Hi there, I've been playing Xwing for several months now, but I'm going to my first regionals and could use some advice on my list. I love Defenders, and will be getting the Imperial Veterans so figured I should try something that doesn't have Soontir Fel (who I usually use).

Countess Ryad w/ Adaptability and Tie/x7

Colonel Vessery w/ PtL, Ion Cannon, Twin Ion Engine and Tie/D

Gamma Squadron Veteran w/ Adaptability, Weapons Engineer, Rebel Captive and Tie Shuttle

My thought is to grab 2 target locks with Gamma and shoot with Vessery while flanking or on wing with Ryad.

The other 2 lists I've considered are Vessery with Soontir and a Delta Squadron, or Vader+Soontir+Delta. Anyone have any thoughts on integrating the Defender (and possibly Tie Shuttle) with aces?

I've been doing amazingly well with this build

Defender (99)

Colonel Vessery (39) - TIE Defender

Veteran Instincts (1), TIE/D (0), Ion Cannon (3)

Darth Vader (34) - TIE Advanced

Adaptability (0), TIE/x1 (0), Engine Upgrade (4), Advanced Targeting Computer (5)

"Omega Leader" (26) - TIE/FO Fighter

Juke (2), Comm Relay (3)

I've been doing amazingly well with this build

Defender (99)

Colonel Vessery (39) - TIE Defender

Veteran Instincts (1), TIE/D (0), Ion Cannon (3)

Darth Vader (34) - TIE Advanced

Adaptability (0), TIE/x1 (0), Engine Upgrade (4), Advanced Targeting Computer (5)

"Omega Leader" (26) - TIE/FO Fighter

Juke (2), Comm Relay (3)

This list is not bad, but dropping VI off Vessery and putting crack shot in its place would make it stronger. Vessery does not need to be PS 8 in this list, and crack shot makes it so that his offense is unstoppable.

Hi there, I've been playing Xwing for several months now, but I'm going to my first regionals and could use some advice on my list. I love Defenders, and will be getting the Imperial Veterans so figured I should try something that doesn't have Soontir Fel (who I usually use).

Countess Ryad w/ Adaptability and Tie/x7

Colonel Vessery w/ PtL, Ion Cannon, Twin Ion Engine and Tie/D

Gamma Squadron Veteran w/ Adaptability, Weapons Engineer, Rebel Captive and Tie Shuttle

My thought is to grab 2 target locks with Gamma and shoot with Vessery while flanking or on wing with Ryad.

Push the limit is a very poor choice on Vessery. He gets target locks through his ability, and he only very rarely needs to use both focus and barrel roll in the same turn, so you are not actually getting a lot of value out of the card. Crack shot is incredible on Vessery, especially in conjunction with his ability and the TIE/D title. The only other EPT I would consider for him is Ruthlessness, but that is a tricky card to use (without damaging your own ships).

I think the idea of 2 defenders + TIE shuttle is a good one though.

There are 2 TIE shuttle builds that I think work well in the current meta. One is an ace killer and the other is purely for support:

1) Scimitar w/ tie shuttle, vader crew & rebel captive = 22

2) Scimitar w/ tie shuttle, systems & fleet officer and TIE mk 2 engine = 22

Using either one helps out Defenders a great deal, but leaves you with only 78 points for your Defenders (or less if you want an initiative bid).

Here are some Defender pairs that I think could work well with either of the above shuttles:

-2 glaives w/ crack shot, TIE/D & ion cannons = 38 x 2

This puts you at 98 points for a good bid against Aggressors, or if you never see those, then you can throw on TIE mk 2 engines on both defenders.

-Vessery w/ TIE/D, tractor beam, crack shot & hull upgrade = 40

-Ryad w/ X-7, push the limit & TIE mk 2 engine = 36

Again, this leaves you at 98 points for a bid, or if you prefer, you can swap Vess' tractor beam out for an ion cannon which puts the list up to 100. Alternatively, if you are confident in your planning/flying skills, you can drop crack shot and give Vessery Ruthlessness. This makes Vessery particularly brutal against swarms.

The support shuttle is less needed for this particular list, but the bonus focus token from fleet officer really helps to keep Vessery alive (the guy that your opponent is going to try to kill as quick as possible). So I would go with the support shuttle if you see a lot of swarms, or go with the doom shuttle if you see a lot of aces.

There's other ways you can do it of course, but I think those are pretty **** strong lists and make for a good start!

For my first true Imp Vets build I'm considering this...

98 points

Countess Ryad (36)
TIE Defender (34), Push the Limit (3), TIE/x7 (-2), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

Colonel Vessery (39)
TIE Defender (35), Tractor beam (1), Lone Wolf (2), TIE/D (0), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

Gamma Squadron Pilot (23)
TIE Bomber (18), TIE Shuttle (0), Darth Vader (3), Tactician (2)

Ryad is just crazy. She can move around pretty much as she pleases. Tank when needed or leave a TL out there for Vess. She'll be hard to hit.

Vessery will hit hard and screw up formations with the tractor beam. Late game with Lone Wolf he'll be a tricky one too.

Gamme with Vader can get some choice hits on aces and will be annoying when targeted. Fully expect to lose him but he presents a target option.

Vessery will hit hard and screw up formations with the tractor beam. Late game with Lone Wolf he'll be a tricky one too.

Vessery will never see the end game unless your opponent is not very good.

Crack shot gives you immediate benefit and makes one of his attacks practically unavoidable (pretty handy when you have tractor beam).

I was thinking of throwing the shuttle in there too, but I think another card coming out has more benefit when paired with Vessery.

TIE Defender: · Colonel Vessery (35)

Ruthlessness (3)

Tractor Beam (1)

Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

TIE/D (0)

TIE Defender: · Countess Ryad (34)

Push The Limit (3)

Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

TIE/x7 (-2)

TIE Bomber: Scimitar Squadron Pilot (16)

Extra Munitions (2)

Homing Missiles (5)

Long-Range Scanners (0)

Using LRS, you can snag a TL from the get go. If they aren't running a lot of ships, this forces him to think if he wants to charge in, knowing the havoc a TL will create for him, or try to slow roll that ship, which lessons the amount of damage thrown your way for a turn or 2. Meanwhile, PTL Ryad can snag a different lock if needed, or BR/Focus for positioning, or remain stress free and just take a focus. It gives a lot of freedom, and the Mk.II makes her dial greener than Iceland in the summer. Vessery punishes all, swarms and big guys alike really don't like him coming their way. With TL respawning shenanigans, and Ruthlessness for any buddies nearby, coupled with two attacks each turn, he will likely be focused down (at least that's how I would fly against it). The Scimitar then can fire off a Homing missile to end the combat round on a high note.

I think this 2x defender 1x Bomber build has potential to be huge, it's just finding the right mix to it.

How about this

TIE Defender: · Countess Ryad (34)

Push The Limit (3)

Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

TIE/x7 (-2)

TIE Defender: · Colonel Vessery (35)

Crack Shot (1)

Tractor Beam (1)

Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

TIE/D (0)

TIE Bomber: Gamma Squadron Pilot (18)

Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

TIE Shuttle (0)

· Darth Vader (3)

Weapons Engineer (3)