I've been a lurker for a long time around here, and like one of the much more active participants on this forum, I've been flying Defenders since they were released (in fact the TIE Defender pack was my first purchase before I even started playing the game, just so I could have the model sit on my desk!). Anyway, now that Veterans is in my hands I've got a few different double TIE/D variants I've been kicking around, and I figured I might as well post and see what you guys think. I'm a sucker for fluff, which is why Stele is one of the pilots Vessery is Vessery; the man needs no introduction.

Variant 1:

Maarek Stele (TIE Defender) — TIE Defender 35

Predator 3

Ion Cannon 3

Hull Upgrade 3

TIE/D 0

Ship Total: 44

Colonel Vessery — TIE Defender 35

Adaptability 0

Tractor Beam 1

Hull Upgrade 3

TIE/D 0

Ship Total: 39

Sienar Test Pilot — TIE Advanced Prototype 16

TIE/v1 1

Ship Total: 17

Defenders have the most survivability in this one. "Chuckles" the wingman is little more than a blocker, though he might be dangerous at range 1 if he gets to shoot with TL+Focus. Vess and Maarek share pilot skill, and so won't get in each others' way as often.

Variant 2:

Maarek Stele (TIE Defender) — TIE Defender 35

Predator 3

Ion Cannon 3

Twin Ion Engine Mk II 1

TIE/D 0

Ship Total: 42

Colonel Vessery — TIE Defender 35

Veteran Instincts 1

Tractor Beam 1

TIE/D 0

Ship Total: 37

Sienar Test Pilot — TIE Advanced Prototype 16

Proton Rockets 3

Guidance Chips 0

TIE/v1 1

Ship Total: 20

"Chuckles" gets a hell of a lot more dangerous and Maarek gets some protection from stress control at the cost of defender survivability. Vess moves and shoots at 8, which can obviously be a big deal, hence the 1 point initiative bid.

Variant 3:

Maarek Stele (TIE Defender) — TIE Defender 35

Predator 3

Ion Cannon 3

TIE/D 0

Ship Total: 41

Colonel Vessery — TIE Defender 35

Veteran Instincts 1

Tractor Beam 1

TIE/D 0

Ship Total: 37

Scimitar Squadron Pilot - TIE Bomber 16

Extra Munitions 2

Concussion Missile 4

Long Range Scanners 0

Ship Total: 22

"Chuckles" flies a TIE Bomber. Painting targets for Vessery becomes a lot easier and "Chuckles" becomes a must-dodge arc for many enemies at the cost of blocking ability and initiative.

Edit: Fixed some point totals and removed the doomshuttle list: didn't realize it was over by 1.

Are these supposed to be 100 point lists? Unless there is some upgrade errors, all except the 1st list seem like they are over 100.

It looks like you want to run the TIE/D title. I've looked at a lot of different ways and I've even had some time to discuss this very thing with Biophysical and we both concluded that in a list like this, you don't really want Vessery unless the 3rd ship is very good at doing the job of Target Lock caddy for Vess.

The list that Biophysical took to Gencon I would say is probably the best 2 defenders + 1 other given the current meta conditions. It looks like this:

Rexler w/ predator, TIE/D, tractor beam & hull upgrade = 44

Maarek w/ predator, TIE/D, ion cannon & hull upgrade = 44

Academy pilot = 12

100

If you wanted to go with Vessery, I think a bomber with Long-range scanners would be ideal. Alternatively, a doom shuttle is not a bad option, but personally, I would be looking to get crack shot on vessery and just accept a slight drop in overall pilot skill:

Vessery w/ crack shot, TIE/D & tractor beam = 37

Glaive w/ predator, TIE/D & ion cannon = 40

Deathfire w/ conner net, flechette torps & LRS = 23

100

To squeeze in the doom shuttle, my preference would be either to drop Vessery down to a Glaive pilot, or replace the above Glaive Pilot's predator with another crack shot...

I've run a list like this one before, and haven't really had a problem painting targets for Vessery (although sometimes I do it at the expense of Maarek's focus action, which can be lame). I get what you're saying though, Veasery's ability somewhat restricts what the rest of the list can do. I really like the idea of running that Deathfire build; restricting the movement options of aces is always good. If I don't run Vess, do you think it might be worth it to drop the hull upgrades for a TAP to get a slightly better blocker? I feel like that boost option would really come in handy.

I've run a list like this one before, and haven't really had a problem painting targets for Vessery (although sometimes I do it at the expense of Maarek's focus action, which can be lame). I get what you're saying though, Veasery's ability somewhat restricts what the rest of the list can do. I really like the idea of running that Deathfire build; restricting the movement options of aces is always good. If I don't run Vess, do you think it might be worth it to drop the hull upgrades for a TAP to get a slightly better blocker? I feel like that boost option would really come in handy.

I like the Seinar test pilot. Its unfortunate that he's PS 2 though---he'd be an even better blocker at PS 1. However, in a list like this, he is not really needed. The defenders don't *need* a blocker, although having one is certainly a nice bonus when you can leverage the block. But the academy is in there mainly because a third ship is generally better than 2, and the points are there for it. Personally, I would rate the increased survivability of the defenders higher than getting a better blocker.

I like your first list. Can always add Ion Cannon to Vess, and drop the TAP to an Epsilon Sqd FO which has a TL action for Vess, and an extra shield over a regular TIE.

Im currently in testing process (thanks to Bio):

Vessery + xD + VI + Ion cannon

Ryad + xD + PTL + Ion cannon + mkII

Sienar + v1 + Prockets

I really like the sienar with the double defenders. The procket makes ships avoid the TAPs R1 like the plague, forcing them to waste an action to barrell roll etc. And with the TAPs boost or barrell roll, plus the 1 bank, comes in handy when blocking. Not sure if those outweigh the hull upgrades on the defenders though. I will be running the maarek, vessery, epsilon version soon, after a few more games of the one above.

I do like the LRS option to support vessery though.

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