Toying with a list that has some punch and survivability. My meta has gone very 2 ship/turret and although I loathe this direction I'm looking to build a list that will be competitive but not to much in the flavor of "follow the herd"

I love this pairing, but I usually try to stick in a Tie fighter instead of beefing up the ships. Depending on whether you think you'll face swarms or not, I would put in Mara Jade over the Rebel Captive, as she makes swarm about-faces extremely difficult. Determination, though, is completely worth it. I hadn't considered Weapons Engineer - that does seem extremely useful with a Vessary list. I've never really had a problem with Vessary's PS, though.

It is tempting to drop the EU or Ysanne and add Mara.

Change the captive for Mara Jade and keep parking the Decimator in harm's way. Let them run into you. You can't shoot what you can't touch, take out any escorts first with the turret.

Is the PS boost on Vessery with VI needed? I guess you don't want him shooting last on your side, so he can benefit from the rear admiral's TL, and the Rear Admiral can then spend said TL without screwing up the Colonel.

If it was swapped, would you swap VI on Vessery for Adrenaline Rush, so he can use those tight banks without stressing?

You can't shoot what you can't touch,

And in this game you can't shoot what you do touch.

You can't shoot what you can't touch,

And in this game you can't shoot what you do touch.

Actually, that's what I meant to type

But if you park in front of the main threat (and the Decimator has a big butt, I cannot lie), then the Decimator is free to attack the escorts while the big bad is sitting around twiddling its golden thumbs.

VI on Vessery is for using the Admiral's target lock effectively and for positional and shooting priority.

Adrenaline Rush is not really worth it on Vessery as it's a one time use and unless the Admiral is dead, I'll have a TL to reroll with so losing my action on a red turn isn't a big thing.

Stick with Captive if you don't run VI.

So either

Determination + Rebel Captive

Or

VI + Mara Jade

Also, In this list I can't decide between Engine and Ysanne. I can't decide which one I like better with Mara Jade build or with Captive build. Both have their merits. I think id stick with Engine either way. Dodged arc = more prevented damage, and will also let Chirey get back to help Vessery quicker. Also means you can boost in close and make use of Chireys ability more, especially when Weapons Engineer already has a TL on that ship.

Engines main draw back is I expect to see a lot of turrets, which will pretty much negate it, but make Ysanne more valuable.

I would say Ysanne as well. Without VI, Engine isn't quite as valuable, and between Ysanne and Determination you add a much needed bit of toughness to the ol' Rear.

Right, if you expect to see a lot of turrets, then you won't be using the engine as much. Well, in a 1v1 situation, that is. However, you might still find use for it when arc dodging the support, unless you plan to take out the support first. I guess the question is, would you rather be left with Turret vs Turret and attempt to win that way, or to full on assault the enemy turret and hope your 2 ships are able to take it out while doing your best to arc dodge the support.

Something makes me think that Vessery is going to go down fast, and you might wish you had the Engine just so you have options to outplay your opponent. Also, you'll want some sort of ship that can outmaneuver Rebel and imperial swarms.

I think personally....

Drop to Oicunn, get both Ysanne and Engine.

That way you don't have 2 ships that aren't particularly great at beating things like B Wings, but instead you have 1 highly capable ship that can pull off an upset, and 1 reliable damage giving ship. Will you miss using the Rear Admirals ability? Maybe.

Heck, I'm still not sure about it. I think I'd stick with your original list, since you have no room for Gunner, and you'll want the Rear Admiral to produce reliable damage, as well as boost to win tight games.

I have a very similar list, but it runs Kenkirk instead of the RDML, because the CMDR is much more durable with his extra Agility die. Also, that way you don't need VI on Vessery to keep them at the same PS, so you can put a different EPT on the COL, like Outmaneuver.