Hi imperials! Iwanted to use Darth Vader with EU since long time. Now with the new title and system I tried him but.... not what I expected.

EU is great, but not that great in a small ship (in big ships is awesome). Interceptors or A-wings don't pay the upgrade and are amazing, but in TIE advanced, 4 points is expensive in my oppinion.

These days I'm trying the new Twin Ion engines in different ships (Bombers, Punishers, Defenders and Advanceds) and is surprisingly good! At just 1 point cost.

What do you thing about these 2 upgrades, and what is best suited for Lord Vader? Tips or recomendations using it?

No brainer for me. Vader is a menace with EU! He can take two actions (and gains no stress from this) and EU allows him to boost and barrel roll after dial movement. Vader can end up almost anywhere thanks to this.

If you have the points, EU is an amazing mod for Vader!

Vader with EU puts him almost on par with Soontir in terms of maneuverability. You're right that it's expensive, but at PS9 and 2 actions a turn, there aren't many ships where EU is more worth it.

As for TIE mk2 engines, it gives Vader some protection against stress but that's about it. Personally I rarely do K-turns with him.

Question really is why would you need the Twin Ion Engine on Vader. Twin ion engine can work with things that regular give stress such as PTL. However Vaders special ability is that he doesn't need to stress so the dial doesn't need to open up any more. Giving Vader the Barrel roll makes him a very resilient Soontir only thing is that Vader doesn't get any compensation if he gets stressed and can't get that second focus token. Also Vader with EU will cost more than Soontir with PTL+autothrusters.

The mkII is what gives the Defender access to Push the Limit. Vader needs no such technological monstrosities.

Thank you!

I love Boost action, but with Vader I find myself not needing to Boost in lots of game rounds (obviusly depends on the game), thats why I think that I lost 4 points in an upgrade that I'm not using almost all the time.

I use boost with Carnor a lot to catch range 1, then PTL and Focus/Barrel, but I don't know about Vader I suppose that I need to try him harder. Without PTL makes sense, less stress so Twin Ion Engine is less useful. So best with Lone Wolf/Predator I guess...

EU for Vader because of the stressless dual actions. However you cut him Vader's not cheap, and TIE advanced die much faster than you'd think, especially when they're priority targets. You need to be able to play him defensively like an interceptor.

Well, I like my Vader with EI, ATC and Expose.

Yeah Vader has to be played cautiously and safe. I have been flying him a lot lately and he needs that eu

I've been flying him like this

Vi

Title,atc

Eu

Only 35 points and at pilot skill 11 he leaves everyone behind, sorta feels like the Phantom did before the nurf. I use to believe predator was the ept to run on him but vi has stolen my heart, hi Mr horn, whisper, sootier, chirpy, I will dodge your arcs and hit you first!

Vader looks so flexible in build potential! I'd be tempted to take him with just a cheap ept and atc for 31 points!

One day, Raider, one day...

Yeah Vader has to be played cautiously and safe. I have been flying him a lot lately and he needs that eu

I've been flying him like this

Vi

Title,atc

Eu

Only 35 points and at pilot skill 11 he leaves everyone behind, sorta feels like the Phantom did before the nurf. I use to believe predator was the ept to run on him but vi has stolen my heart, hi Mr horn, whisper, sootier, chirpy, I will dodge your arcs and hit you first!

This all day. Vader built this way is probably the best closer in the game.

Lone wolf EU ATC

+ Palpatine shuttle. That is a tough Vader to bring down.

Lone wolf EU ATC

+ Palpatine shuttle. That is a tough Vader to bring down.

Especially since you still have room for a third player like Soontir.

Go after Vader first? Soontir will kill you from the flank.

Go for Soontir, and Vader will chew you up.

Go for the shuttle (who can slow-play in such a way that he doesn't even need to move until round 3 if you do it right), and both aces will get behind you and destroy you from the rear.

Yeah Vader has to be played cautiously and safe. I have been flying him a lot lately and he needs that eu

I've been flying him like this

Vi

Title,atc

Eu

Only 35 points and at pilot skill 11 he leaves everyone behind, sorta feels like the Phantom did before the nurf. I use to believe predator was the ept to run on him but vi has stolen my heart, hi Mr horn, whisper, sootier, chirpy, I will dodge your arcs and hit you first!

This all day. Vader built this way is probably the best closer in the game.

Hell yeah! Lol I run him with either chirpy or lately I've been giving sith lords a try with the most success, have not lost against my play group since I tried it.

