So I haven't played in a while but am excited to get my hands on an Imperial Veterans pack since I'm a Defender fanboy. What do you guys think of this squad?

Onyx Squad Pilot + X7 + Twin Ion Engines

Onyx Squad Pilot + Tie/D + Engine Upgrade + Ion Cannon

Fel + PTL + Autothrusters

I think Fel + 2defenders will be really strong! I don't think that engine upgrade on a PS3 ship will be that useful though. Perhaps on a PS1 with x7 you could have a crazy blocker, but I would prefer to swap those 4 points for a stealth device on Fel and an initiative bid.

Way back in the day, I was flying a pair of Deltas w/ ion cannons alongside Fel w/ title, PTL, autos & TC (and before autothrusters came out, I was just using target comp).

Anyway, the list had issues. Mainly, because Soontir is forced to do Soontir things (like run away when being focussed on) the list lacked punch.

With TIE/D title on the horizon, it has new life. In fact, I think its pretty solid now. Firepower is no longer an issue, and you don't really need an initiative bid, because you have two PS 1 blockers that also offer some pretty effective control.

The list will still struggle against alpha strikes though. One solution is to use Fel aggressively as bait to draw something like torpedo scouts away from the deltas. Unfortunately, its risky, because while Fel *might* be able to shrug off one torpedo shot with lucky green dice, he definitely can't take two to the face. Some fancy flying will be required to keep Fel from packing it in...

Alternatively, to strengthen the list against Torpedo Scouts, you can take the x-7 title. This greatly improves the defender's survivability, but you lose the control element, obviously. You can gain back an initiative bid though:

either 'standard' Fel (35) or Target comp Fel (34)

Delta w/ x-7 + engine = 32

Onyx w/ x-7 + TIE mk 2 = 31

98 or 97

I don't think running a single ion cannon is ideal. You don't always hit with it for one thing (so having two for better odds of ionizing a high priority target is a very good idea). Also, if you lose a defender early, it will almost always be the TIE/D, and so you won't get as much value out of it.

For example:

Same Fel options (34 or 35)

Delta w/ TIE/D + ion cannon = 33

Onyx w/ x-7 & TIE mk 2 = 31

98 or 99

The delta is too obvious a first target and will die relatively quick. There's not much you can do about it neither, except again try to bait with Fel. But ultimately, double X-7 or double TIE/D ion deltas will just be superior (depending on matchup)

I ran a similar double Delta list with Soontir. I think I put 1 fletchette and 1 ion cannon on the Deltas. It was okay, nothing spectacular. I think by adding just the D title the list becomes pretty solid:

Delta Squadron Pilot (30)
Flechette Cannon (2)
TIE/D (0)

Delta Squadron Pilot (30)
Ion Cannon (3)
TIE/D (0)

Soontir Fel (27)
Push the Limit (3)
Stealth Device (3)
Autothrusters (2)
Royal Guard TIE (0)

Total: 100

You nearly double the dice you are throwing at the opponent. A bunch of the attacks will likely be un-modified, but so will there defense dice. You don't get an initiative bid though. Not really room to work one in.

Alternatively, I like this squad:

Glaive (assuming 34 points) + Juke + x7 title X 2 = 68

Carnor + PTL + ATs = 31

= 99

If the Glaives are for some reason 33 points, then you can throw Hull or SD on Carnor. I think this squad would win the mirror match against the Fel + Onyx/Delta.

I assume that Glaive Squadron's will have an EPT and be 34pts. Based on that assumption, I could see running 2 of them with the -2/Evade title, and Predator, putting them at 35pts each. If they take a focus action, they have a full suit of Pred/Focus/Evade on every single turn that they go fast. That's CRAZY solid on a ship with 3 green dice and 6HP. You can run a pair of those, and that's your workforce. They do the bulk of the heavy lifting for 70pts.

Okay, now we have 30pts left and no answers to high PS Aces. Bummer. What do we do? You're gonna have two options. One of these options is Omega Leader with Juke/Comm/Stealth Device. Very solid. Just hang back a bit with him and let him clean-up enemy ships like Soontir who you otherwise wouldn't be able to harm with the Defenders.

The other option is to take the new TIE Bomber, Deathfire. His ability is going to be amazing at dropping Conner Nets on people, which is another way to let your Defenders eat up these action-dependent super aces. Just barrel roll into a spot where Deathfire can drop a Conner Net onto the enemy Poe or Vader or Soontir or what have you, and then let the Defenders gobble them up.

Anyway, that's how I'd run a list with 2 Defenders. I mean, I probably won't ever run a list with more than one Defender because I like to give myself a variety of options, but if I were going to do it, I'd run them that way, with OL or Deathfire.

I think this squad would win the mirror match against the Fel + Onyx/Delta.

I'm not so sure about that. I think the Fel + Onyx is weaker in that particular matchup, so yeah, maybe there. But the double deltas w/ ion can kill Jax relatively easy even without actions (via the 'throw-enough-poo-some-will-stick' method, and they can still TL).

Anyway, that's how I'd run a list with 2 Defenders. I mean, I probably won't ever run a list with more than one Defender because I like to give myself a variety of options, but if I were going to do it, I'd run them that way, with OL or Deathfire.

OL is a solid idea---99 points is ideal so the Glaives get the bid vs IG88s. Deathfire may or may not be able to catch an ace with a conner----all comes down to player skill

I think this squad would win the mirror match against the Fel + Onyx/Delta.

I'm not so sure about that. I think the Fel + Onyx is weaker in that particular matchup, so yeah, maybe there. But the double deltas w/ ion can kill Jax relatively easy even without actions (via the 'throw-enough-poo-some-will-stick' method, and they can still TL).

If Carnor can't dodge arcs, yeah then he's probably screwed but if you can trade Carnor for Soontir, I think you have the advantage. It will be hard for the Delta's to ion the Glaives with that evade token.