I've got another Store Champs coming up in a few weeks, and after their solid performance at my last tourney, I'm looking to give my Tempests another airing - but I'm dithering over the details.

Perhaps if I put my thoughts out there, you guys can help me unravel them.

Last time out - due to lack of cards - I ran 2 AC Tempests, 1 ATC Storm, and Soontir with PTL, Title, AT, and TIE Mkii - saving a point for initiative.

This time round I've got enough cards for AC on 3 Tempests, TIE Mkii on everything, and I've even got a fourth TIE Adv so I could potentially swap Soontir for Vader.

My main concerns are stress builds and certain aces.

AC Tempests handle stress pretty well because they aren't dependent on offensive actions, and 3 green dice can provide a reasonable shout at evading damage even without any green tokens - but the dial is pretty stingy with its greens.

Therefore TIE Mkii seems like a very solid option for 1 point in an upgrade slot that doesn't have a lot of competition on this ship (EU Vader notwithstanding)

BUT - with only 33 points left, I'm restricted to a pretty bare bones Soontir (i.e no stealth or even TC) - add to that if Soontir does get tagged with a stress after PTL-ing, even if he doesn't suffer any damage, he can find himself in trouble.

SO - considering my Tempests are cannon fodder anyway (albeit quite resilient and nasty cannon fodder) - should I ditch the idea of TIE Mkii on them and use the points to optimise Soonts instead?

BUT - VI Poe is also a thing in my local meta, and VI Vader makes the occasional appearance too - while Poe's not quite as mobile as Soonts he can still ruin Soontir's day if he moves second - so maybe I should look at VI Vader instead? - while he's not quite as resilient as a stealthy Soont, his late movement should help to keep him out of more trouble than the baron ...... maybe

So here's my general ideas in terms of lists:

List #1

Tempest Squadron Pilot (22) x 3 TIE Advanced (21), TIE/x1 (0), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1), Accuracy Corrector (3)

Soontir Fel (33) TIE Interceptor (27), Royal Guard TIE (0), Push the Limit (3), Autothrusters (2), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

List #2

Tempest Squadron Pilot (21) x 3 TIE Advanced (21), TIE/x1 (0), Accuracy Corrector (3)

Soontir Fel (35) TIE Interceptor (27), Royal Guard TIE (0), Push the Limit (3), Autothrusters (2), Stealth Device (3)

List # 3

Tempest Squadron Pilot (21) x 3 TIE Advanced (21), TIE/x1 (0), Accuracy Corrector (3) Darth Vader (35) TIE Advanced (29), TIE/x1 (0), Veteran Instincts (1), Engine Upgrade (4), Advanced Targeting Computer (5)

Any thoughs? other suggestions?

Or maybe both Soontir and Vader, with the extra points to put Proton Rockets on Vader and your remaining Tempest ...

(I favor List #2 of those listed, because I like Soontir. With AC Tempests, though, my favorite list is four of them with Cluster Missiles.)

Or maybe both Soontir and Vader, with the extra points to put Proton Rockets on Vader and your remaining Tempest ...

(I favor List #2 of those listed, because I like Soontir. With AC Tempests, though, my favorite list is four of them with Cluster Missiles.)

I think if I was to run the Lord and the Baron together I'd probably bring the Emperor instead of a lowly Tempest - my gut and my experience tells me that tempests are best when spammed

Have you considered adding Omega Leader with Juke and Comm Relay? The good news is all cards can be found in the TIE/fo expansion. A full working ship for $15. Add that to Tempests and Soontir and you have something fun to play:

Omega Leader (26)

-Comm Relay

-Juke

Soontir Fel (32)

-Title

-PTL

-AutoThrusters

2x Temptest (21)

-Title

-AC

100 Points.

2 blockers, 2 aces. Stress is no problem.

I like both list 2 and list 3. Without a lot of experience running Tempests lately, though, I don't think I can counsel you on choosing between them. I will say that Soontir handles stress even worse than most aces, so if that and VI Poe are both hanging around in your meta, list 3 might be a better choice.

I like both list 2 and list 3. Without a lot of experience running Tempests lately, though, I don't think I can counsel you on choosing between them. I will say that Soontir handles stress even worse than most aces, so if that and VI Poe are both hanging around in your meta, list 3 might be a better choice.

Yep - that's one reason why in some ways I prefer Soontir with TIE Mkii instead of SD or TC - I'm still a comparative beginner with him and frequently find myself running out of green maneuvers

I'm leaning towards list 3 as well - not least because running 4 TIE Adv is something you'd have to have been insane to do this time last year

**Edit**

I suppose I could try dropping EU from Vader and equip the Tempests with TIE Mkii and get the best of both worlds - but on the occasions when I've run Vader without EU I've always missed the greater flexibility of arc dodging opportunities that it offered

Wanna know what makes poe drop his jaw and crawl in full turtle mode?

4 Black Cracks

Crack Mauler

Crack Stealth Howlie.

WRATH OFTHE EMPIRE INCARNATE

and trust me, I'm not kidding, it murders, then it reanimates the corpse to murder it again.

I like list 3. Just try to use a low PS ship as a blocker for Poe or other ace.