Vess + MKII + crackshot

inquisitor + Juke + title+ thrusters

Zeta Ace

Epsilon

Keep it simple.

I think that squad works, but I wonder if you can find 3 points to add in an Ion Cannon. Swarms do really horrific things to immobilized ships.

1.) 5 ships is not a swarm.

2.) Downgrading the Epsilon to an Academy Pilot gets you enough points. This sacrifices a TL boat though, so when the Omega is lost you will no longer have Vessery's ability. You also lose the ability to TL 2 different things and have options with Vessery.

3.) I've found the control cannons on Defenders to be traps. You're better off going full offense primary. Once you've sunk so much into a Defender you can't afford to be capped at one damage.

You could downgrade the Omega to an Epsilon to free up 3 points, use VI instead of Crack Shot on Vessery, and make Dash cry salty tears all game long as a hyper-accurate Ion Cannon jacks with his PTL movement all game long.

I think that squad works, but I wonder if you can find 3 points to add in an Ion Cannon. Swarms do really horrific things to immobilized ships.

1.) 5 ships is not a swarm.

2.) Downgrading the Epsilon to an Academy Pilot gets you enough points. This sacrifices a TL boat though, so when the Omega is lost you will no longer have Vessery's ability. You also lose the ability to TL 2 different things and have options with Vessery.

3.) I've found the control cannons on Defenders to be traps. You're better off going full offense primary. Once you've sunk so much into a Defender you can't afford to be capped at one damage.

You could downgrade the Omega to an Epsilon to free up 3 points, use VI instead of Crack Shot on Vessery, and make Dash cry salty tears all game long as a hyper-accurate Ion Cannon jacks with his PTL movement all game long.

After spending 2 turns to ionize him, he'd still be able to boost and barrel roll.

I can see switching crackshot to VI, but you really need crackshot and more than 1 PS to prevent your TIE Fighters from being useless. Downgrading the omega is really a no go IMO, we already have one useless Epsilon TIE, can't really have 2.

The main issue I have with ion cannon is that it's not worth it usually to neuter your damage, so taking things off the rest of the list to cram a useless weapon in is doubly terrible. Even if the ion cannon was free I'd only opt to use it on occasion.

Vess + MKII + crackshot

inquisitor + Juke + title+ thrusters

Zeta Ace

Epsilon

Keep it simple.

That's pretty close to my current list...

Vessery + Crackshot

Vader + Crackshot + MKII + ATC & title

Epsilon

Nightbeast + TC

This is a list that is doing very well - though I wish it had a couple more points so I could turn the epsilon into an Alpha... (dropping MK II)

Vess without hlc is like the Fresh Prince without Carlton! I haven't tried it yet, but my next game will be with...

Vessery, hlc, crackshot

Vader, atc, vi

Omega leader, juke, comm relay

Vess's upgrades mean he probably won't be seeing the endgame, but that's okay. A lot of vess-support lists have the problem that once he's down, his backing singers can't carry the tune on their own! Omega and Vader give you two powerful, if a little cut price, aces to capitalise on the colonel's fried (rebel)chicken... Now if only I could fit predator on Vader...

Vess without hlc is like the Fresh Prince without Carlton! I haven't tried it yet, but my next game will be with...

Vessery, hlc, crackshot

Vader, atc, vi

Omega leader, juke, comm relay

Vess's upgrades mean he probably won't be seeing the endgame, but that's okay. A lot of vess-support lists have the problem that once he's down, his backing singers can't carry the tune on their own! Omega and Vader give you two powerful, if a little cut price, aces to capitalise on the colonel's fried (rebel)chicken... Now if only I could fit predator on Vader...

I think you need a fourth ship - or your third ship must be able to deal more damage. Vessery has trouble sometimes carrying a game on his own - and crackshot gives you enough of an offense increase to take on stealth soontir - with multiple ships that can block.

once Vader goes down, you're one ship away from shutting down vessery's TL ability. You can barely fit Fel Vader Vessery - I think the Inquisitor + Vader + Vessery will make a pretty competent list.

