I like flying Vader, but I think our current pilot card is starting to feel a bit stale in a game that has developed a lot. Two actions is great, but does not feel aggressive and Vader like enough. Also his pilot skill should be 10 and the only one to ever get that natively (Epsilon Ace being the wierd exception), he is the best pilot in the Galaxy right?

Two actions powers up his every attack like crazy or lets him maneuver like crazy depending on the situation. He doesn't have native PS10 because nobody does by design: the slot is designed for a single digit and native PS10 would allow PS12 via Veteran Instincts. PS12 is set as the "trump everything" skill used by Rieekan, Roark and Epsilon Ace.

I was thinking about the pilot ability: Darth Vader does not get stressed.

You never apply a stress token to him, he is simply to cool or forsees events.

1. That's just Tycho's ability with K-turns.

2. Speaking of being unVaderlike, "too cool to be stressed?" Vader snaps people's necks whenever he gets mildly annoyed.

Besides, who says Vader is the "best" pilot in the galaxy? IMPERIAL PROPAGANDA I say!

Obi-Wan Kenobi is an imperial propagandist now?

I might like something like "after you perform an action, you may perform a free action", which would allow some Advanced Sensors shenanigans. They could even do this via errata. I think AS on any TIE Advanced would be a step down in performance from ATC or Accuracy Corrector, but it would be nice to be proven wrong.

But seriously: Vader in a TIE Advanced is a beast. No update needed.

what kind of world are you living in?

Vader has the most powerful ability in the game bar none, is a meta-staple in all Imperial lists, and is one of the only ships who feels as good on the table as the fluff would imply he is (Unlike any of the Rogue Squadron pilots).

You want him to be PS10... just because? I think we need some more logic behind this.

If you think Vader is squishy then you have never flown Juke Vader. That guy is a monster on defense and on offense he will strip your focus or beat you up for not having one.

Vader needs a Vader only upgrade that allows him to use stress in a positive way. Anger, fear, hate, agrression are things that fuel the dark side of the force. they should enhance him. but yeah, he's pretty good as he is now.

Narratively though, these fonts of strength are exactly why he's the emperor's lap dog and cannot hope to defeat him by himself. Aggressive feelings are easy to manipulate, giving us a very robotic (figuratively and literally) dark Lord

Not until his protective paternal instincts kick in and he chucks the old man down the...whatever the hell that drop was supposed to be in one badass moment of redemption

Which is why Vader as is is perfect. He basically can PTL free without getting stressed, but if the stress gets to him then he becomes a pale imitation

Sort of EXACTLY LIKE Kylo Ren, who demonstrates the power and the ability to be manipulated, but exactly zero of the robotic emotional control

Vader needs a Vader only upgrade that allows him to use stress in a positive way. Anger, fear, hate, agrression are things that fuel the dark side of the force. they should enhance him. but yeah, he's pretty good as he is now.

Well from a dark side perspective this is true

Narratively though, these fonts of strength are exactly why he's the emperor's lap dog and cannot hope to defeat him by himself. Aggressive feelings are easy to manipulate, giving us a very robotic (figuratively and literally) dark Lord

Not until his protective paternal instincts kick in and he chucks the old man down the...whatever the hell that drop was supposed to be in one badass moment of redemption

Which is why Vader as is is perfect. He basically can PTL free without getting stressed, but if the stress gets to him then he becomes a pale imitation

Sort of EXACTLY LIKE Kylo Ren, who demonstrates the power and the ability to be manipulated, but exactly zero of the robotic emotional control

You're exactly the last person I expected deep analysis of the themes and imagery of the Original Trilogy from.

And I say that as someone who agrees with about 99% of what you say.

The thing I like the least about the new EU stuff is how Vader is becoming more and more of a straight up badass, and less and less of a cranky old man with a lifetime of regret but nothing to live for other than serving Palpatine.

'All I'm surrounded by is fear and dead men' is the single cringiest line that Anakin Skywalker has said. And he was in the Prequels.

Personally i wouldnt mind a pilot skill 10 Vader, But him being the best pilot in the galaxy is definitely up for debate.

Two non force sensitive pilots challenge him heavily for that title. Soontir and Wedge.

Soontir Trained Tycho, and Tycho was never able to beat him in a simulator. Tychos own words- “Fel is the best Imperial pilot alive.” – Tycho Celchu

Wedge is the second. The only Rebel fighter to survive Both Death Stars, and also the only pilot to shoot down a rogue leader when he shot down lensi.

