I just started playing X-Wing and I'm really enjoying it but I haven't really gotten enough ships to build a full list yet. I've played around with a couple ideas and I think I've finally settled on one that I'd like but want some input before I go buy all of the ships I need. Just so it's out there I'm in love with the TIE Defender and have been since the first time I saw it in a starship book.

So my list that I've come up with is:

Rexler Brath w/ Predator and Ion Cannon

Avenger Squadron Pilot

2x Alpha Squadron Pilot

My idea with this list is to use Rexler's cannon to disable a ship and then have the interceptors swoop in on the ionized target the next turn and hopefully take it out from behind. Like I said I'm brand new so I'm not sure if this is a good idea or if it isn't competitive at all.

Thank you for any help you can give me.

I recently started playing myself, and have aquired a copy of the TIE Defender, but I do NOT recommend you get one. Instead, you should stick to the simpler TIE Fighters and Interceptors, which can be great fun (i have both). Which sets do you have already?

I bought the Defender when I bought the Core set. I just bought the TIE Interceptor today.

I don't recommend Rexlar, especially if you're just starting out.

Defenders have a bad reputation, and while imo they don't deserve it at all (they're actually incredibly powerful, not stat-efficient but they re the ultimate jousters with the white 4k turn, have a really potent statline, and can pack some incredibly useful cannons) Rexlar is the exception. He's incredibly expensive and has a very situational ability.

I'd recommend sticking to the generic Delta Squadron Pilot or building a target-lock squad to enable Vessery, who has a situational ability that is at least incredibly powerful and worth building around.

My favorite defender list is

Soontir Fell (Push the limit, royal guard tie title, stealth device, auto-thrusters)

Delta Squadron Pilot (flechette cannon) X 2

from my experience, it's incredibly competitive because the Defenders strip the enemy's ability (via stress from the cannon) to joust and Soontir Fell is just an incredibly scary pilot.

If you want to keep to one Defender, I do agree that Tie Fighters are probably the safest way to go. They seem wimpy, but they're actually one of the most efficient ships in the game with a powerful dial/action bar and a stats-per-point ratio that sets the gold standard for all ships in the game.

If you want to keep to one Defender and fly Interceptors, you basically need to buy the Starviper to get at Auto-thrusters (one of the best upgrades in the game and what makes all ships with innate boost incredibly viable) and to find some way to get Push the Limit (imperial aces or the A-wing expansion) because they are incredibly fragile otherwise. Then again, if you're just starting out, I doubt anyone will call you out for proxying cards you don't have, as long as you let your opponent know beforehand.

You can try this modified list:

Soontir Fell (Push The Limit, Royal Guard Tie, Stealth Device, Autothrusters)

Delta Squadron Pilot (flechette cannon)

Backstabber --> from the Tie Fighter expansion

Dark Curse

If, for some reason, you don't want to proxy, best I can figure is

Soontir Fell (Daredevil) [30]

Rexlar (predator, ion cannon) [43]

Obsidian Squadron

Obsidian Squadron

Awesome thank you for the help. It seems that I'll need to rethink some things.

take your time with it

X-wing is a gloriously complex and varied game in which basically every ship can be incredibly effective, the trick is just finding out how to make it so and, more importantly, how to make it so while enjoying the hell out of them

I also think defenders don't deserve their bad rap, but Rexler and I are friends. I have flown mostly with Rexler as an ace with heavy laser cannon and predator. He's expensive, but can lay down some hurt in a hurry.

For a list with interceptors and a lone defender, fickle is definitely the expert, and a support defender would allow for more powerful interceptors, which is very good.

Your list sounds fun to me. It may not be a competitive list but your new and should focus on the fun of the game. Me personally I like the HLC on a defender just for a harder hit. But ion cannons are also fun, especially if you ion a ship and it flies into an asteroid . If you plan on going to tournaments then rethink your list but if your just playing for fun play what you want.

My tournent list is totally different then my fun list. I play Darth Vader in an advanced tie in my fun list, that's how none competitive it is.