I tried out 5x Alpha Squadron vs. Dual IG's and I wrecked house. If you make sure that first engagement is at range 3 you're not going to lose an Alpha in the first exchange, which is big.

Only tried it once though, but it has some potential.

Jax would always be my choice (over almost any other interceptor pilot) since his ability is so much more effective and threatening to an opponent.

Now, let,s say I'm not crazy enough to take Lorrir and go with Carnor instead, who would be better between him and Soontir to take the Targetting Computer and who should take the Stealth Device, considering that both would be equiped with Autothrusters. Soontir seems like a better candidate for TC with his 2 actions and free focus, while Jax could need the Stealth Device to help in range 1.

If I go with the TC on Soontir and the Stealth on Jax, maybe I could switch PtL for Predator... hmmm.... or even go with a hull instead of stealth...

Jax would always be my choice (over almost any other interceptor pilot) since his ability is so much more effective and threatening to an opponent.

Now, let,s say I'm not crazy enough to take Lorrir and go with Carnor instead, who would be better between him and Soontir to take the Targetting Computer and who should take the Stealth Device, considering that both would be equiped with Autothrusters. Soontir seems like a better candidate for TC with his 2 actions and free focus, while Jax could need the Stealth Device to help in range 1.

If I go with the TC on Soontir and the Stealth on Jax, maybe I could switch PtL for Predator... hmmm.... or even go with a hull instead of stealth...

I often go with hull or shield, but I do know that others prefer stealth. I'd agree that if it's between those two and who gets what, TC is probably better on Soontir for reasons you already mentioned while increased built-in defense on Jax is going to be helpful.

Jax would always be my choice (over almost any other interceptor pilot) since his ability is so much more effective and threatening to an opponent.

Now, let,s say I'm not crazy enough to take Lorrir and go with Carnor instead, who would be better between him and Soontir to take the Targetting Computer and who should take the Stealth Device, considering that both would be equiped with Autothrusters. Soontir seems like a better candidate for TC with his 2 actions and free focus, while Jax could need the Stealth Device to help in range 1.

If I go with the TC on Soontir and the Stealth on Jax, maybe I could switch PtL for Predator... hmmm.... or even go with a hull instead of stealth...

I often go with hull or shield, but I do know that others prefer stealth. I'd agree that if it's between those two and who gets what, TC is probably better on Soontir for reasons you already mentioned while increased built-in defense on Jax is going to be helpful.

Before Autothrusters, I never bothered with Stealth Device, finding the Hull better for the price. Now, combined with PtL and Autothrusters, I can see some value in it.

If I decide to go the Predator road with Jax, I think I'll be better to take the Hull and pray each time he's being shot at, I think it will payoff in the end.... I just still can't decide if I go with PtL or Predator on him... I do like going the unconvencional road though, so Predator is more likely.

I don't think Predator is a good idea.

Jax's real value is not in the damage he does himself, but in the damage he protects the rest of your fighters from, and the damage he lets the rest of your ships do.

He's going to be the #1 target for anyone who gets a shot at him, and so needs to be able to protect himself as much as possible. This either means turtling (Focus + Evade), or arc-dodging (Boost + Barrel Roll). Both of these imply Push the Limit.

If you want an unconventional choice though, have you thought about Daredevil on him?

Jax will indeed draw fire

I mean, have you seen the guy? He's even painted to resemble a bull's-eye

Jax's issue is that he's almost alway your opponent first target and goes down like any TIE Fighter without even having the luxourious Soontir's 3 actions

Back on topic I think that arc-dodgers do fine vs 2 ships list, especially against the brobots. Vader on a 360° fire arc and feedback arrays are what **** on them. Vader in particular is really painful to deal with arc-dodgers

I don't think Predator is a good idea.

Jax's real value is not in the damage he does himself, but in the damage he protects the rest of your fighters from, and the damage he lets the rest of your ships do.

He's going to be the #1 target for anyone who gets a shot at him, and so needs to be able to protect himself as much as possible. This either means turtling (Focus + Evade), or arc-dodging (Boost + Barrel Roll). Both of these imply Push the Limit.

If you want an unconventional choice though, have you thought about Daredevil on him?

I think my problem is more that I'm getting tired of PtL on Interceptors (Except for Fel, those two were meant to be together). I see PtL as the crutch, or the training wheels, of Tie Interceptor Pilots; you just can't go wrong going with it. So I'm starting to experiment a little with other EPTs. Of course, I might be shooting myself in the foot by doing it at a Regional, but then again, where is the best place to test a list than somewhere you know everyone will bring their A game? No Shields, all Guts. Worst that can happen is that I end up last.

