Maarak Steele (36) (tenative point cost)

Veteran Instincts (1)

Ion Cannon (3)

TIE/D (0)

Rexler Brath (37)

Predator (3)

Ion Cannon (3)

TIE/D (0)

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (16)

Long-Range Scanners (0)

Total: 99

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Maarak shoots beofre Rexler, stripping tokens to set up Rexler's ability, and moves after PS7 and 8 aces like Dash and Corran

What does the Scimitar do? Why not a TIE/fo or Backstabber?

Joust, now with a TL+Focus on the initial pass.

Didnt have points for a comm relay, so i didnt bother with the FO.

If I had 19 points, making it a Doomer (doom-bomber) would be hilarius.

Long range scanner Scimitars will really be good wingmen for x7s, as they've gotthe same general flight pattern- dash in, dash out, dash back in.

What does the Scimitar do? Why not a TIE/fo or Backstabber?

It kind of looks like he's there for Vessery, who at one point was in the list but got replaced.

That's an interesting point. The empty Bomber is a decent jouster, and the LRS makes it a little punchier for zero cost.

But it would also disappoint me a bit because of pilots that have lackluster abilities but were known to fly other ships. So if they keep the Pilot ability, for instance a Remake of Tycho in an X-Wing would not be that interesting with the same skill.

Or if Grampy Luke should appear in the new trilogy somewhere (unless he is dead or on the dark side) he wouldbe bound to be a worse Dameron Poe in a T-70 with its old skill...

I disagree, Luke (with the same pilot ability) would be better in a T-70 than Poe is. Luke's ability doesn't work on attack rolls but it is action independent. Luke is able to use the red maneuvers and boost of the T-70 without giving up his defensive bonus. If he gets blocked, clips an asteroid, or ends up with a pile of stress his ability still works.

Luke would be better on. A T-70 than on a T-65 because anyone would be better on a T-70. But he would not be better than Poe. I disagree.

Totally side tracking here, but....

Why would Luke be offensively useless? He can still TL or Focus for his action to modify his red dice. He's still a 3 attack die ship. He can take Predator or one of the other options for offense. It's not like Poe's ability to modify one die for his one attack for free equates to Luke being useless.

But it would also disappoint me a bit because of pilots that have lackluster abilities but were known to fly other ships. So if they keep the Pilot ability, for instance a Remake of Tycho in an X-Wing would not be that interesting with the same skill.

Or if Grampy Luke should appear in the new trilogy somewhere (unless he is dead or on the dark side) he wouldbe bound to be a worse Dameron Poe in a T-70 with its old skill...

I disagree, Luke (with the same pilot ability) would be better in a T-70 than Poe is. Luke's ability doesn't work on attack rolls but it is action independent. Luke is able to use the red maneuvers and boost of the T-70 without giving up his defensive bonus. If he gets blocked, clips an asteroid, or ends up with a pile of stress his ability still works.

And is offensively useless! And that's a huge one!

Luke would be better on. A T-70 than on a T-65 because anyone would be better on a T-70. But he would not be better than Poe. I disagree.

Luke is actually exactly as modified as Poe when Poe takes an action

Luke is also more defensive than Poe when neither takes an action

literally the only advantage Poe has offensively is with Weapon Guidance (focus --> hit w/ability, then spend focus for WG)

damnit Chadwick

But it would also disappoint me a bit because of pilots that have lackluster abilities but were known to fly other ships. So if they keep the Pilot ability, for instance a Remake of Tycho in an X-Wing would not be that interesting with the same skill.

Or if Grampy Luke should appear in the new trilogy somewhere (unless he is dead or on the dark side) he wouldbe bound to be a worse Dameron Poe in a T-70 with its old skill...

I disagree, Luke (with the same pilot ability) would be better in a T-70 than Poe is. Luke's ability doesn't work on attack rolls but it is action independent. Luke is able to use the red maneuvers and boost of the T-70 without giving up his defensive bonus. If he gets blocked, clips an asteroid, or ends up with a pile of stress his ability still works.

And is offensively useless! And that's a huge one!

Luke would be better on. A T-70 than on a T-65 because anyone would be better on a T-70. But he would not be better than Poe. I disagree.

