Also, Blount's ability only works on Secondary weapons

Lt. Blount.

When attacking, the defender is hit by your attack, even if he does not suffer any damage.

Also, Blount's ability only works on Secondary weapons

Lt. Blount.

When attacking, the defender is hit by your attack, even if he does not suffer any damage.

Yep. I totally remembered that wrong. That's what I get for not double checking a pilot I never use.

I don't think you want stealth for the single fact that crackshot/juke and other auto damage will just burn that off. HU or MKII will be the poison of choice IMO. Those red turns will be much more palpable. Personally? I'm hoping the count either gives a 1 forward, changes the K-Turn into green, or allows S-Loops.

While Vessery will obviously be the best TIE Defender pilot, and the most popular, I doubt he'll be the only one that sees play. I'm expecting a 33-34 point Glaive and a 35-36 point Stele, and I don't think those are DOA. You won't always be flying a list full of target lockers. Vessery doesn't play well with Interceptor, Phantom and Fighter wingmates, so if you're running those, you might as well consider another pilot. Stele can get to that all-important PS9, and x7 VI Rexler is a decent ace hunter flown alongside Academies or Obsidians.

Also, Blount's ability only works on Secondary weapons

Lt. Blount.

When attacking, the defender is hit by your attack, even if he does not suffer any damage.

I wouldn't plan my list on if Blount is going to be in play. I have faced him maybe twice. I have seen Ten Numb more but he is not too common either.

It gets me most excited for a potential Rebel Veterans.

I'm pretty excited for all the Defender love. Heck, this announcement is what finally pushed me into going Imperial in the first place!

If I had to pick one thing that excites me the most, it's the X7 title, even more than the hilarity of double-tapping with Vessery

So there's a new Marrek pilot card? I cannot find it. Anyone have a link??

Thanks

So there's a new Marrek pilot card? I cannot find it. Anyone have a link??

Thanks

There is no link, but if you look at the main picture, you can see the edge of the card. The wording is identical to his Tie Adv. card.

There is a lot that I'm liking about this expansion. Which part the most? That's really hard. I'd probably go with Long Range Sensors. It's going to make my 4 x Scimitar even nastier. I can even see going half with that and half with Guidance Chip. I will be able to kill Soontir Fel so much easier with LRS that it will just be funny. Too bad I can't take it to Store Champs.

I think this expansion turns a single Tie Bomber w/ ordnance in a list viable, especially with Tomax Bren. His ability to use Crackshot will be amazing. I can see him using Guideance Chip and either Concussion, Proton Torp, or Homing Missile (with Extra Munitions, of course) to be mean. I can also see a single Scimitar w/ EM, LRS, and Homing Missiles to be a decent addition to a list.

The Tie Shuttle will also make a splash, especially with Mara Jade. She can be a real nightmare. Just listened to Scum and Villainy podcast about how you can get behind a swarm or formation of ships with her and be a real problem. Fleet Officer is also a good choice. I'll have to see about Doom Bomber, but people will use it. Probably not my cup of tea.

When people talk about the Tie Defender, they seem to dismiss the high PS of the top aces. Maarek and Rexlar can both grab VI, which puts them at PS 9 and PS 10 respectively. If you think Maarek is too costly, just give him /X7 and don't count on his ability. Who wouldn't like a Rexlar at PS 10 and with /D title?

When people say that the /X7 title makes people become predictable, it's only if you fly that way. You can probably sucker a few people with it. If they aren't experienced with it, maybe do the move once or twice to get the Evade token, but when it really counts, just do the 1 bank and watch them be facing the wrong way! If you fly predictably, then you are predictable, but it's OK to not use the bonus to gain an advantage. Play smart.

I can see the Generic Defenders on the table with these titles. It's going to be fun! I want to field a list with at least 4 Imperial ships that are all different kinds. I'm going to be looking at Tie Defender, Tie Adv. V1, and a few other ships. It should be fun.

Wasn't there a thread asking if Imperials still had a stake in the game? I think they sure do now....

