I did find the dial to be really nice on the TIE FO. The 2 hard turn is green, which is fantastic! More green moves than a normal Tie. I also found it easier to get into a good position with the S-loop. When going at low PS, I found I couldn't always K-turn. The S-loop was really useful to turn around, but not bump.

Cool. The dial is really good. Significantly better than the TIE/ln and people who discount the FO seem to be neglecting the advantages of the dial. I watched Paul Heaver vs Morgan Reid's team covenant aces game yesterday. Heaver had 4 Epsilons (naked) + standard Fel vs Reid's decifel list (kenkirk + palpatine and standard Fel). I was surprised how well the Epsilons did. Obsidians would not have been able to carry the day like those Epsilons. Being able to grab opportunistic target locks, s-loop and take evade when heavily damaged really allowed the Epsilons to last longer than they had any right to and they were able to put out more damage thanks to TL + focus. Granted, Reid's decimator did not have gunner, which probably would've helped kill the TIEs faster (or if it had been Chiraneau) but still, I'm convinced the TIE/FO is totally worth its points.

I believe a lot of people don't rate the TL on the TIE FO or Scyk very highly. It's said that you never want to take the TL instead of the Focus. I don't believe that and have always found the TL to be very useful. Grab it on that odd round and use it when at R1 and with a Focus.

In the vein of more damage, I really liked Weapons Guidance on the PS 1 guys. I knew if I could spend it or not due to everyone else having shot. Also, it was usually after everyone else had spent their tokens. I knew who to fire at and it made a difference.

I want to play more games with them, but I did like the PS 1 guys with the S-loop. Gave me more options.

I believe a lot of people don't rate the TL on the TIE FO or Scyk very highly. It's said that you never want to take the TL instead of the Focus.

I find that the value of the target lock action is tied to my PS relative to my opponent's. When I have ships that I know won't be getting shot at I'll take the TL action. When I know that my ship won't get a shot but can be targetted, I'll take and evade. If they'll have a shot and can be shot at, I'll take a focus. When I'm unsure I'll take a focus just to make sure I'm covered.

With lower PS ships I rarely feel as if it is safe to take a target lock.

I have found times when my low PS ships are definitely going behind the enemy ships then I can TL. Sometimes if I know they will most likely bump me I'll take that TL as well. It's easier when you have a higher PS, though. No doubt.

Another thing to consider: HLC can (and often) one-shot kills TIE fighters, even if they take an evade. TIE/fo with an evade cannot be one-shotted by an HLC. Might not seem like much, but considering how often I go up against HLCs, it makes a world of difference.

I also want to second the Omega Leader w/ Juke + Comm Relay. Disgusting. Makes Dark Curse's ability look lame in comparison. I venture to guess that at 26 points, Omega Leader will start replacing Soontir in a lot of lists...

With the new damage deck a hit and a crit getting through is enough to one shot a 1 shield, 3 hull ship.

The hit takes the shield, the crit that is pulled is Major Explosion, a hit is rolled, the next crit that is dealt is Direct Hit!

Just remember, we are talking about HLCs here. They can't roll crits.

Also, thanks for your comments everyone. I was already looking at getting the new core set myself, but, like Beard, didn't really see the appeal of the TIE/fo. Now, it looks like a pretty good deal.

The HLC can get crits on re-rolls...

The HLC can get crits on re-rolls...

Or with Calculation, Mercenary Copilot, by being buddies with E'tahn or Palpatine, or anything else that can modify dice into a crit. The only restriction that HLCs have with crits is that you change them to hits on your initial roll. Once you get past that crits remain crits.

Also, thanks for your comments everyone. I was already looking at getting the new core set myself, but, like Beard, didn't really see the appeal of the TIE/fo. Now, it looks like a pretty good deal.

I was unsure of how the FO would work with the regular Ties. I admit that I wasn't that excited, but thought they would be good for Col. Vessery. I only have 2 at the moment, though. So, I threw in a Tie Adv. I found that I really liked the Tie FO for more than just the TL. I really liked the dial and the Weapons Guidance. I was surprised by the dial.

I used to like to run Black Squadron Pilots with Draw Their Fire and a Shield Upgrade as Howlrunner bodyguards for 19 points. Now I can run an Omega Squadron Pilot with Draw Their Fire for 18 points. I can save 2 points with my usual pair.

A lot of useful information here. As someone who just picked up the new core set today, I'll definitely give some of these builds a shot.

Omega Leader w/ Juke, Comm Relay and maybe Stealth Device is like a poor man's Soontir or a rich man's Dark Curse. Either way, I think at worst it gives Imperials more build options and access to an incredible late-game ship.

To me, the biggest advantage of the generic TIE/fo is the TL. A lot of players ignore TIE fighters beause they're generally not cost-effective targets to focus down. It's not hard to ignore them since their damage is so unreliable (especially without Howlrunner). TL makes it harder to ignore them and lessens their dependence on Howlrunner.

And sure, most people focus 90% of the time, but when you have a ship out of arc or a friendly ship on its last hull, the decision to TL could really pay off. It might not pay off that round, but if you stack the TL with focus in the next round, it gives you pretty reliable damage for a 2-attack ship.

Finally, think about how many ships in this game have Focus, Evade, BR, and TL. There aren't many. And on a 3-agility, 4 health ship with the ability to load up TLs on you if you don't deal with them... they can be a headache at the very least.