I'm trying to make a list that uses both my Defenders with the awesome new stuff for them and am currently toying with the following idea. Any suggestions?
I don't see the point of Ryad in this list. I know everyone is going gaga over her ability, but its not that powerful in and of itself. Take opportunist or push the limit to really take advantage of it:
Ryad w/ X-7, opportunist & TIE mk 2 = 37
Maarek w/ X-7 & Juke = 36
Omega Leader w/ comm relay & Juke = 26
99
So Omega Leader locks down a high PS ace to keep them from getting in the way. Maarek shoots something and forces the opponent to spend his focus or else suffer a damage (and if its a crit, does your opponent really want to take it?). Once the focus is gone, Ryad bats cleanup with a hefty 4 dice attack (or 5 at range 1).
Or, if TIE/D is really appealing:
2 glaives w/ predator, TIE/D & ion cannons = 40 x 2
Seinar test pilot w/ title & autothrusters = 19
99
With the control options and a blocker, Ryad's ability is superfluous, so Glaives work better and their PS 6 is decent.
Edited by blade_mercurialFirst off, are you guys making Meta propositions based on the leaked info on the pilot cards or do you guys HAVE the set If the latter is true; where's mine? I've had it on pre-order for ever. Anyway, if it's the former that's true; I like the thoughts on the new pilots. I think the idea of Maarek with MK7, calculation and twin ion engine MK II is a great idea (although not new). But, I kinda agree that as sexy as the Countess is, I'm thinking a Glaives with marksmanship (or push the limits) and an ion cannon would a tough cookie.
First off, are you guys making Meta propositions based on the leaked info on the pilot cards or do you guys HAVE the set If the latter is true; where's mine? I've had it on pre-order for ever. Anyway, if it's the former that's true; I like the thoughts on the new pilots. I think the idea of Maarek with MK7, calculation and twin ion engine MK II is a great idea (although not new). But, I kinda agree that as sexy as the Countess is, I'm thinking a Glaives with marksmanship (or push the limits) and an ion cannon would a tough cookie.
So, I've pre-ordered the set and am waiting for it, but now that all the new Defender pilots have been revealed, I'm theory-crafting some new Defender-based squads for future use.
First off, are you guys making Meta propositions based on the leaked info on the pilot cards or do you guys HAVE the set If the latter is true; where's mine? I've had it on pre-order for ever. Anyway, if it's the former that's true; I like the thoughts on the new pilots. I think the idea of Maarek with MK7, calculation and twin ion engine MK II is a great idea (although not new). But, I kinda agree that as sexy as the Countess is, I'm thinking a Glaives with marksmanship (or push the limits) and an ion cannon would a tough cookie.
So, I've pre-ordered the set and am waiting for it, but now that all the new Defender pilots have been revealed, I'm theory-crafting some new Defender-based squads for future use.
Ah yes, dreaming....I get you. I am really glad this correction set is coming out. This is a game that not only requires equity (which the defender came in awesome and too costly to use), but the ships should bring effective unique properties to entice great games (which the bomber was either too narrow application-ed or most players just couldn't sell it to themselves to try it; this was/is me).
This is an interesting article on the previously maligned bomber:
I feel that Stealth devices would work better with x7 Defenders. That way you can have the Evade token to make sure that a poor agility roll does not pop your Stealth Devices prematurely. The points saved on the Ion cannons can be used to upgrade your EPTs to Juke. With the Evade token, this should help make sure the damage from your primaries sticks a little better.
I've been mulling over something like this...
https://geordanr.github.io/xwing/?f=Galactic%20Empire&d=v4!s!194:152,-1,-1:33:-1:;194:152,-1,-1:33:-1:;62:18:-1:15:&sn=Jax%27n%27Juke
I've been mulling over this...
3-D
3x Defenders
99 points
PILOTS
Countess Ryad (35)
TIE Defender (34), Push the Limit (3), TIE/x7 (-2)
Glaive Squadron Pilot (32) x 2
TIE Defender (34), Adaptability (0), TIE/x7 (-2)
I had similar thoughts
TIE Defender: Glaive Squadron Pilot (34)
Juke (2)
Stealth Device (3)
TIE/x7 (-2)
TIE Defender: Glaive Squadron Pilot (34)
Juke (2)
Stealth Device (3)
TIE/x7 (-2)
TIE/fo Fighter: · "Omega Leader" (21)
Juke (2)
Comm Relay (3)
Ryad (39)
TIE/x7
PTL
Engine Upgrade
a 3/3 that can boost and target lock and gain an evade if she goes fast enough. PS5 kinda sucks, but being able to clear that stress the next turn by performing a K-turn is incredible, all to simply lather, rinse, and repeat. People are going to freak out trying to nail her down, and while they do, your other 1-2 ships should be beating the snot out of someone. Add in the standard 35 point Soontir, and that brings you to 74 points, leaving 26 for a Doomshuttle with Kallus on board, or a Doomshuttle w/ a 2 point bid. Almost no reason in the world that you couldn't one round an ace with just Ryad and the doom shuttle.
