I find that flying Maarek in the advanced you generally pair him with:

Push the Limit
Mk 2 engines
Title
Advanced Targeting Computer

That leaves him at 32 points and you are going to be using his ability quite often once you punch through those shields. You are also going to be stressed, a lot.

However the Defender, with X7 and VI, has the same action economy and just makes use of his ability when it happens, doesn't try to force it and is PS9. That is serious Imperial quality right there.

In a straight up fight between the two, Defender would win I reckon.

Also, this may just be my experience but when you absolutely need that crit to come through. . . it does.

Is dealing an extra damage that disappointing of a result? It seems like a pretty good baseline, with the occasional winner thrown in like putting Thrust Control Fire on a PTLing ship.

No, but like you said, it's the baseline.

The point of Maarek's ability is to grab something above the baseline, or avoid something that's below the baseline.

Old Damage deck, Maarek is brutal. Being able to NOT pick the card that destroys an upgrade that your target doesn't even have or to pick one of those truly devastating crits when the other cards are both just 2 damage is a huge benefit.

When everything is comparable to the baseline, his ability just isn't that impressive, because no matter what, you know you're just going to get something "pretty good".

Maybe our definition of terrible is different? *shrugs*

I only consider Major Hull Breach to be truly crippling.

All the other cards with really bad effects, tend to only have those effects for one turn. So while not insignificant, they probably aren't that big a difference from just dealing the 2 damage.

Is dealing an extra damage that disappointing of a result? It seems like a pretty good baseline, with the occasional winner thrown in like putting Thrust Control Fire on a PTLing ship.

It depends on the ship. Obviously direct hit matters a lot less on a Decimator then on an E wing. Which is why his ability is nice, you don't have to settle for that minus agility crit on the Ghost or Thrust Control on a Stresshog you can ensure that they are going to be hurt by what you stick them with.

Thank the force Ethan is on the rebels side! *fistbumbs Ten Numb*