As for Daredevil (even though the Netflix serie is marvelous!), I was never really sold on it, except on Tycho since the Chaardan Refit. It's nice, but you still end up without any modifier in defense and offense. You get in a really good position!... only to roll 2 blank 2 focus.... Other experimentation I am considering is Stay on Target (to dodge the fire at the last minute), Determination (since there is more and more easy way to lend a crit, and quite frankly, would you take the risk to Vader a ship with Determination?), Intimidation (if you are to fight in close range, bumping is something that might happen, better to take full advantage out of it) or Ruthlessness (Because Jax is ruthless and swarm seems to be making a comeback).

the training wheel analogy is off

you can go wrong training wheels

you can't go wrong with PTL

plus, you do dumb things and lose your action either because of the stress or the limited greens (easy to get blocked) and PTL becomes less training wheels and more unicycle

PtL is, IMHO, over-rated on Ints. Predator works really well and it actually makes you less predictable than PtL does. I have over 50 games under my belt with both PtL and Predator on my Ints (so 100+ games) and I do better when mounting Predator than I do with PtL, even with Soontir.

the training wheel analogy is off

you can go wrong training wheels

you can't go wrong with PTL

plus, you do dumb things and lose your action either because of the stress or the limited greens (easy to get blocked) and PTL becomes less training wheels and more unicycle

Taking the analogy by the letters are we?

I compared it to training wheels because, even with the occasional risk of being blocked, taking PtL on a Interceptor is the safe way to go. It allows you to react to what your opponent did: You fall left, there is a wheel, you dodge his arc with a combination of boost and barrel roll; you fall right, there is a wheel, you do a focus and evade to soak the incoming shot. With other EPTs, there is no place for errors: the risk of falling is bigger, because there is no second action anymore to save you.

Every time we see a list with Interceptors, there is PtL sticked to them. There is nothing wrong with it: it's the safe choice and very competitive. But I'm getting tired of that. I'm sure there is other ways to play an Interceptor than with PtL, and that's what I want to find out. As I said in my last post, it is my problem. I prefer to experiment than always playing the same safe way.

Give this a try if you want to go non PtL. It is pretty effective, don't be afraid to use your K-turns. it is the most effective list I have found with Ints against the BBBBZ list as it allows you to down a B a turn as you get 2 dice rerolls against them with Predator. The BBBBZ list puts out so much firepower that PtL doesn't help, this does as dead B's don't shoot back. It also lasts well against turrets and can put the hurt on stinkbots.

Here's the list I'll play this weekend:

Soontir Fel + Push the Limit + Autothrusters + Targetting Computer

*He's my safe cushion. I still went with PtL on him because his three actions per turn are too good to pass out, adding Target Lock to exploit it to the max.

Carnor Jax + Predator + Autothrusters + Hull Upgrade

*He's gonna be the troll of the list. I suspect he will be target number one. Predator, like you said, will help a lot against the swarms that is making a comeback. Since he should draw a lot of fire, the Hull Upgrade could prevent the dreaded one-shot.

Turd Ferguson + Lonewolf + Autothrusters + Stealth Device

*I have a couple of game with this combination and it is marvelous! Lonewolf with Autothrusters and Stealth Device can really tank it. Offensively, unless against PS1-2, Lonewolf works almost the same as Predator.

It should make for an interesting day.

Update: I made Top 8 with this list!

Jax was definetly the weak link of the list (he died miserably each game). I either need to practice more with a Predator Interceptor, find a new EPT or just suck it up and go back to PtL, which admittedly would have saved his life a couple of time. My MVP of the day though was Turr with Stealth Device and Lonewolf. In one game in particular where I lost Soontir and Carnor early without destroying any ship of my opponent, he single handedly won me the game. When Fel got destroyed, my opponent Decimator was at 3 health and his mini swarm only took a couple of hit here and there. This feeling when you're not allowed any mistakes, that's why we fly Interceptors, always one the edge of our seat. Ultimately, I got humbled in Top 8 by a very experienced player running dual IG that spent 3 months practicing with his list. Very fun day.

Another guy made it in Top 8 with a Soontir, Turr and Whisper team. So, I would say that Arc-Dodging is definetly viable in this two-ship meta.

Out of curiosity, how do you initially fly your 3 ints? I'm thinking about flying 3 aces as well (torn between that and fel + 5 obsidian) normally I set up Fel to swoop behind the enemy at the start while whatever he flys will more or less jousts, but with 3 ints I'm not sure of the best deployment strategy. Thoughts?

