Ever since I got into this game, I've been a huge fan of Vader. Loaded up with all his great upgrades, he becomes even more of a house on the board.

This is my Vader build that pretty much goes in every Imperial list I have:

Vader (29): Predator (3), Engine Upgrade (4), TIE/x1 (0), Advanced Targeting Computer (1)

Total: (37)

I'm torn between two lists, but each of them run this Vader.

The first is a very evasive TIE Swarm:

4x Academy Pilot (12): Stealth Device (3)

Total: (60)

The second is just:

4x Epsilon Squadron Pilot (15)

Total: (60)

I guess this comes down to which is better: an extra evade die or an extra shield?

If you take the AP's, drop the Stealth Devices and just go for an extra Academy Pilot.

Otherwise, take the much more maneuverable /FOs

Hey, I am playing simmilar list:

Vader: VI,EU, TIE/x1,ATC

Miniswarm:

3x Black squadron, Crack shot

1x Howlrunner, Crack shot

I do believe that stealth device will not help U as much as U think. So far I played several games againts IGs, TLTs, new advanced prototypes with ordenance. What have all in common is to have reliable shooting. It is common for those ships to score 3 hits (4 in case of IG), so U will be loosing SD quickly.

Another think is that U R protecting 12 points ship, which is not wort protecting.

I believe that U lack bit of punch. If I had not have crackshot with my ties, I would not be able to hurt those IGs.. 3 green dice, good action economy and U have 2 red dice with no rerols.. If I were U, I would try to mix in named pilots such as: wampa, omega leader, backstabber, howlrunner, etc

Final thought.. I like predator on Vader.. Mine is underperforming. He ussualy scores 0-1 hits and I do not have rerols (apart from howlrunner), but I just dont want to cut into swarm points.

Agreed. The upgrade to Epsilon pilots will buy you much more than just a shield - the green hard turns, and speed 2 loops, make for a much more manoeuvrable craft - which makes them better at blocking for Vader.

You could even drop a single Epsilon to upgrade to 3 Omegas with Comm Relays and Crack Shot, the Evade token you carry around being as good as a replenishable shield.

Possible, but even with crack shot, I'd be hesitant about dropping below 5 ships in a squad that's mostly TIE fighters. It's my one concern with TIE/fo ace lists; no matter how badass the pilots, four TIE fighters is just 4 TIE fighters.

Also; you might also consider Veteran Instincts rather than Predator - PS11 gives Vader the edge to use his boost and barrel roll much more reactively.

That also saves you two more points, which lets you upgrade one of those Epsilon Squadron Pilots to Epsilon Ace - whose [sort of] Pilot Skill 12 gives Vader a wonderful Ace-hunting buddy.

I love me a Vader miniswarm. Nine differs in that I almost always fly PS11 to hard counter all those Fels and VI Poe's out there. I don't hut as hard by I am getting in your tail and staying there.

I have 3 squads i m trying to settle on.

5x Obsidian for lots of bodies.

3x Black with crack plus probably Howlrunner.

2x Black with crack and 2 Omega with crack.

If you insist on Predator, Vader has to get a lot of work done as all those 2 red ships are going to struggle against high agility while as you have done, an initiative bid is a must.. But VI Poe and the lime will still move after you.

Your first list puts way too much faith in green dice and while they are hot its great but they will fail you and you don't have a Soontir stack of tokens to fall back on. I'd go with the Eosilins as they have a much better dial and are more survivable. I'd prefer 4x black with crack though as they are more likely to push damage through and you still have an initiative bid.

Possible, but even with crack shot, I'd be hesitant about dropping below 5 ships in a squad that's mostly TIE fighters. It's my one concern with TIE/fo ace lists; no matter how badass the pilots, four TIE fighters is just 4 TIE fighters.

True, true, though the standard evade token you'll be carrying will make them function more along the line of Advanceds.

It comes down to a matter of preference

5 obsidians, 4 zetas or 3 omegas w/ comm relay + crack shot are all effective. I lean towards the TIE/fo simply because its a better ship both in terms of mobility and durability. Having the TL helps with damage output and if you decide to go with Comm Relay omegas, they really are tough. You might not be able to deal a ton of damage, but you won't be giving up a lot of MOV from lost ships, so it can work out (just kill more than you lose!).

