Folks.

I'm just starting to get to the point where my builds have some sort of direction and focus. I'm still open for as many suggestions and as much advice as I can get however. I think my next purchase will the the Lambda Shuttle and if I do that then I'm thinking about the build below. I have all the parts for this build (assuming the shuttle purchase) but if something I don't have or know about makes the build better then I'll consider it.

The idea is for Maarek to provide the punch and get some damage onto whatever the prime target is and for the shuttle to follow it up and remove it from play if it survives on low hull points. Turr is there to generally fly on the edges of the battle and be annoying plus to be fast enough to engage anything that gets behind the slow moving shuttle. They either have to focus on the shuttle and accept that Turr will chip away at them or they engage Turr giving the shuttle time to turn to face. I probably don't need Kagi and/or the title but about the best I can do if I downgrade the shuttle is to throw a cannon on it which didn't seem like a good use of points.

So now you know my thinking, lets look at the build.

VADER BATTLE BUS

100 points

PILOTS

Maarek Stele (29)
TIE Advanced (27), TIE/x1 (0), Calculation (1), Advanced Targeting Computer (5)

Turr Phennir (29)
TIE Interceptor (25), Juke (2), Autothrusters (2)

Captain Kagi (42)
Lambda-Class Shuttle (27), Accuracy Corrector (3), Rebel Captive (3), Darth Vader (3), ST-321 (3), Hull Upgrade (3)

Any/all advice welcome.

Of course I've just noticed that Kagi shoots before Maarek which isn't helpful!

I think the main thing wrong here is that you have a 42 point shuttle that you will help kill with Vader crew. I would only put either Vader or Palp on a shuttle with very minimal upgrades besides that if at all.

The other thing wrong is that Turr doesn't have PTL. But also just as bad; Turr is on the board instead of Carnor or Soontir which you now have room for with a less fat lambda.

I think the main thing wrong here is that you have a 42 point shuttle that you will help kill with Vader crew. I would only put either Vader or Palp on a shuttle with very minimal upgrades besides that if at all.

The other thing wrong is that Turr doesn't have PTL. But also just as bad; Turr is on the board instead of Carnor or Soontir which you now have room for with a less fat lambda.

Soontir.......I've seen builds with Lambda and no Soontir and the shuttle is lunch....I agree, lighten the Lambda and sharpen the sword. (but I'm no expert).

Yeah, that Lambda is way too crowded.

Assuming you don't have Palpatine (which seems to be the case), I'd go with:

Soontir Fel (27):

• Push The Limit (3)
• Autothrusters (2)
• Royal Guard Pilot (0)
• Stealth Device (3)

Total: 35 pts

Maarek Stele (28):

• Predator (3)
• TIE/X1 (0)
• Advanced Targeting Computer (1)

Total: 31 pts

Captain Yorr (24):

• Tractor Beam (1)
• Darth Vader (3)

Total: 28 pts

Yorr is probably the best named pilot on a Lambda. His ability to absorb stress takes care of the one thing Imp Aces fear. Soontir able to K-Turn AND PTL is a fearful sight. Tractor Beam for dislocation only.

Stele takes Predator due to not being able to spend the TL he'll acquire for ATC.

Soontir does his thing.

You still have 6 points to fill, so you can get a little creative. Adv. Sensors/Fleet Officer on Yorr isn't a bad idea to help Stele out and is a nice tech in general, although he's a suicide ship. Or you might want to pack Concussion Missiles on Stele. Your call.

With the extra points, you could go back up to Kagi if you really like him. He will at least help with taking down Omega Leader if you face one.

Thanks guys.

Is there a case to be made for Colonel Jendon and the title to hand out target locks on any target to Maarek so he doesn't have to use his action acquiring them? Perhaps the need for Maarek to be range 1 of the shuttle makes that just a little too cute and not worth it.

Thanks guys.

Is there a case to be made for Colonel Jendon and the title to hand out target locks on any target to Maarek so he doesn't have to use his action acquiring them? Perhaps the need for Maarek to be range 1 of the shuttle makes that just a little too cute and not worth it.

Nailed it.

I'm wondering (thinking outside the current thread box) that the Doomshuttle might be replaced by the Doombomber once Imperial Veterans come out....Weird? What you guys think?

