This is a list I've been mucking about with for a while. I've got a tournament coming up at the end of the month and was thinking about bringing it. Does it stand a chance in the current meta, or am I fooling myself because I like how it looks on the table?

Defender and Mini-Swarm (99)

Rexler Brath (50) - TIE Defender

Adaptability +1PS (0), Proton Rockets (3), Heavy Laser Cannon (7), Hull Upgrade (3)

"Scourge" (19) - TIE Fighter

Juke (2)

Black Squadron Pilot (15) - TIE Fighter

Crack Shot (1)

Black Squadron Pilot (15) - TIE Fighter

Crack Shot (1)

I like it, but I honestly don't think it stands much of a chance. TIE Defenders are just currently too expensive for what they bring. Once the two new titles come out with the Imperial Veterans pack though, I think it will finally be the amazing ship it should have always been. Go ahead and try it if you want; I doubt many players are used to countering the Defender and it's awesome maneuver dial that has a white Koiogran turn.

At an SC I flew a Vessery squad and there were a few defender lists, top result was 12th it of fiftyish. They fly well, but I had no answer for palp aces.

I'm not sure what chance it has against Aces or even triple torpedo scouts, but I strongly recommend dropping the proton rockets and adaptability to give Rex predator. He doesn't want to be in range 1, so the prockets only encourage you to fly him into a bad spot, and adaptability's 'gain' here is questionable (PS 9 doesn't mean much without initiative bid, unfortunately).

Predator will equal greater damage output over the course of the game anyway, and give you better odds of actually getting a chance to use Rexler's ability...

Prockets are 'meh' on Defenders anyway. You are only gaining 1 extra die at range 1, once. That's a lot to pay 3 points in your list for.

If you are dead set on running Rexler pre Imp Vets, then I'd go for more mass - more bodies on the table.

Something like: http://geordanr.github.io/xwing/?f=Galactic%20Empire&d=v4!s!71:57,-1,-1:-1:17:;153::-1:-1:;12:140:-1:-1:;12:140:-1:-1:;12:140:-1:-1:&sn=Unnamed%20Squadron

Or Pred Rexler and 5 x Academy Pilot.

I had Predator on him at one point and ran into a serious case of eight-itis. Basically he would get outmaneuvered by PS9+ aces. So I went to Adaptability and Prockets for that once per game triggering of his pilot skill after a 5 dice attack. I can go back to Predator. Or maybe something like Lone Wolf or Outmaneuver?

Lone Wolf is epic, but can be hard with a miniswarm. If you really want to play the PS game, drop Prockets and get VI with a bid. Otherwise, Predator is the EPT of choice on Rex.

I'm not sure Juke is doing that much on Scourge, either.

I ran Mauler, Scourge, and Wampa alongside Rex in a tournament a few weeks ago. You could also sub out Backstabber for Wampa, to taste. Lots of good 3 TIE options for the 50 point ballpark, and guys like Mauler are actually pretty mean to aces at PS9.

Like this?

Defender and mini-Swarm (99)

Rexler Brath (50) - TIE Defender

Predator (3), Heavy Laser Cannon (7), Hull Upgrade (3)

"Scourge" (18) - TIE Fighter

Crack Shot (1)

Mauler Mithel (17) - TIE Fighter

Adaptability (0)

"Wampa" (14) - TIE Fighter

It wasn't the mini swarm that was bad in the initial list, it was Rexler. I am sorry, but 50 points is WAY too much for what he does. You could get a fully kitted Soontir or Vader, plus another Crack Black, for those points. And that would land you at a pretty decent list.

Like this?

Defender and mini-Swarm (99)

Rexler Brath (50) - TIE Defender

Predator (3), Heavy Laser Cannon (7), Hull Upgrade (3)

"Scourge" (18) - TIE Fighter

Crack Shot (1)

Mauler Mithel (17) - TIE Fighter

Adaptability (0)

"Wampa" (14) - TIE Fighter

I had VI on Mauler to bother Whisper, and Adaptability on Scourge to match Rex.

I'd sacrifice many small animals for Imperial Veterans to be out before the 30th. Sadly, I don't believe it would help.

Regardless, I'm going to follow Biophysical's advice and try the list on Wednesday. If it performs well I'll take it to the Stele Open.

Imperial Veterans will not do anything for HLC Rexler.

True. But then I'd swap the HLC for an Ion Cannon and TIE/D title. Those 4 points could be used in a lot of exciting ways.

I think that once vets is released, my Rexler Brath build would look like this:

Rexler Brath 37

Tie/x7 -2

Predator 3

Tie MK 2 1

Total -39

Pretty much the goal is to be able to focus every turn so that you can activate his ability if the opportunity arises. That being said, I'd use his ability sparingly, keeping in mind that a Defender doesnt have enough hull to just soak up dmg.