I recently finished 2nd in a tourney with:

Vader: Juke, title, ATC, engine

Howlrunner: crackshot

3x Blacks: crackshot

Juke really helped soften up the targets for the crack shots to push damage through, and between it and ATC, it's a 2 HP swing on dice (I gain a crit, you lose an evade)

I've been having unbelievable luck with

Vader - VI, EU, X1, ATC (35)

Omega Leader - Comm, Juke, SD (29)

Omega Sq - Crack (18)x2

I'll fly Vader around by himself and the Omegas in formation, best case, they focus on either Vader or the Omega's allowing the other to flank. Worst case, they split their list but both have enough fire power to mess someone up. Just last night I took down a Fat Han build, a Bossk, Kath build, and a 2nd place World champ list of Poe and Corran.

I've been having unbelievable luck with

Vader - VI, EU, X1, ATC (35)

Omega Leader - Comm, Juke, SD (29)

Omega Sq - Crack (18)x2

I'll fly Vader around by himself and the Omegas in formation, best case, they focus on either Vader or the Omega's allowing the other to flank. Worst case, they split their list but both have enough fire power to mess someone up. Just last night I took down a Fat Han build, a Bossk, Kath build, and a 2nd place World champ list of Poe and Corran.

This. Except I run Carnor instead of Vader. Cracker Jax.

Still tinkering.

For an upcoming store championships, I settled on;

Vader, VI, EU, Title, ATC

Howlrunner, Juke

3x Black, crack shot.

Then I started thinking about Wampa. Replacing one of the Blacks with him is interesting to me. No Palpmobile to make his ability reliable but that chance to slip a damage through any amount of shields, tokens or mitigation is still nice.

As is the distraction he could provide from Howlrunner if an opponent heads for the miniswarm rather than Vader. Especially with Howl pretty much always taking evade for both survival and powering her attack.

I'm liking that the PS matches. I even get a 1pt bid over other PS11's. Worth the loss of one crack shot?

I don't know, I think you overestimate the distraction to Howlrunner he provides. Howlrunner will still be the enabler of most of your list. Take her out and Wampa drops considerably on the threat ranking.

You're absolutely right. That's why I'm unsure. Wampa may or may not muddy the targeting priority but as it's always been, it still is. When Howlrunner is about, she's gonna get shot at. Probably a lot.

It's really a question of crack shot vs Wampas ability + 1pt bid. It really doesn't affect how the list actually flies. Even down to the formation and manouvering of the miniswarm. It's all the same whichever is taken.

Maybe I'll end up tossing a coin?

I'm actually considering a 'pure' Battle of Endor force - I noticed that Chaser's artwork suggests he's Black Squadron too.

• Darth Vader - TIE/x1, Veteran Instincts, Advanced Targeting Computer, Engine Upgrade
• Mauler Mithel - Crack Shot
• Backstabber
• Dark Curse
• Chaser

It's really a question of crack shot vs Wampas ability + 1pt bid. It really doesn't affect how the list actually flies. Even down to the formation and manouvering of the miniswarm. It's all the same whichever is taken.

It is not, really. Wampa also dictates how your opponent flies and who they fire at first, especially if he/she has any 2 Hull ships, like Corran/Phantoms/A-Wings.

A 12.5% chance to deal damage straight to hull is scary, for just 14pts.

I recently finished 2nd in a tourney with:

Vader: Juke, title, ATC, engine

Howlrunner: crackshot

3x Blacks: crackshot

Juke really helped soften up the targets for the crack shots to push damage through, and between it and ATC, it's a 2 HP swing on dice (I gain a crit, you lose an evade)

Out of curiosity - as I'll be flying something similar soon, which list did you lose to and why?

I'm actually considering a 'pure' Battle of Endor force - I noticed that Chaser's artwork suggests he's Black Squadron too.

• Darth Vader - TIE/x1, Veteran Instincts, Advanced Targeting Computer, Engine Upgrade
• Mauler Mithel - Crack Shot
• Backstabber
• Dark Curse
• Chaser

Shouldn't that be Battle of Yavin?