Hey guys,

I would like to know your opinion on two new versions of my list. So far, I have been running 5 Obsidian tie fighters and vader. I have played several games with them and was satisfied with their performace. However I did find myself in a bit of pickle when facing 3+ defence dice ships.

Therefore I came up with these two lists:

1) Alpha strike build

Pros:

1. Vader has engine upgrade, so he becomes better arc dodger
2. Vader has proton rockets (I know, that with Advanced targeting computer and range 1 he throws 3 dice + 1c. But throwing 5 dice with rerolls is statistically so much better)
3. Ties have Crack shot - evades mittigation

Cons:

1. Proton rockets are one use only upgrade
2. Crack shot is one use only upgrade

https://geordanr.github.io/xwing/?f=Galactic%20Empire&d=v3!s!12:140:-1:-1:;12:140:-1:-1:;12:140:-1:-1:;12:140:-1:-1:;22:57,73:23:3:U.124

2) Long term fighting build

Pros:

1. Vader has stealth device, so he is better protected (especially againts TLT lists)
2. Ties have Juke - evades mittigation
3. Juke is reusable ability

Cons:

1. Vader is less mobile (no EU)
2. Vader lost proton rockets
3. Juke - I feel like I need several ships firing at defender, so the first shots force defender to use his focus

https://geordanr.github.io/xwing/?f=Galactic%20Empire&d=v3!s!12:152:-1:-1:;12:152:-1:-1:;12:152:-1:-1:;12:152:-1:-1:;22:57,-1:23:1:U.124

So what do you guys think? Has anyone tried flying simmilar builds? I would like to test both builds, but unfortunatelly I do not have too much time at my hands.. so theory x-wing it is

Thanks for your input

PS: I know that carnor jax would be awsome with juking ties, but he is very fragile

lose stealth and predator. gain VI and EU and youre at 99 initiative bid.

with the popularity of Poe and Soontir you want vader moving last with his EU

not convinced on crackshot blacks....at the end of the day theyre still just TIEs but if you like them then roll with it

Vader w/ VI, ATC + Engine = 35. Its a good build but damage is sometimes unreliable. I would only recommend this for players who are not good at predicting your opponent's moves.

Vader w/ lone wolf, ATC + engine = 36. Its the ultimate vader build, but works best in a 3 ship build (max 4 ships). You get reliable offense and reliable defense (when far enough away from allies).

What to run with him? If you go with VI, the 5 obsidians work fine----to punch through 3 agility you need to block and shoot at R1. If you can't set up that particular circumstance, they struggle to do anything consistent. As an alternative, 3 blacks w/ crack + Howl w/ crack gets you much more consistent damage but you lose a ship to do it...

If you go Lone wolf, you want no more than 3 other ships. Omegas w/ Juke + Comm are too expensive, so the alternative is Crack + Comm. Comm relay keeps them alive longer, but to gaurantee good damage after the crack runs out, you will want to be getting blocks, grabbing target locks when able and trying for R1 shots.

That's how I would approach it anyway...

I have had good luck running Vader with Juke, ATC, title, Engine. We don't have too much PS overbidding in my area, so 9 is fine, and it lets me run Howlrunner and 3 Blacks all with crackshot. This has worked well against the 3 def ships as they are forced to burn their focus from Vader, which opens up the crackshots to punch through. With Focus and Howlrunner, all 3 Blacks usually get 2 hits.

If there is a ton of high PS in your area, VI is gold, but don't be afraid to give things like Predator and Juke a try.

Thanks guys for your input. I also believe that VI is good upgrade, but I think that I can read my oponnet well enought to replace it with something else.

After your advice I will be trying two builds: http://geordanr.github.io/xwing/?f=Galactic%20Empire&d=v3!s!12:140:-1:-1:;12:140:-1:-1:;12:140:-1:-1:;18:140:-1:-1:;22:152,-1:23:3:U.124

and second one will use lonewolf instead of juke. I have to test if I am able to stay with vader at range 2 plus from my tie fighters.

I will also try omegas, but I fear that 3 ties do not bring enough attack dice.. But they will be pretty durable

http://geordanr.github.io/xwing/?f=Galactic%20Empire&d=v3!s!22:98,-1:23:3:U.124;182:140,153:-1:-1:;182:140,153:-1:-1:;182:140,153:-1:-1:

I played against a palpmobile list with soontir and vader. He had VI on vader and it worked real well against my Poe w/ VI

I'm going to give this list a try in the near future.

