I'm not going to hold back here, I have an upcoming local store tourney. I have several days to prepare for it. I have always flown imperial ships and that isn't changing. People in the community, what Imperial lists have been working really well with the current meta of regen, turrets, and stress? I have access to multiples of every imperial small ship and one of every large. I have a raider so it's upgrades are available as well. What can I build that will work well against a majority of the meta lists right now? I really will appreciate any help I get here.

An addendum, upgrade cards are a non-issue, so really help me build something spectacular.

I have had explosive success with vader homing missile crack shot, Redline homing(assault) missile, and crack shot zeta leader. Blow apart an ace or tlt becorw the game starts. And... The ultimate edgelord move of having assault missiles against a swarm.

I like the 5 black ties with crackshot plus1 obsidian 1 academy. I think It's mostly better than 6 crack ties.

Thanks for a quick reply. I definitely like anything with Vader in it. He's probably the best pilot for points in the game right now (at least imo).

So how about I start with something along these lines:

Vader 29

Tie/x1 0

Advanced targeting computer 1

Engine upgrade 4

Veteran instincts 1

Clocks in at 35 points. I don't see any ace out performing good old Vader.

Vader without lone wolf is pretty soft in my play testing. I wrecked him in my last two games. With Palpatine support. Even crackshot ties don't have a terrible time against him. He is a really cool pilot, but strangely, he needs a list.

Alright, so what do I bring to support Vader? I could go for the super obvious second ace and palp shuttle, but I just don't like the pope-mobile. Lambda shuttles and I don't get along and 29 points not contributing well hurts. Would the new tie/fo's have any place in a competitive setting? If not, then perhaps a classic mini-swarm?

If you want to do 3 aces Vader and Soontir can both be played at 35 points each, which leaves you with 30 points left. My favorite use of 30 points is a sigma with FCS, Intel Agent, and Stygium.

You could also add two Cracksquad Ties as a very solid 30 points. The way to deal with the meta right now is more about how you fly, rather than what you fly. Regen? Block it and get guns on it. TLT? Get in range 1, and have AT 3green for the rest. Stress? Kill the stressor ASAP, crackshot, etc. Also Arc dodge, as Stressbot and tactician require arc.

Alright, I like the thought process there. So, as a for instance, how about this?

Vader (35)

Vet instincts

X1

Adv comp

Engine

Carnor Jax (34)

Ptl

AT

Stealth device

Black squadron (15x2)

Crack shot

That's 99. I could drop the stealth device for a shield upgrade on carnor. With the thought process on turrets being get close, would carnor be stronger than soontir? I like that he makes all of the ships better rather than just being a boss on his own.

What works consistently against those problems you mention Gersun, is alpha strike. I'm talking vader with crackshot homing missile and more front end damage. Tlt is on the back foot when it never gets to fire it's 4th tlt.

I do see alpha as being an excellent way to deal with problems like regen, and really crippling a tlt or stress bot would be a big deal. Vader is probably the best pilot to get around the seemingly bad action economy on ordinance. I will definitely give that Vader build a test flight. I have a friend who plays rebels running a Miranda Doni + super dash build which I see as pretty representative of most of the rebel meta (will need to test against a stress bot as well.) but for the sake of interest I'm going to build a list with that Vader right now.

How about

Vader (40)

Crack shot

Homing missle

X1

Adv comp

Engine

Black squadron (15x4)

Crack shot

Anything else that could full the 60 points well? I know and love the classic tie fighter and crack shot really makes them perform better than they used to.

I think Vader is strictly better than Soontir in your squad. I'm not sold on engine Vader, but I nust fly jank. Engine fits nicely, people can't really afford to let 4 crack ties run around willy nilly.

I appreciate all of the feed back. I suppose all that's left at the moment is to test and report back. I'm not 100 percent sold on the missile just yet, but that's just because I haven't used ordinance in a competitive squad before. (love Prockets in casual play though, so I'm willing to give homing missiles a shot.)

Vader is really solid with a homing missile, no doubt, but if I am going to spend 40 points on Vader I prefer to use predator and prockets, because it can do 6 damage without spending your target lock and predator is better for an end game. You can still add in 4 crack squadrons, but it is all preference at this point. All the mentioned lists are great, and it all comes down to play style. If you flymwell, you have a great shot at winning, but if you make a few errors, you are putting the game in your opponent's hands.

I personally love Carnor Jax because he helps everyone in your list. I would leave that list at 99 points for a small initiative bid.

Redline with Fire Control System, Extra Munitions, Cluster Missiles, and Cluster Missiles (39 points of face wrecking fun)

Delta Squad Pilot x2 (30 points each)

Or Swap out Redline for Vader in the TIE x1 with Proton Rockets, Predator, Engine Upgrade, and Advanced Targeting Computer (40 Points)

That first Range 1 attack with the Proton Rockets, Focus , and Target Lock is going to hurt a lot.

I like the idea of running redline, but I can't see doing it till guidance chip exists. I have the same issue with defender's. Rexler brath and colonel vessery are both awesome pilots, but I've been let down by the defender before. The ship is great on paper but in game it can't deal with stress, and that's a huge part of the meta currently.

On the topic of punishers though I've had great success with deathrain. My go to build is:

Death rain (40)

Experimental interface

Proxy mines

Proxy mines

Extra munitions

Advanced sensors

Alot of points, but the action economy is great and I adore catching people off guard with a "bomber" that can boost barrel roll and deal unavoidable damage all in the same round. Follow up with a green maneuver and do it all again next round. Give it a shot some time.

I am doing wonders with this list!

Everybody forget that bomber because I play Veder very aggressive so he usually lost his shields but then he is a monster in R1
Bomber form the second wave and he uses his missile on the right target.

Try it!

Darth Vader (35) TIE Advanced (29), TIE/x1 (0), Veteran Instincts (1), Engine Upgrade (4), Advanced Targeting Computer (5)

“Whisper” (42) TIE Phantom (32), Rebel Captive (3), Fire-Control System (2), Veteran Instincts (1), Advanced Cloaking Device (4)

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (23) TIE Bomber (16), Extra Munitions (2), Homing Missiles (5)

Alright, I like the thought process there. So, as a for instance, how about this?

Vader (35)

Vet instincts

X1

Adv comp

Engine

Carnor Jax (34)

Ptl

AT

Stealth device

Black squadron (15x2)

Crack shot

That's 99. I could drop the stealth device for a shield upgrade on carnor. With the thought process on turrets being get close, would carnor be stronger than soontir? I like that he makes all of the ships better rather than just being a boss on his own.

I think that's a good list, although I would go with hull on Jax over stealth, since stealth is more likely to pop quickly on Jax due to rarely being at R3.

I am doing wonders with this list!

Everybody forget that bomber because I play Veder very aggressive so he usually lost his shields but then he is a monster in R1

Bomber form the second wave and he uses his missile on the right target.

Try it!

Darth Vader (35) TIE Advanced (29), TIE/x1 (0), Veteran Instincts (1), Engine Upgrade (4), Advanced Targeting Computer (5)

“Whisper” (42) TIE Phantom (32), Rebel Captive (3), Fire-Control System (2), Veteran Instincts (1), Advanced Cloaking Device (4)

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (23) TIE Bomber (16), Extra Munitions (2), Homing Missiles (5)

This is a solid list. A stresshog will really ruin Whisper's day unless you PS kill it. Other than that (and a Vader-Gunner decimator, but that is less common) it has no real weaknesses.