why would you put PTL on a defender and NOT the Mk2 engines?

I understand Ryad can green Kturn 2-5 but that wont help if you need to turn a little and not k-turn.

Because I forgot?

Simple enough response lol

And if I may add, what are your thoughts on /x7 with Wired as EPT (I was thinking about Glaives) paired with Debris as your asteroids of choice? It gives not only sort of resistance to stress, but actually, in right circumstances, a preference to being stressed, as you may reroll eye results no matter how many times you attack, or are being attacked (although rolling blanks is still ouch).

*edit* derp. Ignore me lol

Great article, as would be expected.

Tested 2x Glaives with predator x7 and baffle palp shuttle last night and they are such reliable ships it's crazy. They just fly speed 3+, always have focus + evade, and have a palp in case they whiff too badly. Needs more testing but I think that's a contender for certain.

I agree on your take that Ion cannon is the real winner. I have on numerous occasions taken Vessery with only Ion cannon and wrecked people. The /D title makes this combo so potent that I think it will be old Whisper level effective. Once Ves ions and K-Turns behind a ship it might as well just fly off the board cause it's dead. With two attacks and the level of damage potential that Ves now has is insane. I would absolutely run him with inquisitor who can easily keep pace and provide the TL's with the extremely good TAP dial. Those two leave you with points for another solid ship or two low level blockers. This is the expansion I have most looked forward to since the raider turned the Advanced into beast mode. It's a good time to be an imp.

Personally i'd go with the blockers. Ive won too many games because of a speedbump TIE schmuk thats PS1 lol

So I was toying around in the builder, came up with another "breaking the rules" list...

Delta Squadron Pilot (30)
Flechette Cannon (2)
TIE/D (0)

"Echo" (30)
Crack Shot (1)
Intelligence Agent (1)
Advanced Cloaking Device (4)

Delta Squadron Pilot (30)
Flechette Cannon (2)
TIE/D (0)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Budget Tie Ds, Budget Echo. That's a LOT of firepower on the cheap...

So I was toying around in the builder, came up with another "breaking the rules" list... Delta Squadron Pilot (30)Flechette Cannon (2)TIE/D (0)"Echo" (30)Crack Shot (1)Intelligence Agent (1)Advanced Cloaking Device (4)Delta Squadron Pilot (30)Flechette Cannon (2)TIE/D (0)Total: 100View in Yet Another Squad Builder Budget Tie Ds, Budget Echo. That's a LOT of firepower on the cheap...

Man I would run echo with adaptability and acd alone just to squeeze ions instead of flechettes because I hate flechettes.

Personally i'd go with the blockers. Ive won too many games because of a speedbump TIE schmuk thats PS1 lol

Another reason I like my Epsilon Pilots w/ Vessery. With 4 of them, they can last decently. They can pour out some significant fire, especially if someone manages to get ionized and they get at R1. They can block. They can throw out TL's for Vessery.

Just as a counter, my Tie Bombers with Homing Missile are going to love the X/7 title.

Solid contribution. Lots of good points there OP.

I would think an argument could be made for Calculation on Maarek as a solid build too. With the Tie Mk II and X7 he's still very affordable at 35 points and is a death sentence to large low-agility ships. I love Predator (haven't tried LW) on the defender, but I think this could be a happy home for Calc. You don't even have to use the focus for the talent every turn, but just knowing that the threat is there and a single crit can totally cripple or kill if one hit gets through should even make an enemy ace pretty wary.

I wonder if Rayd +PTL +x7 + Tie mk 2 makes Soontir close to obsolete.

They are similar in many ways: cost, access to 3 actions per turn, get stressed, attack the same, both are formidable on defense... However, while Soontir has stealth device+autothrusters over a bare 3 hitpoints, Ryad's slightly less protected 6 hitpoints means she is more consistent. Autodamage, bad luck or bumping won't kill her quickly. Especially bumping, since the evade token is guaranteed. Also, Ryad is better offensively since she'll probably TL most turns.

In terms of manouverability, Soontir can boost and roll, but his 2 greens are fairly predictable. Ryad's dial is mostly green, and might be the easiest ship to fly so far. The green k-turns and the ability to chose facings means she might not be dodging as much, but will usually have several good movement options and little difficulty getting enemies in her sights.

