Whoops! I thought Ryan posted the link. That's the sort of competence we display at Mynock Squadron.

Imperial Veterans will soon buff TIE Defenders. Biophysical has been wrecking faces just fine as is. We brought him on to discuss how!

http://mynockpodcast.libsyn.com/episode-16-tie-defender-101-w-guest-biophysical

I hadn't realized Texx's double Defender escapades at the post-Worlds tourney was influenced by my Regionals run. That's a big swing from flying a swarm.

I second Biophysical's advice about flying against yourself. You can glean a lot of information from an hour or two of(failed) opening moves. Really it can be more useful info than many actual opponents can give you.

Nice episode this time! I´m with you bio and the possibilities of the Ion Tie/D but still struggling to build a proper list with 2 named pilots and a 3rd ship. maybe an all 7 list with maarek, zeta leader and vessery with adaptability.

About the flying against yourself, how do you do this while knowing the moves you have chosen? Isn´t this betraying yourself?

But very cool to now have heard a voice to associate with the "defender guy".

greetings from germany

About the flying against yourself, how do you do this while knowing the moves you have chosen? Isn´t this betraying yourself?

That's the idea, you're practicing against someone who is guessing you correctly... Hence why you set the dials for the list you are testing first. When you're playing against someone who knows what your are doing, you have to fly better. You have to set your moves knowing what the opponent can and can't respond to. Sometimes, a move, can be seen as the optimal move, and there's nothing the opponent can do about it. You'll also learn how to fly against someone who outflies you.

He thing to be careful of, is assuming other players will think the way you do.

About the flying against yourself, how do you do this while knowing the moves you have chosen? Isn´t this betraying yourself?

That's the idea, you're practicing against someone who is guessing you correctly... Hence why you set the dials for the list you are testing first. When you're playing against someone who knows what your are doing, you have to fly better. You have to set your moves knowing what the opponent can and can't respond to. Sometimes, a move, can be seen as the optimal move, and there's nothing the opponent can do about it. You'll also learn how to fly against someone who outflies you.

The thing to be careful of, is assuming other players will think the way you do.

Pretty much this. Regarding the highlighted line, one of the nice things you get to do when playing against yourself is you get to take some time to try out every maneuver combo your "opposition" has. You discover some interesting things that you'd never thought of during planning. To continue the game, you've got to pick one, but you do get to see a lot of possibilities.

Nice episode this time! I´m with you bio and the possibilities of the Ion Tie/D but still struggling to build a proper list with 2 named pilots and a 3rd ship. maybe an all 7 list with maarek, zeta leader and vessery with adaptability.

About the flying against yourself, how do you do this while knowing the moves you have chosen? Isn´t this betraying yourself?

But very cool to now have heard a voice to associate with the "defender guy".

greetings from germany

I think there's a ton of great squads that fit into the "2 Defenders + something else" archetype. This goes from two x7s and something pretty substantial (Like Zeta or Omega Leader) to two TIE/Ds and a blocker like a TAP or Academy Pilot. I don't know what's best, but the squad I'm liking right now is:

Maarek Stele, Predator, Hull Upgrade, TIE/D, Ion Cannon = 44

Countess Ryad, PTL, Engine Upgrade, TIE/D, Ion Cannon = 44

Academy Pilot

I hadn't realized Texx's double Defender escapades at the post-Worlds tourney was influenced by my Regionals run. That's a big swing from flying a swarm.

I figured 2 identical dials would be a nice change of pace from the 7 identical ones I was setting each turn for the last couple days. Oh, and 4 dice attacks at any range is also very nice to be rolling after constantly watching 2 dice attacks bounce off stuff.

I hadn't realized Texx's double Defender escapades at the post-Worlds tourney was influenced by my Regionals run. That's a big swing from flying a swarm.

I figured 2 identical dials would be a nice change of pace from the 7 identical ones I was setting each turn for the last couple days. Oh, and 4 dice attacks at any range is also very nice to be rolling after constantly watching 2 dice attacks bounce off stuff.

Yeah, no doubt. Once you get some practice with the ships, the squad is even easier to run. It is definitely a nice feature in a long tournament format. The pair of heavily buffed HLC attacks is definitely one of the nicest things about the list. If this squad lets you down, it rarely is because you're not getting damage through.

I have been using the defender titles (in proxy) sinse they were released. They are both fantastic. I gotta say Vessery is the best. The Countess is nuts and I don't see her ps skill as a problem. The X7 title is tricky. It often bates players to make poor decisions just for an evade. My advice is take the smart move that gives you a focus rather then the risky move that gives you an evade. You will see what I mean when you try it yourself. These two lists below are solid.

Palpmobile with electronic baffle

Vessery with title and ion cannon,

Inquisitor with PTL, AT, title

Countess with MII engine, X7, PTL

Vessery Same as above (I think I gave him crackshot in this list or VI)

Omega Leader with juke, comm relay

Definitely enjoyed the podcast and the interview.

Are you guys going to get a chance to cover or play in the Vassal League at all, or did the timing just not work out?

Definitely enjoyed this episode!