Knowing it won't be long until we get X/E in Rebel Veterans!

Maarek needs to be at least 2 points cheaper than Vessery if he wants to be almost as good.

Vessery's ability right now makes him the best TIE/D, and Maarek's ability works nicely with Mangler Cannon, but not with any other cannon, he won't use either new title and will just be another overpriced Defender.

Maarek with TIE/D and predator will be almost as good as Vessery, so if he costs 34 points or more, won't ever see the table.

There is precedent for higher PS pilots being cheaper than lower PS pilots with great abilities. Obi-Wan's only hope!

Okay Tomax Bren is a precedent for pricing ships but is here really anyone believing seriously that Maarek won't just be in the middle between Vessery and Brath??

If he is cheaper, say 34 points, whats with the glaive squad? 33 for glaive and the countess? Given that, the glaive is 3ps higher plus ept compared to the onyx for just 1 point! I don't think so!!

They did it Royal Guard Interceptors.

Nothing, It doesn't change how the ship is flown, if anything the evade title makes you more predictable. The titles are only making Vessery and Generics better. It doesn't do anything new with the ship. Just makes existing lists like the Jonus Brothers better. Very disappointing.

You're aware Jonus Brothers doesn't work with either title, right?

Vessery's ability right now makes him the best TIE/D, and Maarek's ability works nicely with Mangler Cannon, but not with any other cannon, he won't use either new title and will just be another overpriced Defender.

That's why you don't put Mangler on him. HLC and Mangler are bad calls for TIE defenders now. I'd either go for Calculation because it's cheap or Marksmanship which modifies both shots.

Next preview we'll see what Tractor does in full and see how potent that'll be on the TIE defender.

People have been down on Tractor Beam when compared to Ion Cannon. If you have a mini-swarm, though, I think Tractor Beam can be great. Also, there are some ships that it will be worse to be hit with Tractor instead of Ion. What about Poe? His ability isn't that great when he's only got 1 Evade die and lots of shots at him. Anything with 2 Agility will be hating it. The chances of hitting a 3 Agility ship is the same as an Ion Cannon, but if you have more teammates firing, it makes those next shots a lot easier (if you hit).

Tractor can also be good at R3 when firing at even 1 Evade ships (like Y-wings). Your Tie Fighters with only 2 red can fire vs. still only 1 green after a hit. It's like Crackshot for the swarm.

People have been down on Tractor Beam when compared to Ion Cannon. If you have a mini-swarm, though, I think Tractor Beam can be great. Also, there are some ships that it will be worse to be hit with Tractor instead of Ion. What about Poe? His ability isn't that great when he's only got 1 Evade die and lots of shots at him. Anything with 2 Agility will be hating it. The chances of hitting a 3 Agility ship is the same as an Ion Cannon, but if you have more teammates firing, it makes those next shots a lot easier (if you hit).

Tractor can also be good at R3 when firing at even 1 Evade ships (like Y-wings). Your Tie Fighters with only 2 red can fire vs. still only 1 green after a hit. It's like Crackshot for the swarm.

Or even worse... Outmaneuver + Tractor Beam = Po', Po' Dameron. All that ability and no dice to roll...

I have thought of that one and it is nasty.

Thanks

Nothing, It doesn't change how the ship is flown, if anything the evade title makes you more predictable. The titles are only making Vessery and Generics better. It doesn't do anything new with the ship. Just makes existing lists like the Jonus Brothers better. Very disappointing.

You're aware Jonus Brothers doesn't work with either title, right?

Vessery's ability right now makes him the best TIE/D, and Maarek's ability works nicely with Mangler Cannon, but not with any other cannon, he won't use either new title and will just be another overpriced Defender.

That's why you don't put Mangler on him. HLC and Mangler are bad calls for TIE defenders now. I'd either go for Calculation because it's cheap or Marksmanship which modifies both shots.

Next preview we'll see what Tractor does in full and see how potent that'll be on the TIE defender.