Is Soontir's PS9 a big enough advantage to offset that?

Great article!

A couple things I want to comment on:

Triple Onyx w/ X-7 + hull: I've used these guys very successfully a few times now (and against some really strong players, since I am playing in the VASSAL league and I have the privilege of being in the Deep Core where some top players are hanging). Its a very good build, frankly. It has no bad matchups. I don't think Bio's criticisms are really that valid: 1) its damage output is not actually 'low' (it equals any imperial 3 ship ace list, although one ship is more likely to use focus defensively more often due to lower PS). 2) Pilot Skill 3 is good. Against Torpedo Scouts, you seriously do NOT care about who goes first. If the scouts do, then yes they can possibly block, but so what, because X-7 and also it makes k-turning easier and you can also arc-dodge (which matters!). And if your defenders move first, well, blocking matters a great deal! So its really win-win for the defenders here and while the scouts won't die quickly, once the torpedoes are spent, they become nearly harmless, since the only way they can make damage stick with their turret is at range 1 (and even then it will often bounce off your defensive tokens). This matchup favours the defenders, frankly.

Vessery: I have used him in all sorts of configurations and while he is powerful, the biggest conundrum is keeping him alive. His offense is more potent than even a Phantom or a Ghost, but he does not have the same defensive advantages. Any match with him involved will come down to whether the opponent can kill him before he brutalizes too much of the opposing force. I have a few ideas how to get the most out of him, but they are untested!

Ryad: The ultimate build for her is indeed PTL + engine (either ion + TIE/D or X-7 are both good on her). She can be a terror for the enemy squad to deal with, although not in the same way as Vessery. I'm still trying to find the perfect support for her, but basically, 1v1, she is incredibly strong, even against higher PS aces...

I don't hate the list or anything, but maybe my personal preference for offense is showing through. I'm sure it's a good list, and I will readily defer to your expertise in evaluating it. I hadn't really considered the blocking vs arc dodging ramifications of gaining/losing Initiative vs Scouts. That's an excellent point.

I'm with you on Ryad. With PTL and Engine she just move so differently, it's nuts. You can't take certain moves, but you get to substitute an entirely new set of moves that more than make up for it. I was resistant at first, actually, but I'm a believer after I tried it out.

Biophysical, what are your thoughts about Adrenaline Rush as a Defender EPT in the upcoming metagame? In the past I've found it immensely helpful in mitigating the frustratingly linear dial, but I wonder whether the opportunity cost is going to be too high once Imperial Veterans drops.

I like it better than I used to, because TIE/Ds are such monsters at short range that taking those short turns can be handy. I think Vessery is really the only pilot that can avoid feeling bad about taking it, though. Predator for both your attacks is just so good, and overwhelming firepower + control solves a lot of problems better than the occasional red move. Sometimes you want to get cute, but in my experience the Defender doesn't really reward cute.

And if I may add, what are your thoughts on /x7 with Wired as EPT (I was thinking about Glaives) paired with Debris as your asteroids of choice? It gives not only sort of resistance to stress, but actually, in right circumstances, a preference to being stressed, as you may reroll eye results no matter how many times you attack, or are being attacked (although rolling blanks is still ouch).

I kind of like Wired, especially when paired with Debris, because you can take the short turns and still get something to help out your offense and defense. It was stronger about half a meta ago when Stresshogs were everywhere, and it might be stronger in the future. As is my stock response, I think Predator is better. It also works when stressed, but it contributes to your offense when unstressed as well, and I think the x7s need defense less than they need consistent offense. I'm keeping my eye on it, though, because new stuff coming out could make it better.

Seems like a long winded opinion on something that hasn't hit the tables yet

I wonder if Rayd +PTL +x7 + Tie mk 2 makes Soontir close to obsolete.

They are similar in many ways: cost, access to 3 actions per turn, get stressed, attack the same, both are formidable on defense... However, while Soontir has stealth device+autothrusters over a bare 3 hitpoints, Ryad's slightly less protected 6 hitpoints means she is more consistent. Autodamage, bad luck or bumping won't kill her quickly. Especially bumping, since the evade token is guaranteed. Also, Ryad is better offensively since she'll probably TL most turns.

