I did pretty well with

3 x Delta + Ion cannons

in casual games.

I mainly use the Ion Cannons against stressed targets - and of course to get behind targets.

So if the furball starts and there are stress tokens all over from k-turns or other sources,

Those Defenders can be so mean and deathly.

Just don't fly them like you would fly Interceptors. Fly them like you would fly Tie Bombers and all is good.

You're new so you're probably trying to fly it like a regular tie it isn't, it's not an interceptor meant to get in close but a sniper that comes in slow and sure laying down highly accurate cannon fire then breaks off does a five followed by a k turn and continues.

Pilots with the patience to learn the defenders can make them punch far above their weight.

Sadly most people try to use it as a jouster and that's not it's role so of course it doesn't work.

I'm undefeated since the vets titles were spoiled and I started using them in my games, people like bio and Sith who've taken the time to learn the ships strength will come as a real shock when vets hits and all the people who dismissed the defender will have no clue how to handle it.

So in conclusion OP git gud.

I have been playing with proxied cards and x7 Defenders with Juke are a tasty combo. I am interested to see how much the Glaives as I am hoping to be able to field 3 in 100 points. Crack Defenders will work OK but I like the re-usability of Juke.

Hmm, it depends how people are playing in your area.

I'd say this and it can be quoted for a record - PS1 TIE Defender with TIE/x7 will be one of the most dangerous small base models in the game, including ace pilots.

PS1, for 28-29 points.

True. Even the current Delta is dangerous if facing a single, turretless ships. My naked Deltas have soloed Wedge, Keyan and Corran several times already, and the free evade will make getting to that endgame all the more likely.

Though personally, this is going to be the list I bring to the first tournament after Veterans hit:

Colonel Vessery

- x7

- Crack Shot

Glaive Squadron Pilot

- x7

- Crack Shot

Glaive Squadron Pilot

- x7

- Crack Shot

The PS might be middling, but they'll still arc dodge generics, give Brobots pause, take a ton of punishment, and with Crack/TL/focus Vessery should be able to hit even Fel.

To the OP. It's a fast, small base, reasonably tough, high PS HLC carrier. That's what it does. It doesn't work for everyone, but it can really sing when it you figure it out.

My personal favorite build is Rexler Brath, Heavy Laser Cannon, Predator, Hull Upgrade. Yes, it's 50 points, but it hits harder without Focus than a lot of common aces do with Focus, and is a threat to every ship in the game.

Nothing will change except we'll see a little more vessery and some generics. Imperial vets is a dud.

Lol. If you don't think that people will be crying about falling skies once they get Defendered to death, you are deluding yourself.

He'll probably be one of them.

What is this ship good for? He came with the Ion Cannon card and hes the only ship i have that can even use it but since its not a turret i dont see any reason to use it over the main gun.

Take care to look at your ship's upgrade options. Defenders cannot equip turret weapons, just a single cannon and single missile. But, most cannon upgrades are well worth it. The Ion Cannon will absolutely be worth its points when Imperial Veterans is released, as you can equip the TIE/D title upgrade and perform an attack with both its cannon upgrade and primary.

The Defender can be a fun ship to fly, but as others have said, designers were overly cautious when pricing it due to its relatively powerful statline and white K-turn maneuver. In the coming months, they will come into their own as powerful superiority craft, and even much better match the lore that backs them up.

And yes i know theres suppose to be new cards for him in a near-future release.

You answered your own question. Vessery sees occasional use, but for the most part the defender is simply overpriced for what you get. Veterans fixes this and brings thrm back into usefulness

Nothing will change except we'll see a little more vessery and some generics. Imperial vets is a dud.

Hmm, it depends how people are playing in your area.

I'd say this and it can be quoted for a record - PS1 TIE Defender with TIE/x7 will be one of the most dangerous small base models in the game, including ace pilots.

PS1, for 28-29 points.

We'll see a LOT of Vessery and a LOT of generics, and potentially a lot of the unrevealed pilot, depending on her ability. We'll also see a lot more Tractor Beams, which will struggle to find a niche until the Defenders can attack with both weapons. The Empire has also been needing some cheap support options for quite a while, and the TIE Shuttle can alleviate that. FAR from a dud set.

Imperial Veterans is probably the best Aces-style expansion yet. And it's got some stiff competition from Most Wanted and Rebel Aces.

And yes i know theres suppose to be new cards for him in a near-future release.

You answered your own question. Vessery sees occasional use, but for the most part the defender is simply overpriced for what you get. Veterans fixes this and brings thrm back into usefulness

Nothing will change except we'll see a little more vessery and some generics. Imperial vets is a dud.

Hmm, it depends how people are playing in your area.

I'd say this and it can be quoted for a record - PS1 TIE Defender with TIE/x7 will be one of the most dangerous small base models in the game, including ace pilots.

PS1, for 28-29 points.

We'll see a LOT of Vessery and a LOT of generics, and potentially a lot of the unrevealed pilot, depending on her ability. We'll also see a lot more Tractor Beams, which will struggle to find a niche until the Defenders can attack with both weapons. The Empire has also been needing some cheap support options for quite a while, and the TIE Shuttle can alleviate that. FAR from a dud set.