With the idea of playing defensively, you could also swap out Tie Mk 2 for a stealth device and feel relatively safe behind 4 evade die, a focus and an evade.

Anyways, your standard Soontir Fel build is 35 points and Darth Vader is normally 37-40 poimts so with such a close margin I'm thinking that Rexler and Colonel Vessery could be a new additions to Palp Aces. (especially with how well Vessery's ability is complimented by Adv. Targeting Computer)

My go to Defender list presently is:

Rex with Predator

4 x Black Squadron with Crackshot

Works ok, manages to put out the hurt on anything Ps3 and lower and Rex is a consistent damage platform. Would like the X7 title on him though to squeeze in Mk2 engines and have a point spare but what'ya gunna do?

The other one I have in lieu of actually have Vets is:

Howlrunner with Swarm Tactics

Black Sqd x 3

Vess with VI, Tractor Beam, /D title

99 points.

Only reason I have Vess is because I don't know what the glaive sqd is points wise.

I will definitely be flying some Defenders after Imperial Veterans comes out. Sadly, though, I think Vessery is the only pilot worth taking to a tournament (and perhaps the Countess, depending on her ability).

These are the best (theoretical) lists I have come up with so far:

Colonel Vessery

- Veteran instincts

- TIE/x7

- TIE mk II

Omega Leader

- Juke

- Comm relay

Whisper

- Veteran instincts

- FCS

- ACD

100 points

Could exchange VI on Vessery for an Intelligence agent on Whisper, to help her out. Or for an initiative bid.

Colonel Vessery

- Crack shot

- Ion cannon

- TIE/D

- TIE mk II

Darth Vader

- Adaptability

- TIE/x1

- ATC

- Engine upgrade

Not sure if it is legit, but I saw a version of the Countess Ryad Card:

Iran Ryad - TIE Defender - 34 Squad Points - Pilot Skill 5

Pilot Abilty - You may equip up to 3 modification upgrades (instead of 1). You must equip at least 1 Modification Upgrade.

Upgrade Bar - Elite Pilot Talent (Missle and Cannon Upgrade Slots are ommited)

Attack-3 Agility-3 Hull-3 Shield-3

I think it's an interesting concept, that her upgrade bar get's an overhaul to make way for custom mods and seems really cool. If it is legit, this would be my first thoughts on a build.

Iran Ryad 34

Engine Upgrade 4

Autothrusters 2

Tie/x7 -2

Tie/Mk II 1

Predator 3

Total 42 Points

As far as I know, she hasn't been spoiled yet. And 34 points sounds cheap for a PS 5 pilot with and ability.

Edit:

The card on the released picture starts with "Count...", so her name is definitely not Iran Ryad. And her pilot ability starts with "When...", so my guess is she has a triggered ability, not a static one. I assume you have stumbled into a false rumor.

I always run Rex with PTL now that the TIE MkII engines are available. You need that focus token for his ability. I would run your list like this -

Rex - PTL, HLC, Tie MkII - 48 points

Scourge - Juke - 19 points

Black Sq Pilot - Crackshot - 15 points

Black Sq Pilot - Crackshot - 15 points

That puts you at 97 points. If you wanted initiative, you're laughing. If you want to add prockets, you could, and you would jump up to 100 points. But Rex almost needs PTL to ensure he has that Focus. If he Focuses and Pushes to stress himself, he needs the Mk II engines to shed the stress.

Imperial Veterans will not do anything for HLC Rexler.

Vets does wonders for Rexler, but not for any cannon build.

x7/Juke and a Bomber Buddy to feed him a TL and an extra Focus token. Yeah.

Imperial Veterans will not do anything for HLC Rexler.

Vets does wonders for Rexler, but not for any cannon build.

x7/Juke and a Bomber Buddy to feed him a TL and an extra Focus token. Yeah.

Imperial Veterans will not do anything for HLC Rexler.

Vets does wonders for Rexler, but not for any cannon build.

x7/Juke and a Bomber Buddy to feed him a TL and an extra Focus token. Yeah.

I think you're confusing Rexler and Vessery. Rexler will get a nice buff from TIE/D but everyone seems to be more excited by how much more it should do for Vessery. I should have said 'everyone else' since I'm not all that excited by a PS6 pilot based on my meta.

I said nothing about TIE/D at all. Rexler wants /x7. /x7 and Juke gives him a strong offensive modifier for free, leaving him able to keep his focus token to flip all his his faceup.

Vessery IS going to be scary with TIE/D, I've tried it.

As with any lower-PS list, you have to be careful with higher pilot skills, use blocking in your favour, and spread your arcs out to cover more ground, but it's still good.

Vess needs to be paired with as many threatening ships as possible with lower or equal PS though, to get the most possible shts off against his tractored target. When you succeed, it's vicious.

Ok, I was confused because you said "a bomber buddy to feed him a target lock". So I thought you meant feed it to Rexler.