I'm looking to run an Imperial build. I've obviously seen the Tie Swarms do really well and I like them, but I just got a thing for the Lambda-class Shuttle and Tie Defender. What are your guys' thoughts on this very simple, low pilot skill build with no extras, but lots of ships?

Lambda-Class Shuttle (Omnicron Group Pilot)

Tie Defender (Delta Squadron Pilot)

Tie Fighter (Academy Pilot) x4

99 Points

I'm looking to run an Imperial build. I've obviously seen the Tie Swarms do really well and I like them, but I just got a thing for the Lambda-class Shuttle and Tie Defender. What are your guys' thoughts on this very simple, low pilot skill build with no extras, but lots of ships?

Lambda-Class Shuttle (Omnicron Group Pilot)

Tie Defender (Delta Squadron Pilot)

Tie Fighter (Academy Pilot) x4

99 Points

I think the thing that hurts this list is trying to have a little bit of everything but not committing to anything enough to make it effective.

There's a few ways that you could go with this. One would be to drop the Defender to get a more formidable Shuttle and to beef up your swarm a bit by adding Howlrunner:

OGP w/FCS, Gunner, Engine Upgrade

Howlrunner w/Swarm Tactics

4xAcademy Pilots

Or you could drop a couple of TIEs to have the points to do a little more with your Defender:

Vessery w/HLC

Jendon w/FCS, Weapons Engineer, ST-321

2xAcademy Pilots

I agree with WWHSD, but like you, I have a soft spot for both the shuttle and the defender. In your squad, at the very least I'd like to see the shuttle have some kind of ability to support the squad. My shuttle philosophy is that unless it's a zoom shuttle, it needs to have some effect it can use outside its arc. This could be anything from Saboteur (maybe not so great) to one of the pilot abilities like Captain Yorr (who can help TIE defenders quite a bit).

Unfortunately, you can't have it all, so you'd have to cut something out. Or just run what you want.

You could build a good bit of Control into your list by dropping one Academy and adding:

Ion cannon to Defender

Ion cannon, Rebel Captive, Tactician and FCS to the Shuttle.

Two chances to Ion and a possible double stress.

I have been thinking about a good Defender list for a while.

I agree you need to drop a few ships and upgrade the rest

I have thought about the following:

Colonel Vessery — TIE Defender 35

Heavy Laser Cannon 7

Ship Total: 42

Omicron Group Pilot — Lambda-Class Shuttle 21

Fire-Control System 2

ST-321 3

Ship Total: 26

"Dark Curse" — TIE Fighter 16

Targeting Computer 2

Ship Total: 18

Academy Pilot — TIE Fighter 12

Targeting Computer 2

Ship Total: 14

Lots of targets locks for vessery. Jjust slow roll the shuttle with Ties to stop flanking. Try to keep vessery on the flank snipping at range 3 and in good condition for the end game.

Thanks for the input. I think my first attempt at a similar list will be dropping a TIE for a 3 TIE Swarm and giving the TIE Defender and the Shuttle a little more ammo to shoot with. I like the idea of twin Ion Cannons. I'm also a huge fun of the named TIE pilots so I might even go as far as trade out the swarm for 2 named TIE's with something similar to Jamie's build.

I also just realized that FCS abd shuttle title don't work together.

I would remove ST321 and put a stealth device on Vessery or lone wolf.

I also just realized that FCS abd shuttle title don't work together.

I would remove ST321 and put a stealth device on Vessery or lone wolf.

They don't work together but the title does allow the shuttle to grab TLs even it's out of the action trying to turn around. Still 3 points can be kind of steep for the title.

Have you considered going with two naked Scimitars instead of DC and an Academy with Targeting Computers? The Scimitars have the same PS as the OGP which can be handy when moving your squad. The Scimitars can also help the OGP slow roll by using their straight 1s and barrel-rolls to limit how far forward it moves.

You might like a list I have seen Paul Heaver run. I think it was...

Shuttle with Vader and FCS 26 points

Academy X2 24 points

Captain O with Predator, Ysard at 49 points

Total 99 points

You have always flown tie fighters the best and you do well with simple lists. I would also suggest Howlrunner with three academy death block formation and Captain O with predator. 99 points.