Bringing Lone Wolf on Phennir is an interesting idea, I think PTL is wasted on him because he can't get his free boost/roll if he pushes. I also like the concept of Targeting Computer on Soontir, although it will make him a little more squishy with the removed stealth device. . What if we dropped AT on Jax because he's going to be at r1 primarily, and give him hull+stealth to make him as tanky as in interceptor can get? Evade every turn and save your focus for defense dice and he should stay alive for a good bit...

you're going to regret dropping AT immediately

so many HLCS and turrets in regionals

his ability won't matter if han one shots him because he gets the range 1 bonus for some inscrutably stupid reason, or if jax gets one-shot at range 3

Bringing Lone Wolf on Phennir is an interesting idea, I think PTL is wasted on him because he can't get his free boost/roll if he pushes. I also like the concept of Targeting Computer on Soontir, although it will make him a little more squishy with the removed stealth device. . What if we dropped AT on Jax because he's going to be at r1 primarily, and give him hull+stealth to make him as tanky as in interceptor can get? Evade every turn and save your focus for defense dice and he should stay alive for a good bit...

You can trigger PTL with Phennir free action instead of his normal one, making him able to focus, shoot then do a barrel roll or a boost, activate PTL and do one more action receiving a stress

Update: I made Top 8 with this list!

Jax was definetly the weak link of the list (he died miserably each game). I either need to practice more with a Predator Interceptor, find a new EPT or just suck it up and go back to PtL, which admittedly would have saved his life a couple of time. My MVP of the day though was Turr with Stealth Device and Lonewolf. In one game in particular where I lost Soontir and Carnor early without destroying any ship of my opponent, he single handedly won me the game. When Fel got destroyed, my opponent Decimator was at 3 health and his mini swarm only took a couple of hit here and there. This feeling when you're not allowed any mistakes, that's why we fly Interceptors, always one the edge of our seat. Ultimately, I got humbled in Top 8 by a very experienced player running dual IG that spent 3 months practicing with his list. Very fun day.

Another guy made it in Top 8 with a Soontir, Turr and Whisper team. So, I would say that Arc-Dodging is definetly viable in this two-ship meta.

Predator on Jax doesn't really make sense. He needs to reposition, reposition, reposition! Hell, don't even try to get shots with him in the early stages, just get behind your opponent with him. Use PTL for boost + BR to make it happen. Or, against turrets, well, obviously, you will need some defensive tokens (focus + free evade from Autothrusters still leaves one action for a boost or BR).

you're going to regret dropping AT immediately

so many HLCS and turrets in regionals

his ability won't matter if han one shots him because he gets the range 1 bonus for some inscrutably stupid reason, or if jax gets one-shot at range 3

Yeah, that. And if you've got one squint without AT and two with, guess who every turret you meet is going to be shooting at?

Bringing Lone Wolf on Phennir is an interesting idea, I think PTL is wasted on him because he can't get his free boost/roll if he pushes. I also like the concept of Targeting Computer on Soontir, although it will make him a little more squishy with the removed stealth device. . What if we dropped AT on Jax because he's going to be at r1 primarily, and give him hull+stealth to make him as tanky as in interceptor can get? Evade every turn and save your focus for defense dice and he should stay alive for a good bit...

You can trigger PTL with Phennir free action instead of his normal one, making him able to focus, shoot then do a barrel roll or a boost, activate PTL and do one more action receiving a stress

You CAN do it, and its useful, but PS 9 is better. I really like VI on him. Granted, I've seen him with Lone Wolf and its interesting too.

Unless my opponent do something special, I will usually deploy in the opposite corner. Let's say I deploy In the right corner, I'll place Turr, then Carnor at his right and Soontir behind Turr. First move I'll make hard 2-3 left with Turr then barrel roll left; a straight 3-5 with Jax followed by either a boost or a barrel roll depending on situation and if I want to go through the asteroid or behind; a Bank 2-3 left with Fel followed by a Barrel roll right or boost. Then I adapt to the placement of my opponent, try to see who he wants to target first (in my case it was always Jax, poor guy could not defend as good as the others and have an annoying ability). In all my game, Turr was left alone, which is exactly what I wanted: with lonewolf and stealth device, he's a very good end game pilot.

From your side, choose your first target quick. Your goal is to come from all three side at the same time and concentrate fire on it. First engagement should always be at range 3 so you can benefit from your 4th defense dice and autothrusters. In my last swiss game, I gunned down a fully equiped Palob at range 3, so he never got to shoot or steal one of my token once. After the initial shooting, don't be afraid to run away with one or two of your interceptors to prepare for the next pass. Try to see who he'll try to target next turn and run away with him while flanking with the others, especially Turr who is almost never stressed.

