TIE /FO VS A-Wing

By DariusAPB, in X-Wing

So, I've finally got ahold of a couple core sets and I'm looking at the TIE /FO.

Now I've seen a lot of threads saying that the Foofighter is less efficient than the Fighter, doesn't have a place in lists etc.

I call BS.

This thing looks to me like an A-wing with a few different options, and a barrel roll rather than Boost. It looks more agile than the A-wing due to Sloops. Also it's more reasonably priced than the A-wing.

So. Members of this forum. We know that 5 A-wing flights have won tournaments. How would 5-6 TIE/FO's fare?

What would you pick and why?

5 A-wing lists carried prockets. That's pretty significant.

Missiles are a factor yes, a lot of A-wing builds however are chardaan.

I'm looking forward to try a mix of both, all named pilots. Something like this?

Omega Leader

- Veteran Instincts

Omega Ace

- Push the Limit

Zeta Ace

- Adrenaline Rush

Scourge

- Predator

Dark Curse

There are more named pilots on the way too, they might be fun to try out. In any case I'm pretty sure this list would wipe the floor with five A-Wings.

I think 3 FOs could be strong blocking material for a decimator or properly kitted firespray, in the same vein as Han/protos

Edited by nikk whyte

the TAP is the a-wing equivalent not the fo.

Fo can't carry missiles, can't mount Autothrusters.

5 x Omega + PTL

Missiles are a factor yes, a lot of A-wing builds however are chardaan.

A-Wings have had minimal success in this game. Jake Farrell has probably had the most success in high level competition and that has been as a second fiddle or compliment to Han or Dash.

A-Wing swarms have won but very infrequently and it seems the ones that have done well used Prockets. Overall TIE swarms have had much more success than A-Wings, Prockets or no Prockets.

Most likely you are looking at individual pilots showing up in a complimentary role to the rest of the list. If you are building a swarm it appears that the original TIE will be superior.

Especially not having Autothrusters makes me sceptical about 5 TIE/FO lists. I think it will be a better filler, but not swarm material.

the TAP is the a-wing equivalent not the fo.

Fo can't carry missiles, can't mount Autothrusters.

Well, sort of. The TAP has a barrel roll and is likely a point more expensive and lacks green turns. The FO lacks missiles and boost, but matches the A in cost and I bet has a greener dial.

On the topic of FOs, has anyone tried them with Vessery?

5 x Omega + Predator

...

Because ... you don't want to be stressed to pull your reds anytime.

You don't know it lacks green turns the dial hasn't been released yet.

If you want a cheap target lock ln's are a point cheaper with targeting computer equipped.

I myself doubt that we'll see a fo pilot posting consistently in top lists, like Jake does. You never know, though, what ffg has planned: a new tech could revolutionise the fo. For now, the A-wing wins it for me, hands down.

Epsilon vs chardaan Prototype = same price, but A gets boost, a stronger reposition action, and 2/2 vs 3/1. Pretty close though.

Omega vs Green = things get interesting here, and the A really starts to shine. Autothrusters, boost and - most importantly of all - 2 epts make the green an amazing platform to build on. Omega gets ept and has potential for growth with tech slot. Survivability vs the meta-king, tlt, is incomparable, and being the only ship In the game that can double ept makes for so many fun and deadly combos.

The named pilots are harder to compare, as they fit certain roles and do pretty cool things - both ships have some fun and unique pilot skills, and I don't feel qualified to make the kind of asymmetric comparisons that would be needed.

The fact remains, the A-wing's ATs, boost, double ept and p-rocket option make it a muchhhh more deadly proposition.

Yeah i'd compare the FO to the a-wing for it's dial more so boost/autothruster.

Remember, there was a time when A-wings weren't all ran with Autothrusters once upon a time.

Edited by DariusAPB

You don't know it lacks green turns the dial hasn't been released yet.

If you want a cheap target lock ln's are a point cheaper with targeting computer equipped.

No, it's just a guess. I would be really surprised if it had green turns though. Very few ships have this, and for good reason. Assuming the Inquisitor pays one point for his ability, the PS2 will be 17 points. With green turns it would be dramatically superior to both TIE FOs and Interceptors, effectively making them obsolete almost immediately. Two points for +1 PS, boost, 1 hull changed to shield, a missile slot AND access to an absolutely amazing (and very cheap) title?

I myself doubt that we'll see a fo pilot posting consistently in top lists, like Jake does. You never know, though, what ffg has planned: a new tech could revolutionise the fo. For now, the A-wing wins it for me, hands down.

Epsilon vs chardaan Prototype = same price, but A gets boost, a stronger reposition action, and 2/2 vs 3/1. Pretty close though.

Omega vs Green = things get interesting here, and the A really starts to shine. Autothrusters, boost and - most importantly of all - 2 epts make the green an amazing platform to build on. Omega gets ept and has potential for growth with tech slot. Survivability vs the meta-king, tlt, is incomparable, and being the only ship In the game that can double ept makes for so many fun and deadly combos.

The named pilots are harder to compare, as they fit certain roles and do pretty cool things - both ships have some fun and unique pilot skills, and I don't feel qualified to make the kind of asymmetric comparisons that would be needed.

The fact remains, the A-wing's ATs, boost, double ept and p-rocket option make it a muchhhh more deadly proposition.

To be fair, Jake appereaed briefly towards the end of wave6 when paired with Fat Han because he was a good counter to deci/Fel due to the 97pt init bid. Outside of that no a-wing has ever appeared in top lists on a constant basis.

I believe a mixed swarm of traditional ties+fo could do well, but they're mostly just better fillers like prototypes and greens.

Time will tell with the TAP.

If I wanted to guess i'd say it'd be a speed 1-4 ship.

