Hello,

Me and one of my friends are running af casual 100pts dog-fight tournament followed by the Sceneario "Trench Run" (if people are up for it after the 4 games). So I thought I would go Thematic for the dog-fight tournament and fly Vader with his wingmen. That leave me with a some points I would like to have some input for how to use.

The list.

Cannot be changed:

Tie-advanced: Darth Vader - 29 pts

Tie-Fighter: Mauler Mithel - 17 pts

Tie Fighter: Backstabber - 16 pts

Almost set in stone (can be changed with good arguments):

Darth Vader upgrades:

Tie/X1 - 0 pts

Advanced Targeting Computer - 1 pts

Ruthlessness - 3 pts

This leaves 35 pts for the rest of list.

I could go with the safe choice a Bounty Hunter for 33 pts. It gives me some firepower and is able to soak some damage. It is also my go-to craft (I fly Kath or Krassis a lot).

The Defender is also a choice I would like to use, but have not tried it before.

Maybe a bomber? A Phantom? Academies?

I am all ears

Cheers

Echo,VI, ACD

Just to stick with the theme, I'd grab two Black Squad Pilots and Splash around some upgrades.

You could also drop Mauler to Dark Curse then go BOunty Hunter w rec spec.

Defender w/ Ion Cannon seems like it would pair well with Vader.

Soontir fel, Ptl, Autothrusters, Hull upgrade

you're welcome

Soontir fel, Ptl, Autothrusters, Hull upgrade

you're welcome

You must mean stealth device rather than HU.

You're welcome.

Soontir fel, Ptl, Autothrusters, Hull upgrade

you're welcome

You must mean stealth device rather than HU.

You're welcome.

nope. given the current meta and deci-vaders running around, the extra hit point is going to save you more often than the stealth device will. i would have suggested shield but that's an extra point he doesn't have

besides, if you need a stealth device on Fel, you're flying him wrong anyways; the stealth device is an extra safety net that isn't needed when autothrusters does the job better. Fel shouldn't be shot at at all, or at least only by 1 target which his 3 defense dice should do just fine with

and if your opponents deci-vader is forced to use vader round after round to deal those points of damage to fel, then it's worth trading Soontir's mere 35 points for the 50-60pt decimator

Executor, it would be nice if you would realize that you are offering up your opinion, not dispensing sage truths to the masses. Based on your last two posts here you come off as quite arrogant.

You may indeed run into force crushing Vaders everywhere but they are not pervasive where I play. I've played in 3 SC this year and did not see Vaders crew once. In the SC I won I was very happy with the auto thrusters/stealth combo on Soontir.

Your opinion may be absolutely correct in your meta. I just wish your posts could drop the condescension.

Thanks for the replies.

Echo with VI and ACD is powerful. It has a lot of green dice cloaked and is manoeuvrable. Will force my opponent to respect if placed as flanker.

If I run a defender with Ion Cannon, how should it be flown to complement Vader and co.? As far as I can read, the defender is a "sniper" type craft.

Soontir Fel is a good option, but somehow I always get up close with my arc dodgeing with Interceptors and since Vadar is Ruthless I dont know if that is the answer.

For Theme definately Black squadron pilots with upgrades, but I like to run different types of ships. I will consider this

If I run a defender with Ion Cannon, how should it be flown to complement Vader and co.? As far as I can read, the defender is a "sniper" type craft.

The Defender and Advanced have similar dials, so they can actually fly together rather comfortably. I would think (as I haven't actually used this setup in a game) that you would fire Vader against a target first, and hope that between the ATC and your other shots you strip the target's shields and/or evade/focus tokens. Then the Defender fires and lands an Ion token. Have the Defender do a K-turn next round to finish off the target. (Vader could K as well but take stress.) In this situation, I might consider using Swarm Tactics or Squad Leader on Vader for the Defender rather than Ruthless.

The Defender is less of a sniper and more of a joust dominator. The white 4k is surprisingly powerful because it is the only ship that can flip around on a whim (even if stressed) and combine with an ion cannon it will easy beat any non-phantom small ship in a one-on-one joust.

The Delta in my games has proven to be an incredible dependable and solid addition that's just good all around (but you could never see that coming from the 3 stats across the board...)

Another option is V.I Vader (troll phantoms all day long), V.I Maulder (makes him far more useful when he can not get himself murdered at range 1 and can fire simultaneously with whisper), and then 3 academy pilots.

I would run howl runner and an academy pilot. Throw in 2 targeting computers or squad tactic or squad leader. It keeps the list themed.

Soontir fel, Ptl, Autothrusters, Hull upgrade

you're welcome

This

Soontir fel, Ptl, Autothrusters, Hull upgrade

you're welcome

This

i feel that Stealth Device is much better against HLCs which I tend to see many more of than auto damage such as Vader Crew or Ten Numb Mangler Cannon.

Uncle Soontir

I'm with WWHSD on this one.

If you are going thematic, go all or none.

If you have the Raider or proxies are allowed (based on your post, I would assume this is the case) here is a possibility:

Don't underestimate Calculation on 2 attack ships...it is actually quite powerful and efficient.

I'd also advocate another pair of TIEs, but I'd probably take Dark Curse over one of the upgraded BSPs. That leaves enough room for a 3 point upgrade (Outmaneuver, Predator) and a 2 point upgrade (Calculation). TIEs are best run in numbers so that they take some pressure off of each other; too few, and you risk letting them get focused down easily.

Thanks again.

I had a game yesterday against a YT-2400 with HLC and Han Solo and two e-wings with R2s. I had Vader (tie/x1, squad leader, ATC), Mauler Mithel, Backstabber, Onyx Defender (Ion cannon).

My opponent made an error (first time flying big ship), and ended up within R1 of all my ships for two rounds (bumping) and I was able to shoot it down, but I ended winning with only Vader (**** e-wing defence).

Being a huge fan of Interceptors, the defender is a different beast to fly. The white K4 is nice and I will have to play it some more to get some better feel for it.

If I am not happy, I will look into the black squadron additions (proxies are allowed, but only upgrade cards, not ships). Or take Soontir FTW !

Cheers

I'm pretty sure that if you take all the named Imperials plus 4 Black Squadron TIEs versus all the named Red Squadron Pilots from Yavin, both sides equal 135 points. Plus upgrades should be a fine 150pt battle, no?

I'd definitely take Dark Curse for the theme, and then a Black Squadron Pilot with Draw Their Fire to provide Vader and Friends with a little bit of protection.

That leaves enough for a Hull Upgrade for Vader.

Alternatively, take a generic black squadron and give Vader an Engine Upgrade - that 'unchains' him from the TIE swarm and lets him show off as one of the best arc dodgers in the game.

I'd be hesitant with Ruthlessness, by the way. Advanced Targeting Computer gives Vader enough firepower to reliably trigger it, but with TIE/ln fighters flitting around - especially Mithel who wants to knife fight given his ability - I'd be concerned about hitting my own ships too often. May just be my own paranoia. If taking engine-upgrade Vader, Lone Wolf might work well.

I'd take Howlrunner w/ Hull Upgrades on all three TIEs and either Shield or Engine Upgrade on Vader.

Howlrunner leads Mithel and Backstabber in a phalanx that Vader flanks. When she goes you still have two 4 dice TIEs alongside the Dark Lord of the Sith.

Add Swarm Tactics on Howlrunner and Mithel, and Vader shoots 9 while the rest of the team shoots 8.