Rexler Brath (37)
Predator (3)
Heavy Laser Cannon (7)
Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

Omicron Group Pilot (21)
Darth Vader (3)

"Dark Curse" (16)

Academy Pilot (12)

Total: 100

I have had success with this. So you need to keep out of Braths HLC arc and also Vader's shuttle arc, but then you have the ever so annoying DC and AP running interference.

I haven't tried it in the stress meta, but the MKII engine and predator don't really worry about that so much!

So how are people playing the Defender in this current meta? Every single Rebel list I have played against since World's haa switched from Dash + something to Y wing with TLT stress bot plus what ever.

I can tell you from experience that the range 3 double stress is very hard to avoid!

So how are you and your Defender handling it?

I've been running Rex, Predator, HLC, and Hull Upgrade. When I run into a stresshog, I'll kill it if it's convenient, but sometimes I just let it double-stress me and let it take itself out of the fight.

I've been running Rex, Predator, HLC, and Hull Upgrade. When I run into a stresshog, I'll kill it if it's convenient, but sometimes I just let it double-stress me and let it take itself out of the fight.

Once it double stresses, it cannot turn around for at least 2 turns, whereas you have a 4k, so no problem there. Ideally, if you can go from out of range to range 1 with your defender, then its only taking 1 stress (depends on whether you can outfly your opponent on the opening or not). If not, no worries, provided you have other ships distracting the opponent's heavy hitters.

I watched a game last night where this happened. It was heaver's list except using an HWK instead of the non BTL-A4 y-wing (probably not the best change) vs epsilon, vader & vessery. The stress hog was too far to shoot at Vessery or Vader first turn, so had to go for epsilon instead. Combined fire from Vessery and Vader destroyed the HWK first turn (a bit lucky, since vader scored direct hit, but not terribly so). Next turn, Vess was range 1 of the stress hog and Vader got blocked. Vader was lucky to survive, but with Vess only taking 1 stress (and no damage) he was in a good position with his k-turn to get behind the stress hog. Poe was too far away and dealing with Vader.

So yeah, defenders have their own resources for surviving stress. If it had been a PTL interceptor, it would've likely been in much worse shape, for example.

Do you know what's ironic? According to lore, Flechette Torpedoes were designed, or at least employed, against TIE Defenders to cut down their maneuverability. While this game nailed that with the red turns, the white Koiogran turn drastically reduces the impact of stress.

No, I'm not complaining at all. Just sharing something I've been pondering.

I've been running Rex, Predator, HLC, and Hull Upgrade. When I run into a stresshog, I'll kill it if it's convenient, but sometimes I just let it double-stress me and let it take itself out of the fight.

Are you running him with IPM as well? What are you using as wingmates?

Do you know what's ironic? According to lore, Flechette Torpedoes were designed, or at least employed, against TIE Defenders to cut down their maneuverability. While this game nailed that with the red turns, the white Koiogran turn drastically reduces the impact of stress.

No, I'm not complaining at all. Just sharing something I've been pondering.

What do you mean you are not complaining???? You misuse the forums!

Catch him!

I've been running Rex, Predator, HLC, and Hull Upgrade. When I run into a stresshog, I'll kill it if it's convenient, but sometimes I just let it double-stress me and let it take itself out of the fight.

Are you running him with IPM as well? What are you using as wingmates?

I ran that build with IPM when it was alongside Vessery, but right now I'm experimenting with 3 TIE/fos as wingmen. They are effective enough as blockers that I'd rather use those points for pilot skill and initiative. There's enough really solid PS8 ships out there that a couple points cam be a very good investment.

Vess without hlc is like the Fresh Prince without Carlton! I haven't tried it yet, but my next game will be with...