Yeah, the dud comments smacks of either trollbait or an inexperienced x winger.

Charitably I will assume inexperience.

Has anyone mentioned that the TIE Defender cannot equip a turret? The original post mentions turrets a few times.

And AFAIK, we still don't know what the countess will do. Maybe she also has a powerful ability.

And AFAIK, we still don't know what the countess will do. Maybe she also has a powerful ability.

She flies a defender she's already coo with me.

I'm excited for Glaive. Do we know for sure it has an EPT? 34 or 35 points?

I'm excited for Glaive. Do we know for sure it has an EPT? 34 or 35 points?

We don't know price or EPT status, but 34 with an EPT is something I'd bet money on.

Defenders currently struggle with wanting to slow roll and snipe with cannons and wanting to zoom and boom close abusing the good dial when not stressed. Imperial veterans just makes either playstyle strong and gets the defender out of limbo which is terrific.

I tried Defenders on the basis that the ship looks awesome and biophysical's list sounded fun. It was, a lot!

I will echo the awesome or bust, if you make mistakes, the green dice will punish you, but when it works it's amazing. I'm not the best player yet, but the few times I managed to make Rexler and the FOs sing were amazing. To say nothing of Rexler solo'ing almost fully healthy Zeta Ace, Mauler Mithel and Dark Curse, all the while carrying a stress and without his stealth device popping. That was a brutal showcase of the mix 'n match 4k and 1 bank approach.

I'm so looking forward to veterans, and I do hope the points line up so I can run triple defenders. Though 2 defenders and Omega Leader would be sufficiently awesome too.

I keep saying rex with PTL mk.ii and x7 is pretty great but people seem reluctant because he hasn't got green hard turns.

Rexler Brath — TIE Defender 37

Push the Limit 3

Ion Cannon 3

Twin Ion Engine Mk. II 1

TIE/D 0

Ship Total: 44

Colonel Vessery — TIE Defender 35

Veteran Instincts 1

Tractor Beam 1

TIE/D 0

Ship Total: 37

Scimitar Squadron Pilot — TIE Bomber 16

Fleet Officer 3

TIE Shuttle 0

Ship Total: 19

This lists just plain mean, it's the sequel to my original DD list, DD the augmentation!

I know you and I disagree on PTL, but I really can't see it on the TIE/D. Predator is even better when you're making 2 attacks.

What's all this heresy?

The Tie/D is the greatest!*

The Emporers finest! I suggest you only run one in a list currently, I find it constantly surprises opponents, who dismiss it as the OP has. I took it to a tournament alongside a less than effecient team, a Mara APLshuttle and Turr.

Constantly my MVP with its Ion Cannon and enemies forever forgetting it's white K, even just a turn after it had done one. And I delight in ioning interceptors and bwings alike into the back of the APL's.

*does not apply in this game

I know you and I disagree on PTL, but I really can't see it on the TIE/D. Predator is even better when you're making 2 attacks.

OMFG THIS BROMANCE IS OVER!!!!

Predators solid always will be till the sun expands and burns the earth to a cinder there's no doubt about that, i just really like three actions on brath and although there's no hard greens 10 green moves is plenty for clearing stress.

We're rebels man we don't follow the herd like the sheeple, we fly defenders!

Rebels don't fly defenders. That's only loyal imperials. And disloyal imperials like Zaarin.

There are no rebels only terrorists selfishly endangering human lives because they've allowed themselves to fall in love with the alien, many suffer degenerative brain conditions as a result.

I know you and I disagree on PTL, but I really can't see it on the TIE/D. Predator is even better when you're making 2 attacks.

OMFG THIS BROMANCE IS OVER!!!!

Predators solid always will be till the sun expands and burns the earth to a cinder there's no doubt about that, i just really like three actions on brath and although there's no hard greens 10 green moves is plenty for clearing stress.

We're rebels man we don't follow the herd like the sheeple, we fly defenders!

3 actions?

Space Superiority Fighter. That's how they were sold to us, the E Wing as well. Seems like its taken the community a long time to crack the code on them.

I think the temptation to load them up is problamatic. Half your squad points in a small base 6hp ship is a recipe for disaster. I think they work best when loaded moderately.

Defenders always seem to draw a lot of attention, which can be great when you have a wingmate that isn't as stout as the Defender but might hit harder.

I felt the same as the OP for a while, only using the Defender to bring down large base ships. I struggled to find how I could use it when it seemed to be at odds with how the rest of my ships moved.

Then it just clicked, and I have been using it as a solid flanker since. It can be criminally easy to get position on an enemy with the white K turn. Light them up with a cannon upgrade at range three rather than give them the extra agility die. Hell, a proton rocket in the face with guidance chips is even an option. All this, and the titles aren't even legit yet. I dig this ship.

Rebels don't fly defenders. That's only loyal imperials. And disloyal imperials like Zaarin.

Vessery trained the Rogues to fly them, IIRC.