Imo, if you're losing to defenders, I think something else is wrong.

I don't see why. The defender is a solid ship that can do a lot of work if built and flown well. It's not the most cost efficient ship, but it's by no means garbage. It just usually takes more work to get value than other ships of similar or lessor cost, so it's not often a great choice for tournaments.

It´s not just that it takes more work, its that it is predictable and expensive.

There are no predictable ships only predictable pilots.

With Aaron Bonner's "Danger Zone" (3 K-wings with tactician) and Paul Heaver's TLT stressbot making a splash at worlds, I am curious if we can expect an increase in stress dealing mechanics in the next store championship season?

I tried a variant of the old school Panic Attack list from Mr. Froggies like so:

Gold Squadron Pilot (18)

Twin Laser Turret (6)

R3-A2 (2)

BTL-A4 Y-Wing (0)

Blue Squadron Pilot (22) x2

Tactician (2)

B-Wing/E2 (1)

Bandit Squadron Pilot (12) x2

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

I think the list has potential but in my first game against biophysical, I ran into one of the biggest dangers to a stress dealing list. HLC Defender with Predator. That white K-turn can really shine against a stress build.

A friend of mine has won back-to-back tournaments with that exact list - it's a very tough cookie if flown well.

I'm challenging him on Thursday with the list I would have brought to the tourney if I hadn't been TO-ing, but I might bring some defenders along for a rematch after he kicks my behind.

Yep, defenders don't care much about stress in a stress meta.

Unfortunately, the meta doesn't care about defenders either....

Wired is a nice thought with a defender's good white dial. Unfortunately, the only two elite pilot talent carrying pilots both have abilities that undercut it - Brath needs focus tokens, whilst Vessery is giving you (better) rerolls anyway.

If the higher-tier generic had an elite pilot talent, Wired would be a nice call.

Wired is a nice thought with a defender's good white dial. Unfortunately, the only two elite pilot talent carrying pilots both have abilities that undercut it - Brath needs focus tokens, whilst Vessery is giving you (better) rerolls anyway.

If the higher-tier generic had an elite pilot talent, Wired would be a nice call.

+1

The generics would need to get an EPT slot to see some action on the table.

I think Deltas + Predator would be a step into the right direction ... doing k-turns and re-rolls even while stressed.

Onyx + Wired would be pretty cool as well.

TLTs are a bigger problem, though.

Its unlikely that 3 Defenders kill a Y-Wing within the first round of combat - but its likely that 4 TLT will kill a Defender in a single round of combat.

And If you lose a Defender before you were able to kill a Y its GG.

Defenders have their use in Epic game mode - but I don't see them in the 100 Point standard play right now.

And I played a list with Vessery in it in a couple of tournaments before the TLT menace.

I think Vessery would be decent with Wired. His offense would be helped less frequently, but his defense would benefit.

Vessery is a team player, but frankly, he eats all the points to be in a team...

Vessery is a team player, but frankly, he eats all the points to be in a team...

Thats basically the main problem of the named Defenders.

Rexler needs PTL + the help of a Comm Booster, Tarkin or a Fleet Officer.

Stress is still a bad thing obviously. Point is, it bothers defenders a LOT less than most. Drop two stress on anything else and you are halfway to blowing it up.

List of ships that don't mind double-stress:

Fat Turrets?

Unhinged Y-wings?

Defenders?

- Tycho

- YV-666 w/ Gunner + Bossk + Tac

Keyan Farlander.

More cards that don't depend on actions, like Predator.

Other things that don't care about double stress:

BTL-A4 + R3-A2 (we missed the obvious one here)

TLTs in general

Drea Renthal, if she has a target lock already

K4 Security Droids

Wired users (this one deserves a lot of attention because it has the possibility to make your opponent choose NOT to stress an otherwise tantalizing target to avoid giving the reroll bonus)

Lies all Rexler needs is the mk.ii upgrade then he can bank on victory, he is a beast with PTL.

Vessery with tie advanced support is really strong now.

Vessery is a team player, but frankly, he eats all the points to be in a team...

Thats basically the main problem of the named Defenders.

Rexler needs PTL + the help of a Comm Booster, Tarkin or a Fleet Officer.

That's basically the problem. The Defender is a good ship, but must rely on the luck of the dice. There are no other ships in the game that cost 30+ points that do not have a System and/or a Crew slot. The 30 and 32 point Defenders do not even have an EPT!! That was a rough Wave for FFG. They over estimated the Defender's K-turn, underestimated the Phantom's clocking ability, and the E-wing is.... (I won't go there today for the sake of brevity). This makes (by default) the Z95 the most balanced ship of that wave.