Soontir Fel (27):

• Push The Limit (3)
• Autothrusters (2)
• Royal Guard Pilot (0)
• Stealth Device (3)
• Total: 35 pts

Maarek Stele (28):

• Predator (3)
• TIE/X1 (0)
• Advanced Targeting Computer (1)
• Total: 31 pts

Captain Yorr (24):

• Tractor Beam (1)
• Darth Vader (3)
• Total: 28 pts

.....or you might want to pack Concussion Missiles on Stele. Your call.

That's probably the best build, but since there are no stupid questions, what about Maarek Stele having (just spit-balling here):

1) TIE/X1, Advanced Targeting Computer, and Calculating?

2) TIE/X1, Marksmanship, Advanced Targeting Computer, and Experimental Interface?

3) TIE/X1, Marksmanship, Advanced Targeting Computer, Extra Munitions, and Concussion Missiles?

4) TIE/X1, Advanced Targeting Computer, Veteran Instincts

Like I said, just spit-balling, haha....

I'm wondering (thinking outside the current thread box) that the Doomshuttle might be replaced by the Doombomber once Imperial Veterans come out....Weird? What you guys think?

Certainly a possibility, since it's pretty rare to get more than 3 shots out of a Doomshuttle anyway. The Bomber will kill itself faster, but is cheaper. Heck, with a Hull Upgrade it still saves you 2 points, and 7 Hull behind 2 Agility might not be that bad.

Soontir Fel (27):

• Push The Limit (3)
• Autothrusters (2)
• Royal Guard Pilot (0)
• Stealth Device (3)
• Total: 35 pts

Maarek Stele (28):

• Predator (3)
• TIE/X1 (0)
• Advanced Targeting Computer (1)
• Total: 31 pts

Captain Yorr (24):

• Tractor Beam (1)
• Darth Vader (3)
• Total: 28 pts

.....or you might want to pack Concussion Missiles on Stele. Your call.

That's probably the best build, but since there are no stupid questions, what about Maarek Stele having (just spit-balling here):

1) TIE/X1, Advanced Targeting Computer, and Calculating?

2) TIE/X1, Marksmanship, Advanced Targeting Computer, and Experimental Interface?

3) TIE/X1, Marksmanship, Advanced Targeting Computer, Extra Munitions, and Concussion Missiles?

4) TIE/X1, Advanced Targeting Computer, Veteran Instincts

Like I said, just spit-balling, haha....

1) Doubling-down on crits is considered overkill by many. You're better off just building a better ship that can take advantage of them when they happen naturally.

2) Not terrible, but the green maneuvers leave something to be desired, and it's expensive.

3) If 2 was expensive, this is WAY too expensive.

4) Not terrible, but Maarek is actually somewhat better without VI, as your higher PS pilots can take out Shields first, allowing his crits to hit Hull (and therefore triggering his ability).

Or you can do something like this to completely ignore shields with your crits. Not truly competitive, but a barrel of laughs:

Omicron Group Pilot — Lambda-Class Shuttle 21

Emperor Palpatine 8

Ship Total: 29

"Wampa" — TIE Fighter 14

Ship Total: 14

Cutlass Squadron Pilot — TIE Punisher 21

Fire-Control System 2

Extra Munitions 2

Advanced Homing Missiles 3

Advanced Homing Missiles 3

Guidance Chips 0

Ship Total: 31

Lieutenant Colzet — TIE Advanced 23

XX-23 S-Thread Tracers 1

Advanced Targeting Computer 1

Guidance Chips 0

TIE/x1 0

Ship Total: 25

For a total of 99pts. It would be fantastic if you could skim 1 extra point somewhere and throw another Advanced Homing Missiles on Colzet, but it is what it is. You don't want to lose the ATC because it synergizes so well with his ability.

I like where your mind is. Thinking about things and combos and such. Maarek Stele is probably the best Advanced pilot synergy wise with the ATC. Just keep in mind, you want to maximize the value you get from your points. Investing even a single point in one ship takes away from what's available to the others, so be mindful of that. Honestly, in that list above, you can probably take one of the Missiles off the cutlass and throw it on Colzet. Punishers don't last too long, so it probably would never get all that ordinance off. But again, it's not a competitive list, but rather for drunken fun matches at 1 o'clock in the morning on a Saturday night.

I so need to get hold of Imperial Aces I always find myself needing bits from that for all my builds.

I so need to get hold of Imperial Aces I always find myself needing bits from that for all my builds.

If you want to maximize your Interceptors then that is the only path to follow.

I so need to get hold of Imperial Aces I always find myself needing bits from that for all my builds.

If you want to maximize your Interceptors then that is the only path to follow.

Just none about locally. I like to support my FLGS but at this rate may have to mail order.

