So....the Imperial Raider (whenever it arrives) is supposed to come with a swathe of new unique pilots.

Commander Alozen is one, and people seem pretty convinced Juno Eclipse is another, but has there been any more leaks/rumours/photo analysis on the other two?

We've currently got 'gaps' at PS 6 and 8, and theoretically 3 - but I wouldn't expect a Tarn Mison-a-like; the 'experienced rookie' feels wrong for a TIE advanced, which wasn't a workhorse like the X-wing. I could be wrong though.

Just curious (and hopeful). Being able to field three unique TIE advanced would be nice, especially once their systems slot-granted flexibility opens up: It'll be nice to have a genuine counterpart to the x-wing which doesn't cost a million points and isn't made of wafer biscuits held together by propaganda posters and the dark side of the force....

I haven't seen anything new, and I'm also curious to hear what's in development.

Just curious (and hopeful). Being able to field three unique TIE advanced would be nice, especially once their systems slot-granted flexibility opens up: It'll be nice to have a genuine counterpart to the x-wing which doesn't cost a million points and isn't made of wafer biscuits held together by propaganda posters and the dark side of the force....

Indeed! Together with the specific system upgrade for the Advanced or with the Accuracy Correctors the TIE Advanced is going to be a huge improvement. I have especially high hopes for the combination with the later. Two guarenteed rolled hits when attacking leaves you a focus for better defense or a barrell roll for improved Positioning

I would love to try them against an X-wing

I'm really hoping some of the pilot abilities have good synergy with other system upgrades.

Such as, "when defending, if the attacker spends a focus token, he then receives 1 stress token". Tailor-made for sensor jammer.

After all, the X-Wings have their Astromech/ability interplay, so the Imperials could stand to get in on that action.

Basically, I'm hoping that the named pilots don't just wind up with the auto-include accuracy corrector.

We've currently got 'gaps' at PS 6 and 8, and theoretically 3 - but I wouldn't expect a Tarn Mison-a-like; the 'experienced rookie' feels wrong for a TIE advanced, which wasn't a workhorse like the X-wing. I could be wrong though.

You are. Look where Alozen is in the pilot order.

Looks like 3, 5, 6, 8, with 5 and 8 being Alozen (previewed) and Eclipse (the pilot on the baseplate).

Basically, I'm hoping that the named pilots don't just wind up with the auto-include accuracy corrector.

Do you mean Advanced Targeting Computer? Accuracy Corrector favours the generics.

But yes, I fully expect them to synergise with different system upgrades. Alozen's built for ATC, for example. Wouldn't be at all surprised to see the others synergise with Sensor Jammer and Advanced Sensors.

I'm really hoping some of the pilot abilities have good synergy with other system upgrades.

Such as, "when defending, if the attacker spends a focus token, he then receives 1 stress token". Tailor-made for sensor jammer.

After all, the X-Wings have their Astromech/ability interplay, so the Imperials could stand to get in on that action.

Basically, I'm hoping that the named pilots don't just wind up with the auto-include accuracy corrector.

Nah, the named pilots will autoinclude Advanced Targetting computer.

Generics auto include AC.

Unless those pilots synergise with the other upgrade options more strongly than they do with ATC or AC.

Unless those pilots synergise with the other upgrade options more strongly than they do with ATC or AC.

Let's hope eh?

We've currently got 'gaps' at PS 6 and 8, and theoretically 3 - but I wouldn't expect a Tarn Mison-a-like; the 'experienced rookie' feels wrong for a TIE advanced, which wasn't a workhorse like the X-wing. I could be wrong though.

You are. Look where Alozen is in the pilot order.

Looks like 3, 5, 6, 8, with 5 and 8 being Alozen (previewed) and Eclipse (the pilot on the baseplate).

Basically, I'm hoping that the named pilots don't just wind up with the auto-include accuracy corrector.

Do you mean Advanced Targeting Computer? Accuracy Corrector favours the generics.

But yes, I fully expect them to synergise with different system upgrades. Alozen's built for ATC, for example. Wouldn't be at all surprised to see the others synergise with Sensor Jammer and Advanced Sensors.

Fair enough. That's promising - if there's a PS6 pilot they're probably going to be ~26 points - meaning you've got a decent choice of three-ship builds with plenty of space to add elite pilot talents and trimmings.

And yes, I'd like to see different abilities synergise with the systems upgrades.

Accuracy Corrector is so good for the generic pilots, Maarek Stele and Commander Alozen both seem built for the Advanced Targeting Computer , but sensor jammers, fire control systems, enhanced scopes and advanced sensors are all up for grabs.

I can see fairly easily how to feed off sensor jammers - either limiting people's ability to spend focus tokens or gaining a benefit when they do (letting you take the token they've just spent seems the simplest one!), and advanced sensors pairs well with...push the limit and similar abilities (if only the Advanced had more green manouvres...) but fire control and enhanced scopes seem harder to match to (without copying existing abilities, anyway).

It'll be good to see what they do. I really want to lay my grubby mits on some proton rockets, too - need to badger the local rebel players for a loan....

This just in: I want that title and new pilots!

Most people are expecting some sort of news this weekend at that Star Wars event in California. We are all waiting for that to happen.

Maybe Nas Ghent?

An ability that synergized with Enhanced scopes would be cool.

