BOVATINE ESCORT

100 points

PILOTS

Darth Vader (34)

TIE Advanced (29), TIE/x1 (0), Engine Upgrade (4), Advanced Targeting Computer (5)

Colonel Vessery (37)

TIE Defender (35), Veteran Instincts (1), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

Omicron Group Pilot (29)

Lambda-Class Shuttle (21), Emperor Palpatine (8)

Running this later today at a tournament. I'm still fairly new, and mostly just looking for something fun to run. I adore the defender, so wanted a way to make it work.

I originally had dropped Engine Upgrade on Vader for TIE Mk II and the title on OGC, but was convinced out of that by someone saying I'd likely only use it once. I'm still not entirely convinced by it, and would like some input on it.

I think it will do alright, but I'd rather put veteran instincts on Vader instead of Twin Ion engine on Vessery. Other than that, I think its fine.

I was actually thinking I could drop Engine Upgrade for Predator + TIE MKII on Vader. I don't know that he really needs the boost, with three defense die, evade each turn, and Palpatine defending him.

EU should be auto add on Vader

EU should be auto add on Vader

My thinking is that with Predator, I should be able to maximize attacks, especially against swarms, and save focus and Palpatine for defense.

Say it with me....Vader WANTS EU

it lets him arc dodge, boost into range one when behind a target, scoot out of range three, etc...

also MKII in vader is a complete waste of space. advanced targeting computer all day long....vader boosts into range focuses throws three dice and lets conservatively say he hits with two and the focus. add the crit with the computer (he should already have been TL). theres two hits and crit.

I'm realising now I derped when I made this and never bothered to think about it, because I have no MKIIs yet, so instead I dropped them and EU, went for Predator on both.

I'm well aware of the advantages of boost, I just don't think it outweighs the advantages of Predator in this case. Especially if I'm going up against the typical two ship meta, Evade + Focus + Palpatine is going to do a lot more to keep Vader alive than potential boosts, while still allowing him to be offensive without having to use Palpatine or tokens for it.

Vader doesn't necessarily need an Engine Upgrade, particularly if you expect to see a lot of turrets in your metagame.

Here's an alternate build that rivals Baron Fel for mitigation, while maintaining the greater Health and Damage of an ATC Vader.

Darth Vader

+ Lone Wolf

+ Stealth Device

+ x1 Title

+ Advanced Targeting Computer

{35}

Say it with me....Vader WANTS EU

it lets him arc dodge, boost into range one when behind a target, scoot out of range three, etc...

also MKII in vader is a complete waste of space. advanced targeting computer all day long....vader boosts into range focuses throws three dice and lets conservatively say he hits with two and the focus. add the crit with the computer (he should already have been TL). theres two hits and crit.

EU is powerful on Vader. However, he already has a Barrel-Roll, which is better for arc-dodging, almost as good at charging forward, and can actually carry you backward as well.

The two actions have amazing synergy on him, but BR is the more powerful of the two.

If you are up against turrets with engine upgrade, then you NEED engine upgrade too. Its quite difficult to maintain a firing arc with barrel roll alone against a fat turret with boost (assuming they know what they're doing).

Also, Vader does not like k-turning (at least when things can shoot him). Boost is often the better way to get turned around when stuff is behind you because after boosting, you still have one action for a defensive token if there's fire coming his way.

Besides, you want to be using Palpatine's bonus on RED dice to get an extra crit. Yes, using it to stop damage is good, but ideally, its better to use it on red dice (making Predator less essential).

Turns out I faced several swarms, no turrets, and I was only one of two players running a large ship >.>;

How did you do?

How did you do?

I went 2-2, which was better than I expected considering I'm very inexperienced and had never played competitively. Made some very stupid mistakes, especially with getting Vader caught repeatedly, but good shuttle piloting saved me, I think.

What did you take, in the end?

I found his batrep:

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/185235-played-my-first-tournament-today-got-wrecked-did-not-regret-it/

edit... just ninja'd!