I having being giving Colonel Vessery some of my thinking time, basically because as Empire player who still never tried a defender I consider him a good way to start using that particular kind of Tie.

So, finally I settled for this list:

- Vessery with Veteran Instincts and Engine Upgrade (40 points)

- Omicron with ST-321 title and Weapons Engineer (27 points)

- Scimitar Tie bomber x2 (32 points)

for a four ships list with a total of 99 points which will allow to try to get the initiative to be able to fire first at PS 8 with Vessery.

As told in this battle report, I confronted this list against a phatom, interceptor and three Tie fighters, and did not fared too well.

After the battle I have been reconsidering the upgrades on my list.

1. maybe engine upgrade is wasted in Vessery, and after having been deal a critic which incapacitated him, maybe determination is not a bad idea,
2. the shuttle does not need the title and the weapons engineer if it flies more offensively escorted by the two bombers, more than enough target locks there for Vessery, specially if the shuttle gets the Fire Control Systems upgrade,
3. Predator is a real pain if used against you, so maybe it could be a good idea to take bombers with higher PS.

To stick with a similar list, maybe try:

Spend the last point to add a Tactical Jammer to the shuttle to give the rest of your squad a situational boost to their Defense.

I really like flying FCS Echo with Vessery. The same pilot skill (6-8) is a great defense for the Rebel Captives out there, and the 4 attack dice/ sweet phantom ability makes for some great power stacking in the list.

Imo, FCS is the the way to go and Echo is one of the most effective thanks to sharing Vessery's PS. Buzzsaw shuttles also rock because they can TL before shooting and then maintain TL a target until it dies a horrible death.

To stick with a similar list, maybe try:

Colonel Vessery (35)

Veteran Instincts (1)

Engine Upgrade (4)

Omicron Group Pilot (21)

Advanced Sensors (3)

Fleet Officer (3)

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (16)

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (16)

Total: 99

Thanks for the suggestions to every one.

I have never used a phantom yet, so even if it is probably a very sound combo with Vessery, I don't think that I will make the best out of it.

Bombers and shuttle, however I have used in the past, not a lot of times but at least some.

I think that I understand the synergie and the intention behind Advanced Sensors but I also concur with the idea that Fire Control System seems to be the way to go.

So, I think that I'm going to try the list you suggested but using Fire Control Systems instead of Advanced Sensors for also 99 points after including also Tactical Jammer which seems to be a very sound way of spending one of those two last points.

Again, my thanks for the ideas

To stick with a similar list, maybe try:

Colonel Vessery (35)

Veteran Instincts (1)

Engine Upgrade (4)

Omicron Group Pilot (21)

Advanced Sensors (3)

Fleet Officer (3)

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (16)

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (16)

Total: 99

Thanks for the suggestions to every one.

I have never used a phantom yet, so even if it is probably a very sound combo with Vessery, I don't think that I will make the best out of it.

Bombers and shuttle, however I have used in the past, not a lot of times but at least some.

I think that I understand the synergie and the intention behind Advanced Sensors but I also concur with the idea that Fire Control System seems to be the way to go.

So, I think that I'm going to try the list you suggested but using Fire Control Systems instead of Advanced Sensors for also 99 points after including also Tactical Jammer which seems to be a very sound way of spending one of those two last points.

Again, my thanks for the ideas

If you are going to drop adv. sensors and take FCS on the shuttle, then do not bother with Fleet Officer, its not worth it without adv. sensors. Instead, I would suggest moving engine upgrade to shuttle and add gunner to shuttle too. I personally prefer Adrenaline rush on Vessery instead of Vet Instincts, since the bump to 8 isn't usually meaningful against most opposition, and being able to make a single hard 1/2 turn without the stress is often valuable on a defender. However, that's up to you, vet. instincts can be useful occasionally too, so both are not bad choices.

Vessery w/ either Vet. Instincts or Adrenaline Rush - 36

Omnicron w/ FCS, gunner + engine up. - 32

2 scimitar bombers - 32

Another alternative:

Vessery w/ VI or AR + HLC = 43

Shuttle w/ FCS + tactician = 25

2 scimitars = 32

Adv. Sensors makes sure that you can use Fleet Officer and the clear the stress with a green every turn without caring if you get blocked. The problem that I find with FCS is that on turns that you have nothing in arc, it's a wasted upgrade. You need to keep the same target in arc for two rounds for it to pay off. That can be difficult on a Shuttle. I think I'd only take FCS on a Shuttle if I was also taking Gunner.

