So, I'm toying around with a Vader list, and I want to know what the community thinks is the optimal build for him. I've come up with Predator, and Advanced Targeting computer. I'm also leaning towards accuracy corrector instead. Dice being the fickle things they are, AC, might be a better deal, freeing up an action that you are normally using for target locks, based on who's in your firing arc. The rest of the list is various named TIE pilots (Mauler Mithel, Youngster, Wampa, and Dark Curse). Thanks!

Nevermind

Advanced Targeting Computer is WAY better than Accuracy Corrector on Vader, because it hits much harder, Vader has the pilot skill to often move last anyway, and Vader has the extra action every round to get a target lock with.

I may be missing something, but Darth Vader can't take accuracy corrector, that's a system upgrade.

The TIE/x1 title gives TIE Advanced a System slot. Most people put Advanced Targeting Computer in that slot, but you can actually put any Systems upgrade there.

My personal fav:

Vader

Predator

Engine Upgrade

Title

Advanced Targeting Computer

Advanced targeting computer is the best systems for Vader. Makes his damage output much higher. If youre running him with that many tie fighters, maybe juke and AC to strip tokens. Epts I like are lone wolf, VI, crackshot, predator. I do normally keep as cheap as possible, 31/32 points.

VI, EU, TIE/x1, ATC

My personal fav:

Vader

Predator

Engine Upgrade

Title

Advanced Targeting Computer

This.

This is what I've used to absolutely demolish people in games and is my standard Vader.

the standard, by far, is Veteran Instincts ATC and EU

seen almost 100% of the time as part of palp aces as a direct counter to V.I Poe, who is in turn a soft counter to PTL soontir

part of why you need ATC is because AC's two damage will only punch through opposing poes and soontirs once in a full blue moon

Veteran Instincts is certainly a great choice as well, but it's value is dependent on your meta. PS9 is obviously good - as long as you are not facing PS 10+ bids.

You want to move last, if you can. And, if you are pairing with Soontir Fel as is often the case, you have the flexibility of a pair of PS9 pilots that you can choose the order they will go.

35pts with ATC, VI, EU and Title.

If you're not interested in PS11, you should probably be flying Soontir.

if you are going to a tournament with this build, then VI is a must. Otherwise you run the risk of not getting the last move. ATC makes Vader hit very hard and is also a must. Then add EU to turn him into a true arch dodger. Your at 35 points. you might add a missile if you can spare the points but its not an absolute. Predator is nice but again wont do you any good if VI Poe or Wedge is not in your fire arc. Good luck.

Vi

Engine

Prockets

Title

Atc

Alpha strike Vader. Allows you to just choose an enemy ship you'd like to delete so long as you can get into range one which is fairly easy with double movement actions and ps 11

38 points of Sith Lord HURT!

Darth Vader — TIE Advanced 29

Veteran Instincts 1

Proton Rockets 3

Advanced Targeting Computer 1

Engine Upgrade 4

TIE/x1 0

Ship Total: 38

My meta doesn't see a lot of Poe with VI, that's why I was going with Predator. The TIE Advanced only attacks with two dice, so AC is great at range 2-3. My dice seem to be fickle, so getting a guaranteed 2 hits with AC, as opposed to one crit with ATC (after getting a target lock), seems to make more sense to me. That's why I was leaning towards AC, because my dice seem to usually hate me, and I seem to usually barrel roll to get out of arc, then target lock, then I blow my attack roll, spend the target lock, and get one or two hits. My last game, I spent my TLs about half of the time, forcing me to acquire them again next turn.

My meta doesn't see a lot of Poe with VI, that's why I was going with Predator. The TIE Advanced only attacks with two dice, so AC is great at range 2-3. My dice seem to be fickle, so getting a guaranteed 2 hits with AC, as opposed to one crit with ATC (after getting a target lock), seems to make more sense to me. That's why I was leaning towards AC, because my dice seem to usually hate me, and I seem to usually barrel roll to get out of arc, then target lock, then I blow my attack roll, spend the target lock, and get one or two hits. My last game, I spent my TLs about half of the time, forcing me to acquire them again next turn.

Statistically speaking ATC is pretty much as good as AC if not better. Sure AC is a guaranteed 2 hits but from a statistical standpoint ATC should be exactly the same (with no dice mods) as you have 2 shots with a 50% chance of a hit of some kind +1 for ATC. You do have more room for variance but this goes both ways - positive and negative meaning you can do better or worse. Assuming you have a focus + lock you I think ATC is a better choice and the math seems to agree.

If you spend your TL to reroll your attack dice, then you lose the ATC ability, correct? ATC really helps out at range 1, giving you four attack dice with a guaranteed crit, but targets of opportunity at range 2-3, wouldn't it be statistically better to get two guaranteed hits? I probably have crap dice. Case in point, Echo had a Z95 with no shields, at range one, rolled 5 attack dice, got one hit, and one eye, and because I took an evade, he got away. That's how my dice treat me...

Start with a crispy man child.

Add sub par bionics, blend with a life support system weak against force lightning to ensure he's never a threat to you.

Then sprinkle with hope that one day you'll teach him how to heal through the dark side.

For EPTs, you're really looking at VI, Crack Shot, or Predator. I've tried Juke on him, but it requires just a little too much extra to really make work. TL/Evade is just not as great of a combo as TL/Focus for that first round of shooting.

I'm also thinking of running him with the Mk II engines over the EU. The biggest problem I have with Vader is getting him back into the fight when he needs to turn around, since his greens are just so terrible.

I like Predator, as any help with a two attack die ship is needed. The TIE advanced is slightly better than a Z95, and every little bit to help with attack dice is a big boost.

So, I'm toying around with a Vader list, and I want to know what the community thinks is the optimal build for him. I've come up with Predator, and Advanced Targeting computer. I'm also leaning towards accuracy corrector instead. Dice being the fickle things they are, AC, might be a better deal, freeing up an action that you are normally using for target locks, based on who's in your firing arc. The rest of the list is various named TIE pilots (Mauler Mithel, Youngster, Wampa, and Dark Curse). Thanks!

Accuracy Corrector is categorically not a better deal on Vader. ATC is incredibly powerful on a two action ship.

Your basic Vader is TIE/x1, Advanced Targeting Computer and Engine Upgrade. This Vader can fly like Soontir while being a crit dealing death machine. The EPT slot is open for you to take your pick.

My meta doesn't see a lot of Poe with VI, that's why I was going with Predator. The TIE Advanced only attacks with two dice, so AC is great at range 2-3. My dice seem to be fickle, so getting a guaranteed 2 hits with AC, as opposed to one crit with ATC (after getting a target lock), seems to make more sense to me. That's why I was leaning towards AC, because my dice seem to usually hate me, and I seem to usually barrel roll to get out of arc, then target lock, then I blow my attack roll, spend the target lock, and get one or two hits. My last game, I spent my TLs about half of the time, forcing me to acquire them again next turn.

Get new dice and take ATC

I'll fly him with Daredevil, nothing else. ATC, Title, EU, DD. Arc Dodge all day, stay behind whatever ship you choose. If need be, use DD to overlap a ship, thus avoiding being attacked by that one, or DD over asteroids for extra surprise ;-)

Predator gives you one reroll, but in my experience I stay much longer in R1 with DD, which evens out the offensive advantage of predator (unless fighting PS 2 or lower).

named Squadron (38)

Darth Vader — TIE Advanced29

Preadtor 3

Homing Missiles 5

Advanced Targeting Computer 1

Guidance Chips 0

TIE/x10Ship

Total: 38

I like out maneuver vs predator. with only 2 attack dice I think them rolling less helps a little more.