Ryad (39)
TIE/x7
PTL
Engine Upgrade
This is a pretty fun Ryad build. The only problem is, you have to resist the temptation to just always k-turn (and adjust direction with boost), because that's not always going to be the best move! 
TIE Defender: Glaive Squadron Pilot (34)
Tractor Beam (1)
TIE/D (0)
TIE Defender: Glaive Squadron Pilot (34)
Tractor Beam (1)
TIE/D (0)
Lambda-Class Shuttle: Omicron Group Pilot (21)
· Emperor Palpatine (8)
Honestly stealth device will fail the first time you roll green dice your better off with hull upgrade which is guaranteed to work.
SD really only works on interceptors because of AT.
Ryad (39)
TIE/x7
PTL
Engine Upgrade
This is a pretty fun Ryad build. The only problem is, you have to resist the temptation to just always k-turn (and adjust direction with boost), because that's not always going to be the best move!
True, but straight is an option. Or, if you think that she's nimble enough without the boost, drop EU for TIE MkII. Saves two points, and all her banks in addition to all her straights are now green. Speed 3 white turn and Speed 3 bank will still trigger the x7 evade token. As a matter of fact, this looks terrifying...
“Echo” (40)
TIE Phantom (30), Rebel Captive (3), Fire-Control System (2), Veteran Instincts (1), Advanced Cloaking Device (4)
Countess Ryad (36)
TIE Defender (34), Push the Limit (3), TIE/x7 (-2), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)
Omicron Group Pilot (24)
Lambda-Class Shuttle (21), Darth Vader (3)
Edited by JasonCole
Ryad (39)
TIE/x7
PTL
Engine Upgrade
This is a pretty fun Ryad build. The only problem is, you have to resist the temptation to just always k-turn (and adjust direction with boost), because that's not always going to be the best move!
True, but straight is an option. Or, if you think that she's nimble enough without the boost, drop EU for TIE MkII. Saves two points, and all her banks in addition to all her straights are now green. Speed 3 white turn and Speed 3 bank will still trigger the x7 evade token. As a matter of fact, this looks terrifying...
“Echo” (40)
TIE Phantom (30), Rebel Captive (3), Fire-Control System (2), Veteran Instincts (1), Advanced Cloaking Device (4)
Countess Ryad (36)
TIE Defender (34), Push the Limit (3), TIE/x7 (-2), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)
Omicron Group Pilot (24)
Lambda-Class Shuttle (21), Darth Vader (3)
Actually, she's better with the engine.
Honestly stealth device will fail the first time you roll green dice your better off with hull upgrade which is guaranteed to work.
SD really only works on interceptors because of AT.
Stealth Device only has to work once to be worth taking over the hull upgrade. In my opinion stealth device is always worth taking over hull upgrade for 3 agility ships.
Imperial Nobility
Soontir Fel (35)
Imperial Nobility
Soontir Fel (35)
- Push the Limit
- Title
- Stealth Device
- AT
Valen Rudor (29)
- Push the Limit
- Title
- AT
- Tracers
Countess Ryad (36)
- Push the Limit
- TIE Mk II
- Title
Total: 100 points
Honestly, I'd recommend dropping the Stealth Device from Soontir and upgrading both his and Valen's TIE Mk IIs to Autothrusters.
I'd always choose AT over SD on Soontir, if I had to make a choice.
Soontir may not be the best Ace for this list, though, due to gimping the SD AND not having an initiative bid for him.
Stealth Device only has to work once to be worth taking over the hull upgrade. In my opinion stealth device is always worth taking over hull upgrade for 3 agility ships.
The way I use Defenders (up close knife-fighters) the Stealth Device does not last long. The Hull Upgrade was more predictable with TLTs and such running around. With the x7, that could no longer be the case. If you are going the defensive x7 route, Stealth Device may be the better choice. Either way, an x7 Defender is going to be a fairly tough nut to crack.