The problem that I find with FCS is that on turns that you have nothing in arc, it's a wasted upgrade. You need to keep the same target in arc for two rounds for it to pay off. That can be difficult on a Shuttle. I think I'd only take FCS on a Shuttle if I was also taking Gunner.

Alternatively, a Weapons Engineer is great here. First Target Lock (from Fire Control System) has to be on the target, the second can be on whomever you predict would be a target next turn (or who'd be a target for Vessery, in this context).

Personally only started enjoying flying a Lambda once I kitted it out with a FCS and Engineer - just what it needs for reliable damage output, while only costing a modest 26 points.

I ran a list with Col. V, a shuttle, and Turr Phenir. I would recommend the EU on the shuttle with Adv. Sensors. It means you can boost and then sharp 2 turn to turn around pretty well. Otherwise you will never get back into combat. Also, I much prefer Weapons Eng. on the shuttle. It gives you 2 targets to go after, especially when you don't know where they will be yet.

I usually just take VI on the Col. Bad crits are bad crits. Whatchagonnado?

Ok, here I am again. I tried the list against a rebel list today and was writing here a battle report highlighting my errors and etc when my computer decided to spare you the suffering and "eated" away the whole thing

Anyway, the rebel list was:

Ten Numb with Marksmanship, Sensor Jammer and HLC

Dash Rendar with Lone Wolf, HLC, Outrider and Engine Upgrade

Long history short

We finished by time out

I was able to take down all the shields on Ten Numb and caused him 1 critical damage and also two or three shields on Dash were gone

However, I also managed to run my shuttle out of the battle field after taking on round 2 a wrong turn in order to avoid a collision and the concomitant lost of action followed by a wrong decision on round 3 which forced the shuttle into a corner looking to the edge of the play area

My opponent managed to destroy both bombers, one of them was having a target lock on Ten Numb when it was destroyed so that Vessery (I lost initiative) was not able to use his ability, actually I only managed to use it once in the whole game.

Future

Basically two options:

For 100 points

• Scimitar Squadron Pilot (16) x 2
• Colonel Vessery (40) TIE Defender (35), Veteran Instincts (1), Engine Upgrade (4)
• Omicron Group Pilot (28) Lambda-Class Shuttle (21), Advanced Sensors (3), Fleet Officer (3), Tactical Jammer (1)

-----------------------

For 99 points a "classic" Buzzsaw shuttle based list

• Scimitar Squadron Pilot (16) x 2
• Colonel Vessery (35)
• Omicron Group Pilot (32) Lambda-Class Shuttle (21), Fire-Control System (2), Gunner (5), Engine Upgrade (4)

I think I will stick to the first one for the moment and see what can I do with it...

Thanks a lot for all the help and advice :)

I like the first.

Well I prefer the 2nd. Honestly, engine upgrade is far more useful on a shuttle than on vessery. In fact, with practice you will probably find that you never need engine upgrade on vessery since barrel roll tends to be more useful. I would like the first list better if you could fit an HLC on vessery, but not sure what you could drop to get it (although you could trade the engine upgrade for a Mangler, but its not quite as good on Vessery as HLC).

Where is that one guy with his list when you need him...

I think the best way to handle Vessery to also throw Soontir + PTL + Target CPU in the list. Vessery is reliable damage, but not arc dodger, so he isn't a great end game ship, and is also a very high priority target. Fel can fill this roll and still provide Target Locks for Vessery's ability (though Fel can't spend the TL that turn). The list I am mentioning is...

Vessery + VI

Soontir + PTL + Target CPU

2 x Scimitar

100pts

Only way to make it better might be to fit Autothrusters in. Heck, could drop Target CPU and just make sure Vessery hangs out with the Scimitars.

I was again re-thinking the list and as you say, after reviewing my last game again, it seems that Vessery doors not need the Engine Upgrade as badly as the shuttle. Actually he is not an arc dodger so the extra manoeuvrability is not fully used, he is more of a jousting guy and have a white k-turn. So, I think I will go with the first list but dropping the tactical jammer and moving the engine upgrade to the shuttle for 99 points again

I like the option of the HLC, but the list as it has been conceived dies not have room for it. However if I will have to start changing the list basically from scratch, then I'll probably try to fit Soontir I'm-awesome Fel and a HLC for sure

How about this:

Vessery - Adrenaline Rush, Hull Upgrade

Omicron Pilot - Fire-Control System, Weapons Engineer

Soontir Fel - PTL, RGT, Autothrusters, Targeting Computer

Where is that one guy with his list when you need him...