If Luke takes the same action as Poe, and takes a focus token, he's offensively better off than Poe while having the same defense. If they take any other action Luke is better off than Poe defensively and in the same boat offensively.

You know, Porkins in a T-70 would be better because you can take more red maneuvers. Also, the one point of shield would help keep him alive longer.

Luke is actually exactly as modified as Poe when Poe takes an action

Luke is actually more modified if they both focus. If he rolls more than one eyeball on attack Luke can spend the focus to turn them all into hits without losing his defensive modification.

You know, Porkins in a T-70 would be better because you can take more red maneuvers. Also, the one point of shield would help keep him alive longer.

Doesn't he take face down damage cards?

What have either Poe or Luke got to do with TIE Defenders and the new TIE Defender upgrades?

Come on folks, don't make me go all Davish Krail on your collective asses.

What have either Poe or Luke got to do with TIE Defenders and the new TIE Defender upgrades?

Come on folks, don't make me go all Davish Krail on your collective asses.

what do they have to do with Defenders?

why, they're your proverbial fish in the barrel

You know, Porkins in a T-70 would be better because you can take more red maneuvers. Also, the one point of shield would help keep him alive longer.

Doesn't he take face down damage cards?

3/8 chance of taking a face down damage card if he removes a red. Give him his Astromech droid, R5-D8, who has a 5/8 chance of removing a face down damage card for an action. If you remove the stress and take the hit, then use R5-D8 to try to take it off. There is only an 11% chance that you will still have the damage on at the end of the turn. You won't have any stress, and you have the chance to remove that damage in another turn. Most likely, though, you just remove the stress and still get another action.

EDIT....sorry

What have either Poe or Luke got to do with TIE Defenders and the new TIE Defender upgrades?

Come on folks, don't make me go all Davish Krail on your collective asses.

Colonel Vessery (35)
Juke (2)
TIE/x7 (-2)

Rexler Brath (37)
Juke (2)
TIE/x7 (-2)

Gamma Squadron Veteran (19)
Crack Shot (1)
Extra Munitions (2)
Homing Missiles (5)
XX-23 S-Thread Tracers (1)
Long-Range Scanners (0)

Total: 100

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We can probably downgrade the named pilots to Glaives once we know their point costs. Bomber fires off Homing missiles with TL/F after Vesery has used his target lock, stripping tokens with juke.

I think Glaives are probably 34. Unlike RGPs, they're a full 3 PS higher than the 32 points Onyx pilots. RGPs are 2 PS over a Saber for 1 point, and they both have an EPT. At 34 points, if Glaives don't have an EPT, they would be paying 2 points to get from PS 3 to PS 6, on a pretty expensive ship. That's a good deal. If they have an EPT (expected), they're paying 2 points for 3 PS and an EPT, that's a great deal. 35 points is Vessery, and they can't be the same price as him. 33 points means they're either paying 1 point for 3 PS (a really good deal) or 1 point for 3 PS and an EPT slot (a ridiculously good deal). With a 2 point gap between them and the Onyx, there's still a place for the Onyx in the game. As supporting ships, an Onyx pays a little to get over the PS2 hump, but doesn't take up extra points another ship might want. It's a narrow niche, but it's a niche. A 33 point Glaive would take this away.

If anything, the Rival of a PS9 Intercepter pilot being a lower PS Defender should be considered a justification that the defender is a harder ship to fly- anyone not named Marrak Steele drops several ranks when put behind that yoke.

Diffrent factors could make it it hard to fly, it has a blind spot thats exploted by a-wings, Tie Avengers, and TIE Interceptors. This is why in the article the defender isnt flatout called the best dog fighter period. Also the interceptor with an experienced pilot can out preform any other fighter in a dog fight (ref sw: omplete vehicles page 166.

I would have to say the interceptor is the hardest to fly out of ties. It has a unique ion stream projector/s that are manipulated individually by the pilot. It could easily become unstable because of how the ship is piloted.

Besides, Stele and more than likely Fel opted not to fly TIE Defenders as well as the Royal Guard. They all choose or were assigned to fly Avengers or Interceptors, thats something you should think about.

The correct response seems to be somewhere along the lines of "I don't know where you get your delusions, laser-brain."

Also, you seriously think someone's puppeting me? That's cute, but see above.

