OK, so in a recent tournament I was rather successfull using the Target Lock Buddies. This tournament allowed the use of spoiled cards, and the Buddies are:

Vader: VI, EU, Title, ATC

Omega Leader: Juke, Comms

Vessery: Crakshot, Tie/D, Flechette Cannon, TIE Mk2

I was delighted with the damage output of the list and the TL synergy; I've seen some variants of this posted and I think it has a shot at popularity post Imperial Vets.

Anyhow, there's a big tournament coming up with regular rules, so no spoiled cards. I am somewhat underwhelmed by Vessery without the Tie/D title, so I need a temporary replacement Buddy. I'd prefer something that hits REAL hard in this role. I have all of 39 points to play with, and I'm thinking phantom (whisper with ACD, VI and FCS fits perfectly) or Redline (at 39 points can have clusters, EM and proton torps).

But I'd love to hear other suggestions! Even those that would have me take more than 1 ship in this niche. The goal is: maximum firepower and no Palp shuttle

Thanks!

OK, so in a recent tournament I was rather successfull using the Target Lock Buddies. This tournament allowed the use of spoiled cards, and the Buddies are:

Vader: VI, EU, Title, ATC

Omega Leader: Juke, Comms

Vessery: Crakshot, Tie/D, Flechette Cannon, TIE Mk2

I was delighted with the damage output of the list and the TL synergy; I've seen some variants of this posted and I think it has a shot at popularity post Imperial Vets.

Anyhow, there's a big tournament coming up with regular rules, so no spoiled cards. I am somewhat underwhelmed by Vessery without the Tie/D title, so I need a temporary replacement Buddy. I'd prefer something that hits REAL hard in this role. I have all of 39 points to play with, and I'm thinking phantom (whisper with ACD, VI and FCS fits perfectly) or Redline (at 39 points can have clusters, EM and proton torps).

But I'd love to hear other suggestions! Even those that would have me take more than 1 ship in this niche. The goal is: maximum firepower and no Palp shuttle

Thanks!

Personally, I like this a bit better

Crazy 8s

Omega Leader 29

Juke comms stealth

Inquisitor 30/31

Juke/PTL, title, Autothrusters

Vessery 39

VI, thread tracers, TB, tie/d, twin Ion

they are all 8, allowing you to pick who shoots first (vessery) and allows you to hand out Target Locks with him also if you need to switch priority for the other two if needed.

comes in at 98/99 depending for a nice bid as well.

I call this one the Dead Man's Hand, as it's all aces and 8s.

Rexlar Brath

- x7 title

- Juke

Colonel Vessery

- /D title

- Tractor Beam

- Veteran Instincts

Omega Leader

- Juke

- Comm Relay

Rexlar with Juke is just mean. His ability matters less than the fact that he's a PS8 tank with an evade token, so you don't even need to focus with him if it'd be more useful to spread the Target Locks around. It's not like he'll even get shot at as long as Vessery is a viable target.

Others have included stuff from Imp Vets, which I think you are trying to avoid. Your Whisper looks fine.

For 39 points, I'd actually use 2 Omega Squadron TIE/FO's with Crackshot for 36, and give Omega leader a stealth device.

I enjoy flying this list:

Vader (34)

Adaptability

TIE/x1

ATC

EU

Inquisitor (31)

PTL

TIE/v1

AT

Vessery (35)
VI

TIE/x7

Twin Ion Mk.II

Vader can adapt down to 8 if you are not facing any high PS pilots to move in any order.

Yeah, missed the "No spoiled cards" part of the list.

Given that restriction, I'd probably go with the Inquisitor. You can get him with PTL, title, Autothrusters and a Proton Rocket for 34 points, which leaves five more points to give Vader Prockets or Homing Missiles, depending on how you feel about an initiative bid.

Others have included stuff from Imp Vets, which I think you are trying to avoid. Your Whisper looks fine.

For 39 points, I'd actually use 2 Omega Squadron TIE/FO's with Crackshot for 36, and give Omega leader a stealth device.

I was going to say exactly this..people seem to be ignoring the whole point of the thread. The OP already knows what they want to when Imp Vets comes out.

Except I love Echo over Whisper, the 2 bank barrel rolls are fantastic. You cant beat a well flown Phantom.

Thanks for the replies.

I've been considering Echo over Whisper - at 39 points, I can get ACD, FCS, Decoy (to go with Vader's 11 PS) and Intel Agent, so a fairly solid build. I don't have much experience flying Echo and I'm a bit weary of losing the extra focus that Whisper has in a TLT-rich meta. OTOH, I gain a very manouverable ship that is insane at blocking - moreover, I get a leg up on any PS10-11 threats that could shoot before I cloak.

Tough choice.

I also see that many are suggesting Inquisitor + go spend-happy on missiles/initiative bidding. The "pro" here is autothrusters and an otherwise excellent ship, "con" is only 3 dice most of the game for a spot where I wanted more of a punch.

For an alternative point of view...

Redline. 39 points gets you EM, FCS, a decent torp and clusters IIRC (plus Chips), and you've got enough early game threat in Vader and OL to be the anvil to his hammer.

another option could be Zeta Leader with wired/juke/VI and comm relay and wampa for 38/39 points. technically you have 3 + 2 dice on 2 ships and that gives you a lot of firepower plus agility and the occasional bonus from Wampa. but Whisper is hard to beat...

OK, so in a recent tournament I was rather successfull using the Target Lock Buddies. This tournament allowed the use of spoiled cards, and the Buddies are:

Vader: VI, EU, Title, ATC

Omega Leader: Juke, Comms

Vessery: Crakshot, Tie/D, Flechette Cannon, TIE Mk2

I was delighted with the damage output of the list and the TL synergy; I've seen some variants of this posted and I think it has a shot at popularity post Imperial Vets.

You can still use Vessery effectively without the TIE/D title:

Vessery w/ crack shot & HLC = 43

Vader w/ adaptability, ATC, engine & proton rockets = 37

Epsilon Ace w/ comm relay = 20

100

Epsilon is the perfect TL 'baby-sitter' for Vessery, since he trumps all with PS 12. Meanwhile, Vader is free to do his own thing (he can still TL same target or a different one----you've got flexibility).

yea that is my bad for not reading thoroughly.

Whisper is a good option. But if I may, PTL and procket inquisitor is VERY potent and gives you a great initiative bid with space for stealth device on Omega leader.