Lone Wolf

Slowroll the Fighters down one flank and the Defender the other, until your opponent decides to commit. If he splits up he should be able to take down Howlrunner, but Rexler will be tricky, and the Academies aren't exactly harmless either. If he concentrates his fire, he'll have the other part of the squadron behind him. Alternatively...

Howlrunner

- Swarm Tactics

Academy Pilot

Academy Pilot

Academy Pilot

Academy Pilot

Soontir Fel

- Push the Limit

- Targeting Computer

Here I'd just fly in formation straight that the enemy, with Howlrunner and Soontir at the back. Break off the Interceptor once you get close, block their important ships, and hit them right in the flank.

the extra PS on an Onyx isn't all that useful.

I find that actually if you have 3 spare points it's very nice to have. He then goes before a lot of things that people are bringing (APs, Non-Char As, Blue Squad etc) so is worth considering depending on what else you're running.

I have seen Turr Phennir with Squad Leader and an Alpha Squadron Pilot be brought to good use.

If it fits with 4 academies... (I didn't calculate)

2 Ints is 6 attack dice, 6 defense, 6 hitpoints, high maneuverability

1 Def is 3 attack (4 with HLC), 3 defense, 6 hitpoints, good jouster

But if put accross each other I am not sure. With HLC I think the Def does have an edge over the Ints.

As someone who's used the defender alot I can say HLC works brilliantly on the higher ps pilots, it can work on lower ps ships but you need Jonas or something else to boost them a little.

Ion cannons on low ps defenders though is great.

You can perfectly fit the interceptors for a swarm tho, not needed to go full Soontir when he doesn't have access to PtL, for what he spoke.

I thought this topic would be about

3 Defenders vs. 4 Interceptors

which would be more fun.

Sure, you could alwasy go with a Vessery or Rexler + other ships

Rexler is best with a pack of Tie Fighters to cover his white k-turn (this sounds funny, I know)

Vessery needs at least one friendly capable to TL

Interceptors are more indepent and surprising.

Comming back to 3 (generic) Defenders vs. 4 (generic) Interceptors ...

This would be an interesting fight. What do you think?

You can perfectly fit the interceptors for a swarm tho, not needed to go full Soontir when he doesn't have access to PtL, for what he spoke.

Alpha Squadron Pilot (18)

Alpha Squadron Pilot (18)

Academy Pilot (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

"Howlrunner" (18)

Total: 90

Fill as you please.

I die inside everytime i see Rexler being played tho. An ability that you don't want to use except when you roll exceptionally well, and would still leave you completely at mercy of the dice gods withouth any dice modification for your agility. *Cringes*

Rexlers ability is free your paying for his high PS, so you just enjoy when his ability delivers a knock out blow.

Being free doesn't make its ability any better Hobojebus, many pilot abilities are "free". When it delivers a knock out blow (which relies on luck), you open yourself for focus fire, which is what i pointed out because of your higher PS, and the defender is nothing amazing in the defense department for its point cost withouth that dice modification.

But let's not turn this into a defender debate, i was just stating my posture, you are stating yours, we are unlikely to come to an agreement, so let's just continue

Comming back to 3 (generic) Defenders vs. 4 (generic) Interceptors ...

This would be an interesting fight. What do you think?

The Defenders should clean up although that may depend on which "generic" interceptor you use. Also note that the battle should be 3 Defenders vs. 5 Interceptors as both Alphas and Avengers cost 20 points or less. At 90 points you get 3 Delta Squadron Pilots or 5 Alpha Squadron pilots with everyone trying to act at PS 1.

If you are going to look at 4 "generic" Interceptors most of us will probably be thing RGP w/ PtL. To counter that you either need a named Defender or you're looking at 3 Deltas with a 3 point upgrade each which are giving up a point to the Interceptors.

Sure. The 'best' 3 generic Defenders vs. the 'best' 4 generic Interceptors.

I guess this would be

3 x Delta + Ion Cannon

vs.

4 x Royal + PTL

If the Onyx had an Elite Training slot, 3 x Onyx + Adrenaline Rush would perhaps be an option.