Maarek/VI/X7 34 points

Soontir/PtL/AT/SD 35 points

Omnicron/Palp 29 points

The concept of the list is basically "the fact" that Palp and Soontir make one of the toughest nut to crack in the whole game right now. The Inquisitor is an amazing addition but I´m looking for a different flavor for the other ace since the Inquisitor flies somewhat simular to Soontir. So, I´m looking at the Tie-Defender because with the recent buffs it´s the newest toy in the store.

I know Vessery and Ryad are getting more love than Maarek. Vessery kind of needs the whole list built around him so I´m leaving him out since I´m using Soontir. Ryad is amazing but I find the PS5 to be somewhat limiting in a 2 ace list. The PS5 wouldn´t bother me if she was flying with a PS9 and a PS8 for example.

Maarek with VI gives me two PS9 pilots, and the 2 point initiative bid gives me a good chance to control the PS war. There is also some flexibility with targeting and moving order since both aces are the same PS. If Soontir is in a safe place you can use Palp to give Maarek the crit needed to trigger his ability. The Tie-Defender (especially with the title evade) is sturdy enough that you might risk using Palp more often for offense than defense. So, perhaps shorter and more dynamic games at times?

Eh, it seems like putting all your eggs in one basket by assuming you'll be palping for marek. If you drop the VI(not too important on defenders other than vessery) and pop in calculation you can focus palp to where he's needed. MK2 engines of course help, but i know you're trying to win the bid war, so it's not a terrible way to shave a pt.

The true answer, however, is yes: ryad is the D you're looking for.

I ran Maarek and RAC (w/ Palp) at a store tournament a couple weekends back.

It didn't go well.

Even when I triggered Maarek's ability, which wasn't terribly often (people focus down on Defenders lately, meaning Palp is played defensively often), I drew crits that were relatively meaningless, each and every time.

This is true every time I've ever flown Maarek, honestly.

Basically, Maarek's ability is NOT strong/reliable enough to make worth it over other Defenders.

Vessery is the clear Defender champ, though he doesn't work w/ Soontir & a title-less Lambda, so the suggestion for Ryad is probably a solid one.

Ended up third in a 22 persons tournement. Loosing to Wes - Coran - Big because of a very bad play with Fel:

FelRyadPalp

You must slow roll the Shuttle and Fel. Ryad can survive a beating with Palp back up.

Seriously, it had to have 5 pilote skill, if not, Ryad would be the new busted ****... Green K-Turn and all Bank move and front... to clear stress from PTL. There is no ship that can win 1-1 against her. I had Ryad alone against Coran and Wes and I loss to me attacking a Coran at 2 life with Target Lock AND Focus and roll 3 blank and a Boom. My opponent was disgusted how he could do nearly nothing with his Coran.

Edit: It never downed Ryad. We got to time, and he won by points. If the game was not timed, he could have never won.

Considering all the input I think I´m going to experiment with Ryad instead of Maarek. I already have a PS9 pilot in Soontir, and Vessery doesn´t really pair up with him because Soontir doesn´t have target lock.

I think I´ll kit Ryad with Predator instead of PtL. Predator is basically a mini-lock, but it´s guaranteed to be against the ship you end up shooting at. Ryad is only PS5 so she won´t always be able to lock on the ship she will be targeting that round. Pushing the limit will leave Ryad having to choose a green move, which pretty much eliminates the 3 turn which otherwise would be very useful since it grants you an evade. PtL also calls for the Mk.II mod which costs a point which would be useful as an initiative bid for Soontir.

So, my modified list looks like this now:

Soontir Fel PtL/title/AT/SD 35 pts

Countess Ryad Predator/x7 35 pts

Omnicron Palpatine 29 pts

Total 99 pts

ps. Soontir plus Ryad also make a nice pair considering the Star Wars history. Throw in Emperor Palpatine and I think I have a very dynamic list fluff-wise.

The exact original topic list is currently in the final-4 of the Canadian Nationals so it must have some quality to it:)

I know it's not the best not having initaive bid on aces but would soontir/ palp shuttle with title x7/adaptability vessery not work?

Take juke... and drop vi. You have palp for the crit.

Personally I'd drop Maarek for Vessery /w X7, VI and drop Soontir for the Inquisitor.