So, I was playing X-Wing Alliance the other day and got to wondering why the TIE Experimental models haven't appeared in the X-Wing miniatures game. When I looked them up on Wookieepedia, I found the answer: the names given to them are really, really stupid! Clearly, this is the only possible reason for FFG not including them yet. To remedy this, I propose new names for these craft and welcome others to submit their own suggestions. Let's start things off:

TIE Experimental M1 - A nimble but delicate craft with a turbolaser grafted onto it.

Current Name: TIE Bizarro

Suggested Name: TIE Obliterator

Reasoning: Not much to say about this one. "Bizarro" is just a really dumb name, and while "Obliterator" may not be much better, at least it describes what it does.

TIE Experimental M2 - Same speed, but slightly less maneuverable than a standard TIE/LN. Has turbolaser turrets mounted on each wing.

Current Name: TIE BigGun

Suggested Name: TIE Mauler

Reasoning: "BigGun" isn't even a real word. Much better, in my opinion, to honor one who so valiantly gave his life for the Empire at Yavin. "Mauler" Mithel would be proud that his legacy of sowing death and destruction across the galaxy lived on in this humble slaughter machine.

TIE Experimental M3 - A standard TIE Interceptor with laser cannons removed and warhead launchers mounted on the wings.

Current Name: TIE Warhead

Suggested Name: TIE Hydra

Reasoning: Well, the TIE itself isn't really a warhead, now is it? The suggested name comes from the warhead launchers reminding me of the pods for Hydra 70 rockets.

TIE Experimental M4 - No weapons, just engines and a LOT of explosives. Incredibly fast and designed to detonate on impact.

Current Name: TIE Bomb

Suggested Name: TIE Surge

Reasoning: "Surge" evokes thoughts of both speed and power, while also possibly being something that is there suddenly then gone. All of this suits this craft rather nicely.

TIE Experimental M5 - B asic ally, a REALLY fast, slightly less maneuverable TIE/LN. Also, could have shields without any noticeable loss in performance.

Current Name: TIE Booster

Suggested Name: TIE Ghost

Reasoning: You're not going to be seeing this one often, and when you do, it'll be gone so fast you'll wonder if it was ever really there...right up to the point where it blasts you out of space.

Beta -class ETR-3 Escort Transport - The ship controlling all the TIE Experimental models.

Current Name: Beta -class ETR-3 Escort Transport

Suggested Name: Beta -class ETR-3 Escort Transport

Reasoning: Yeah, I really don't have a problem with that designation.

So, what do you think? Can you come up with better names for these craft?

See, the question I have here is if they were all remote controlled... why do they have cockpits?

See, the question I have here is if they were all remote controlled... why do they have cockpits?

Oh, they still have people in them, the people just don't actually control the craft. That way, they can throw away hundreds or thousands of lives needlessly, without actually losing any of their pilots! It's win/win for the Empire!

All of them except the M4 (which was just a TIE-shaped missile rather than an actual fighter) were designed to be capable of being piloted.

There was a picture from the rp book of a Renegade squadron rebel commando about to steal a Mk 3. I absolutely adore the concept but I'm not sure how to home brew the stats as any of the experimental TIEs tend to overpower their rebel counterparts and you have to pretend that you want to balance them.

The M3 is the most plausible of the designs, but to balance it you'd need to say the extra mass from the missile pods cause it to have worse acceleration and maneuverability. Since that would obviously be the case if it uses the same engines as the regular TIE Interceptor. IIRC in X-Wing Alliance it was about as fast as a regular TIE Fighter.

See, the question I have here is if they were all remote controlled... why do they have cockpits?

They may be souly their for easir access for maintenance crews. Also if the the pilot can not get a response out of the fighter, they could have a standard pilot, and or mechanic test the craft, see if it can fly via use of internal pilot interface. If it can its a transponder issue.

I know people can fly them with internal pilot interface because a member of Renegade Squadron gets in one to steal it.

The M3 is the most plausible of the designs, but to balance it you'd need to say the extra mass from the missile pods cause it to have worse acceleration and maneuverability. Since that would obviously be the case if it uses the same engines as the regular TIE Interceptor. IIRC in X-Wing Alliance it was about as fast as a regular TIE Fighter.

I wonder how many projectiles it carried. A normal Interceptor mounted with 12 concussion missiles doesnt really seem to effect its performance in a dramatic way. I am getting this from tbe Stele Chronicles.

Honestly, I would say a more sensible upgrade for a TIE Interceptor would be to put about four disposable launch tubes for concussion missiles on the insides of its solar panels. Basically no added mass beyond the missiles themselves, and once they're fired you've got a normal Intercepter outmaneuvering everything in sight.

The M3 is the most plausible of the designs, but to balance it you'd need to say the extra mass from the missile pods cause it to have worse acceleration and maneuverability. Since that would obviously be the case if it uses the same engines as the regular TIE Interceptor. IIRC in X-Wing Alliance it was about as fast as a regular TIE Fighter.

The Primary Weapon Value of "-" wouldn't balance it out at all? (The M3 doesn't have regular lasers, and can only use ordinance.)

Oh, it doesn't have the lasers? I thought it was just a stock TIE Intercepter with missile pods on the side and a remote control function added.