How excited is everyone for this? The more I theorycraft, the more excited I get.

My real question is this: what do you think we will see more of, titled defenders or lists designed to counter defenders? Like what happened with the phantom, we may see more ANTI-defender lists than defender lists.

Just for giggles, what lists are you most excited to try (post Imperial Veterans)?

3x Onyx Tractor Beams. Because reasons.

I don't see Defenders having a specific counter, unlike Phantoms, so I don't think we'll see a lot of counter-Defender lists. Maybe auto-damage and/or Ion control if the x7 title really takes off, but even those aren't any better against Defenders than they are against everything else.

I like how the thread title fully acknowledges the fact that you're aware there's already a thread discussing this, but you decided to make another thread anyway...

When I said counter-defender, I suppose I meant counter-ion, and counter-tractor beam. I.E. large-base ships.

I'm itching to try 3x Glaive with wired and x7 title, assuming they come in at 34 base.

Ever since the Imperial veterans article was released, I keep coming back to this.

It may not be the most competitive, but tractor beam shenanigans followed by a TL modified Vessery primary seems like way too much fun. I keep having thoughts of my opponents last ship being slammed into asteroids turn after turn as Vessery abuses the white K turn and sets up shots.

I currently have two defender lists ready, one for each title:

Glaive with juke and X7 (x2)

Carnor Jax with PtL and AT

This assumes that the glaives will clock in at 34 points, and the list is a variant of my Carnor double-sensor jammer Sigma list. I might have trouble holding onto evades with all the aces about but between Jax and the white k-turn I think it can work.

The other is:

Vessery with VI, TIE/D and ion canon

Vader with ATC, EU, x1 and VI

Omega Leader with juke and comm relay

Both OL and Vader want target locks for their abilities which the defender can make full use of. Vessery gets VI in case you want to change firing order with OL. It's not a very defensive list but I like the damage potential.

When I said counter-defender, I suppose I meant counter-ion, and counter-tractor beam. I.E. large-base ships.

Large ships cam be counter-Tractor, but they're not really counter-Ion. They can take 2 hits, sure, but they're much more susceptible to hitting an asteroid or being run off the board. Furthermore, Turret ships pretty much rely on arc-dodging to stay alive. If they're forced to trade straight dice with a whole list, they're usually going to be in a lot of trouble.

I'll just be excited for more Tie Bomber action.

The Tie Defenders are fun, but I'm in it for the Long Range Scanners.

I don't see Defenders having a specific counter, unlike Phantoms, so I don't think we'll see a lot of counter-Defender lists. Maybe auto-damage and/or Ion control if the x7 title really takes off, but even those aren't any better against Defenders than they are against everything else.

This. There's not really a way to hard-counter a Defender, especially with the x7 title. They're just as beefy as t70's, but with an extra green die and evade token to boot.

Very excited to fly this:

Rex with Predator, x7, Twin Ion Engine (39)

Inquisitor with VI, v1, AT, Prockets (32)

Tomax with TIE Shuttle, Cool Hand, Fleet Officer, Twin Ion Engine (29)

Total: 100 points

I'm most excited about the all-new Rexlar. Everyone and their dog will be playing D1/Ves - I want to see what I can do with x7/Rex.

VI and mkII gives you a very nice new ace-iteration of the ship, and ptl unlocks his ability, meaning a lot of rounds he'll be sitting on TL, focus and evade, threatening to deliver a hamper of critical hits to your front door, from behind a very solid defence, for less than 40pts. People will fear his 4k into range-1 for 4 modified crit hits, and so the double-bluff game that's so important to defenders starts to stack in your favour more.

I love hard threes, 4k 5 straights with the defender, so I'm really looking forward to the x7 title. Plus D1 looks a bt broken to me, to be honest, so I'll probably steer clear from it...

How excited is everyone for this? The more I theorycraft, the more excited I get.