In terms of manouverability, Soontir can boost and roll, but his 2 greens are fairly predictable. Ryad's dial is mostly green, and might be the easiest ship to fly so far. The green k-turns and the ability to chose facings means she might not be dodging as much, but will usually have several good movement options and little difficulty getting enemies in her sights.

Is Soontir's PS9 a big enough advantage to offset that?

I think the fact that Soontir has PS9 and the Boost/Barrel Roll combo makes him different enough that Ryad won't push him out in a major way. I actually like them together a lot. I think their strengths compliment each other, and their flying is so different that some ships will have a lot of trouble with Soontir while others will have a lot of trouble with Ryad.

Stock Fel = 35

Ryad, PTL, Engine Upgrade, x7 = 39

26 points leaves room for Omega Leader, a couple of Academy Pilots as blockers, or some variant of a Lambda. Lots of decent Imperial options there.

I can see EU/PTL Ryad being good, but I just have three problems with it. First, points. PTL, X7, and EU make her 39 points. That is just a lot. For that same cost I could get an x7 Rexlar with Predator and Mk. II, and he gets +3 PS, more greens, and similar offensive and defensive potential. Second, if you are using one action to boost, you are allowing your offense to suffer, as I'm assuming one of your actions will ALWAYS be to focus. My most common actions with the Mk. II variation I have been running are to focus and target lock. She then has great offense, and great defense. Sacrificing one of those actions to boost so you don't have to do a banking maneuver next round just seems unnecessary when you could have just used a Mk. II engine and done a banking maneuver. The occasional barrel roll seems more than sufficient for any repositional needs.

Third, while having access to boost helps her against generics, it doesn't really do much to help against aces. They can react to your boost already because of your lower PS. Even with generics, she already trounces them without the EU. Adding it to her just kind of feels like overkill/pressing the "win more" button.

Edit: With all of that said, I do need to admit I have not actually tried the EU variation of Ryad. I will definitely give it a go though!

Seems like a long winded opinion on something that hasn't hit the tables yet

You mean officially. It's been on Vassal for months and been proxied on table tops everywhere.

Seems like a long winded opinion on something that hasn't hit the tables yet

Long-winded? Yep.

Opinion? As stated in the title.

Hasn't hit the tables? Well, not officially, but we've seen the cards, we can try them out even if they aren't in our hands.

I can see EU/PTL Ryad being good, but I just have three problems with it. First, points. PTL, X7, and EU make her 39 points. That is just a lot. For that same cost I could get an x7 Rexlar with Predator and Mk. II, and he gets +3 PS, more greens, and similar offensive and defensive potential. Second, if you are using one action to boost, you are allowing your offense to suffer, as I'm assuming one of your actions will ALWAYS be to focus. My most common actions with the Mk. II variation I have been running are to focus and target lock. She then has great offense, and great defense. Sacrificing one of those actions to boost so you don't have to do a banking maneuver next round just seems unnecessary when you could have just used a Mk. II engine and done a banking maneuver. The occasional barrel roll seems more than sufficient for any repositional needs.

Third, while having access to boost helps her against generics, it doesn't really do much to help against aces. They can react to your boost already because of your lower PS. Even with generics, she already trounces them without the EU. Adding it to her just kind of feels like overkill/pressing the "win more" button.

Your opinion is just about exactly mine, before I tried her. I'll add that the extra maneuvering options are useful against high PS aces as well.

Seems like a long winded opinion on something that hasn't hit the tables yet

If you have played Defenders enough, you will be able to do such an analysis.

I mean, my locals already hate it when I bring Vessery now...

What I love the most about these options is that they give me even more reasons to never have to bother with Fel. He's the Cowboys and Notre Dame of X-Wing. Everyone says you should love him and always bring him. So I really hate him. I'd rather bring anything else. Now I don't ever have to worry that my predjudice is costing me a chance to win.

Well.... It probably still is, but I don't care!

If there is a lot of Whisper being played in your area, TIE/D Rex with VI and a Flechette Canon might be a fun surprise.

Seems like a long winded opinion on something that hasn't hit the tables yet

You mean officially. It's been on Vassal for months and been proxied on table tops everywhere.

I've been proxying them for months and had great success with a variety of builds, smart people have been practicing since the December reveal.

Great post Biophysical!