I disagree. HLC Defenders still have a great punch. Will they be the best top tier option, no. But, if you know how to fly them, still a fun option.

More fun than TIE/x7 Turbo Edition and Double Tap TIE that does similar damage and control effects for a fraction of the cost? I respectfully disagree.

Tractor can also be good at R3 when firing at even 1 Evade ships (like Y-wings). Your Tie Fighters with only 2 red can fire vs. still only 1 green after a hit. It's like Crackshot for the swarm.

Does it say anywhere in what little information we have if it stacks or not? Because if not three TIE defenders could completely expose a high agility ship.

I'm not a huge fan of the bomber upgrades mostly because it just makes the tie shuttle into s weaker stress bot and still doesn't make it a decent ordinance platform. Guidance chips still aren't enough. I would of liked an additional title for tie bombers granting double mods for either long range scanner and guidance chip bombers or tie mk2 and shuttle or guidance chip bombers to make them viable. The defender fixes are hot however. Multiple crackshot are awesome.

More fun than TIE/x7 Turbo Edition and Double Tap TIE that does similar damage and control effects for a fraction of the cost? I respectfully disagree.

Tractor can also be good at R3 when firing at even 1 Evade ships (like Y-wings). Your Tie Fighters with only 2 red can fire vs. still only 1 green after a hit. It's like Crackshot for the swarm.

Does it say anywhere in what little information we have if it stacks or not? Because if not three TIE defenders could completely expose a high agility ship.

it says "per token"

of course, you gotta hit said ship first which kinda mitigates the usefulness

of course, we're missing about half the card of T-beams as it's being obscured by the fat bomber cards

I'm not a huge fan of the bomber upgrades mostly because it just makes the tie shuttle into s weaker stress bot and still doesn't make it a decent ordinance platform. Guidance chips still aren't enough. I would of liked an additional title for tie bombers granting double mods for either long range scanner and guidance chip bombers or tie mk2 and shuttle or guidance chip bombers to make them viable. The defender fixes are hot however. Multiple crackshot are awesome.

I don't see why there is still a problem. There are a number of people that complain all the various "fixes" aren't enough.

Extra Munitions goes a long way to make things affordable. Not only that, but it makes Homing Missiles only 3 pts each shot. Homing Missiles are the best ordnance as you still get to use the TL on your dice. That's FANTASTIC. That alone is a fix for the Tie Bomber.

Long Range Sensors makes Scimitar Bombers much easier to use. I've flown a lot of Tie Bombers and there are ways to get your TL and be useful, but it takes a lot of practice and sometimes goes wrong. LRS not just allows you to get the TL to ensure you can fire things, but it also means you can do it early and get a Focus for when it counts. So....that means your Homing Missiles can get a TL and a Focus. That's great to get the hits in.

OK....let's say that you think putting a TL on early is a bad thing. It allows someone to sit back and you waste your TL waiting for to get in range. Besides that being not such a bad thing overall, I'll just say you don't have to do it right away. let's say you just wait until the turn when you know people will be in range, and then you put your TL on your target....probably before they are in range. So, the whole problem of going with low PS and not being able to get the TL just means you use it right before you fire. That's still a good thing and they don't know who you will put the TL on.

Let's talk about Guidance Chip. What's not to love? You get to turn a blank into a hit. Let's say you take Proton Torpedoes. The averages for 4 red dice means you get 2 hits, 1 Eyeball, and 1 blank. That means you get 3 hits and 1 crit without needing to use the TL! Put it on a Bomber with Extra Munitions and you are spending only 2 pts for that ability. Think just roll horrible when it comes to ordnance? Try Concussion Missile. Two blanks turn into hits! If you are able to get a Focus at the same time, then you will definitely get some hits in.

What were the complaints about ordnance for the past few years?

1) You don't have good "action economy" to modify the dice. Well, Guidance Chip, LRS, and even just Homing Missiles fixes that issue.

2) Too hard to get a TL on low PS ships. Well, LRS fixes that. So does XX Tracer.

