I picked up Veterans and flew a list 3 times last night. Never lost more than 2 shields. Admittedly I was playing against not top tier lists, but even so, I thought it would be somewhat closer, as every other time I've flown Defender's I've struggled hard with them. This time though, my friends were calling 'OP' and 'Broken' (only slightly jokingly) and the list seemed as competitive as anything I've ever flown.

For the record, list was a pair of x7 Glaives and a Royal Guard Interceptor, with some upgrades on everything. I couldn't believe how strong it seemed.

Anyone else as excited about getting Defenders to feel strong? Am I just not flying agains the right stuff and I'm gonna be left disappointed?

Jacob

Eh I've been hearing OP and broken since wave four.

You weren't flying against me. That's why.

They're good.

They're really good.

They fall just short of 'broken', however. Part of the challenge is figuring out how to outfly such a weird dial, while fighting a ship that's so mechanically efficient on top of said gimmick. So they'll be going nowhere for a very long time, but will also take quite a bit of practice before people start comfortably countering them with non-gimmick lists themselves. It'll come, though - an efficient jouster shapes the meta less than most things, beyond pushing more inferior counterparts aside. And that already kinda happened a wave or two ago anyway.

They're like Fighters in DnD, even if you play them incorrectly they're still solid in every way. Quite a few times I feel like I'm flying against a brobots list that happens to have another dangerous ship.

That being said it still feels like high PS aces can do them in pretty well.

They're like Fighters in DnD, even if you play them incorrectly they're still solid in every way. Quite a few times I feel like I'm flying against a brobots list that happens to have another dangerous ship.

That being said it still feels like high PS aces can do them in pretty well.

Brobots vs Defenders is an... interesting matchup, to be sure.

There's some powerful combos to come with Imp Vets. They can be a bit predictable, but they're usually tough enough not to care too much. they'll make a good anchor/tank for the Empire.

Best way to beat the defenders is dont get caught in their K-turn yo-yo. You have to move out of that line and force them to do other maneuvers. Although being able to get two attacks is a beast. Or the free evades.

The free eveades are ok to fight against. The tractor beam upgrade is tough to fight - hard to avoid all those reds...

Only reason i wouldnt consider defenders OP is because they cant arcdodge, so they either predictably 4k (unless its Ryad) to get behind you or take any incoming hits like a man and laugh....which only works once barring some good dice lol.

Theyre deadly. Both titles are **** good in their own merits. But because they pretty much always get shot at, and often close up, they are constantly taking chip damage at best. Im still kinda flabbergasted at how deadly x7 glaives are with juke personally lol

Best way to beat the defenders is dont get caught in their K-turn yo-yo. You have to move out of that line and force them to do other maneuvers. Although being able to get two attacks is a beast. Or the free evades.

Yup, force them into a position that a K will leave them in arc but with no return shot; forcing them them to bank/turn. That's how you defeat them. Any ship that can do a hard, tight turn will have an advantage in such a match up.

also hiding by the board edge or near rocks.

One of my regular opponents brings tractorbeams and the main way he uses it is to put my defenders (if it hits) facing a rock or the board edge. Almost more annoying than being dumped onto a rock lol