Vader,vi,eu,atc

Ps2 shuttle, Palpatine, sensor jammer, apl

epsilon tie

Epsilon tie

Been really fun too! The new ties are very good in a group like this, often get ignored until you get range one behind them with a target lock then loop and still be in the fight. But Vader does wonderful things in this build.

Although I've been dying to replace the ties with the inquisitor tap. Just the title and auto thrusters then swap apl on the shuttle for EU

Lone wolf EU ATC

+ Palpatine shuttle. That is a tough Vader to bring down.

Especially since you still have room for a third player like Soontir.

Go after Vader first? Soontir will kill you from the flank.

Go for Soontir, and Vader will chew you up.

Go for the shuttle (who can slow-play in such a way that he doesn't even need to move until round 3 if you do it right), and both aces will get behind you and destroy you from the rear.

Yeah Vader has to be played cautiously and safe. I have been flying him a lot lately and he needs that eu

I've been flying him like this

Vi

Title,atc

Eu

Only 35 points and at pilot skill 11 he leaves everyone behind, sorta feels like the Phantom did before the nurf. I use to believe predator was the ept to run on him but vi has stolen my heart, hi Mr horn, whisper, sootier, chirpy, I will dodge your arcs and hit you first!

This all day. Vader built this way is probably the best closer in the game.

Hell yeah! Lol I run him with either chirpy or lately I've been giving sith lords a try with the most success, have not lost against my play group since I tried it.

Vader,vi,eu,atc

Ps2 shuttle, Palpatine, sensor jammer, apl

epsilon tie

Epsilon tie

Been really fun too! The new ties are very good in a group like this, often get ignored until you get range one behind them with a target lock then loop and still be in the fight. But Vader does wonderful things in this build.

Although I've been dying to replace the ties with the inquisitor tap. Just the title and auto thrusters then swap apl on the shuttle for EU

I have two versions, one with Kenkirk and Palpatine, and one with Palpmobile Shuttle and Soontir. I'll have to give the new TIEs a go with him instead though, I love the way they look!

I like Daredevil on Vader. I find it moves him much better than Boost does. I'd probably take Twin Ion Engine Mk II to give me more options for shedding stress. It still costs 4 points like Engine Upgrade. Unfortunately, it takes up your Elite slot.

but isn't it risky taking DD and not having the boost?

giving Vader EU allows him to keep up with Soontir in a list containing both. If he is in a list with a bunch of other Tie Advanceds then he may not need it. I have been flying him with super Soontir and an emporer shuttle and he is very potent

How do all you Vader fans handle the 2 atk dice problem? That is what keeps me far away from vader. Maneuverable sure. But he hits like a mosquito.

How and why choose him over a ceptor or phantom?

Genuine question here. Help persuade me to buy an advanced.

Because just target lock and ad a critical to every hit. And at range one that can be up to 4 hit, one being a crit. Plus if you have the palpmobile, then it becomes even more efficient. Plus at pilot skill 11, he is always last. And it has been pretty easy to get behind their forward arc ships at range one if you plan the right over a series of turns

Because just target lock and ad a critical to every hit. And at range one that can be up to 4 hit, one being a crit. Plus if you have the palpmobile, then it becomes even more efficient. Plus at pilot skill 11, he is always last. And it has been pretty easy to get behind their forward arc ships at range one if you plan the right over a series of turns

Exactly this. Vader with atc and predator is and Palpatine for when things go wrong is basically 4 hits with at least 1 crit every time he fires.

but isn't it risky taking DD and not having the boost?

No risk - no fun.

How do all you Vader fans handle the 2 atk dice problem? That is what keeps me far away from vader. Maneuverable sure. But he hits like a mosquito.

How and why choose him over a ceptor or phantom?

Genuine question here. Help persuade me to buy an advanced.

Have some fun with this:

How do all you Vader fans handle the 2 atk dice problem? That is what keeps me far away from vader. Maneuverable sure. But he hits like a mosquito.

How and why choose him over a ceptor or phantom?

Genuine question here. Help persuade me to buy an advanced.

I've not done the math to know just how much, but ATC + 2 attack is better than 3 attack dice. It does come at a cost, but that's where PTL+Twin Ion on Marek or Vader work well, both of whom know their target late in the activation phase and still take other actions do well. Otherwise, on lower PS pilots, a free accuracy corrector is a very good ship (and quite a bit better than it's 21 point rebel foil).