So, I've always loved the Defender. I tried Rexlar back in the day, but I ended up settling on Vessery as my go-to defender equipped with an HLC. I ran a bomber and Dark Curse with computer for my TLs..worked well. Well, after breaking from X-Wing (dice rage) and playing a lot of Armada, I've returned to love the dogfighting of yor; and with the upcoming Imperial Vets pack boosting the 2 primary ships in my favored imp list...well:

Colonel Vessery (35)
Ion Cannon (3)
Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)
TIE/D (0)

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (16)
Extra Munitions (2)
Homing Missiles (5)
Ion Bombs (2)
Long-Range Scanners (0)

"Dark Curse" (16)
Targeting Computer (2)

Epsilon Squadron Pilot (15)
Comm Relay (3)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Here's what I've settled on as my "perfect" list. Can't see anywhere I can shave points and squeeze in more desirables. My last alteration was dropping Outmaneuver on vess for the Comm Relay due to almost never getting my EPT to proc with him...plus I adhore Comm Relays on f/o TIEs.

Basically, all ships can feed Vessery his TL pre-req. My TIEs are both rather hard to kill since the f/o TIE will essentially have a perma-evade and is agile as sin. Dark Curse is great to deter shots while diving into their face, and since he doesn't often get shot at he has the computer to help him TL/Focus and actually put on some hurt while also assisting Vessery if needed.

The Scimitar is pretty potent: I've found. The Homing Missile, plus guaranteed TL/Focus on 4 dice instills fear in most it seems. Plus if I ram it straight down their throat with the 2 TIEs, he has a control-bomb to plop as he speeds through to get range for another TL and pass with Homing Missile #2.

I'm still struggling figuring out a solid attack plan to fall-back onto,as I perform better when I know exactly what I'm trying to do, and I'm still a little up-in-the-air on the Extra Munitions. It seems most people focus the Bomber down hard and fast...so not often does he get a second attack run. So I could drop it and take an 1/2 pt EPT on Vessery..though I think I prefer having two missiles to joust with if I survive the first pass.

How's it look? I love these 4-ship lists with tons of options.

If you want 3 effective ships but still have the synergy.

http://geordanr.github.io/xwing/?f=Galactic%20Empire&d=v3!s!70:27,22,-1:34:17:;190:140,126,-1,17,-1,-1:-1:24:;163:27,-1:27:17:

Not giving Vessery an elite card is a bit of a waste. I would take either veteran instincts or crack shot on him instead of TIE mk.2 engine. Of all the defender pilots, he is affected by stress the least, so doesn't care as much if its hard to clear stress. Crack shot is really quite good on him. With a focus token and his ability, he has a very strong chance of breaking soontir's stealth device, especially since he gets two chances (ion then primary). And with all the soontir's flying around the galaxy these days, its not bad to have that kind of insurance.

I would also suggest dropping dark curse in favour of a 2nd epsilon w/ comm relay. It ends up being more durable than dark curse, and in this case, more helpful because you want both your TIE fighters in front of the bomber and moving first. By putting them in front, they can protect the bomber by blocking enemy moves (so they don't have actions to use against the bomber). This will also make it easier for the bomber to get arc on potentially dodgy opponents.

I often find myself at odds at posting on threads in which Blade posts because of his analyses(sises? whatever plural of analysis looks like) but he's right. if you want to really ignore stress with Vess if you dont want to give VI or crackshot(for whatever reason see my forum topic about it being the best EPT in the game) Wired can help if you're running that ignore stress game.

as good as dark curse may seem it only effectivley shuts down two forms of modifications, which we discovered since Omega LEader is out, that there is a shinier greener pasture... (yes its both shiny and green... its a field of Jade.) so yeah, blocking and getting that first movement with an epsilon along with (what is essentially) a free shield or i guess a -1 point shield it will help with over all survivability...

I also see why you're running ion cannon for control factor, but considering all your 'support' ships have two reds, consider once we know what the tractor beam does (in its entirety) running with that one point pew pew cannon.. allowing Vess to take a 2 or 3 point EPT... like maybe ruthlessness.

Very interesting suggestions. I was attached to Dark Curse; but It's true that a lot of the powerhouse pilots/abilities that will be showing up basically negate his ability. The second Epsilon is probably well worth doing.

As for Vessery; Crack Shot does sound good: either with Ion to help guarantee a lockdown and just follow him off the board/into crossfire or with tractors to boost the offensive punch of my list exponentially. I'll have to test them both: perhaps Tractor with Outmaneuver for some real insane primary weapon shots when pulled off.

Thanks guys.

Flew 3 or 4 games on Vassal with double Epsilons and Crack Shot...god, those TIEf/os (tiefoos?) fly like a dream. I'd vote them best ship without much proding.

I haven't had much Come from Crack Shot yet...but I like the idea of sneaking past that clutch ion when needed...so it'll stay for now.

Thanks for the suggestion.