We love our Defenders and I patiently await their fix. The Advanced is proof that FFG can right this horrible wrong.

The problem with Defenders is that there's actually "NOWHERE TO FIX" them.

They're epic in numeric values.

Add some more and you get a super-aggressor o_o

The problem with Defenders is that there's actually "NOWHERE TO FIX" them.

They're epic in numeric values.

Add some more and you get a super-aggressor o_o

I have faith that FFG will come up with a fix that keeps the Defender unique. The Aggressor did get abilities that I think would have worked great on the Defender. (Boost w/ free evade and Cannon Gunner) But FFG will come up with something unique...

Vessery was always good and just gets better with more target locking options. The new TIE/fo helps Vessery a LOT.

The problem with Defenders is that there's actually "NOWHERE TO FIX" them.

They're epic in numeric values.

Add some more and you get a super-aggressor o_o

I have faith that FFG will come up with a fix that keeps the Defender unique. The Aggressor did get abilities that I think would have worked great on the Defender. (Boost w/ free evade and Cannon Gunner) But FFG will come up with something unique...

Aggressor should have gotten some terror tacics and super-maneuverability...

But yeah, they have almost the same niches, Uber-fighter that is

Aggressor should have gotten some terror tacics and super-maneuverability...

But yeah, they have almost the same niches, Uber-fighter that is

And I agree. The Defender should be an uber-fighter for those kind of points. It needs a title fix that keeps the ship unique.

How about this... A free (or 1 point) title that cancels 1 evade result on the defending player's dice results.

My thought process is this: The Defender is the only ship that is 30+ points without a Crew and/or System slot. It is forced to rely on luck when it comes to the dice. My proposed ability evens the score a little bit by removing a die result (instead of just a die).

At a base of 30 points, the Defender should have an ability this good.

In the current meta they lack the boost action to add AT

A zero point title that enables you to put on status effects from equipped Cannons to your primary attack would also make them unique and worth their points. Or you know... the evade action..

Aggressor should have gotten some terror tacics and super-maneuverability...

But yeah, they have almost the same niches, Uber-fighter that is

And I agree. The Defender should be an uber-fighter for those kind of points. It needs a title fix that keeps the ship unique.

How about this... A free (or 1 point) title that cancels 1 evade result on the defending player's dice results.

My thought process is this: The Defender is the only ship that is 30+ points without a Crew and/or System slot. It is forced to rely on luck when it comes to the dice. My proposed ability evens the score a little bit by removing a die result (instead of just a die).

At a base of 30 points, the Defender should have an ability this good.

It's a shame the fluff doesn't support adding crew - a title that gives a free / discounted crew would work quite nicely - Rec Spec Rex would be a pretty awesome thing

Aggressor should have gotten some terror tacics and super-maneuverability...

But yeah, they have almost the same niches, Uber-fighter that is

And I agree. The Defender should be an uber-fighter for those kind of points. It needs a title fix that keeps the ship unique.

How about this... A free (or 1 point) title that cancels 1 evade result on the defending player's dice results.

My thought process is this: The Defender is the only ship that is 30+ points without a Crew and/or System slot. It is forced to rely on luck when it comes to the dice. My proposed ability evens the score a little bit by removing a die result (instead of just a die).

At a base of 30 points, the Defender should have an ability this good.

It's a shame the fluff doesn't support adding crew - a title that gives a free / discounted crew would work quite nicely - Rec Spec Rex would be a pretty awesome thing

Well, maybe we'll see something like

Illicit.

2 points

Hidden compartment

Big ship only.

Adds 1 crew slot

But unlikely it'll be a TIE series feature, there's hardly any place for anything but the poor pilot

Vessery was always good and just gets better with more target locking options. The new TIE/fo helps Vessery a LOT.

I'm thinking Omega Leader with VI will be an amazing Vessery partner. He gets the TL early, and wants to leave it there. Optimal Vessery pairing.

Vessery was always good and just gets better with more target locking options. The new TIE/fo helps Vessery a LOT.

I'm thinking Omega Leader with VI will be an amazing Vessery partner. He gets the TL early, and wants to leave it there. Optimal Vessery pairing.

You can actually stuff omega, eu juke atc Vader, and hlc vessery into 100 points by my math. That could add up to be pretty sexy...

Vessery was always good and just gets better with more target locking options. The new TIE/fo helps Vessery a LOT.

I'm thinking Omega Leader with VI will be an amazing Vessery partner. He gets the TL early, and wants to leave it there. Optimal Vessery pairing.

Don't need VI for that ..... unless I'm overlooking something

PS10 gets the TL on PS9 aces much easier than PS8. That's all. Juke is pretty dang good as well, obviously.