I like:

Valen Rudor (28)
TIE Advanced Prototype (22), Juke (2), TIE/v1 (1), Stealth Device (3)

But he is a bit light on offence, having only 2 attack dice. Juke helps push some damage through. If he gets a target lock and an Evade, then having four green dice (stealth) plus evade is great. (For as long as the stealth device lasts. I had Autothrusters on him, but i was rarely at range 3 and beyond.

What are some other great combinations in the 26-28 point limit?

I adore:

Zeta Leader 20

-Wired 1

-Comm Relay 3

-Hull Upgrade 3

He's (like) a Tie defender with a (arguably) better dial and so much defensive tech. Does so much more work than you expect.

The Inquisitor (28)
TIE Advanced Prototype (25), Juke (2), TIE/v1 (1)

This is another combination I have thought about. Play Keep Away from your pursuers. Each round try and get a Target Lock (and a free evade). You will have 3 attack dice + Juke on offense, and 3 defense dice + evade on defense.

Either Omega Leader with Juke and Comms or Turr Phenir with VI and Thrusters.

Are thrusters particularly that good? Or its it primarily to deal with turret weapons?

Are thrusters particularly that good? Or its it primarily to deal with turret weapons?

Lieutenant Lorrir with Autothrusters and Stealth Device (Royal Guard TIE). Lorrir's not all that useful, but his barrel roll is just plain fun. [For only 7 more points, I can run my all-time favorite Soontir Fel build]

That mini Talon-roll looks like a lot of fun.

Either Omega Leader with Juke and Comms or Turr Phenir with VI and Thrusters.

This.

TAP Baron of the Empire 19

PTL 3

Autothrusters 2

PRockets 3

Title 1

Like this guy, arc dodges base generics with barrel and boost, blocks high PS aces. Has autos for turret defense, can achieve 3 actions a turn for great economy and packs a mean 5 dice one off attack.

Are thrusters particularly that good? Or its it primarily to deal with turret weapons?

They help defend opening attack as well since its usually range 2-3. Then your ships can close to range 1.

EDIT: typo

I adore:

Zeta Leader 20

-Wired 1

-Comm Relay 3

-Hull Upgrade 3

He's (like) a Tie defender with a (arguably) better dial and so much defensive tech. Does so much more work than you expect.

This build is awesome. It also works great with Juke instead of Wired.

I adore:

Zeta Leader 20

-Wired 1

-Comm Relay 3

-Hull Upgrade 3

He's (like) a Tie defender with a (arguably) better dial and so much defensive tech. Does so much more work than you expect.

I love him as well. I prefer Stealth device over Hull Upgrade as it compliments his ability with the combination of wired.

OL/Juke/Comm.

There's no question, he's by far the best Imperial ace for under 30 points.

Are thrusters particularly that good? Or its it primarily to deal with turret weapons?

Autothrusters are mostly a turret defence, but are also valuable for the Inquisitor in particular (and anyone who can mount them in general) as he really likes staying at range 3 wherever possible, so that he gets the maximum benefit out of his pilot ability.

OL/Juke/Comm.

There's no question, he's by far the best Imperial ace for under 30 points.

Are thrusters particularly that good? Or its it primarily to deal with turret weapons?

Autothrusters are mostly a turret defence, but are also valuable for the Inquisitor in particular (and anyone who can mount them in general) as he really likes staying at range 3 wherever possible, so that he gets the maximum benefit out of his pilot ability.

Omega Leader is ridiculously good, but it does depend on what you need. If you already have a really strong ace counter, the punchier Zeta Leader might be a better choice. There's also the possibility that Omega Leader is already in the list.

OL/Juke/Comm.

There's no question, he's by far the best Imperial ace for under 30 points.

Are thrusters particularly that good? Or its it primarily to deal with turret weapons?

Autothrusters are mostly a turret defence, but are also valuable for the Inquisitor in particular (and anyone who can mount them in general) as he really likes staying at range 3 wherever possible, so that he gets the maximum benefit out of his pilot ability.

Omega Leader is ridiculously good, but it does depend on what you need. If you already have a really strong ace counter, the punchier Zeta Leader might be a better choice. There's also the possibility that Omega Leader is already in the list.

I'd question Zeta being punchier than Omega. In most cases adding one die is likely to be worse than removing one defence die after rolling, which is what OL does. I'd put them about on a level, but Zeta is a lot more predictable in movement and a lot less survivable.

(0-agility ships and ones which fail to roll any evades notwithstanding)

OL/Juke/Comm.

There's no question, he's by far the best Imperial ace for under 30 points.

Are thrusters particularly that good? Or its it primarily to deal with turret weapons?

Autothrusters are mostly a turret defence, but are also valuable for the Inquisitor in particular (and anyone who can mount them in general) as he really likes staying at range 3 wherever possible, so that he gets the maximum benefit out of his pilot ability.

Omega Leader is ridiculously good, but it does depend on what you need. If you already have a really strong ace counter, the punchier Zeta Leader might be a better choice. There's also the possibility that Omega Leader is already in the list.

I'd question Zeta being punchier than Omega. In most cases adding one die is likely to be worse than removing one defence die after rolling, which is what OL does. I'd put them about on a level, but Zeta is a lot more predictable in movement and a lot less survivable.

(0-agility ships and ones which fail to roll any evades notwithstanding)

Anytime you concentrate fire, Omega Ace isn't really adding much beyond PS 8. They can just use tokens on a different attack, although stuff like Autothrusters does come into play. Like I said, it depends on what you're trying to counter. If you fear a solid TIE swarm, Zeta with Wired is amazing. He can slam into a formation, get 4 dice with some modification, and then get modifications on his return fire, all action free.