I know there's a few of these lists popping up lately, but I would love to hear some thoughts on my two Trips lists. ( I freely admit I am a Defender fan boy)

Trip x7

Ryad + x7 + PTL + TIE Mk II
Glaive + x7

Glaive + x7

Tie/D

Ryad + Tie/D + VI + TB + TIE Mk II

Delta + Tie/D + TB

Delta + Tie/D + TB

I think the x7s will have a lot of survivability and Ryads maneuverability coupled with the extra greens from TIE Mk II and PTL and her generous K turns will surprise alot. But Ryad and VI coud be swapped out for Marek or Vess.

And the Tie/Ds have great versatility in lowering agility, moving enemies and throwing out their main shots after TB.

Thoughts?

Your first list screams for Adaptability on the Glaives. It's a zero point upgrade so it's in budget and the Glaives have their EPTs free. If your foe doesn't have anyone in the same range, drop to five on the Glaives to match Countess. Identical PS across the board is very helpful. In other matchups, Brobots for example, the Glaives climb to 7 to get the edge.

As for the second, the concern is that the Deltas are shooting after Countess, so she's not benefitting from the Tractors. There is some ootential for a sort of cascade of tractoring, but you won't be realizing the defensive benefits as much because you're so low PS. If you were to give Ryad X7, that would free enough points to give one Delta Ion and the other Flechette, or double ion if you drop VI to Adaptability. You accept a weaker first turn of shooting in exchange for a much stronger position on turn two. Frankly I think the first list is stronger.

Tractor beam is nice, but ion cannon is superior (generally speaking). I would never build a list with more than one tractor beam in it. Sure it may miss sometimes, but it almost always sucks off defensive tokens which can be worth it in and of itself.

To get the most out of tractor beam though, I would try to put it on either Vessery or a pilot with predator.

Also, Ryad is not really worthwhile unless you stick push the limit on her. I know lots of people think even with no upgrades she is still superior to a glaive pilot, but there are enough times that PS6 is better than PS5 to make that just not true

I think Lone Wolf on Ryad, when using x7 is better than PTL. You are already getting focus/evade, Lone wolf works on both offense and defense in teh smae turn, and multiple times on defense vs multiple attackers

because with PTL you can TL and re-roll all your blanks? Or you can barrell roll to arc dodge.

because with PTL you can TL and re-roll all your blanks? Or you can barrell roll to arc dodge.

But then you are forced into a green your next turn which makes you very predictable, and very dependent on PTL which is stripped as soon as you face any stress control lists.

Yes, but to get that free evade you need to do a 3, 4 or 5 speed. So the only time your not getting that and doing a green move is 1, 2 bank or 2 straight/u turn.