Anyway, let's analyse the post:

The Countess should be skill level 8 or 9, she was Baron Fels rival till he killed her. Her being the skill level she is in this set doesnt look good enough to be Fels rival.

Also they should have a "Red Star 1" upgrade for her defender since it appears she did have the most advanced defender out of all the d3fenders.

Firstly, PS is not a perfect relative measure of a pilot's skill in-fluff. It is a gameplay mechanic, and subject to balance. I guarantee you FFG put more work into that decision than you did into the post.

Secondly, "Fel's rival". Wookieepedia does use this exact term, but it's talking about politics, not piloting. This invalidates the second sentence from a fluff standpoint.

"they should". This is a fluff argument, and has effectively nothing to do with gameplay.

I could give a *** less how long ffg thought how to design her in this game compared to how long i think she should be designed.

Also the skill rating in this game has been pretty close at accurately depicting the skills of the pilots they are based on, she should be higher in skill level.

Lastly as i said before they chose Fel to go out and kill her, no other imperial aces like Stele or Turr.

Agreed. And even priced at 34 points you could still get

Glaive Squadron Pilot - TIE/x7, Crackshot x 3

Agreed. And even priced at 34 points you could still get

Glaive Squadron Pilot - TIE/x7, Crackshot x 3

That's exactly what I was planning to try. Or VI if you feel like having 3 defenders at PS8, should be useful versus a mobile Dash and Brobots.

Agreed. And even priced at 34 points you could still get

Glaive Squadron Pilot - TIE/x7, Crackshot x 3

Nope:

Glaive, x7, Crackshot x2 = 66

Vessery, x7, Crackshot = 34

I've never been a big one for squad names, but I'm calling this one "Meteor Shower".

Frankly PS6 Glaives don't scream VI for me; I wish I could fit three with Juke though. x7uke is probably the thing I am most excited about after the fire-linked cannons.

The other alternative would be Twin Ion Engine MkII, if you fear stress-dealers. But yeah, 3 CrackGlaives sounds pretty brutal.

Well I think we will see Vessery more with the /D title because on him we might easily get double modification if we run anyone passing out TLs alongside him.

I find Maarek and Rexler more suitable with /x7. They are more expensive and their abilities more situational and less reliably triggered. Specially on Maarek, i would prefer it as he gets no cannon that can crit. So if i wanted a Tractor beam to increase his chances i would probably put it on another ship. I think i would keep him and Rexler as cheap as possible.

A last word on Poe and Luke too.

Look at it as you like. As long as there is a Focus token and you keep it, which is something you want anyway most of the time in order to regen a shield with R5-P9 (unless you run R2-D2), you can modify 2 dice per turn instead of one on Luke. Unlike Luke you can do it on offense. With the same upgrades he will always have an Edge actually. And situations where you want to spend your focus are pretty rare actually, uless you would die otherwise or gain 2 hits. But these situations also apply to Luke.

Luke is better in any situation where you get no action. If you do, Poe is better.

The other alternative would be Twin Ion Engine MkII, if you fear stress-dealers. But yeah, 3 CrackGlaives sounds pretty brutal.

Dont need it for stress dealers, it's also good for faking a Kturn and pulling a 1 hard instead

I think Glaives are probably 34. Unlike RGPs, they're a full 3 PS higher than the 32 points Onyx pilots. RGPs are 2 PS over a Saber for 1 point, and they both have an EPT. At 34 points, if Glaives don't have an EPT, they would be paying 2 points to get from PS 3 to PS 6, on a pretty expensive ship. That's a good deal. If they have an EPT (expected), they're paying 2 points for 3 PS and an EPT, that's a great deal. 35 points is Vessery, and they can't be the same price as him. 33 points means they're either paying 1 point for 3 PS (a really good deal) or 1 point for 3 PS and an EPT slot (a ridiculously good deal). With a 2 point gap between them and the Onyx, there's still a place for the Onyx in the game. As supporting ships, an Onyx pays a little to get over the PS2 hump, but doesn't take up extra points another ship might want. It's a narrow niche, but it's a niche. A 33 point Glaive would take this away.

I'm expecting the PS5 pilot to have no EPT slot, a decent ability and to come in at 33 points and the Glaive to come in at 34 with an EPT slot.