Vessery, hlc, crackshot

Vader, atc, vi

Omega leader, juke, comm relay

Vess's upgrades mean he probably won't be seeing the endgame, but that's okay. A lot of vess-support lists have the problem that once he's down, his backing singers can't carry the tune on their own! Omega and Vader give you two powerful, if a little cut price, aces to capitalise on the colonel's fried (rebel)chicken... Now if only I could fit predator on Vader...

I think you need a fourth ship - or your third ship must be able to deal more damage. Vessery has trouble sometimes carrying a game on his own - and crackshot gives you enough of an offense increase to take on stealth soontir - with multiple ships that can block.

once Vader goes down, you're one ship away from shutting down vessery's TL ability. You can barely fit Fel Vader Vessery - I think the Inquisitor + Vader + Vessery will make a pretty competent list.

Omega leader not doing damage? Have you actually TRIED Juke Leader?

Rexler Brath (37)Predator (3)Heavy Laser Cannon (7)Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)Omicron Group Pilot (21)Darth Vader (3)"Dark Curse" (16)Academy Pilot (12)Total: 100 I have had success with this. So you need to keep out of Braths HLC arc and also Vader's shuttle arc, but then you have the ever so annoying DC and AP running interference. I haven't tried it in the stress meta, but the MKII engine and predator don't really worry about that so much!

I flew a very similar list all last season and despite trying to find a better list incorporating the defender I've struggled. I'm much more of a Vess man than a Brath man tho so I ran;

Vess

HLC

VI

Shuttle

Vader

Adv sensors

Dark curse

TC

Academy pilot

Great little utility list. The shuttle gives people something to worry about other than Vess and adv Sen means you can make sure you get those TL's up when you need them. Curse is a great TL caddy as he's so often ignored the age old argument of 'your defenceless when you TL' is invalidated and a range 1 TL focus tie can surprise a lot of people late in the game. Academy just annoys people. I tend to keep him with DC so people tend to target him rather than DC when able

There's enough really solid PS8 ships out there that a couple points cam be a very good investment.

do you mean that because of the solid PS8 ships the opponent could run, you're better of with the 2 point initiative bid?

There's enough really solid PS8 ships out there that a couple points cam be a very good investment.

do you mean that because of the solid PS8 ships the opponent could run, you're better of with the 2 point initiative bid?

Yes. Poe, Miranda, VI Brobots, Chiraneau and Corran, are the big ones.

Vess without hlc is like the Fresh Prince without Carlton! I haven't tried it yet, but my next game will be with...

Vessery, hlc, crackshot

Vader, atc, vi

Omega leader, juke, comm relay

Vess's upgrades mean he probably won't be seeing the endgame, but that's okay. A lot of vess-support lists have the problem that once he's down, his backing singers can't carry the tune on their own! Omega and Vader give you two powerful, if a little cut price, aces to capitalise on the colonel's fried (rebel)chicken... Now if only I could fit predator on Vader...

I think you need a fourth ship - or your third ship must be able to deal more damage. Vessery has trouble sometimes carrying a game on his own - and crackshot gives you enough of an offense increase to take on stealth soontir - with multiple ships that can block.

once Vader goes down, you're one ship away from shutting down vessery's TL ability. You can barely fit Fel Vader Vessery - I think the Inquisitor + Vader + Vessery will make a pretty competent list.

Omega leader not doing damage? Have you actually TRIED Juke Leader?

Indeed. one thing you couldn't accuse this list of is lacking damage potential. Leader or Vader both make good final fight pilots, and both require locks to be painted, while also punishing their use. Hence, perfect partners for the colonel! As far as I can see.

I have tried it, and it's good, but it's quite dice dependent, and the extra offense of the extra ship and the extra hp brought are what I think is important. Swarms, tanks and stress lists will have a harder time with the extra ship, and the extra targeting choices Vessery gets from a third TL on the field are quite nice.

Omega leader can sometimes get a turn strings where he has to chose between TL or evade, and that happens more vs higher ship counts, where his ability matters less early game. At best, the squad is awesome, omega just rolls with TL and evade, focusing or rolling every turn.

I prefer the dice insurance method of bringing the extra body.

