So like most of the planet that plays X-Wing, I got Imperial Veterans the other day and am keen to take it for a serious spin.

My main bugbear is deciding between Vessery and Stele.

Vessery has the cool ability, that also makes him a prime target.

While Stele can go the PS9 and might catch Aces. But that's a moot point if they take a 99pt list.

So here's what I was thinking:

Colonel Vessery (39)
TIE Defender (35), Ion Cannon (3), Veteran Instincts (1), TIE/D (0)

“Omega Leader” (26)
TIE/fo Fighter (21), Comm Relay (3), Juke (2)

Countess Ryad (35)
TIE Defender (34), Push the Limit (3), TIE/x7 (-2)

OR

Maarek Stele (39)
TIE Defender (35), Ion Cannon (3), Veteran Instincts (1), TIE/D (0)

“Omega Leader” (26)

TIE/fo Fighter (21), Comm Relay (3), Juke (2)

Countess Ryad (35)
TIE Defender (34), Push the Limit (3), TIE/x7 (-2)

Pretty standard stuff really, I just need to settle on a list and play the heck out of it for an upcoming event

Vessery's ability is way better than Stele's - it's not even close, particularly with OL in the same list. The other thing you really need is TIE Mk. II on Ryad - she absolutely needs to be able to bank, since she wants to PTL every turn. My recommendation is you keep the first list but you find a way to put TIE Mk. II on Ryad. Dropping Vessery to Tractor Beam is an option - that leaves you with a 1 point bid (or being able to put Mk. II on Vess as well), and a lot of aces are PS 8 these days so you'll be able to match at least some of them (plus Tractor Beam works really well with OL, makes him hit even harder). The other option is to downgrade Vess to Adaptability - no bid, and he's PS 7, but you keep the ion cannon which is really strong. If you really want an ace-hunter Defender your best bet is Brath with VI and X7 - PS 10 is huge to avoid arc-dodging, and while you'll rarely use his ability it can occasionally devastate Soontir or similar pilots.

Can also drop ion cannon to fletchette cannon, you still get that extra damage. It is powerful since Defenders can kturn and others cant when stressed. Brobots cant sloop, Scouts are forced to go left.

Vessery with Tractor Beam is great fun, and probably worth the points save.

I've been toying with the idea of pairing Omega Leader with Vessery and Tomax "Crackshot" Bren. Currently have the list with the Inquisitor, but I think Omega would go extremely well with the Colonel.

I've tried the list withTie/D Vessery, Tomax and OL/Inquisitor. It's good fun but you'll be lucky to get 2 shots with Tomax (depending on what you face) before he explodes. And Tie/D Vessery can also be quite squishy with his lack of defence mods.

Not sure where to go next with it to improve it other than X7

I've had some success flying the following:

Vessery (39)

-crack shot (can be VI)

-Ion cannon

-tie/d

Ryad (36)

-ptl

-tie mk2

-tie/x7

Deathfire (25)

-conner net

-flechette torps

-EM

-long range scanners

My experience has been that ion control is absolutely brutal. Vessery just doesn't miss, deathfire targets the most troublesome enemy from turn 1 on and sets up to conner net when possible. He carries torpedoes for a back up option, but I've never even fired them in 6 games so far. Ryad also target paints with the best, she gets every token every turn and will always have arc in my experience. Those green k-turns are crazy. My strategy with her is to go after the "other" ships that the enemy list brings that way if vessery successfully ions their ace, and has the arc for it, then he can also shoot his primary at a filler ship (which has really helped to keep enemies from blocking Vess). Vessery is just mean with the d title, so many ships just can't deal with being ioned and Vess makes it happen.

I like the jump to OL over deathfire, I just don't see where I would be able to make a single point appear from the defenders to do it, mk2 has been awesome on ryad and accept no cannon substitutes.

My default vets list is

Vess x7 juke

Ryad ptl x7 tie/mk2

D-fire homing LRS extras and conners

D-fire could be palp but that's so **** boring compared to conners

But he could be juke relay with stealth device Omega L

Unfortunately I dont have a Punisher for the MKII Ion engines. But I could borrow it from a mate who has one.

If you weren't to put PTL on Ryad, hypothetically, what would you put on her instead?

I love PTL (use it all the time on my A-Wings) but it does get a bit repetitive using on almost every ship I can.

Lone Wolf? Would need to keep her away from the others thou.

Deathfire sounds interesting, but me and ordinance just dont get along. I've never been able to use it properly, so I just stay clear of it these days.

If you're not using Mk2s on Ryad with PTL, go with Engine Upgrade. It's weird, but awesome.