You still have 6 points to fill, so you can get a little creative.

Alternatively, Prockets on Maarek might be nice for any close encouters.

I so need to get hold of Imperial Aces I always find myself needing bits from that for all my builds.

If you want to maximize your Interceptors then that is the only path to follow.

Yeah, if you have Soontir, then Imperial Aces and the StarViper; that'll make the true sword of the Empire flourish.

I like to play him, but I always defer to friends as they're really getting into X-Wing now; makes it fun.... but a friend that has only played one time previously (a core set) came over and we played a 200 point (each faction) match with four guys. He seemed overwhelmed with my collection and wanted help; I felt sorry for him and set him up with my Imperial standby, "Vader's Aces" (what I call it). I was playing Rebels (trying to learn the light side now) with Horn, Biggs and Tarn and it was fun, but even as my super novice friend (I'm just a novice now haha) asked questions and scratched his head, Soontir seemed to almost never be in arc and collected focus tokens each round like a kid in a candy store with 20 bucks. Un-hittable. Crazy.

Vader’s Aces

29 Darth Vader – TIE Advanced (29), TIE / X1 (0), Advanced Targeting Computer (0)

35 Soontir Fel – TIE Interceptor (27), Push the Limit (3), Autothrusters (2), Stealth Device (3)

29 Echo — TIE Phantom (30), Veteran Instincts (1), Advanced Cloaking Device (4)

I so need to get hold of Imperial Aces I always find myself needing bits from that for all my builds.

If you want to maximize your Interceptors then that is the only path to follow.

Yeah, if you have Soontir, then Imperial Aces and the StarViper; that'll make the true sword of the Empire flourish.

I like to play him, but I always defer to friends as they're really getting into X-Wing now; makes it fun.... but a friend that has only played one time previously (a core set) came over and we played a 200 point (each faction) match with four guys. He seemed overwhelmed with my collection and wanted help; I felt sorry for him and set him up with my Imperial standby, "Vader's Aces" (what I call it). I was playing Rebels (trying to learn the light side now) with Horn, Biggs and Tarn and it was fun, but even as my super novice friend (I'm just a novice now haha) asked questions and scratched his head, Soontir seemed to almost never be in arc and collected focus tokens each round like a kid in a candy store with 20 bucks. Un-hittable. Crazy.

Vader’s Aces

29 Darth Vader – TIE Advanced (29), TIE / X1 (0), Advanced Targeting Computer (0)

35 Soontir Fel – TIE Interceptor (27), Push the Limit (3), Autothrusters (2), Stealth Device (3)

29 Echo — TIE Phantom (30), Veteran Instincts (1), Advanced Cloaking Device (4)

I know I need Imp Aces and that would be an instant purchase if anywhere local had one.

I currently have:

Latest Core set + TIE Advance + TIE Interceptor + TIE fighter + TIE/fo + Starviper and I was given a TIE/x1 title and Advanced Targetting computer card from a veteran player.

As nobody has Imp Aces near me in stock and I'm a horribly impulsive buyer I don't really know where to go from here.

I had thought about either the shuttle or the Decimator to add a large base ship. Neither really give me enough on their own to be the obvious choice.

I had thought about the first core set plus a T-70 X-wing to give me a triple X-Wing Rebel list that isn't totally awful for store pickup fun games. (and two more TIE fighters)

I had thought about the Millennium Falcon (for Engine Upgrade) but also giving me a horribly bad Falcon + Poe Rebel list.

I had thought about 'something' to go with the Starviper to give me a really bad Scum list. (maybe a couple of Agressors or maybe the Most wanted box)

Then I think maybe just pick up a Phantom or Defender to give my current list a little choice whilst ordering Imp Aces is more sensible.

I'm really bad at decisions.........

I would say probably go for the Falcon and Imperial Aces for your next 2 purchases.

The Falcon is not quite the meta-dominating terror that it was a year or 2 back but it is still a great, iconic ship that is fun to field and comes with several useful upgrades (especially Veteran Instincts and Engine Upgrade). Engine Upgrade will help you to make the most of Vader as the favourite build for the Dark Lord is normally EU, Title, ATC and either Veteran Instincts or Predator.

Imperial Aces as already noted will help to make the most of your Interceptors and allow you to run a fully tooled-up Soontir Fel.

I don't play Scum so I cannot comment much on them except to say that the Jumpmaster looks pretty strong and comes with several useful cards.

Given the choice I had at my FLGS last night I went with the initial starter set and another T70 X-Wing. I played with the list below as Rebels for the first time.