After an enemy ship performs a maneuver that would cause them to overlap this ships base, you may perform a free focus action.

but sensor jammers, fire control systems, enhanced scopes and advanced sensors are all up for grabs.

I don't expect to see a Fire Control system synergy given it's not an unpopular upgrade and anything that helps with locking favours ATC more, which for a TIE advanced is a difference of 1 point.

After an enemy ship performs a maneuver that would cause them to overlap this ships base, you may perform a free focus action.

Problem is, that's not better than Accuracy Corrector, which gives you a free autohit action no matter what (better than focus) AND you've got your action to defensively focus.

The synergy has to be so good it outdoes AC and ATC.

I'm not going to read anything about them before they're out, so it's a nice surprise! I've not even read this thread, that's how well I'm doing!

I don't expect to see a Fire Control system synergy given it's not an unpopular upgrade and anything that helps with locking favours ATC more, which for a TIE advanced is a difference of 1 point.

True. I really do get sick of being on the receiving end of Fire Control....

The downsides of Advanced Targeting Computers is that they're primary weapons, and you can't spend the lock - so if the special rule either affects secondary weapons*, or is "when attacking, after you spend a target lock..." or to a lesser extent "when you acquire a target lock...", then fire control is arguably better, because you'll be spending and reacquiring them on each shot.

* less useful for missiles. I think this'd be a bit awkward, as a recycling target lock and a one use weapon don't really complement each other.

Problem is, that's not better than Accuracy Corrector, which gives you a free autohit action no matter what (better than focus) AND you've got your action to defensively focus.

The synergy has to be so good it outdoes AC and ATC.

Maybe something manouvre-related rather than just giving you tokens? You know you're moving first, so maybe if you complete a manouvre within range 1 of someone you do X?

Or, better yet, "if someone completes a manouvre that began within range 1 of you..." - so that if you drop in behind someone before they move off, you get a boost to shadow them, or something?

Nah, the named pilots will autoinclude Advanced Targetting computer.

Generics auto include AC.

That's Maarek.

Vader is happy with either- his pilot skill and ability can let him utilize ATC far more reliably than any other pilot, but with AC he can become a defensive monster without sacrificing attack power.

Alozen (and I think I have to work hard to argue this one) wants AC. Because of his ability.

His ability seems to hint towards ATC, I will grant. However, at PS5, you have very little control over arc and range. So the possibility of being able to trigger his ability against a ship that you can use ATC for is marginalized.

But now consider this: with AC, Alozen's ability gives you action economy that, not incidentally, triggers at the only place where AC falls slightly flat- rolling 3 dice, e.g. at Range 1.

So Alozen wants AC more than ATC. At all ranges, you can use your 2-hit generator...but at Range 1, you got a free target lock, which you can use with your action phase focus to see if you do better with 3+TL+F than your 2-hit generator. And even if you whiff, you can still fall back on 2 hits.

With ATC, you can sometimes use his pilot ability (what happens if there's fodder at Range 1, but your priority target is Range 2? Your pilot ability isn't useful here, since ATC only works on the target you have locked) but the pilot skill and weak dial work to his disadvantage far more than with AC.

I see your point on Alozen with AC. I think it will kind of depend on how you equip him in your list. If you run PTL or Predator on Alozen, he'll always want ATC. If you can't squeeze those in, AC might be a better choice.

Now here's a question. When do you spend your TL when you have ATC equipped say you have a focus or not? Range 2-3 if you roll two blanks do you risk it and try to get those 2 hits? Range 1 I guess you would just always spend the TL when you roll 3 blanks. What if you roll 1 hit and you have a focus? Lot of scenarios, I guess it depends who you are shooting too and how much hitpoints they have left.

I dunno, I just prefer ATC more than AC. In a dare I say it meta of high Agi, the guaranteed hit and 2 rolls seems better than two guaranteed hits.

I am going to guess Commander Alozen PS 5, AT 2 Ev 3 Hull 3 Shield 2, Pilot ability "At the start of the combat phase, you may acquire a target lock on an enemy ship at Range 1."

I think Commander Alozen wants ATC. He gets the TL at the start of combat, which means after every one else has moved. With this, he can see who's in his arc and who he can fire at. I think it's a great ability with ATC. All he has to do is end up in R1 for one turn and then he has it. If it's a big target, he doesn't even have to keep the target in R1 every turn, but gets the extra crit automatically. Even if it's Fat Han at R3, it adds a free crit to the result.

Also, there are ships that are lower than PS 5 that he will get plenty of use on.

Can he use PTL with his free TL? Maybe he gets the TL and then barrel rolls to get someone in his firing arc. Or maybe he does a Focus and TL.

Can he use PTL with his free TL?

Not without an EPT he can't, although an Ysard Experimental Interface Squad Leader craft could, as could the Coordinate action on the Raider.

...doesn't he have one? An EPT, that is.

Can he use PTL with his free TL? Maybe he gets the TL and then barrel rolls to get someone in his firing arc. Or maybe he does a Focus and TL.

As it reads I would say his TL is not an action, so he can't use PTL afterward.

Allow me to take a step out onto the hypothetical branch for a minute, if you will.

What if the PS5 other pilot is the anti-Biggs?

"You may not be declared as the target of an attack if the attacker could target another ship at range 1 from you instead."

I don't know that it would be as potent as Biggs is, but I'm sure it would find its uses.