I finally found a reason to justify having 5 TIE Advanced models. I decided to have a go at making my own expansion for the TIE Aggressor (no pressure). To me it features a lot of cool aesthetics that are fairly unique. For those not familiar with it here is a schematic:

As you can see it looks very similar to a TIE Advanced but with a dramatically altered side profile. The main feature of course is the rear turret and cut down panels.

Step 1

The hard step... taking a very nice model and deliberately trying to break it! Gently applying finger pressure on the solar panels easily removed these with minimal fuss:

Step 2

The removal of the side panels was next. I tried two methods: a jewelers saw and a sharp #11 blade. As it turned out the blade method worked best. I used a big glob of "blu-tac" and mounted the solar panels firmly on this so that the pressure of cutting wouldn't bend the piece. It cut through with only slight resistance. I then cleaned up the edges with the blade and some fine grit sandpaper.

I should mention that I did this to two TIE Advanced models at the same time. This leaves me with 3 "normal" TIE Advanced which will hopefully become 4 when I get the Raider. It is a lot easier to convert a pair together and get them to look the same. These initial steps took about an hour but the important thing is that I have started and like the progress so far.

I will try to answer any questions about this project at semi-regular intervals as well as show updates. I have some ideas on stats and abilities as well but please feel free to share your ideas.

I know some people have worked on this in the past (TheRealStarkiller).

Nice! Still, the edges could use a bit of sanding for the pointy feel.

Awsome model!!! Kinda missing something I wanna say..... Idk a turret???? No we don't need turrets for x-wing joking aside if it was an official ffg expansion with cards I would buy 5 of them !!!! Awsome job wish I could use it in a game !!!

Step 3

The rear panel was gently shaved and tapered aft. New panel edges will be added later.

Step 4

The rear disc shape of the TIE Aggressor is quite different from a TIE Advanced. A saw made easy work of this and finished off with sanding.

Next step will be turret fabrication...

This looks great so far! Im excited to see how it turns out. Maybe I'll buy another Advanced just to make an Aggressor

Looking pretty good there mate

What upgrade slots should it have though, Im not hugely keen on more turrets in the game but giving it a aft firing arc like the firespray would work and keep it fairly unique.

The background information for the TIE Aggressor is as a fighter/bomber hybrid or in today's language a multi-role strike platform. There is only mention of it having missiles so I would like to give it 2 missile slots. This feels like a compromise between a TIE Advanced and TIE Bomber, of course you don't have to take 2 missiles but it is nice to have the option and no other ship has just 2 missile slots. A TIE Bomber can still take a lot more ordnance especially with "Extra Munitions". As this is a torpedo slot upgrade the Aggressor cannot take it.

The "obvious" turret upgrade option is one that I believe should not be there. It is not a true 360 degree turret and it is an integral part of the ship's armament as it has a dedicated gunner. For that reason as well, just like the Y-Wing there should not be a crew slot. The turret has much more in common with the Firespray's auxiliary firing arc. The big difference would be calling it something like an "auxiliary rear arc" of 180 degrees. This could be somewhat similar to the Hound's Tooth front firing arc.

The question is whether having a range 1-3 rear arc is too powerful for a small ship. It will only have an Attack Value of 2 however. One idea I have is that if an attack is made in the rear arc then it is effectively only range 1-2, this still covers a big area.

So a quick look at possible basic stats:

Attack: 2

Defense: 2

Hull: 3

Shields: 0

The attack is easy, the same for a TIE Advanced and TIE Bomber. The Attack value however applies to both the front and rear fire arcs as an auxiliary weapon.

A Defense of 2 seems a fair compromise between a Fighter and Bomber configuration, arguments could be made to keep it a 3 but that is a bit too good.

A Hull of 3 seems reasonable as it is basically the same hull as a TIE Advanced.

Shields and hyperdrive capabilities have been removed in this version.

Obvious Actions:

Focus

Target Lock

Possible Actions:

Barrel Roll

OR

Evade

The choice between these two actions (BR and E) is debatable. Most TIE series have BR by default and it is a very powerful action. It would be great to have it but there are two reasons that it is less plausible to me:

1). It could be said that the large ionization panels of the TIE series enhance their handling. The TIE Aggressor has a significant deficit of these so maybe they cannot BR as a result.

2). The Aggressor has a rear gunner, the loss of the solar paneling improves their fire arc so it relies more on defensive firepower than acrobatics.

So I think Evade is a better fit. It would mean that it would have the same action bar as the Firespray which is also a 2 Defense ship.

Quick update on the turret fabrication with a WIP:

This was made with thin plasticard (0.5mm), styrene rod (1mm) and 4.5mm dowel rod.

I can't say that I'm a real fan of the design, but your execution of the conversion is great! Nice job! Have you play-tested it yet?

I quite like this one. With a seemingly low amount of effort you've built a distinct looking ship, far removed from the original. I also like the work you've put into making some decent rules for it.

That's awesome! I flew one of these in Galaxies. Nice job!

Would normally suggest not reviving long dead threads, but this is freaking cool. TIE Aggressor seems like a logical FFG addition in the next few waves, our I'd try something like this myself.

Would normally suggest not reviving long dead threads, but this is freaking cool. TIE Aggressor seems like a logical FFG addition in the next few waves, our I'd try something like this myself.

I don't see any problem reviving dead threads because many people haven't seen them! I'm thankful to Darth Pleb for bringing this one back, because I never saw it!

Huuraay! A Tie Aggressor thread is back.

We absolutely need this one for the game - with a turret slot.

Awesome. Great thread.

EDC

That Twin Laser Turret is done so lovely....

Would normally suggest not reviving long dead threads, but this is freaking cool. TIE Aggressor seems like a logical FFG addition in the next few waves, our I'd try something like this myself.

It all depends on the nature of the old thread. When this one is just dealing with modelling a little resurrection doesn't hurt and doesn't really change anything.

The worst threads to revive are those with questions which have been completely answered AT THE TIME and then may have had the answer change. Reviving ancient threads just because they are out of date with the current game state is rarely a good reason to revive one.

And then post commenting on the resurrection, or those commenting on the commenting post, don't really do much except bring the post even more attention.

Now to be "on topic" it is a nice looking conversion although whether or not we'll ever see FFG put it out is a matter that has been discussed at length.

It makes me want to make the Experimental mark 3 TIE.

I am working on another TIE variant at the moment.... you will never guess what one it is.... well you will eventually but I still want it to be a bit of a surprise!

This is a fantastic mod.

This mod is great, but unfortunatey I doubt we'll see the TIE aggressor in the game. The First Order special forces TIE fills the same role (small fighter with a rear arc) and it is canon. Your aggressor is definitely cooler looking though!

Special forces: rear arc

Aggressor: turret (and no EPTs)

Not saying it will happen, but it could!

I am working on another TIE variant at the moment.... you will never guess what one it is.... well you will eventually but I still want it to be a bit of a surprise!

Let me see ...

Tie Scout? ... Probably not. I think its hard to make the model and to find a role for it, unlesss you are going to make a HWK-like support ship with attack 1.

Tie Avenger? ... The oval canopy of the original version is too difficult. Maaybe then just a round one with again a canopy of a Tie Advanced and the wings of a Tie Defender ...

I guess its the Tie Oppressor. Just because this one is regarded as the ugly duckling of the former imperial SWG and now Legend ships.