Didn't want to bother people too much with this list so I stopped suggesting it to people....

Only way to make it better might be to fit Autothrusters in. Heck, could drop Target CPU and just make sure Vessery hangs out with the Scimitars.

Autothruster is the way to go here. Let Soontir do his thing while the Scimitars take the TLs for Vessery. If the opponent do bother to shoot at the Bombers, that's only good for you because they are not shooting at your real threats: The Colonel and the Baron. From all the time I used this list, I think only once Vessery benefited from a TL of Soontir; and with Soontir, he already have enough action to choose from, the survivability granted from Autothruster far exceed the usefulness of the Targetting Computer.

I really like the list you suggest Red Castle. I have play Soontir in the past and he is incredible. For the time being I'll give a few true to the first shuttle list with engine upgrade in the shuttle and then switch the shuttle for Soontir and try it again.

Both lists look very nice to fly

Well let you know about the outcomes

Me again

I tried the list on the unofficial tournament of my local gaming club plus two test drives before and I must said that I liked.

I won against a three rebel ship list (more due to luck than good flying, but, hey, I won ;D )

I lost against a Coran/Dash list

and I tried to joust my way against a three B-wings one Y-wing list (yes, the one with navigator on all the B's and Ion on the Y) and lost mainly due to a lack of focus fire. I miss-aligned the bombers and was not able to focus fire on one unique B wing, so my fire was spread on to two of them, which was the beginning of my destruction

Those were the tournament games. Afterwards I played a casual against one of the other list of the tournament, a Fat Han, elite A-wing, Tala squadron list which I won after destroying the A-wing and the Tala. In this game, Han was firing from round two onwards, every single round, onto Vessery without being able to destroy him. Those 3 defense dice are awesome Vessery finished the time with only one hull but still alive and firing back

I am not so proud about my flying here, as the shuttle and the two bombers were fighting the A-wing and the Tala, whereas Vessery alone was fighting Fat Han on his own, but it worked

Anyway, I like a lot flying the Defender around, I kind of like the ship.

Oddly enough, what I like the most form the list was the Adv Sensors, Fleet officer combo. I was using it every round with the bombers. And by revealing a green one forward with the shuttle I was clearing the stress immediately. That was nice

They were delivering very consistent fire with a focus for free (so to say) every round and still able to target lock or barrel roll as action. I liked this combo so much that I am considering replacing Vessery for Rexler Brath and use the focus from the Fleet officer on him

Any suggestions in this direction ?

Thanks a lot and fly casually

How about:

Brath w/ VI + hull

Soontir w/ PtL + autothrusters

Omni w/ adv sensors + fleet officer

I've been really liking shield upgrade on Brath, since he takes a lot of fire and engine upgrade doesn't really allow him to avoid arcs. Hull upgrade is all you can afford though. With Omni nearby, he's got 2 focus, either for activating his own ability or saving for defense which he will need (and if your opponent goes for the shuttle, fleet officer gives the shuttle 1 focus too....not much but better than nothing). Also with Brath @ PS10, he's a threat to phantoms, a big annoyance to Han (well with his ability, all large based ships, really) and maybe can avoid some fire by moving last + barrel roll...

Meanwhile you got Soontir on the flank (he doesn't really need Fleet Officer) doing his thing.

Alternatively, you could drop Soontir and Brath's upgrades to fit in 3 academies for running interference (one could benefit from fleet officer too), but that might end not helping as much as Soontir...

This is one of my favorite Vessery squadrons:

Colonel Vessery + Veteran Instincts (40 points)

Rexler Brath + Push the Limit (36 points)

Captain Yorr (24 points)

total points: 100

I like it because it uses both named Defenders which is a lot of fun. Actually all three pilots aren't seen very often. Vessery has VI so he can shoot first and reacquire a target lock off of Rexler's target lock. Rexler has PtL so he can set up the target lock for Vessery and still take his focus token or whatever other action he needs. PtL is usually not a good choice for a Defender, but that's where Captain Yorr comes in. He can relieve the Defenders of stress whenever they do a red maneuver or when Rexler uses PtL.