Omega Leader - Juke & Comm Relay (26

Omega Squadron w/ crackshot x 2 (36)

Vader - VI, EU, Title, ATC, Proton Rockets (38)

Vader moving last and shooting first getting into range one with PR can be devastating. He will likely be the opponents primary target in the early match. Tie f/o's w/ crackshot and Omega Leader can't be ignored

and second one will use lonewolf instead of juke. I have to test if I am able to stay with vader at range 2 plus from my tie fighters.

Just keep in mind that you won't always keep Lone Wolf active. Generally, its easy to do for the first turn of shooting, hard for the second, and then after that, depends on how things go. When I fly Vader, I either have him start close to the other guys and then break him off early to get outside of R2, or I just plop him on a flank, or I put him directly across from the enemy and use him as bait. All depends on the opponent, lists, asteroids, etc...

I played against a palpmobile list with soontir and vader. He had VI on vader and it worked real well against my Poe w/ VI

I'm going to give this list a try in the near future.

Omega Leader - Juke & Comm Relay (26

Omega Squadron w/ crackshot x 2 (36)

Vader - VI, EU, Title, ATC, Proton Rockets (38)

Vader moving last and shooting first getting into range one with PR can be devastating. He will likely be the opponents primary target in the early match. Tie f/o's w/ crackshot and Omega Leader can't be ignored

http://geordanr.github.io/xwing/?f=Galactic%20Empire&d=v3!s!22:27,73:23:3:U.124;180:153:-1:-1:;187:140,-1:-1:-1:;152:18:-1:-1:

How about this? All ships get ptl.. even Vader(lock focus evade?) if positioned well. Epsilon leader will then clear stress from all ships..

Youngster's ability does not work that way. Its only useful with elite cards that have 'action:' at the start. So: marksmanship, squad leader, expose, expert handling and daredevil. Also I believe his ability only applies to other TIE fighters, so Vader can never use it.

Youngster's ability does not work that way. Its only useful with elite cards that have 'action:' at the start. So: marksmanship, squad leader, expose, expert handling and daredevil. Also I believe his ability only applies to other TIE fighters, so Vader can never use it.

You are right sir

Hey guys, I have got mini - report for you. I have played 3 games on local tournament with this list:

Vader:

- Engine upgrade

- Veteran instincts

- Proton rockets

- Title

-Advanced targeting computer

Howlrunner

2x Black squadron tie with crack shot

1x Obsidian

1. Game:

Dual agressors (B and C). Both had: crack shot, HLC, FCS, Glitterstim, AT

I brought 3 biggest asteroids I could have, since I am capable to avoid them. I tried to make minefield in the middle of board, so the IGs will have less space to maneuver. I have deployed my ties in the left corner with Vader hiding behind them. My opponent deployed in the middle of his zone.. I guess to get his options open. My plan was to circle around asteroids and lure those IGs in. I successfully did so few turns later when my opponent got inpatient and tried to catch me. Since this moment every turn was at least one IG hitting the roid or facing wrong direction... I have anticipated his moves, so I have turned all my ties and vader towards one of his IGs. Unfortunately his dice was on fire.. both Vader and Howlrunner scored 2 hits, but both attacks were evaded. Then the HLC IG shot.. 4 natural hits, I rolled 1 evade = black squadron dead. At least my Obsidian managed to put one damage through. Next round was very similar. I got to good position, but Vader's and Howlrunner's attacks were evaded. This time IG shot Howlrunner.. 4 hits, 0 evades, Howlrunner is dead. During next few rounds we have danced in the asteroid field. Almost every turn I had advantage in position having at least two ships in range 1. During this time I was able to strip one IG from shields (other one lost 2 shields from landing on roids). Our game was quickly approaching the end when my opponent used glitterstim after executing segnor's loop. I sensed opportunity and blocked him one turn later with my tie and blasted him to pieces with Vaders proton rockets. With 6 mins left I had vader and obsidian left, so I was up in points. Unfortunately second IG one shotted my tie the very next round.. I had evade token, but rolled focus and two blanks against 2 hits and 2 crits. In the last 3-4 turn I was shooting last IG with Vader in order to strip his last 2 shields and win on points, but did not manage to get through his defence dice.

Loss, I scored 50, he scored 62 pts.