The part about using the one banks more was eye opening for me as an Imperial player. I don't usually have the luxury of going that slow.

The part about using the one banks more was eye opening for me as an Imperial player. I don't usually have the luxury of going that slow.

That move is tremendously useful. I miss it so much flying other Imperial ships.

About the flying against yourself, how do you do this while knowing the moves you have chosen? Isn´t this betraying yourself?

That's the idea, you're practicing against someone who is guessing you correctly... Hence why you set the dials for the list you are testing first. When you're playing against someone who knows what your are doing, you have to fly better. You have to set your moves knowing what the opponent can and can't respond to. Sometimes, a move, can be seen as the optimal move, and there's nothing the opponent can do about it. You'll also learn how to fly against someone who outflies you.

The thing to be careful of, is assuming other players will think the way you do.

Pretty much this. Regarding the highlighted line, one of the nice things you get to do when playing against yourself is you get to take some time to try out every maneuver combo your "opposition" has. You discover some interesting things that you'd never thought of during planning. To continue the game, you've got to pick one, but you do get to see a lot of possibilities.

THIS is exactly what I tell people. You learn a LOT by just playing against yourself. When you play against another person, you are usually beating the PERSON, not the list, and even then, sometimes you win only because you guessed correctly, not that you set up situations that FORCED no-win situations. You learn a lot about how to set these situations up when you can actually act them out, which you can do when playing a nice slow game against yourself.

The part about using the one banks more was eye opening for me as an Imperial player. I don't usually have the luxury of going that slow.

That move is tremendously useful. I miss it so much flying other Imperial ships.

It's a reason the Defender and TAP are a nice pairing, I think.

Biophysical's voice is so smooth, i have a slight mancrush.

About the flying against yourself, how do you do this while knowing the moves you have chosen? Isn´t this betraying yourself?

That's the idea, you're practicing against someone who is guessing you correctly... Hence why you set the dials for the list you are testing first. When you're playing against someone who knows what your are doing, you have to fly better. You have to set your moves knowing what the opponent can and can't respond to. Sometimes, a move, can be seen as the optimal move, and there's nothing the opponent can do about it. You'll also learn how to fly against someone who outflies you.

The thing to be careful of, is assuming other players will think the way you do.

Pretty much this. Regarding the highlighted line, one of the nice things you get to do when playing against yourself is you get to take some time to try out every maneuver combo your "opposition" has. You discover some interesting things that you'd never thought of during planning. To continue the game, you've got to pick one, but you do get to see a lot of possibilities.

THIS is exactly what I tell people. You learn a LOT by just playing against yourself. When you play against another person, you are usually beating the PERSON, not the list, and even then, sometimes you win only because you guessed correctly, not that you set up situations that FORCED no-win situations. You learn a lot about how to set these situations up when you can actually act them out, which you can do when playing a nice slow game against yourself.

I've beat a lot of people who just didn't know how to engage a list I was running. You can play a dozen of those games against different people and not learn anything because a one-off meeting doesn't give them any chance to adjust. Surprise is probably not the best tournament strategy, even if you can use it to get you some wins.

Biophysical's voice is so smooth, i have a slight mancrush.

I was getting over a cold, which added some nice texture in the low range that isn't always there.

Who was talking in the background at the beginning?

Anyway, good podcast. Lots of useful nuggets in there. Has anyone broken down the math for an HLC vs Tie/D w/ Ion or Flechette?

I can't wait for Imp Vets. 3 wing Death Devils are coming!

The show is so much better when Dee spends more time talking about how awesome his guest is instead of talking about how awesome Dee is.

Great show.

Definitely enjoyed the podcast and the interview.

Are you guys going to get a chance to cover or play in the Vassal League at all, or did the timing just not work out?

Man...this is my biggest X-Wing/podcast failure. Due to store champs/Hoth/regional and a health problem, I've been struggling to keep up with work, not leaving time to schedule/play my Vassal league games

The show is so much better when Dee spends more time talking about how awesome his guest is instead of talking about how awesome Dee is.

Great show.

I'm a positive guy!

Definitely enjoyed the podcast and the interview.

Are you guys going to get a chance to cover or play in the Vassal League at all, or did the timing just not work out?

Man...this is my biggest X-Wing/podcast failure. Due to store champs/Hoth/regional and a health problem, I've been struggling to keep up with work, not leaving time to schedule/play my Vassal league games

It's totally understandable, was just looking forward to it since I was in the Mynock sponsored group. It's helping my record for now;)

The show is so much better when Dee spends more time talking about how awesome his guest is instead of talking about how awesome Dee is.

Great show.

I like it when Dee talks about how awesome I am as well. I've got to milk my current notoriety for all it's worth right now. In 6 months, there will be a bunch of actual good players who will have experience with the ship.

I really enjoyed the brief talk on stealth device, leverage, and hull. It was very insightful and helped me understand when and why I was right or wrong on a stealth/hull pick.

I am not impressed by defenders. The jousting metrics will not be enough for them to make a deep impact IMO. I love the ships, but I don't expect them dynamically shifting the meta. Now the new bombers on the other hand...