Two things stood out to me as I was toying with some builds I want to play once Imperial Veterans comes out: Scum will be punished by this expansion's best (only?) upgrade - and it's going to make Palp Aces/Deci-builds a lot more brutal/competent.

Long-Range Scanners. If a faction were to be crowned today for having put the most attention on Target Locks and the Ordinances they support, it would be Scum (Jumpmasters, cough*). So, naturally Long-Range scanners is a great fit. It would certainly make the Firespray a bit more interesting. But nay. Not a-one of Fett's colleagues, or any other Scum, has the proper missile/torpedo outfit. EDIT: I was corrected. Adding the Slave 1 title to single Firespray will give it the necessary missile/proton upgrade slots to be equipped with Long-Range Scanners.

On the Rebel Side? The K-Wing gets a nod.

Consider, too, that everyone is scrambling to solve the U-Boat puzzle: How do I chew through 27 total points worth of damage before being gunned down? The answer? Tomax Bren. Take a look at this 36-point build:

TIE Bomber: · Tomax Bren (24)
Crack Shot (1)
Extra Munitions (2)
Homing Missiles (5)
Homing Missiles (5)
Long-Ranged Scanners (0)

Pilot ability: Once per round, after you discard an Upgrade card, flip that card faceup

That's 16 red dice with a target lock (and/or chimps!) - and oh, that's right.. Tomax can Crackshot every turn.

EDIT: Deadeye is a very real option for this build to forgo Target Locks altogether - but Crackshot is just so tasy!

Also, Rexlar Brath is breathed new life that is going make things difficult for high-hull and squishy ships alike. Check out this Synergy:

TIE Defender: · Rexler Brath (37)
Rage (1)
Flechette Cannon (2)
Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)
TIE/D (0)

Pilot ability: After you perform an attack that deals at least 1 Damage card to the defender, you may spend a focus token to flip those cards faceup.

Pilot Skill 8 is important for Rex because he'll be pretty exposed when he Rages, stresses like crazy and reserves his focus for his second shot of each round (following a potentially token-stripping, stress spewing Flachette Cannon) to crit, crit, crit. To deal with stress we put the Twins on the Defender and you've got a dial that is green and white in all the right places. If you want survivability, switch the title to the Tie/x7 and maintain evades while you shed stress.

If you really want, Tomax and Rex can fit on the same team, with a Stealth Device Howlrunner. Though I anticipate one of them simply subbing in for an existing Imp Ace, based on player preference. Imperials have always struggled (but hid well) their inability to show consistent high damage output (thus the crisis U-Boats brought). I think Imperial Veterans changes that.
My only question is can you paint a bigger target on another ship so these two cannons can do their dirty work?

As an Imperial player I'm ecstatic, but I guess it's not just Scum that should be worried..

I like the Rexlar build but I am not convinced about Bren. You have spent a lot on missiles that need a TL to fire yet he can only get a TL and Range 3 and beyond. LRS are great for an alpha strike but I struggle to see him living long enough to get off more than 2 shots, especially once your opponent realises how much damage he can dish out.

Maybe you could run him with Colonel Jendon to feed him Target Locks at closer ranges?

Agreed. I think Long Range Scanners are best on 1-2 shot 'normal' bombers - the guys who normally have trouble getting locks.

Named bomber pilots and gamma veterans don't need to worry, because either high PS or Deadeye will compensate.

A generic Gamma Squadron Pilot with Long Ranged Scanners, Extra Munitions and Homing Missiles is a nice, scary shot without sinking too many points in.

I agree, although maybe chucking a seismic charge on pester higher PS ships once you have fired your missiles would be a worthwhile investment.

Minor correction: a single Firespray can take Long Range Sensors, because a single Firespray can take Slave 1 for the necessary torpedo slot.

Adrenaline Rush. White K-5 turns every turn and still getting to focus or target lock? Yes please.

I'm also looking forward to this set.

Tomax would go perfect with Crackshot offcourse.

But also consider this:

Tomax Bren with Lightning Reflexes, escorted by Capt. Jonus.

Put some concussion, cluster or proton rockets on him, with guidance chips and extra munitions. and you have a very hard hitting arc dodger! outfit his escort with 'wingman' to clear the stress!

You can outfit Capt. Jonus with a shuttle title and get a saboteur or Mara Jade as crew to do even more harm!

There are so many cool options with this expansion!

I'm normally a rebel player, but when this set comes out with Tomax and the new Defenders, I might switch sides for a while

I like the Rexlar build but I am not convinced about Bren. You have spent a lot on missiles that need a TL to fire yet he can only get a TL and Range 3 and beyond. LRS are great for an alpha strike but I struggle to see him living long enough to get off more than 2 shots, especially once your opponent realises how much damage he can dish out.

Maybe you could run him with Colonel Jendon to feed him Target Locks at closer ranges?

Completely agree - you have to protect him or pair him with something that is going to be a nightmare for the rest of their squad if they let it live (i.e. Omega Leader or the Inquisitor). I tried pairing this guy with a shuttle, and Jendon is the obvious choice, but quickly ran out of points (especially if you try to fit Palp on the shuttle).

I am excited that Tomax fit into the 30-35 point group that Imperial Aces are want to do, so maybe someone can come up with a list that utilizes him best (and paints targets elsewhere). Alternatively, Rexlar is going have to have teams build around him.

Agreed. I think Long Range Scanners are best on 1-2 shot 'normal' bombers - the guys who normally have trouble getting locks.

Named bomber pilots and gamma veterans don't need to worry, because either high PS or Deadeye will compensate.

A generic Gamma Squadron Pilot with Long Ranged Scanners, Extra Munitions and Homing Missiles is a nice, scary shot without sinking too many points in.

I think you're onto something spreading the "love" (points) out. I like having more than one ace on a team, though.. #imperialproblems

Minor correction: a single Firespray can take Long Range Sensors, because a single Firespray can take Slave 1 for the necessary torpedo slot.

I stand corrected - thank you, sir. I'm glad Slave 1 is a 0 point title in that case.

Indeed. Naff as it was when the expansion was released, extra munitions and long range scanners make the title a very good one...

Firespray: LRS, Homing Missiles, Slave 1, Extra Munitions... Weapons Engineer. For 3 more points, you get TLs on two different ships to threaten with Homing Missiles. Note, however, that Rebels can do this on a K-Wing for like 10 points less.

But still, I'm not sure I'd like LRS on a Firespray over Guidance Chips. It's one of the few ships that can use the "Turn to a crit" results, and die modification is always good.

It does make me sad that FCS and LRS don't work together; it would make generic Punishers really fun... I was having a lot of fun flying FCS Redline earlier today.