Here's one I keep trying to theorycraft with:

Maarek Stele —

TIE Advanced 27

Veteran Instincts 1

Proton Rockets 3

Advanced Targeting Computer 1

Shield Upgrade 4

TIE/x1 0

Ship Total: 36

Colonel Vessery —

TIE Defender 35

Veteran Instincts 1

"Mangler" Cannon 4

Proton Rockets 3

Twin Ion Engine Mk. II 1

Ship Total: 44

Black Squadron Pilot —

TIE Fighter 14

Opportunist 4

Twin Ion Engine Mk. II 1

Ship Total: 19

How does it look? I so want to fly TIE Defenders, but I find them to sometimes lack...something.

Drop the prockets and mangler and get that man a HLC. Although in the lore defenders could mix it up with A-Wings their in game relatives are much better suited to be *snipers* if you will. Hang out at range three throwing lots of red dice and don't be too eager to commit to a close in fight.

I agree with Shirako about how to use the Defender, but I would simply drop the proton rockets and leave the mangler. However, I would drop Vessery to a generic: Defender ace pilot abilities are mostly worthless.

Looking more closely at your list I would recommend dropping Stele's shield in favor of an engine upgrade.

and to Fi..."defender abilities are mostly worthl- *BLAM* " HERESY

Vessery works well with Advanced pilots and their ATC's. He is much better served with a HLC where he can hang back as Shirako said and snipe. I would drop the BSP and replace it with Backstabber. He has almost the same ability as opportunist without having to take stress and for 2 points less.

I have been theory crafting with Vessery myself and am trying a couple different lists lately:

Maareked for Death and This.

I like synergy in my lists and Vessery thrives on TL's coupled with a HLC.

Vessery works well with Advanced pilots and their ATC's. He is much better served with a HLC where he can hang back as Shirako said and snipe. I would drop the BSP and replace it with Backstabber. He has almost the same ability as opportunist without having to take stress and for 2 points less.

I have been theory crafting with Vessery myself and am trying a couple different lists lately:

Maareked for Death and This.

I like synergy in my lists and Vessery thrives on TL's coupled with a HLC.

Okay...I also like synergy in my lists.

I have never tried to use a TIE/D as a sniper...I tend to fly him right into the thick of things; I am beginning to see why that doesn't work.

So...how do you keep a ship as fast as the Defender at range 3?

Looking more closely at your list I would recommend dropping Stele's shield in favor of an engine upgrade.

and to Fi..."defender abilities are mostly worthl- *BLAM* " HERESY

Dumb question, but why does Steele like EU over a shield upgrade?

Steele is moving last or close to it since he is running VI, EU affords him the chance to boost to range 1 or boost out of an arc. I value utility over 1 more HP.

Steele is moving last or close to it since he is running VI, EU affords him the chance to boost to range 1 or boost out of an arc. I value utility over 1 more HP.

Makes sense.

I've tricked out the list a little bit after reading that. Here's what I came up with. I can drop the PRockets on Vader for a 3 point initiative bid.

Using the same idea, here's my original list, modified to keep Vessery. I wish there was a way to add EU to Backstabber. The idea of utility is an appealing one...

hmm, Vader with outmaneuver is pretty interesting. I wouldn't consider dropping PRockets for initiative, instead consider dropping them to upgrade Echo's FCS to a Sensor Jammer..with all the TLTs buzzing about you can't go wrong with it!

hmm, Vader with outmaneuver is pretty interesting. I wouldn't consider dropping PRockets for initiative, instead consider dropping them to upgrade Echo's FCS to a Sensor Jammer..with all the TLTs buzzing about you can't go wrong with it!

I know...that's the trick, isn't it?

I've flown this list against a single TLT and most times whichever ship the TLT targets withers quickly. However, I think that the Phantom should be a hammer and FCS allows it to be just that. I need that TL more often than not.

I agree with Shirako about how to use the Defender, but I would simply drop the proton rockets and leave the mangler. However, I would drop Vessery to a generic: Defender ace pilot abilities are mostly worthless.

The Mangler is not a bad choice, but I like the idea of throwing 4 dice at R2 and R3 more than the extra crit.

Now I say that, and the next time I play...

I agree with Shirako about how to use the Defender, but I would simply drop the proton rockets and leave the mangler. However, I would drop Vessery to a generic: Defender ace pilot abilities are mostly worthless.

The Mangler is not a bad choice, but I like the idea of throwing 4 dice at R2 and R3 more than the extra crit.

Now I say that, and the next time I play...

Yeah, I was factoring cost into account here. The Mangler is three points cheaper, but the HLC does pack quite a punch

I so want to fly TIE Defenders, but I find them to sometimes lack...something.

You and me both,

They are costly, lack action economy and movement options (the white K-Turn is decent and the MK II upgrade can bump the ship up to "good", but too pricy for my taste).