2. Game:

Major Rhymer: advanced proton torpedoes, advanced homing missiles, PTL, extra munitions

Captain Yorr with Vader

Tetran Cowall: PTL and AT?? not sure here

This game was pretty fast. I made my opponent believe that I am after his shuttle when I was flying towards it in the first 2 turns. He tried to flank me with his interceptor, but unfortunately for him, I expected him to do that. I have turned my ties towards Tetran, who had nowhere to run. Combined fire from my ties killed him (had to use all of my crack shots.. but who cares, right?) Meanwhile my Vader flanked his lambda. I knew that I have upper hand, so I used my prockets and killed Lambda in 3 turns of fire. During this time was Rhymer able to kill howlrunner and obsidian.. advanced proton torpedoes did 5 wounds each time (which is to be expected). I was left with 2 blacks and Vader with no shields. My opponent tried to maneuver as best as he can, but at the end I killed him.

Win I scored 100, he score 31pts

3. Game:

Poe Dameron + R2‑D2 + Veteran Instincts + Autothrusters
Gold Squadron Pilot + R3‑A2 + Twin Laser Turret
Gold Squadron Pilot + Twin Laser Turret
Bandit Squadron Pilot

Almost Paul Heavers list, but he had no btl, so he can shoot in 360 arc. I was confident that I could win this one. My ties shoot before his PS2 ships, I have re-rolls and good action economy. We have setup both of our forces facing each other on the left side of the board. I placed Vader in the middle of the board, in order to come from flank. I have estimated my moves in order to come to range 1 to those tlts by turn 2. My opponent was flying in tight formation and slowly inching forward. That gave my Vader freedom to do what he wants. In turn 2 I came with my ties to range 1 from all of his ships. He angled his poe at my Vader, who was coming from flank. After the movement, both Poe and Vader were looking at each other at range 1. I was forced to make a decision.. I could have barrel rolled and boosted out of Poes arc or I could get focus in order to fire prockets at Poe. If I will roll and boost, I will get to TLT range of both Y wings. I have calculated the risks and decided to stay and fire at poe. He had 4 dice with no rerolls, I had 3 defence dice, so I expected to loose max 2 shields. I used proton rockets, 5 hits and Poe rolled 1 evade and 1 blank... nice But then he returned fire.. 2 hits, 2 crits...oh my... I picked up the dice and rolled one focus and two blanks. I had to use focus to at least mitigate 1 dmg. Crti that I drew was direct hit... Then he realized that I am also in arc of his z-95. 1 hit, 3 blank evades and Vader is dead. My black squadron pilot gets mad and scores 2 hits on Poe. He evades one of them, I use crack shot and poe is dead. Well at least we exchanged Ace for an Ace. Rest of my ties focus one of the Y-wings dealing 4 dmg to it. Then it is TLT time.. my opponent is rolling at least two hits every time, I am rolling like crap, so Howli is dead again. In the next 3 turns I try to follow his wounded Y wing, but I am rolling lot of blanks. After 3 turns I down wounded Y-wing, but his z-95 kills one of my tie fighters. I am left with 2 tie fighters.. we continue to play for like 20-25 mins, but I am only able to inflict few more wounds on bot Ywing and z-95. He is eventually able to kill both of my ties with tlt (he is smart and he mixes his moves from 1 straight to 3 banks or even 2 red turns)

Loss, I score 62 points, he scored 100pts

Biggest disappointment was the third game. I should have played it safe and move my Vader out of Poes acr.. I know.

Flying the list: oh man I love flying this list.. it is fast, maneuverable and it can even arc dodge. I am satisfied with my flying performance. I was able to block important ships, get into range 1 easily and I did not land on a roid

Damage output: well.. what to say If you roll below average even slightly, you are going to have a bad time. Without proton rockets on Vader I wont be able to score lot of points.. Vader himself is also not a biggest dmg dealer. I have mostly rolled only one hit and then added 1 crit from ATC and thats not much.

Overall conclusion:

I like the list even though it did not perform as well as I expected. My dice failed me big time, but even when they did I managed to score decent points (I ended up in the middle of score list) I will continue to fly this list to get more consistent and statistically balanced results.

BUT I NEED to consider another dmg dealing ship in order to put out serious dmg.. my Vader costs 38 pts.. so far, I thought about Whisper with VI, ACD, FCS

Do you guys have any suggestions on which ship could replace Vader? Should I consider replacing him?

Thanks