My real question is this: what do you think we will see more of, titled defenders or lists designed to counter defenders? Like what happened with the phantom, we may see more ANTI-defender lists than defender lists.

Just for giggles, what lists are you most excited to try (post Imperial Veterans)?

I don't think we're gonna see quite so many anti-Defender lists because even though they're about to get a real shot in the arm, they still take a great deal of skill to fly well. They're about to be more cost effective, sure, but that's not the same as being cheap or easy to fly. Also, I'm not totally sure there is a real hard counter for them (titled defenders).

I agree with Bio as there isn't really a hard counter to Tie Defenders. They are just excellent jousters. So, just go with whatever combos you go with to win your regular games.

Now, there will be tactics that people use, but not sure if I see list building going into it.

Plus D1 looks a bt broken to me, to be honest, so I'll probably steer clear from it...

Yeah, my games so far with three deltas toting ions and TIE/D have been very lop-sided in favour of the defenders. I'm not sure if its just a case of people needing more practice to deal with these guys, or if it really is OP. I feel like its gonna shape the meta once they are out (sorta like how twin lasers caused a big shake up...)

All totally valid points (no hard counter to jousters etc), and I look forward to exploring them all come March. I'm most lookin forward to all the titles. TIE/shuttle will see all kinds of creative us I think. I've considered flying:

2 x Delta w/ion

1 x Delta w/flechette

Lock down almost any ship, and without giving up much in the way of damage. Not sure I really like it, but should be interesting.

Glaive w/Juke and the /x7 title should be interesting, though I hadn't considered pairing with Carnor. I know Carnor is good I've just had such little luck with him.

I'm most excited about the all-new Rexlar. Everyone and their dog will be playing D1/Ves - I want to see what I can do with x7/Rex.

VI and mkII gives you a very nice new ace-iteration of the ship,(...)

You are evil.

PtL Rexlar, maybe with mk2 engines just to save some points will probably be the way to go, but do you suppose there's a case to be made for putting Juke on him or Vessery with the x7 title?

PtL Rexlar, maybe with mk2 engines just to save some points will probably be the way to go, but do you suppose there's a case to be made for putting Juke on him or Vessery with the x7 title?

Definitely. Make that free Evade do even more work. I could also see Wired to get some use out of the short turns as well. It all depends on how you like to fly. With Wired you're covering your weaknesses, with Juke, you're doubling down on your strengths.

Two things I am looking forward to:

1) x7 Vessery replacing my 34 point soontir in palp aces and the extra point gets the shuttle electronic baffle.

2) Vessery tractor /d crackshot with 3x accuracy corrector tempests. Lower their agility, move them around and feed them into the wood chipper.

PtL Rexlar, maybe with mk2 engines just to save some points will probably be the way to go, but do you suppose there's a case to be made for putting Juke on him or Vessery with the x7 title?

Definitely. Make that free Evade do even more work. I could also see Wired to get some use out of the short turns as well. It all depends on how you like to fly. With Wired you're covering your weaknesses, with Juke, you're doubling down on your strengths.

Focus, TL, Evade all in one turn... can't wait.

So how many preview articles do people think we're going to get, total, for this product? Obviously we've already had one, and I don't imagine another one is going to come out until it's nearly here (either when they hit the boat or hit the docks) to remind people that it's out there. Do people think there's enough there to release an article in the middle? Kinda depends on how they decide to split the info up.

No idea.

I'm pumped for all the Bomber stuff. Bombers are my favorite ship in the game and now we get more bomber stuff.

Though i'm not as excited about long range scanners as I feel guidance chips may be a better use of the mod slot.

2) Vessery tractor /d crackshot with 3x accuracy corrector tempests. Lower their agility, move them around and feed them into the wood chipper.

I'm almost there with you. I was thinking AC Tempests, but now I'm looking changing them with Valen with V1, Juke, and AT, and a pair of Sienar Test Pilots with V1. Target locks everywhere. Vess can take his pick.