This is a very unforgiving team, so be prepared to lose one of your ship early. Don't get discourage if this happen, continue fighting until the end, They're all very good endgame pilots.

Bringing Lone Wolf on Phennir is an interesting idea, I think PTL is wasted on him because he can't get his free boost/roll if he pushes. I also like the concept of Targeting Computer on Soontir, although it will make him a little more squishy with the removed stealth device. . What if we dropped AT on Jax because he's going to be at r1 primarily, and give him hull+stealth to make him as tanky as in interceptor can get? Evade every turn and save your focus for defense dice and he should stay alive for a good bit...

Lonewolf is what allowed me to finish in the top 8. With PtL he would have been too predictable and with VI, he would have died earlier without the reroll (yes, it did help in offense and defense during the tournament). Again, range 3 is your friend. With Lonewolf, Autothrusters and Stealth Device, I was rolling 5 dice, rerolling a blank and changing a blank into a Evade. With a Focus token, don't even think about hitting this guy, you need serious concentrated fire. This is now my go to EPT for him.

For Soontir, I went with TC because I didn't have enough point for anything else, but it did payoff... sometimes. When I knew I could not shoot at nobody and nobody could shoot at me, I did a TL and prepare for my next pass. It even allowed me once to k-turn with him giving me a range 3 TL+F attack. I never really felt the need of Stealth Device on him.

For Jax, there is still too many turrets in the game (23 out of 46 build in our regional had a turret) to drop Autothrusters and Hull Upgrade allowed him to survive one more round in 2-3 game. The only thing I would change right now is, sadly, to go back to Push the Limit. He's drawing a lot of fire, and that second maneuver or second defensive token would have saved his butt many time. I'll continue to practice with Predator, but if there was another tournament and I really wanted to win, I would go with PtL for now.

Update: I made Top 8 with this list!

Jax was definetly the weak link of the list (he died miserably each game). I either need to practice more with a Predator Interceptor, find a new EPT or just suck it up and go back to PtL, which admittedly would have saved his life a couple of time. My MVP of the day though was Turr with Stealth Device and Lonewolf. In one game in particular where I lost Soontir and Carnor early without destroying any ship of my opponent, he single handedly won me the game. When Fel got destroyed, my opponent Decimator was at 3 health and his mini swarm only took a couple of hit here and there. This feeling when you're not allowed any mistakes, that's why we fly Interceptors, always one the edge of our seat. Ultimately, I got humbled in Top 8 by a very experienced player running dual IG that spent 3 months practicing with his list. Very fun day.

Another guy made it in Top 8 with a Soontir, Turr and Whisper team. So, I would say that Arc-Dodging is definetly viable in this two-ship meta.

Predator on Jax doesn't really make sense. He needs to reposition, reposition, reposition! Hell, don't even try to get shots with him in the early stages, just get behind your opponent with him. Use PTL for boost + BR to make it happen. Or, against turrets, well, obviously, you will need some defensive tokens (focus + free evade from Autothrusters still leaves one action for a boost or BR).

I know all that, I always used PtL on him, but I still wanted to try it. Experimentation and a challenge is good sometimes. But you should ask my friend, all the way up to the tournament I was calling me stupid and stubborn to not take PtL... sadly, I don't even listen to myself. Still made top 8, so I would say that it is a success. PtL or not on Jax, the guy I lost to would have beat me nevertheless!

Bringing Lone Wolf on Phennir is an interesting idea, I think PTL is wasted on him because he can't get his free boost/roll if he pushes. I also like the concept of Targeting Computer on Soontir, although it will make him a little more squishy with the removed stealth device. . What if we dropped AT on Jax because he's going to be at r1 primarily, and give him hull+stealth to make him as tanky as in interceptor can get? Evade every turn and save your focus for defense dice and he should stay alive for a good bit...

You can trigger PTL with Phennir free action instead of his normal one, making him able to focus, shoot then do a barrel roll or a boost, activate PTL and do one more action receiving a stress

You CAN do it, and its useful, but PS 9 is better. I really like VI on him. Granted, I've seen him with Lone Wolf and its interesting too.

VI is my second EPT of choice on Turr, and what I used before trying Lonewolf. When up against a higher PS pilot, I would just focus. Stealth+reroll+focus+maybeAT can soak the first shot. Then you shoot and dodge one or two arc that didn't fire yet. Funny thing is that I was also not afraid to k-turn with him if I knew I would be in range 3 and still get a reroll in attack to still be relevant.