How do you feel about Ves being levelled up to official Nightmare status? I have mixed feelings. Having played against him a few times now, he's still dependent on the favour of green dice to some extent, but if they go his way he honestly feels a little too powerful. I'm thinking here, as you rightly pointed out, of the curb-stomping ion/D version of Ves. He makes a total mess of opponents' lists and plans, and lays down very reliable damage. He clocks in at 39-45pts.

Vessery with Ruthlessness + TIE/D + Tractor beam, at 39 points can do an absolutely heinous amount of damage. Under the right circumstances, (getting spotted a TL 100% of the time, and having 2 follow-on three dice attacks to take advantage of Vessery landing a tractor beam on the target), his net damage contribution is roughly equivalent to seven Z-95's.

The drawback to this Vessery is that he is an obvious glass cannon that dies very fast for his points, and especially relative to his damage output. Unless he is paired with other glass cannons, this can be a strong tactical disadvantage, as your opponent will be able to remove most your squad's firepower by killing just one ship. However, when he works, he is so good he can easily steamroll your opponent and create a Negative Play Experience.

Kinetic Operator's "DVD" squad is a great example of taking advantage of the synergies:

• Vessery + Ruthlessness + TIE/D + Tractor Beam
• Delta + TIE/D + Ion Cannon
• Delta + x7

The x7 goes in close to block, and grabs a Target Lock. Ion Delta focuses. Vessery Focuses and grabs a TL from his spotter. If you get all 3 arcs on a single ship, that's 5 attacks vs a single target, and at least 4 of them are modified (assuming focus doesn't get spent on defense).

Vessery with x7 title and your EPT of choice is a much more well-rounded ship that is just all-around solid, provided he can get a Target Lock spotter.

Is Ves 2.0 verging on being an Imperial Auto-include? What's your opinion?

Vessery is so hard to list build around that I don't think he will ever be auto-include (the way Inquisitor almost is and Fel used to be), but in the right squad he is absolutely terrifying.

How about a variant on Imperial Aces?

Colonel Vessery (35)
Juke (2)
TIE/x7 (-2)

Maarek Stele (TIE Defender) (35)
Juke (2)
TIE/x7 (-2)

Omicron Group Pilot (21)
Emperor Palpatine (8)

Total: 99

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Or do Defenders not really benefit from Palpatine's shenanigans?

Defenders absolutely benefit from Palpatine. Anything with high AGI and a token stack (which the x7 Defenders do) synergizes extremely well with Palpatine, because the little damage that does get through 3AGI+tokens then gets cut down significantly each round by Palpatine. Palp has been the most cost-effective upgrade in the game since his release, and looks to stay that way for the foreseeable future.

Great article, as would be expected.

Tested 2x Glaives with predator x7 and baffle palp shuttle last night and they are such reliable ships it's crazy. They just fly speed 3+, always have focus + evade, and have a palp in case they whiff too badly. Needs more testing but I think that's a contender for certain.

Rule #1 of Defenders, if you don't have Vessery in your squad over some other Defender, then you are probably doing it wrong.

I would drop a Glaive+Predator for Vessery+Juke. Then since the other Glaive will want to Target Lock, Predator becomes redundant, so I would put Juke on the other Glaive as well. You have 1 point left over, so you could consider dropping baffles for FCS instead.

Seems like a long winded opinion on something that hasn't hit the tables yet

He's right though.

But Vessery is so much easier to build around now that the TIE/FO and Advanced Prototype exists. Even the X1 title is an amazing boost.

Rule #1 of Defenders, if you don't have Vessery in your squad over some other Defender, then you are probably doing it wrong.

Unfortunately, I think this is very close to being Rule #1 of all Imperial lists post-Veterans.

Personally, I'm exploring cost-efficient ways to build Vessery and Palpatine into the same list, although it's hard to squeeze another major threats in without dropping from TIE/D to TIE/x7.

Rule #1 of Defenders, if you don't have Vessery in your squad over some other Defender, then you are probably doing it wrong.

Unfortunately, I think this is very close to being Rule #1 of all Imperial lists post-Veterans.

Personally, I'm exploring cost-efficient ways to build Vessery and Palpatine into the same list, although it's hard to squeeze another major threats in without dropping from TIE/D to TIE/x7.

The Inquisitor is going to be really, really tough to pass up.