Oddly enough, what I like the most form the list was the Adv Sensors, Fleet officer combo. I was using it every round with the bombers. And by revealing a green one forward with the shuttle I was clearing the stress immediately. That was nice

They were delivering very consistent fire with a focus for free (so to say) every round and still able to target lock or barrel roll as action. I liked this combo so much that I am considering replacing Vessery for Rexler Brath and use the focus from the Fleet officer on him

Any suggestions in this direction ?

Thanks a lot and fly casually

I've flown the following list twice, and won both matches.

Rexlar Brath

Vessery+VI

OGP+Fleet Officer+Advanced Sensors

It performed a lot better than I had hoped and is a fun, semi-competitive list to fly.

I say semi-competitive because it really has no answer for a tooled up Whisper, nor does it have a hyper-mobile ship to be a "closer".

How about:

Brath w/ VI + hull

Soontir w/ PtL + autothrusters

Omni w/ adv sensors + fleet officer

I was also thinking a way to put Soontir Fel in the list. It is one of the few interceptors I have used and I liked it a lot. I am not so good at arc dodging as maybe is required but practice makes a master

Anyway, today I tried this list against a "Slim" Han - Fat Horn list. I say "slim" Han because he has not really on steroids, only the Millenium title, lone wolf and tactician, whereas Corran was having R2-D2, Accuracy corrector, outmaneuver and engine upgrade. My opponent dislikes to uncertainty of the dice rolls, therefore the accuracy corrector and the outmaneuver

The game was amazing !

I deployed the shuttle and Rexler on my right corner looking forward and Soontir on the centre also facing forward. My opponent placed his two ships, one on each corner but at 45 degrees with Han in front of the shuttle-defender duo. I was afraid of Corran flanking Soontir if I did the obvious bank right to flank the Falcon, so I turned him to the left and boosted behind a rock. The shuttle and the defender charged the falcon which slow rolled 1 forward. Corran approached Soontir which was not having him in arc and tried to double tap him at range three without success. Falcon and shuttle.defender duo did nothing to each other. Then, all my ships tried to catch Corran as he was not going ot be able to fire back but again no serious damage was done. The next two round I was trying again to get the falcon, but at the end time was called and not a single damage card was used, only shields were expended.

However, I really liked it. At the beginning I was afraid that with Rexler shooting first, his ability was going to be wasted, however, the 5 shields of a falcon are hard to get down, so it really doesn't matter who fires first until you have you enemy shieldless, then it becomes more important. I think I will use this list more often

Will keep you posted

Here is my favorite defender list that may be worth checking out, depending on your play style.

(30) Delta Squadron Pilot

(36) Academy Squadron Pilot x3

(32) Soontir Fel + Auto Thrusters + Push the Limit

(2) points to flavor or initiative bid

I used to run Hull Upgrade or Stealth Device before AT was out, but I think AT is a little more important.

Essentially what Blade mentioned on the previous page, you run some TIEs for interferrance and arc covering...blocking decloak lanes or large ships as needed. The Delta largely gets ignored with Soontir on the table, gets to use his focus for D until ready to fire last, AND gets a guaranteed 4K the majority of the time because he is PS 1. PS 1 is also shared with the academies so you can move them in the order you need to make everything work.

I want to go the vessery route in the near future (that's what this thread is all about right?) and will look run something like this:

(36) Vessery + VI

(21) Tempest Squadron Pilot + TIE/x1 + Accuracy Corrector

(21) Tempest Squadron Pilot + TIE/x1 + Accuracy Corrector

(22) Tempest Squadron Pilot + TIE/x1 + Advanced Targeting Computer

-----100 Points-----

I believe the Tempests with AC will be very durable...they can get their initial TL to support Vessery and just take evade actions and let their AC handle the offense. Might even be tougher than shuttles and ultimately do the same thing by maintaining a target lock?

The Tempest with Adv. Targeting Computer is way more synergistic with Vessery, so I may consider dropping one of the AC Tempests in favor of a flanker like Backstabber to upgrade the other AC to Adv. Targeting Computer and fit a Mangler Cannon (or Ion?) on Vessery.

Can't really tell until the Raider is out, but I think Vessery will have some new life breathed into him. One of the things that the AC Tempests are good at with the defender is pulling off the ultimate jousting K-Turn. Vessery gets his white 4K and all of your Advanceds get their K-Turn and a guaranteed 2 hits afterward...not too shabby for being tokenless.

Accuracy corrector in a Tie advance...

I like the sound of that