Rexler Brath (37)Predator (3)Heavy Laser Cannon (7)Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)Omicron Group Pilot (21)Darth Vader (3)"Dark Curse" (16)Academy Pilot (12)Total: 100 I have had success with this. So you need to keep out of Braths HLC arc and also Vader's shuttle arc, but then you have the ever so annoying DC and AP running interference. I haven't tried it in the stress meta, but the MKII engine and predator don't really worry about that so much!

I flew a very similar list all last season and despite trying to find a better list incorporating the defender I've struggled. I'm much more of a Vess man than a Brath man tho so I ran;

Vess

HLC

VI

Shuttle

Vader

Adv sensors

Dark curse

TC

Academy pilot

Great little utility list. The shuttle gives people something to worry about other than Vess and adv Sen means you can make sure you get those TL's up when you need them. Curse is a great TL caddy as he's so often ignored the age old argument of 'your defenceless when you TL' is invalidated and a range 1 TL focus tie can surprise a lot of people late in the game. Academy just annoys people. I tend to keep him with DC so people tend to target him rather than DC when able

Just use the title and there you go:

Colonel Vessery (44)

TIE Defender (35), Heavy Laser Cannon (7), Veteran Instincts (1), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

Omicron Group Pilot (24)

Lambda-Class Shuttle (21), ST-321 (3)

“Backstabber” (16)

Dark Curse (16)

Swap VI for CS to get PS 666

All PS 6:

Colonel Vessery (37)
TIE Defender (35), Crack Shot (1), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

“Backstabber” (16)

Dark Curse (16)

Colonel Jendon (31)
Lambda-Class Shuttle (26), Fire-Control System (2), ST-321 (3)

Jendon hands out TLs to Dark Curse and Backstabber. Meaning he need to move for 2 turns. In turn 3 he might stop and acquire a TL via FCS. Vessery should find himself in a target-rich environment by then.

I've been running Rex, Predator, HLC, and Hull Upgrade. When I run into a stresshog, I'll kill it if it's convenient, but sometimes I just let it double-stress me and let it take itself out of the fight.

Are you running him with IPM as well? What are you using as wingmates?

I ran that build with IPM when it was alongside Vessery, but right now I'm experimenting with 3 TIE/fos as wingmen. They are effective enough as blockers that I'd rather use those points for pilot skill and initiative. There's enough really solid PS8 ships out there that a couple points cam be a very good investment.

I ran Vessery with three PS3 FOs and it worked well, but I can see where Brath is a better option in the "aces" meta. You may have convinced me to go back to trying a similar list..

Vessery with three ac advanced worked well for me decent amount of hit points to chew through, having six guaranteed booms is very nice as after the first turn TL you can go evade or focus every turn after.

Two attack isn't nearly so bad when you know it'll hit every time.

I've been running Rex, Predator, HLC, and Hull Upgrade. When I run into a stresshog, I'll kill it if it's convenient, but sometimes I just let it double-stress me and let it take itself out of the fight.

Are you running him with IPM as well? What are you using as wingmates?

I ran that build with IPM when it was alongside Vessery, but right now I'm experimenting with 3 TIE/fos as wingmen. They are effective enough as blockers that I'd rather use those points for pilot skill and initiative. There's enough really solid PS8 ships out there that a couple points cam be a very good investment.

I ran Vessery with three PS3 FOs and it worked well, but I can see where Brath is a better option in the "aces" meta. You may have convinced me to go back to trying a similar list..

I like Vedder if I'm expecting to fight small numbers of ships, or if I can count on a high PS TL that can shift regularly, but with 4 and 5 ship lists coming back, there's a lot of targets of opportunity in a game. That sort of environment favors Predator, because it requires no setup. The fact that your HLC is now in contention with some major aces is another nice effect. Vedder is certainly much cheaper, though. You can spend the Rex+Predator points on upgrading Zetas to Omegas and getting a 1 point EPT for everyone. That strikes me as pretty solid in its own right.