Omicron Group Pilot, Lambda-Class Shuttle (21)

Emperor Palpatine (8)

ST-321 (3)

Colonel Vessery, TIE Defender (35)

Twin Ion Engines mk. ii (1)

Darth Vader, TIE Advancedx1 (29)

TIE Advanced X1 (0)

Adv. Targeting Computer (5-4=1)

Total: 98 points

Is ST-321 overkill for ensuring Vessery always, always has a TL?

If not, do I spend my remaining 2 points on VI and TIE mk. ii for Vader (making him the first to be targeted for sure)?

If so, I put VI on Vader and Vessery, Vader gets TIE mk. ii, and I still have a 2-point initiative bid.

Did I just answer my own question? Or is ST-321 worth it?

You answered it. Vader will be enough and you really want VI on him and you would like engine upgrade if affordable. With Vader at 11 he can arc dodge just about anything so he should be around a while for Vess to synergize his ability.

I've tried an almost duplicate build and it doesn't synergize as well as one would think.

Thanks for the feedback. Going to try this and see how it goes.

Omicron Group Pilot, Lambda-Class Shuttle (21)

Emperor Palpatine (8)

Colonel Vessery, TIE Defender (35)

Veteran Instincts (1)

Twin Ion Engines mk. ii (1)

Darth Vader, TIE Advancedx1 (29)

Veteran Instincts (1)

TIE Advanced X1 (0)

Adv. Targeting Computer (5-4=1)

Twin Ion Engines mk. ii (1)

Total: 98

You really (really) want engine on Vader. So much so that I think you should take the Mk. ii engines off both ships and eat your bid for it.

The only thing you lose is a little bit of stress defense. But the movement possibilities that you gain on Vader will likely make up for that small benefit.

You really (really) want engine on Vader. So much so that I think you should take the Mk. ii engines off both ships and eat your bid for it.

The only thing you lose is a little bit of stress defense. But the movement possibilities that you gain on Vader will likely make up for that small benefit.

I would actually say remove it from Vader but keep it on Vess. Vess doesn't need the VI though since bringing him to 8 probably won't matter much, but then definitely give Vader the Engine

I may play with taking VI off Vessery, but I'm not planning on putting EU on Vader. There was a discussion about this the other day that I saw that got me thinking; I link the two relevant posts to my manner of thinking here:

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/204348-darth-vader-with-or-without-engine-upgrade/#entry2082014

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/204348-darth-vader-with-or-without-engine-upgrade/#entry2082026

Do you think your skill level is equal to that top player at Worlds? Because I could play Heaver's list exactly as he did but I guarantee I'll lose a game or 5 in an 8 round tournament. That's because Heaver is a better player than I am and I acknowledge that.

You don't HAVE to play engine on Vader, but if you don't he will die first every time. There's nothing you can do to stop it from happening because he can't get away from the heat. You don't have the innate maneuvers to knife fight efficiently and staying at range doesn't work because you always have to fly forward and good opponents know this. Personally I lick my chops every time I see a Vader without engine because it's an easy and free 30+ points. You also don't have the tools to get into range 1 against TLT spam.

I played Vader at an SC a week back and took out a whole 5 ship list during end game with Vader. Cleaning up my own mess, yes, and surely not an optimal place to find yourself. But without engine there's no way that Vader with one hull point and no engine would have been able to do what one hull point Vader with engine did.

That is obviously my opinion. You should play him without but when you do analyze how often EU would have helped you and don't be afraid to put it on later. It is very good, that's why you see it way more often than not.

Thanks for the feedback, especially the point about watching out for TLT spam.

I in no way meant to compare myself to a player at Worlds. I simply cited BioPhysical's comment to make the point that Vader can be flown differently (i.e., without Engine Upgrade) and still be successful. (I think my second citation speaks to that fact.)

I'm trying to have a different build that's still competitive, but is neither a netdeck nor a sacrifice of my playing style upon the altar of Competitivity. I agree that Vader is drastically better with EU, but I don't want to spend the points for it in this list.