3) Ordnance is too expensive for what it does. Extra Munitions fixes that, too! What's not to love about ordnance these days?!?!?

I really don't see how people are saying that ordnance isn't fixed at this point....at last for the Tie Bomber.

Bombers with the fixes are incredible. They're stiff, which just adds to the fun strategic element of the game, and reward you by hitting as hard as freaking super dash (only better because homing = no evade)

Have yet to roll less than max damage with GC.

A lot of people overestimate arcdodgers and underestimate how much more impossible it is to hit through thrusters with generics. Well, homing missile bombers have you ******* COVERED

and we're not even getting into the amazing utility of seismic charges, which require no dice (Hell yeah!)

ofc, that's not so much Imp Vets as it is Guidance + extra munitions

Imp Vets for bombers is basically crackshot bren + Gammas at this point, as an unspoiled crew card leaves the potential of Tie Shuttle up in the air and an unspoiled Bomber promises perhaps even more awesomeness in the future

Nothing, It doesn't change how the ship is flown, if anything the evade title makes you more predictable. The titles are only making Vessery and Generics better. It doesn't do anything new with the ship. Just makes existing lists like the Jonus Brothers better. Very disappointing.

You're aware Jonus Brothers doesn't work with either title, right?

What? Jonus brothers works with the D title. Re-rolling cannon shots followed by a primary shot supported by a Jonus shuttle with that new crew and/or a Fleet officer. With the Jonus reroll you can have your focus tokens stripped by attacks and save the TL's for the Primary attack. It will be a list. What are you talking about?

Delta w D title and Ion x2

Jonus with Swarm tactics, Shuttle title, fleet officer, Ion Mk.2.

You've got 6 points to play with. This isn't new it's just a more efficient version of an old list.

Back to my original criticism.

Bombers with the fixes are incredible. They're stiff, which just adds to the fun strategic element of the game, and reward you by hitting as hard as freaking super dash (only better because homing = no evade)

Have yet to roll less than max damage with GC.

A lot of people overestimate arcdodgers and underestimate how much more impossible it is to hit through thrusters with generics. Well, homing missile bombers have you ******* COVERED

OMG...you are so right on the overestimation of arc dodgers! Everyone seems to think that Soontir will be able to just go from way off range to dodge the arc of every enemy in your list. It's like Soontir Fel has this god like ability to be out of everyone's firing arc. I have to say that even without LRS or Guidance Chip, I've been able to kill Soontir Fel in almost every game I've played vs. him.

Tie Bombers have a versatile dial that can do a lot. Just the 1 bank and then Barrel Roll (because you already have your TL) can cover a lot of space if you are trying to get people in arc. Also, the 5 K-turn is a great maneuver, as well.

Bombers with the fixes are incredible. They're stiff, which just adds to the fun strategic element of the game, and reward you by hitting as hard as freaking super dash (only better because homing = no evade)

Have yet to roll less than max damage with GC.

A lot of people overestimate arcdodgers and underestimate how much more impossible it is to hit through thrusters with generics. Well, homing missile bombers have you ******* COVERED

OMG...you are so right on the overestimation of arc dodgers! Everyone seems to think that Soontir will be able to just go from way off range to dodge the arc of every enemy in your list. It's like Soontir Fel has this god like ability to be out of everyone's firing arc. I have to say that even without LRS or Guidance Chip, I've been able to kill Soontir Fel in almost every game I've played vs. him.

Tie Bombers have a versatile dial that can do a lot. Just the 1 bank and then Barrel Roll (because you already have your TL) can cover a lot of space if you are trying to get people in arc. Also, the 5 K-turn is a great maneuver, as well.

It's because in a perfect world, Soontir always has space to move where he wants to go, and his opposition is always tries to put him in the middle of their arc (instead of the edge where he's got longer to go before he gets out the other side). There's also infinite time and space in Soontir-world, where he can arc-dodge indefinitely until he gets an un-returned shot.

The main p