BASIC REBEL

99 points

PILOTS

Luke Skywalker (33)
X-Wing (28), R2-D2 (4), Cool Hand (1), Integrated Astromech (0)

Poe Dameron (PS8 Version) (35)
T-70 X-Wing (31), BB-8 (2), Weapons Guidance (2)

Red Squadron Veteran (31)
T-70 X-Wing (26), Comm Relay (3), Juke (2)

Here is a link to a blog post with a very basic report and a pic. https://paul7926.wordpress.com/2016/05/25/the-view-from-the-other-side/

Luke and Poe look fine although I am not sure about weapon Guidance on Poe. Poe really wants to keep his Focus tokens rather than spending them on an attack. Maybe drop Weapon Guidance on Poe and instead give him the "Push the Limit" trait. This allows him to do 2 actions per turn. If you combine Push the Limit with BB8 you can actually pull a very clever trick.

Step 1: Select a Green maneuver.

Step 2: Reveal you Green maneuver and trigger BB8 to perform a free Barrel Roll action.

Step 3: Use "Push the Limit" after your Barrel Roll to perform a second action (probably Focus). This causes you to recieve a Stress token.

Step 4: Execute your Green maneuver as normal. This allows you to immeadiately remove the Stress token you received during Step 3.

Step 5: Perform your normal action (Target Lock or Boost, whichever works better).

So there you have it. Poe can execute 3 Actions per turn without any Stress on turns when he pulls a green Maneuver and he gets to keep his Focus token to power his ability.

Next up is your Red Squadron Veteran. Juke and Comm Relay are a really nice Combination but only works with Evade tokens. The Red Squadron Veteran does not have any way get Evade Tokens because it does not have the Evade action on its bar.

A much better choice is to take Red Ace whose special rule gives you an Evade token whenever you lose a shield. If you move R2-D2 onto Red Ace, you will actually get better use out of him because T70s have an extra shield and Red Ace takes damage slower than other X-wings meaning that R2-D2 will live longer to regenerate shields. With these bits of advice, I would suggest reworking your squad as follows.

Luke Skywalker (28)

X-Wing (28)

Poe Dameron (PS8 Version) (36)

T-70 X-Wing (31), BB-8 (2), Push the Limit (3)

Red Ace (36)

T-70 X-Wing (29), Comm Relay (3), R2-D2 (4), Integrated Astromech (0)

Luke and Poe look fine although I am not sure about weapon Guidance on Poe. Poe really wants to keep his Focus tokens rather than spending them on an attack. Maybe drop Weapon Guidance on Poe and instead give him the "Push the Limit" trait. This allows him to do 2 actions per turn. If you combine Push the Limit with BB8 you can actually pull a very clever trick.

Step 1: Select a Green maneuver.

Step 2: Reveal you Green maneuver and trigger BB8 to perform a free Barrel Roll action.

Step 3: Use "Push the Limit" after your Barrel Roll to perform a second action (probably Focus). This causes you to recieve a Stress token.

Step 4: Execute your Green maneuver as normal. This allows you to immeadiately remove the Stress token you received during Step 3.

Step 5: Perform your normal action (Target Lock or Boost, whichever works better).

So there you have it. Poe can execute 3 Actions per turn without any Stress on turns when he pulls a green Maneuver and he gets to keep his Focus token to power his ability.

Next up is your Red Squadron Veteran. Juke and Comm Relay are a really nice Combination but only works with Evade tokens. The Red Squadron Veteran does not have any way get Evade Tokens because it does not have the Evade action on its bar.

A much better choice is to take Red Ace whose special rule gives you an Evade token whenever you lose a shield. If you move R2-D2 onto Red Ace, you will actually get better use out of him because T70s have an extra shield and Red Ace takes damage slower than other X-wings meaning that R2-D2 will live longer to regenerate shields. With these bits of advice, I would suggest reworking your squad as follows.

Luke Skywalker (28)

X-Wing (28)

Poe Dameron (PS8 Version) (36)

T-70 X-Wing (31), BB-8 (2), Push the Limit (3)

Red Ace (36)

T-70 X-Wing (29), Comm Relay (3), R2-D2 (4), Integrated Astromech (0)

Thanks for taking the time to look at the list. Totally missed the fact that Red Squadron Veteran doesn't have evade! Talk about embarrassing......

I don't have Push the Limit yet but that's only temporary until I finally get my hands on Imperial Aces.

I really like this list and will try it out next time I play.