In terms of hitpoints and upgrades it looks comparable to the a-wing.

Dial will decide it.

Edited by DariusAPB

You don't know it lacks green turns the dial hasn't been released yet.

If you want a cheap target lock ln's are a point cheaper with targeting computer equipped.

No, it's just a guess. I would be really surprised if it had green turns though. Very few ships have this, and for good reason. Assuming the Inquisitor pays one point for his ability, the PS2 will be 17 points. With green turns it would be dramatically superior to both TIE FOs and Interceptors, effectively making them obsolete almost immediately. Two points for +1 PS, boost, 1 hull changed to shield, a missile slot AND access to an absolutely amazing (and very cheap) title?

If the TAP's more than 16 points it's DOA, at 17 once equipped with its title and Autothrusters it's 20 points and your better off taking the advanced.

It probably won't get green turns but we don't know so using it as a negative is pre-emptive.

But I've said before I don't think the TAP generics will see much play either, you'll see the inquisitor but that's about it.

In the case of the TAP I think that's how it should be,,, Generic weak, character good.

Unless we see them in Rebels a lot more it looks to be prototype stage and that's it.

I think without knowing the dial, comparing the TAP to the A-wing is also pre-emptive.

Stats do not equal dial, and dial plays a part in this game. Fairly big one.

Edited by DariusAPB

You don't know it lacks green turns the dial hasn't been released yet.

If you want a cheap target lock ln's are a point cheaper with targeting computer equipped.

No, it's just a guess. I would be really surprised if it had green turns though. Very few ships have this, and for good reason. Assuming the Inquisitor pays one point for his ability, the PS2 will be 17 points. With green turns it would be dramatically superior to both TIE FOs and Interceptors, effectively making them obsolete almost immediately. Two points for +1 PS, boost, 1 hull changed to shield, a missile slot AND access to an absolutely amazing (and very cheap) title?

If the TAP's more than 16 points it's DOA, at 17 once equipped with its title and Autothrusters it's 20 points and your better off taking the advanced.

It probably won't get green turns but we don't know so using it as a negative is pre-emptive.

But I've said before I don't think the TAP generics will see much play either, you'll see the inquisitor but that's about it.

If that's the case then FOs are already completely useless. A 17 point TAP with green turns would be a huge improvement, but if even that is DOA, we might as well write off both ships and stick to TIE Fighters and Advanceds.

If that's the case then FOs are already completely useless. A 17 point TAP with green turns would be a huge improvement, but if even that is DOA, we might as well write off both ships and stick to TIE Fighters and Advanceds.

I see what you did there.

Which brings us back to post 1 of this thread.

How do we use our new specops badboys.

The TIE/fo has:

  • Best dial in the game.
  • More health per point than the TIE fighter, behind the same agility.
  • Some incredible named pilots.

The TIE/ln has:

  • Price, which translates into a numbers advantage, and its own share of great named pilots (and a few naff ones.)

Compare 60 points of TIE/fos to 60 points of TIE/lns.

TIE/ln has one extra ship, meaning an extra 2 die attack/extra blocking body.

TIE/fo has a better dial and more health. The TIEs have 15 hull, and the TIE/fos have 12 hull and 4 shields.

Is the TIE/ln better than the TIE/fo (or vice versa?) I'd say, as is the idea with design, it depends what you want them for.

TIE/lns have a good dial but unlike the TIE/fo not the best dial in the game, weaker healthwise even after the point difference is taken into account, lack the tech slot and targeting computer but have the same offensive power for not insignificantly cheaper.

  • If you want a Howlrunner Swarm, you probably want TIE/lns. Sticking in formation negates the dial advantage, so you'll probably want Academy over Epsilon Sqd. That's not to say that specialised TIE/fos like Epsilon can't be very useful though.
  • If you want a TIE EPT carrier, Omega Sqd is more durable than Black Sqd, so if it's a Draw Their Fire monkey Omega may be better. An off-field Wingman, probably Black Squadron.
  • As Vessery support, TIE/fo beats TIE/ln with Targeting Computers. The TIE/fo is strictly better on everything but cost (and therefore numbers), and sticking Targeting Computers on a bunch of lns negates that advantage: one point from TC Academy to Epsilon is something of a no-brainer.
Edited by Blue Five

Missiles are a factor yes, a lot of A-wing builds however are chardaan.

A-Wings have had minimal success in this game. Jake Farrell has probably had the most success in high level competition and that has been as a second fiddle or compliment to Han or Dash.

A-Wing swarms have won but very infrequently and it seems the ones that have done well used Prockets. Overall TIE swarms have had much more success than A-Wings, Prockets or no Prockets.

Most likely you are looking at individual pilots showing up in a complimentary role to the rest of the list. If you are building a swarm it appears that the original TIE will be superior.

I agree. I play Jake VI/PTL as he is a really good option and one of the Rebels only real arc dodgers for a point cost between 25 and 28 points with Chardaan. You don't get another PS9 ship in tgis price range for Rebels that is worth its points.

And i play Prototypes with or without AT, as pure fast blockers. Make no mistake the A is a better blocker than the FO just because of boost which is more useful in asteroid fields.

I seldom used greens but i will try them with Juke, and even rarer i have flown Psycho Tycho just for giggles and to use all of the stress tokens i have in my box.

So A-Wings have won one or two tournaments? Yeah i guess even X-Wings have done that ocasionally.

I think you can compare Foo Fighters with A-Wings:

It would be like:

5 x Omega + PTL (or any 3 point EPT)

VS.

5 x Green + Refit + PTL (or any 3 point EPT)

Which one would you prefer?

I'd fo with the Foos

I'd foofight out of those two.