I've kinda given up on coming up with a powerful countering list for the upcoming store championships and now I have two lists I'm considering. Wondered which one people felt was more powerful.

"Study my predators"
Rexler Brath // Engine Upgrade / HLC / Adrenaline rush

3x Black Squadron Pilots / Predator

or

"Night daggers"

Col. Vessery // Engine Upgrade / Adrenaline rush

3x Alpha Squadron pilots // Targeting computer

To run Night Daggers I'd need to get a Targeting computer card from somewhere, so if someone has an alternative mod to suggest that would be nice. In theroy it works with Vessery and It did kick a few times in the test I managed to run with it.

I'm just not sure how I'm going to feel if these get vaped in one shot by sudden cloaking phantoms or DeciVader is going to pass out criticals like it's christmas day on my unshielded fighters (That is how it works right, two damage to hand someone a face-up damage card?)

Night daggers seems the more attractive of the two because of the better damage output. But on the other hand, Brath is higher PS so in theroy he could get a higher kill shot or dump crits on the Decimator with great HLC shots.I also wouldn't need to try borrowing an extra TC.

Relying on Targeting Computers on PS1 Arc Dodgers to set up your PS6 Defender seems like a bad, bad idea. They move first, so they most likely won't have anyone to target lock. If they take a TL at closer range, then they won't have a focus for defense.

I could switch to stealth devices but then that cuts some of the functionality of Vessery. In truth I wasn't TL'ing much during the one test I've had with this list, but I did manage to do so with one of the flankers to give Vessery a hand.

No other input huh?

I like your first list and may give it a try.

If you have your heart set on one or the other, I'd probably go with the "Night Daggers" - the firepower seems to be spread out through the list a bit better. Focus on the way in with the Alphas (using it to stay alive, then on the offensive if you still have it), and get the TLs when you know you won't get shot up and have the chance (behind a stressed ship for instance).

If you aren't opposed to modifying the lists, I'd consider dropping the targeting computers and using the points to upgrade to Rexler and get an upgrade or two for him.

(this is the part where I'm always reluctant, as I want to provide my input, but don't want to completely tear into a build and modify it so it is unrecognizable when compared to the original...anyway...)
Now, if you're okay with some more radical changes, here's what I'd try:

-Rexler Brath (Push the Limit)
-Black Squadron Pilot (Wingman)
-2x Alpha Squadron Pilot

You would have a few points left over for upgrades (HLC for Rex, or Engine for him and Autothrusters for the squints post-Scum, or other stuff), and a decent mix of firepower and maneuverability. Wingman removes the predictability problem caused by the Defender's dial mixing with PTL, and can allow you to pull a red maneuver without being too predictable afterwards. Rex gets more actions and a support ship that people might focus on before him (and if so, treat it as an additional three hull for Rex and don't use PTL after the Wingman goes away). Hard 3 turn+Barrel Roll+(action) is kinda like Hard 1 turn+Adrenaline+(action), but you can repeat it so long as his buddy is alive. Against Phantoms and the like, you can fly in two pairs - Rex and his wing for one, and the pair of Alphas as the other - to cover possible decloaking options.

I've had good luck with Col V, Turr Phennir, and a Omnicron Shuttle w/ weapons engineer.

Col V w/ VI

Turr Phennir w/ PTL and Shield Upgrade

Omnicron w/ Adv Sensors, Engine Upgrade, and Weapons Eng.

Omnicron can boost and then sharp 2 turn to get turned around quickly. Two TL lets Col V do alright. Turr flanks and then gets out of the way.

I really like the Predator list -- that one could be effective without change and I like that you're incorporating Adrenaline Rush on a ship that could really get some mileage out of it.

The Night Daggers list, as has been pointed out, plays a bit against the Interceptor's strength (strong action economy). TLing for Vessery is great, but their survival will be horrendously limited, in turn limiting Vessery's abilities. I'm not sure how much you'd like it, but for the same 60 point cost of 3x Alpha with Targeting Computer, you could do...

Omicron Group Pilot (21)

- ST-321 Title (3)

Alpha Squadron Pilot (18) x 2

Comes out to 60 exactly, no need to change Vessery at all and the shuttle can slow roll while dishing out TLs, and perhaps even become public enemy #1 itself allowing the Interceptors and Vessery to work their magic.

I usually like to fly with same-types in wingmen. And that BSP pilot with Wingman, beardface, requires him to fly really close to Brath and yokes the two of them together. I like the idea though.

I tried to think about hull upgrades on my Interceptors but I dont like the idea of downgrading the Defender into something less than an ace. Not for the points. So, along the same lines I have a new thought to bring Brath back in:

Shade Daggers (99pt)

Rexler Brath // HLC / Adrenaline Rush

3x Alpha Squadron Pilots

I am a little wary with this list because once Brath goes I'm relying on three PS1 interceptors. I hope I can get the chance to try it before this tournament... since the count is up to 34 the last time I checked, it means even the participation prizes (the one thing I really wanted...) are up for grabs. Ughf.

I may in the end decide to go with the Study My Predators list because 3 BSPs with Predator might still work. But basic interceptors aren't that far away, and I would like the firepower against any Fat Hans, Doomshuttles, and Decimators out there.

I don't have many ideas on how to counter a DeciVader at this point except always have line of sight on it to shoot it up as much as possible.

I also like that list Ardus...

I much prefer list 1. More consistent dmg imo. Though, I dont like Blacks with offensive EPTs honestly.

Would rather have had 2 more ties for a 5 swarm. Block Phantoms with 5 tie fighters. And Rexler to chunk.

