I'm all for the HLC on defenders, played so many games now since wave four I can't even imagine not mounting one.

Heck last game I played is the perfect example three consecutive turns got me twelve damage three of which were crits, the outrider vessery was shooting went down easy.

Yes he's far tougher to kill than a squint or advanced but there are cheaper options if all you want is three attack.

I ran this last night vs a 999 squint/adv list, ended with a draw since Vessery vs Fel was taking 45+ minutes of nothing happening.

[33] Vader, Predator, TIE/x1, ATC

[36] Vessery, VI

[31] Maarek, Predator, TIE/x1, ATC

Brath needs some serious Fleet Officer support to be viable I think, between ATC, FCS Sigmas, and the many FCS OGP variants Vessery is very easy to operate. The one thing I'd change with that list is giving him EU somehow, he seems to be tankier than the Advanced and being able to chase end-game ships like Fel may be where he falls short.

Without a cannon, I don't see what Vessery brings to that list that the unspoiled PS 8 Advanced with the same load out as the other two wouldn't do just as well.

Simply put, he's a fantastic scare stick. I used the white K a lot to corral things into the Advanced's arcs (though Maarek died fairly early due to a bump putting him out of position).

The thing about the white K is you can use it LOTS, get your opponent expecting it, planning for it, then break pattern so their move puts them in a place they can't dodge out of. As long as an Advanced is alive, Vessery only needs to be able to focus, half the time not even that, to spit 3 hits out every single time.

He's a fairly tough target, too, even if he's focused he'll probably last an extra turn over the Advanced, and he doesn't have to lose actions to keep arc, unlike the Advanced, which sometimes has to K-turn due to the lack of 1-hard, and even with ATC that's iffy and loses tempo.

Vader, Vessery, and a Delta. There are a few ways you could fly it and they would be tough as nails.

Alozen goes great with Vessery too.

Vessery, VI, HLC = 43

Stele, ATC = 28

2 Academy Pilots = 24

5 points left for an EPT/Mod on somebody. Predator and 2 points for Initiative (or Obsidians) doesn't look too bad.

You get a heavy fighter, a medium fighter, and 2 APs. Stele is sort of the obvious target because his TL boosts two ships, but at the same time, he's almost as tough as Vessery, for a lot fewer points. He won't go down quick, and it means Vessery gets to pump HLCs into someone for a couple turns without being bothered.

I've played this a couple of times against other small ship lists and I really like it. I can't wait to try it against a Fat Han list. Stele really starts churning out those crits against high hull value targets and Vessery is a scary work horse.

So from what I'm reading here, we shouldn't be surprised when the Defender starts showing up at tournaments after the Advanced fix.

So from what I'm reading here, we shouldn't be surprised when the Defender starts showing up at tournaments after the Advanced fix.

Vessery at least. There is a very good synergy between the Advanced and the Defender: they almost have the same dials, they just have different color here and there.

As for the generic, I think the min/maxers will prefer to save 9 points and go for the Tempest with AC instead of the Delta. A white K-turn is nice, but being stress after it is not that bad when you are always guaranteed at least 2 hit. You just can't pull the maneuver 2-3 turns in a row, which is situational but great to pull off... but still, not worth 9 points...

But I can definetly see a VI Vessery with 3 AC Tempest build being competitive. I know I've been waiting to play it since I heard about the Advanced title.

So from what I'm reading here, we shouldn't be surprised when the Defender starts showing up at tournaments after the Advanced fix.

Vessery at least. There is a very good synergy between the Advanced and the Defender: they almost have the same dials, they just have different color here and there.

As for the generic, I think the min/maxers will prefer to save 9 points and go for the Tempest with AC instead of the Delta. A white K-turn is nice, but being stress after it is not that bad when you are always guaranteed at least 2 hit. You just can't pull the maneuver 2-3 turns in a row, which is situational but great to pull off... but still, not worth 9 points...

But I can definetly see a VI Vessery with 3 AC Tempest build being competitive. I know I've been waiting to play it since I heard about the Advanced title.

Vessery and the spoiled new Advanced pilot will be best friends. I already love the idea of those two and Vader flying together.

I'm not sure I agree with you on the Deltas. The Advanced are cheap, and that opens lists up for more ships. A Delta with an Ion cannon will be a nasty addition to any list.

I'm not sure I agree with you on the Deltas. The Advanced are cheap, and that opens lists up for more ships. A Delta with an Ion cannon will be a nasty addition to any list.

I don't know. You're paying an awful lot for it, that's 33 pts. Wouldn't you be better to give a ion pulse missile to your Advanced and still save 9 pts? It might be a one time use, but at least it will also work on the large base right away. Or for 1 point more, you can take Vader with ATC and Engine Upgrade.

Don't get me wrong, I really really love the Defenders and will continue to field the generics from time to time even when the Advanced will officially get his title. But, from a min/maxer point of view entering a tournament, you will usually be better served by the Advanced and saving 9pts for something else in the long run, or just taking the named Defender pilots.

Now, going into Epic mode, I will continue to field my 3 Deltas with HLC as much as I can! It is just pure madness! Especially when their fourth wingman is Jonus! 133 pts of destruction.

In my local meta, people have forgotten about Ion cannons and turrets. They often have no plans on how to deal with a control list. I'm looking forward to flying:

Vader+ATC+Squad Leader

2x Delta+Ion Cannon.

This is a 98 point list that can put out the hurt and control the other side. I like Squad leader over Swarm Tactics here because it gives one of the Deltas a chance to perform a corrective action at the end of the Activation phase.

In my local meta, people have forgotten about Ion cannons and turrets. They often have no plans on how to deal with a control list. I'm looking forward to flying:

Vader+ATC+Squad Leader

2x Delta+Ion Cannon.

This is a 98 point list that can put out the hurt and control the other side. I like Squad leader over Swarm Tactics here because it gives one of the Deltas a chance to perform a corrective action at the end of the Activation phase.

It might work, but for my part, I would favor this list:

Vader + ATC + Predator + Engine Upgrade + Ion Pulse Missiles

Maarek + ATC + Predator + Ion Pulse Missiles + Munition Failure

Tempest Squadron + AC + Ion Pulse Missiles + Munition Failure

Personally I prefer Vessary as he is more independent, and if you are going to blow half your points on a single ship (something that seems to happen in all my lists, lol) then you want to make sure he can take care of himself.

Personally I prefer Vessary as he is more independent, and if you are going to blow half your points on a single ship (something that seems to happen in all my lists, lol) then you want to make sure he can take care of himself.

The Decimator and the Super Dash are popular here. Knowing you can ion these two ships every round (and do damage when it is more in your favor) will really hurt these types of lists.