Hi Folks!

I've been thinking about a good build for Epic ships, and I wanted to get your thoughts on the following:

Essentially, you have 5 TIE Defender pilots all around Howlrunner with the TIE/D upgrade title allowing them to fire twice, once with an Ion Cannon, and then their primary weapon value @ 3 dice. With Swarm Tactics, they all get to fire @ a Pilot skill of 8 thanks to Howlrunner, and they all get to benefit from her ability of re-rolling at least one die every round. So that's five shots every round of 3 dice of an Ion Canon and then 3 dice at their normal attack with at least one re-roll all at Pilot Skill of 8. Plus with all of them having a Stealth Device, they all get an evade of 4 dice (until they get hit of course).

Finally, I've equipped the Gozanti with Vader to double effect its turret weapon with a critical hit every turn with some nice regenerating abilities.

Thoughts? (Thanks folks!)

Bear in mind that I've never had the opportunity to play epic so take my opinions with a grain of salt - I'm not familiar with the strategy involved at all. However, there's a couple things I could suggest.

First, I don't think stealth devices are the way to go. They're a lot better as a supplement to defense that your whole defensive strategy - unless you're defensively focusing, it's not a good idea to rely on the naked green dice to protect you. I don't think they're worth the 15-18 points you're devoting to them. Plus, dropping them frees you up to take TIE Mark II on the defenders, which is really helpful.

Second, VI is just way way better than swarm tactics in this situation - it's not contingent on Howlrunner surviving and it works in the Activation phase too. However, another thing to consider for maybe 1 or 2 defenders is Ruthlessness. (I posted a squad with that a little while ago so it's on my mind). Bear in mind that I have no experience with epic, but intuitively it seems like if you fire at a huge ship you're likely to have something next to it to. (As admittedly hilarious as it would be to put Ruthlessness on all of them, it's probably way too risky).

Third, I'm not 100% sold on Howlrunner here. She's good, no doubt about it, but she's a huge target, and I feel like her ability isn't as useful on the Defenders which already have respectable damage output to begin with. With the points you save from dropping Stealth Device, you could easily throw a sixth Glaive (or even better, Vessery) into the mix.

Can't really give an opinion on the Gozanti as I've never run a huge ship, but the setup you have definitely seems neat - I like the Vader + Turret interaction.

So I'd probably run alongside it something like this:

5x Glaive Squadron Pilot (34)

- Ion Cannon (3)

- VI (1)

- TIE/D (0)

Colonel Vessery (35)

- Ion Cannon (3)

- VI (1)

- TIE/D (0)

With two extra points to throw TIE Mk. II on a couple of the Glaives.

Hey great points !

Funny, I never thought of what you said about having a big painted target on Howlrunner, not to mention you're right, once she's gone, they all lose their Level 8 Pilot skill - it does make more sense to add Veteran Instincts (which would also free my Defenders to break formation, into smaller squads. Finally, I do love the Mk. II upgrade, it really opens up the dial for the Defenders. Thanks! All very good suggestions .

Ok! Here is a tweaked version, removing the Stealth Device's, upgrading them all to Mk. II, reducing their number to x4, and adding x4 First Order TIE's with Com Relay, which I really like as it's almost like a Push the Limit "in the bank" without the stress token. I really like the First Order TIE's as I think they have exceptional value over the "old" TIE with a movement dial as good as an Interceptor, a shield added and a target lock for only 3 more points!!! Thanks again!

Like it! Only further suggestion I'd make is throwing docking clamps on the Gozanti (I'm 90% certain you can dock TIE/fo's) just to have the option, since you've got the open slot and it costs nothing.

Hey ya! I suppose it wouldn't matter - either way. I was thinking of deploying the Epsilon Squadron as support for the Defenders (which could then break off and pair each Defender with one TIE/fo, in a 1-1/wingman ratio), which is why I didn't include the free upgrade of Docking Clamps - however, I suppose I could change the setup of the initial battle either going with my first plan or having them docked for plan two - thanks another good tip!