You don't want him shooting early or his ability is wasted, that crit needs to hit hull not shields.

So I am conflicted.

I don't know if the best build should take marksman (only really good with concussion missiles), Calculation (for one point), predator, or IV.

I am kind of leaning to Calculation and IV because they are only one point, and the focus could be used on defense instead of offense...

hmmm

Personally:

Maarek with ATC and Swarm

Mauler with Swarm

4 x Academy TIE fighters.

Jobz a gud'n boss!

Maarek Stele (31)
TIE-Advanced (27), TIE/x1 (0), Predator(3), Advanced Targeting Computer (5)

"Howlrunner" (20)
TIE-Fighter (18), Swarm Tactics (2)

Akademy Pilot (12) x 4

= 99 Points

Howl and a Adacemy fire with PS8, hopefully able get some shields down. Maarek fires afterwards, to deliver his magic crit.

Maarek Stele (31)

TIE-Advanced (27), TIE/x1 (0), Predator(3), Advanced Targeting Computer (5)

"Howlrunner" (20)

TIE-Fighter (18), Swarm Tactics (2)

Akademy Pilot (12) x 4

= 99 Points

Howl and a Adacemy fire with PS8, hopefully able get some shields down. Maarek fires afterwards, to deliver his magic crit.

Simple, but nice. I will be all over that list like a rash.

My concern with Maarek is more so along the lines of why many people weren't happy with Rexler. He's an end game player and if you can get everyone's shields down then that's great, but with not a high attack and so forth I don't know how often you'll really be able to use the ability. It would be pretty awesome to pull it off though.

So I guess question to further the thread, not just how would you outfit Maarek, what other ships would you put alongside him to maximize his potential?

Jendon?

Because you can't DEAL Chewee a crit. Got it!

Not true. You can, he merely flips it face-down. However - with Lieutenant Colzet, you can flip it straight back up again!

Because you can't DEAL Chewee a crit. Got it!

Not true. You can, he merely flips it face-down. However - with Lieutenant Colzet, you can flip it straight back up again!

Colzet! Imperial Wookie hunter

Bossk! Scum Wookie hunter

My concern with Maarek is more so along the lines of why many people weren't happy with Rexler. He's an end game player and if you can get everyone's shields down then that's great, but with not a high attack and so forth I don't know how often you'll really be able to use the ability. It would be pretty awesome to pull it off though.

So I guess question to further the thread, not just how would you outfit Maarek, what other ships would you put alongside him to maximize his potential?

Advanced Targeting Computer solves the firepower issue.

Because you can't DEAL Chewee a crit. Got it!

Not true. You can, he merely flips it face-down. However - with Lieutenant Colzet, you can flip it straight back up again!

Him and rexler will make such sweet music together!

I like my Maarek like I take my coffee: bold but simple. X1 title, ATC, Vet Instincts. He plays well with Vader, Fel, Whisper, and any Decimator that way. He brings some pain, but to me, taking a TL at PS9 is absolutely worth the possibility of being blocked. Plus in a pinch, you can Barrel Roll to avoid fire and try again next round. Or if you completely overshoot, well, definitely the TL then. His ability is fantastic when you have consistency with it (so...ATC), and depending on Initiative you can use him to slap down a VIP with relatively little cost (that's what, 29 points?). Fly him bold, go big or go down swinging, and use the rest of the list to really bring the hurt.

My concern with Maarek is more so along the lines of why many people weren't happy with Rexler. He's an end game player and if you can get everyone's shields down then that's great, but with not a high attack and so forth I don't know how often you'll really be able to use the ability. It would be pretty awesome to pull it off though.

So I guess question to further the thread, not just how would you outfit Maarek, what other ships would you put alongside him to maximize his potential?

He isn't necessarily late game. He's just best when the enemy's shields are down. That may be late game for a big, turreted ship, but not for every list. I'd try to make sure that there was someone else who went before him, even if the same PS. That way you can strip the shields off most ships with the other guy and then hit with Maarek. Or maybe part of a triple aces list?

Vader + ATC + EU

Stele + VI + ATC

Whisper + VI + ACD

= 100 points

Well, Vader & Stele is a very nice canonical squad. Personally I'd prefer accuracy corrector on Vader - leave his actions free for either defensive tokens or ridiculous repositioning shennanigans.

Will look forward to seeing what the new crew If it's possible to have a Lambda with the Emperor on board, that'd fit nicely...

Hopefully he is able to recharge shields with his energy lightning bolts used on the ships shield battery ...

Action: You recharge 2 shield tokens, up to your max shield value.

I know ... a lousy job for a sith emperor .... but I don't think we need another rampaging crew like vader...

I'm actually hoping he'll be a 'natural target' in some way - either hampering people shooting at his ship, or else forcing people to do so - in either way pairing with or enhancing Kagi's ability; if he can be on a non-huge ship, then Captain Kagi (who's the least used of the Lambda pilots) should be his natural home in my head.

An alternate option that might work is to increase all friendly pilot skill (slghtly) - the whole 'battle meditation/co-ordination' thing that Thrawn and C'Baoth talk about.