Tycho would be an honorable mention, But he would tell you himself the three mentioned above would kick his ass. I just really Love Tycho because he is as close to you or i in a fighter that you can get. Just a normal guy that rose to the occasion every time.

Vader really only is able to compete with Wedge and Soontir as a pilot because he is force sensitive. If he wasn't, Fel and Antilles would hand him his ass on a platter.

I'd say Maarek Stele is that, since he...well... was us in TIE Fighter.

Him and Keyan Farlander.

Words can't describe how badly I wish we had a modern tech remaster of those two games. Not just what they've dumped on Steam and GoG.

Sort of EXACTLY LIKE Kylo Ren, who demonstrates the power and the ability to be manipulated, but exactly zero of the robotic emotional control

You're exactly the last person I expected deep analysis of the themes and imagery of the Original Trilogy from.

And I say that as someone who agrees with about 99% of what you say.

The thing I like the least about the new EU stuff is how Vader is becoming more and more of a straight up badass, and less and less of a cranky old man with a lifetime of regret but nothing to live for other than serving Palpatine.

'All I'm surrounded by is fear and dead men' is the single cringiest line that Anakin Skywalker has said. And he was in the Prequels.

I am an aspiring writer

well, I would be if about all my effort didn't go into forum posting instead of actual productive work

Maybe a new ship for Vader to fly, but keep his ability. I feel it is one of the best in the game.

I never said Vaders ability was crap. I think me wanting a new Vader has come from some of all the new scum pilots. Their ability just feels fresh and very thematic, so scummy. Vader has a strong all round ability, made in the beginning of the game. A new Vader would and should not replace our current, but give us an option to fly another version of our Dark Lord. Personally I would like something more fierce, so ships being followed by Vader goes oh ****. Make him 50points in a new ship, I don't care ☺. I am mostly a fluff gamer so I would just like to see Vader represented in a fresh way, even if his ability was more gimmicky and less well rounded.

It would be funny if they did remake him and he had the emperors ablity. :-)

Vader is fine. In fact, I would say he is a good benchmark.

The Academy Pilot was the old benchmark.

ATC Vader and Crackshot Black Squadrons are the new benchmark.

What if Vader flies a different ship in Rogue One?

I thought x7's were the new gold standard for jousting.

I thought x7's were the new gold standard for jousting.

Dengaroo and /x7 deltas, IIRC.

Vader only gets a new ability if he jumps factions. Since Vader only ever flew for the Empire he will never have another ability.

And don't mess with Vader, he is fine as is. Especially with Palpy assisting.

If you want 'Vader' with another ability then introduce Anakin in an N-1 or Jedi starfighter flying for the Republic. Different faction, different ability, probably related to spinning because it's a good trick.

Why are you so certain of that? I believe we will soon get another Solo with a new ability. Same ship, same faction.

Vader in a new ship, would be cool, just none of those tiny prequels ships, the jedi fighters would be the about size of the y-wing cockpit. They are like space go-carts!

Why are you so certain of that? I believe we will soon get another Solo with a new ability. Same ship, same faction.

Vader in a new ship, would be cool, just none of those tiny prequels ships, the jedi fighters would be the about size of the y-wing cockpit. They are like space go-carts!

Nope, new Han is Resistence, not Rebel Alliance.

Dude...

That's the observation:

Same pilot, same ship, different faction: different ability (Fett, Kath, soon to be Han and Chewie)

Same pilot, different ship, same faction: same ability (Stele, Hera)

Same pilot, different ship, different faction: different ability (Sabine)

Same pilot, same ship, same faction: same ability (Poe)

And yes Reaistence is a seperate (sub) faction from The (sub) faction of Rebel Alliance. Both are part of the Rebel Faction group. Just like the Empire faction group has the two subfactions First Order and Galactic Empire. And Scum faction group only has Scum and Villiany as its lone sub faction at this time.

It's in the rules.

Will you be demanding a FAQ that Resistance Han can't be flown with Rebel Han then? Aaaanyways, Vader is worthy of a first!

Will you be demanding a FAQ that Resistance Han can't be flown with Rebel Han then? Aaaanyways, Vader is worthy of a first!

No, because it's the NAME that limits things appearing in the same list, not the subfaction.

*Han Solo can't fly with *Han Solo regardless of what subfaction they come from.

I wonder if Dudewing also flies Luke X-wing with R2-D2 Astromech with Luke and R2 crew in the same list.

Or advance and defender stele.

Or two soontirs.

I'm for Vader, as a pilot card, being able to "jump" ship per say to something other than a TIE Advanced, maybe to the TIE Punisher, TIE Defender and so on and not just as a crew card. Thoughts?