One of the Defender archetypes I'm most interested in right now is 2 TIE Defenders + a blocker. It leaves a lot of points for the two Defenders to be generously equipped, and that blocker does some solid work on its own. There's a lot of room to consider things here, though, and I'm interested in the community's thoughts.

If one of Defenders is Vessery then Epsilon Squadron Pilot is a great choice at PS1. For 3 points more than the bog-standard Academy Tie, you get a shield and a superior dial. More importantly, you get a TL action (unlike the Tie/Ln) which is great for feeding Vessery. If you are willing to blow an extra 3 points on him (still fairly cheap) you can add Comms Relay which gives him an extra, rechargeable pseudo-shield.

I have been flying 3 delta x7s and rotating a different tie fighter for those last points trying to find the right combo... any delta becomes a blocker or a puncher.. just treat every other list as an "ace list".

I have been flying 3 delta x7s and rotating a different tie fighter for those last points trying to find the right combo... any delta becomes a blocker or a puncher.. just treat every other list as an "ace list".

Have you tried giving them SD and upgrading to onyx, don't remember who suggested it but it's good incredibly hard to put damage on them.

You can always Doomshuttle! I love Vader on a Lambda or Tie shuttle backing things with more grit.

Tie shuttle with fleet officer is just so good at 19 points as a defender buffer.

Tie shuttle with fleet officer is just so good at 19 points as a defender buffer.

And for 20 points you can get that with Intel Agent to help you land those clutch blocks.

Old post but great post.

What is the community's thoughts on using Expertise?

"Omega Leader" (21)

Juke (2)

Comm Relay (3)

Colonel Vessery (35)

Expertise (4)

TIE/x7 (-2)

Countess Ryad (34)

Expertise (4)

TIE/x7 (-2)

Total: 99

Pretty hot, though low PS would concern me.

25 minutes ago, Goseki1 said:

Pretty hot, though low PS would concern me.

Would you recommend Maarek Stele or Glaive Squadron Pilot over Ryad?

5 minutes ago, Shockley said:

Would you recommend Maarek Stele or Glaive Squadron Pilot over Ryad?

Nope. NOPE! Ryad is the best Defender pilot just for flexibility and action availability with PTL. Vessery feeds off her nicely. Lower PS list just demands you knowing what the heck you're doing to make the best of it.

Edit: My opinion anyway - take it for what that's worth.

2 hours ago, Shockley said:

Old post but great post.

What is the community's thoughts on using Expertise?

"Omega Leader" (21)

Juke (2)

Comm Relay (3)

Colonel Vessery (35)

Expertise (4)

TIE/x7 (-2)

Countess Ryad (34)

Expertise (4)

TIE/x7 (-2)

Total: 99

For what it's worth, I won a SC with:

OL - Juke/Comm Relay

Vessery - Expertise/ x7

Countess - PTL/tie MK 2/ x7

Now that the GUNBOATS are here, I'm going to try two with HLCs and an X7 Vessery.

4 minutes ago, Warlon said:

Now that the GUNBOATS are here, I'm going to try two with HLCs and an X7 Vessery.

Why not get a tractor Tie/D Vessery! Make thos HLC's hit hard!

The Derpfender is still a very effective ship @Shockley, I don't know if expertise is a great choice in the current meta because of all the stress thats being thrown around these days. Tho I have done really well with those exact three ships before.

38 minutes ago, AngryAlbatross said:

Why not get a tractor Tie/D Vessery! Make thos HLC's hit hard!

The Derpfender is still a very effective ship @Shockley, I don't know if expertise is a great choice in the current meta because of all the stress thats being thrown around these days. Tho I have done really well with those exact three ships before.

You don't need expertise or TIE/D

because you have crackshots

1 hour ago, hawk32 said:

For what it's worth, I won a SC with:

OL - Juke/Comm Relay

Vessery - Expertise/ x7

Countess - PTL/tie MK 2/ x7

I'm very new to the game, would you mind explaining to be why PTL/Tie Mk2 would/could be better than just expertise on Countess? I can see why but would like a seasoned players view.

Because you go fast for an evade and then PTL for a focus and a target lock. The target lock helps Vesserys ability; and MK2 ions gives Ryad a huge amount of greens to clear the stress. It basically improves Ryads damage output and the synergy with Vessery.

3 hours ago, Warlon said:

Now that the GUNBOATS are here, I'm going to try two with HLCs and an X7 Vessery.

Nice idea.

What do you think about this? All of them are PS6.

15 minutes ago, Boba Rick said:

Nice idea.

What do you think about this? All of them are PS6.

Rho Squadron Veteran — Alpha-class Star Wing	21
Veteran Instincts	1
Heavy Laser Cannon	7
Linked Battery	2
Long-Range Scanners	0
XG-1 Assault Configuration	1
Ship Total: 32
Rho Squadron Veteran — Alpha-class Star Wing	21
Veteran Instincts	1
Heavy Laser Cannon	7
Linked Battery	2
Long-Range Scanners	0
XG-1 Assault Configuration	1
Ship Total: 32
Colonel Vessery — TIE Defender	35
Juke	2
Twin Ion Engine Mk. II	1
TIE/x7	-2
Ship Total: 36

I’d Swap Vess for Marek because thematic reasons but yeah that works.

3 hours ago, Shockley said:

I'm very new to the game, would you mind explaining to be why PTL/Tie Mk2 would/could be better than just expertise on Countess? I can see why but would like a seasoned players view.

For times when you might want to barrel roll it lets you still get the tl for vessery or the focus for defense, and with her ability she has green 2-5 k-turns to shed the stress. It just gives you more flexibility in what actions to take. Just my personal preference... I don't think expertise is bad on her.

9 hours ago, Boba Rick said:

Nice idea.

What do you think about this? All of them are PS6.

Rho Squadron Veteran — Alpha-class Star Wing	21
Veteran Instincts	1
Heavy Laser Cannon	7
Linked Battery	2
Long-Range Scanners	0
XG-1 Assault Configuration	1
Ship Total: 32
Rho Squadron Veteran — Alpha-class Star Wing	21
Veteran Instincts	1
Heavy Laser Cannon	7
Linked Battery	2
Long-Range Scanners	0
XG-1 Assault Configuration	1
Ship Total: 32
Colonel Vessery — TIE Defender	35
Juke	2
Twin Ion Engine Mk. II	1
TIE/x7	-2
Ship Total: 36

Funny enough i flown this last night with two changes; the stress cannon and crackshot. Dash and Poe weren't fans. worked very well.

I did consider VI but nothing a really want to out PS in the 4-6 bracket.