Also, why not try some Alphas with Auto?

Howl Elusiveness

4 Alphas Auto

100pts

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If youre gonna use Vessery, why not try the obvious combo with the new Tie Advanced cards?

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Its a wonderful new world out there when wave 6 is legal for everyone!! =) Well, except Rebel whiners, but they get BTL!

I usually like to fly with same-types in wingmen. And that BSP pilot with Wingman, beardface, requires him to fly really close to Brath and yokes the two of them together. I like the idea though.

Completely understandable. (I cringe inside a little every time I use a squad that isn't all in the same type of ship) Yoking the two together was the idea - the TIE Fighter dial is better than the Defender one at everything except for the lack of a soft-1 turn and the obvious white 4-K. With the former, you can either use the soft-2 on both, or the soft-2 on the eyeball and soft-1 on the Defender. As far as the white 4-K goes, if you think the Defender will use it repeatedly, a soft-2 turn followed by a series of hard-1s and barrel rolls will allow the BSP to stay inside the Defender's K-turn radius essentially indefinitely (thereby continuously granting Wingman). It's the sort of build where losing the focus on the BSP isn't necessarily a bad thing, as you'd rather have people shoot him than Rexler.

That being said...

I'm liking your third list - don't underestimate the Alpha Squadron Pilot. He's the cheapest ship with 3 Attack, has an awesome dial, and at PS1 will likely not be blocked from doing his action. Focus all day long, use it to stay alive, and then use it offensively if you still have it.

Against a DeciVader - throw red dice at him, and don't play with him in the rocks. Avoid Range 1 - he'll get more dice to punch through your agility, and be more effective at arc dodging. Range 3 is your friend.

Took ArdusKane's build against a trial run of the most evil DeciPhantom list I could construct and I did....well, very poorly against my friend who ran it (and had no practice running big ships and phantoms). Lost both Interceptors in one-shots, Brath not too long after, all because my agility dice hate me.

Seriously, four, FOUR! blanks on my first Interceptor defense roll. Defender evades only one on the first attack against him (four hits). He brought his phantom into range to swing and fired with a hit and two crits... three blanks, one focus, which I couldn't do anything against since Brath bumped the Decimator and promptly blew up. When it got down to the shuttle there was no contest left, and it wasn't worth continuing at that point.

My friend pointed out that maybe I should take that evil decimator list because it relies on not being in Arc, and not rolling any agility dice anyway.

...Yeah I don't like the idea of "if you can't beat 'em..." but with this tournament being so impacted (we're expecting 40 people) I want some guarantee that I'm making the top thirty just to get what used to be the participation prize. That's all I want. I don't want to also enter a tournament and witness my Agility dice consistently failing and making me wonder why I participated in the firstplace. The one thing I hate most of all in games is the feeling of powerlessness, and if my agility dice are as terrible as they were last night I'm not going to have fun even if I run with Study my Predators, or Shade Daggers.

For anyone curious, I ended up taking Study my Predators.

Went 2-3 in the tournament, not sure where I ultimately ranked.

First game was against... DarthDave? Who took a six ship swarm. I got destroyed but at least took Howlrunner and Carnor Jax with me.

Second game was against a Decimator Phantom build... I think the Decimator had a Gunner, and the Phantom was whisper. I knew I had him when he approached the center asteroid cluster with a cloaked phantom. There was no way he would be able to de-cloak. He forward 2'ed on to an asteroid where I could slam him with Brath's HLC, and the Black squadrons. The rest of the game was chasing the Decimator around, and trying to stay out of the prox mine range once he reminded me by trying to measure for it with his fingers. Ended up loosing 1 TIE.

Third game was against a 3x B-Wing swarm with Advanced Sensors, and 2 Zs. My thought with asteroid placement was to avoid giving it to the B-Wings and for some reason it did not occur to me to use that asteroid terrain to disrupt their movement. So I charged in, and cut apart. Not paying attention with target priority means I brought 2 Bs down to 1 HP each, but no kills ultimately. Worst match of the day, all to my own stupidity.

Forth match went a bit better, but much closer. Another Decimator with Gunner and a Defender. Very last match came to Kenkirk, knocked out by a crit, and one of my Black Squadron pilots. I survived both shots with gunner at 1 HP and managed to do it.

Final match of the evening was against One of the semi regulars of the area. Randy was having a bad time early game with his list but he was getting decent as the evening wore on. A HLC-carrying Dash, and a kitted out E-Wing. Managed to hammer the E-Wing down but the Decimator was picking it up until near the end game, down to just Dash and Brath. I park Dash in front of an asteroid with a focus hoping to get the golden HLC shot to kill Dash but... fall short by 1. Desperate move to escape I hard three left over the asteroid, hoping to get some distance. I take damage, then get blasted by the HLC. Randy wondered why I turned over the asteroid, but I did it because Either way I was going to shoot second (Dash held VI) and that looked like the most surviviable thing to do.

I'm happy I took the BSPs. Thinking about it, all the other lists here had their own vulnerabilities that I wouldn't have found fun in certain circumstances. PS1 interceptors are always going to be out-shot. The shuttle left last means I'm wallowing about for two or so turns waiting to die after the rest of my list is killed. The Evil Decimator list, if I lost one ship it would be a very unhappy uphill struggle. I feel I got a lot of good practice with this list, and it might still be my go-to for other events.

Best of all we capped at 30, so Fel was a participation prize again! Once I learned that I didn't have to feel competitive just to get the one thing I wanted to get. I didn't get the cut to top eight but didn't care.