So here's our TIE defender "fix". It provides the TIE defender with some resilience against stress effects, but is there any more we can pull out of this? Is it an upgrade card that works best on its own or are there upgrades to pair it with?

How can we best use this card to enhance a TIE defender?

Well, the defender can now rival the aggressors dial, in terms of green maneuvers and their location. I think push the limit is gonna be a near auto include, to take advantage of 10 green moves, and that will allow it to more freely barrel roll to overcome the hard turn limitations that are still in play.

A one bank with a BR should get you a relatively tight "turn"

Yes-yes, can't wait to try this new upgrade, paired with PTL of course, on Defenders.

The problem with the defender is still that it's relatively action starved, without the work arounds that other ships with poor dials have to compensate. A sensor slot would turn it into a 3 winged death machine, raining down hellfire from every direction.

Hmmmmmmm.

Rexler Brath - Push the Limit, Twin Ion Engine MkII

Colonel Vessery - Veteran Instincts, Twin Ion Engine MkII

Tempest Squadron Pilot - TIE/X1, Advanced Targetting Computer...

Look at that picture...almost as if it was designed w the defender in mind. This Comes with the punisher I assume...how many copies come w the punisher?

Look at that picture...almost as if it was designed w the defender in mind. This Comes with the punisher I assume...how many copies come w the punisher?

2.

The problem with the defender is still that it's relatively action starved, without the work arounds that other ships with poor dials have to compensate. A sensor slot would turn it into a 3 winged death machine, raining down hellfire from every direction.

How is it still action starved? Throw ptl on it and you have a less maneuverable but harder hitting interceptor

Look at that picture...almost as if it was designed w the defender in mind. This Comes with the punisher I assume...how many copies come w the punisher?

2.

Sweet one will cover both of my defenders....will probably pick up two punishers though...

before we all glomp on PTL, a couple things:

1. the defender is not well suited to abuse PTL. It has no evade and no boost action, and TL is slightly redundant with the predator ept. At best, you'll be rolling and then focusing. Furthermore, it has no pilot abilities that can really skyrocket its action efficiency ala Soonts or Jake.

2. even with the ion engine, you're still limiting your maneuver or action potential (such as after a white 4k) if you PTL

if this is a defender "fix," color me less than impressed

as is, it seems a nice cheap mod for defenders, bombers, and punishers

Going defensive is not a game winning strategy, ps8 Rexler with TL to modify dice and focus to flip hits is gonna lay the smack down on big ships.

1. the defender is not well suited to abuse PTL. It has no evade and no boost action, and TL is slightly redundant with the predator ept. At best, you'll be rolling and then focusing. Furthermore, it has no pilot abilities that can really skyrocket its action efficiency ala Soonts or Jake.

it DOES however have Barrel Roll, Focus and Target Lock. Target Lock is MUCH better than Predator against anything but PS1 or 2 ships, and previously the Defender had to choose between repositioning with Barrel Roll (one of the best actions in the game) or taking a modifier. Not any more.

Also, Rexler. Reroll misses with Target Lock, turn damage dealt face up with Focus... profit.

Vessery's ability is VERY efficient, as long as you've got other ships around which can Target Lock for him. Oh, hai ATC TIE Advanceds! Vessey Barrel Rolls out of arc, Focuses, gets a free Target Lock... profits...

2. even with the ion engine, you're still limiting your maneuver or action potential (such as after a white 4k) if you PTL

But with no less than 10 green maneuvers available, not by much. Not by much at all.

Going defensive is not a game winning strategy, ps8 Rexler with TL to modify dice and focus to flip hits is gonna lay the smack down on big ships.

This is why I still like Predator better, actually. It's a partial Target Lock, but it works all the time, and generates no stress. Those two features are huge sellers for me. Bumping, inflicted stress, or red moves, Predator keeps you hammering away.

I am thinking

Rexlar+PTL+HLC+Proton Rockets+TIE

Vessery+VI+HLC+Proton Rockets+Hull

the Protons were just because there were 6 points floating around Ion Pulse Missiles could work too but I wanted the Range 1 extra damage) 2 PS8 HLCs with both Modifiers should scare some people

It would struggle with PS8+ Arc Dodgers though

Maximising an already costly ship is a problem.

Rexy needs a PS 8 or higher teammate to be truly effective still, so i guess depends on builds.

3 Defender builds need much less now but lose PS.

2 Defender builds.. I dunno, is it the best bet or is stealth device/LW the better move?

Maximising an already costly ship is a problem.

Not as big a problem as getting over prejudices, apparently...

It is good, yes, but still not enough for the Defender, I'm afraid.

Lack of green maneuvers wasn't its only problem. However it is indeed a breath of fresh air, and now we may see the occasional defender in some special lists. But unless it is coupled with some sort of defensive option, it still won't see competitive use. Just too many points protected by a mere focus token.

Protected by 6 hitpoints and 3 evade dice too...

Making it less predictable is bloody huge. I will say that. The rest needs testing.

Dual Defenders MKII

Colonel Vessery (49)
TIE Defender (35), Assault Missiles (5), Heavy Laser Cannon (7), Veteran Instincts (1), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

Rexler Brath (51)
TIE Defender (37), Ion Pulse Missiles (3), Heavy Laser Cannon (7), Push the Limit (3), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

... its still a fun list ...

Yeah, that combo is brutal.

Maximising an already costly ship is a problem.

The most common complaint I see about the defender is the dial you now pay one point to go a long way toward fixing the problem.

Were you hoping for a boring unimaginative cost reduction? And why would something like that come with a non defender ship?

Protected by 6 hitpoints and 3 evade dice too...

Making it less predictable is bloody huge. I will say that. The rest needs testing.

Evade dice only matter when we are complaining about phantoms...or did you not get that memo?

Further fixes could still happen. honestly I'd pay 2 points to remove my missile in place of a systems slot.

Hell, maybe 3.

Yeah, that combo is brutal.

If the Defender had 4 natural shields instead of 3 .... the DD MK.II would be my signature list.