Hi

So I have been having a great time with Vader, but what to pair him with in an upcoming tournament?

I have tried the following to success:

Omicron Group Pilot — Lambda-Class Shuttle 21

Fire-Control System 2

Emperor Palpatine 8

Ship Total: 31

Darth Vader — TIE Advanced 29

Predator 3

Advanced Targeting Computer 1

Engine Upgrade 4

TIE/x1 0

Ship Total: 37

"Dark Curse" — TIE Fighter 16

Ship Total: 16

Academy Pilot — TIE Fighter 12

But what to spend last 4 points on? Proton rockets on Vader? EU on shuttle? Stealth on DC?

Or I have this list which is similar and fun but good for a competition?

Darth Vader — TIE Advanced 29

Predator 3

Advanced Targeting Computer 1

Engine Upgrade 4

TIE/x1 0

Ship Total: 37

"Redline" — TIE Punisher 27

Fire-Control System 2

Plasma Torpedoes 3

Extra Munitions 2

Cluster Missiles 4

Twin Ion Engine Mk. II

Academy Pilot — TIE Fighter

Academy Pilot — TIE Fighter

I llike this list and redline dishes out the damage but he gets burned down quick especially by TLT

Any thoughts and suggestions?

I like your first list better, but I don't think Dark Curse is needed there. Opponent is going to target your shuttle/academy first (depending on their list), then Vader, and lastly the other TIE, regardless of what it is. So you might as well go with Backstabber since its unlikely to get shot at until mid/late game and you can get some decent mileage out of the bonus attack die.

My preference is for proton rockets on Vader, especially with predator (don't need a TL), an academy TIE for blocking and palpatine around. Its going to do serious damage for sure. However, I'm not really sold on the FCS on a palp shuttle. It doesn't get to shoot often, and FCS only benefits the 2nd shot, so you are basically paying 2 points to re-roll dice on 1, maybe 2 shots. Granted, one of those is likely to be range1, so that's not terrible, but I would consider beefing up backstabber's survivability before putting more points on the shuttle (like a hull upgrade). Then again, opponents will be scared by that proton rocket, so they might ignore the shuttle and go after Vader first, giving you some decent shots with the FCS, so maybe try it first...

Cheers for the advice as always blade.

I do like Dark Curse as he really annoys and confuses opponents especially with predator floating around but might give backstabber a go, its another threat on the board for target priority. I would give him Hull upgrade to help keep him into the end game!

I understand the whole FCS is a bit of a waste on the shuttle after round 3/4 but those times it does get to fire it usually has target lock and maybe a focus. I would like Sensor jammer on the shuttle but I think points are better spent on the offensive ships. I will have a play with the following but If im not getting enough out of the shuttle I will protons swap back to FCS.

Omicron Group Pilot (21)
Emperor Palpatine (8)

Darth Vader (29)
Predator (3)
Proton Rockets (3)
Advanced Targeting Computer (1)
Engine Upgrade (4)
TIE/x1 (0)

"Backstabber" (16)
Hull Upgrade (3)

Academy Pilot (12)

Total: 100

Anymore for anymore?

Any tips on flying a list like above against the possible new lists, Feel IGs might be tough but hopefully Vader arc dodging might be ok!

TLTs might also be a tough nut to crack

I am thinking on playing a similar list.

I like the lambda palpatine plus vader. As what to do with the points left i am currently sitting in a soontir, removing the PRockets from vader to play a full soontir PTL Autoth Stealth Device Royal. Also playing vader with VI, that way i can arc dodge even corrans and position against turrets.

As for the play against TLTs, id probably aproach to flank with both trying to get to range 1 of at least 2 TLTs. Id probably turtle everyturn im on firerange, and spend palpatine on defense for soontir. I think this list generates a big enough number of crits to worry the opponent. Also avoid fighting with lamba until opponent splits, and maybe take a 1v1 if possible.

Edit: With vader and soontir i think you could try to arcdodge igs, burn one asap, since opponent probably will try to get to the lambda

I would replace the FCS on the shuttle with APL. Palpatine will make sure every time someone bumps you, they take a damage. Pretty fun.

Or could also put on Ion Projector for the same points cost. If a ship bumps you head-on, they will get ionized. Next turn, you go 1 straight which will bump, they go 1 straight from the ionization and bump, get ionized, repeat until your other ships blow up the ionized ship or until Palpatine dies. Much lolz o be had!

The second list looks efficient. Leverage palpatine really hard with vader and you can put people on the back foot. There are lots of things that can get Vader in two rounds of fire so plan to play him conservative.

Don't ever put points on a Palpatine shuttle in my opinion. Run him for 29 and get value out of slow rolling him into the fight and buying turns for Palpatine to work.

I think your first Vader build is the best way to play him which gives you 34 points to play with. Currently I'm filling that with Soontir with ptl, royal guard, auto thrusters, and targeting computer. It's really solid and if soontir dies first Vader is the stronger ship anyway. Soon I'm going to try a Juno build there and see how she does.

Internet I need your advice one more time! I have been play testing and recently come up against a Soontir/Vader/Palpatine build. Thought about dropping predator for VI on Vader and fitting in Dark Curse, what does your collective brain power think?stick with what I had above?

Omicron Group Pilot — Lambda-Class Shuttle 21

Emperor Palpatine 8

Ship Total: 29

Darth Vader — TIE Advanced 29

Veteran Instincts 1

Proton Rockets 3

Advanced Targeting Computer 1

Engine Upgrade 4

TIE/x1 0

Ship Total: 38

"Backstabber" — TIE Fighter 16

Ship Total: 16

"Dark Curse" — TIE Fighter - 16

Is it better to keep SD/Hull on Backstabber? Do I need predator?

(i know the purpose is to have palpatine in the list) But how about an Advanced Sensors Fleet Officer OGP Freeing up that two points for Predator on vader. have a tie escort arounf the OGP and hand out focuses like candies.

Like the idea panic. Might be worth a think for another time, currently just wanting to use old wrinkly atm.

So VI or predator on vader? Higher ps woryh it to beat another Vader/Soontir list or is predator re roll just too good against everything?

I played this last night and it did VERY well. I haven't played it against TLT Y-Wings, but BOY did I have a great time!