My variation Of Int + 2VSD theme.

Imperial red-dice heavy fleet. Each VSD does CF all the time for 5 rerollable reds out of the front arc and uses tokens to get Nav and double-yaw on a short notice.

Vackbar
Author: PT106

Faction: Galactic Empire
Points: 400/400

Commander: Darth Vader

Assault Objective: Opening Salvo
Defense Objective: Contested Outpost
Navigation Objective: Intel Sweep

Victory I-Class Star Destroyer (73 points)
- Defense Liaison ( 3 points)
- Gunnery Team ( 7 points)
- Spinal Armament ( 9 points)
= 92 total ship cost

Gozanti-class Assault Carriers (28 points)
- Comms Net ( 2 points)
= 30 total ship cost

[ flagship ] Interdictor-class Combat Refit (93 points)
- Darth Vader ( 36 points)
- Interdictor ( 3 points)
- Captain Needa ( 2 points)
- Medical Team ( 1 points)
- Targeting Scrambler ( 5 points)
= 140 total ship cost

Victory I-Class Star Destroyer (73 points)
- Defense Liaison ( 3 points)
- Gunnery Team ( 7 points)
- Spinal Armament ( 9 points)
= 92 total ship cost

Gozanti-class Assault Carriers (28 points)
- Comms Net ( 2 points)
= 30 total ship cost

2 TIE Fighter Squadrons ( 16 points)

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Fleet created with Armada Warlords

yes, you do have many red dice. however, I keep asking myself the 5 questions I ask when I see every list.

1. How many ship activations does the list have?

answer: at 5 activations, including hardy ships, it is good in that area. most lists have 4 activations when including no small ships(yes, gozantis are small, but hardy compared to other small ships due to the scatter).

2. How many deployments does the list have?

answer: at 6 deployments (5 ships & one pair of squadrons), the list is slightly bad in this regard. most lists have 7-8 deployments.

3. how much is the list's Initiative bid?

answer: at 400 points, the initiative bid is zero. the list will never be able to control when to play first or second.

4. can it take down a list based on capital ships?

answer: sure, it has tremendous red dice. perhaps a super maneuverable kiting list can pose a problem but I don't think it will be insurmountable.

5. can it take down bomber lists?

THIS IS THE BIG ONE HERE.

I see a list with 2 flotilas and 3 medium-size ships. and just 2 squadrons. I just don't see how it can stop a dedicated bombing run.

examples:

1 x darth vader for escort, 1 x punishing one to give intel, 1 x major rhymer, 7 x tie bombers, and bomber command center flotilla. 151 points, plus motti and carriers.

4 x x-wings for escort/bomber, 1 x moldy crow for intel and brace tokens everywhere, 6 x Y-wings for additional bomber goodness, and bomber command center flotilla. 159 points, plus dodonna and carriers.

I just don't see what you can do against such a list. you cannot stop the bombing run-not only do you have only 2 x fighters, easily stopped by Intel keyword, but they are also so weak that even the escort will destroy them with minimal effort.

the damage 7-8 bombers with rerolls can deal is a crazy sight to behold.

CONCLUSION: all in all its an ok list, no bid or control over defense tokens but crazy raw power in red dice... but remember what stopped ackbar from being popular like the start: against bomber lists you will... kinda roll over and lose, honestly. the loss is so certain you may as well concede. if that's ok with you, great.

My thoughts exactly. If you ever come across a bomber-heavy build you're done for. Only the Interdictor has a good chance of dealing some serious damage. If the enemy fleet has either a Rhymerball or a squadron with Keyan/Luke in it, you're goind to lose both Vics in no time.

My thoughts exactly. If you ever come across a bomber-heavy build you're done for. Only the Interdictor has a good chance of dealing some serious damage. If the enemy fleet has either a Rhymerball or a squadron with Keyan/Luke in it, you're goind to lose both Vics in no time.

The question is - will the Vics and the rest of the fleet kill more that their points worth? I certainly believe so.

My thoughts exactly. If you ever come across a bomber-heavy build you're done for. Only the Interdictor has a good chance of dealing some serious damage. If the enemy fleet has either a Rhymerball or a squadron with Keyan/Luke in it, you're goind to lose both Vics in no time.

The question is - will the Vics and the rest of the fleet kill more that their points worth? I certainly believe so.

depends. point-for-point, NOTHING deals as much damage to ships as squadrons. theres a reason the game has a squadron cap-they would be OP otherwise. a typical setup like the ones I described can destroy one victory class star destroyer in a single turn. combined with some support from his ships, I don't think you will have a single ship remaining after 3-4 turns.

however, I suspect this perception is a local meta thing. back at the start of wave 2, ackbar and big ship/red dice strategies were considered excellent, but when "one trick pony bomber lists with intel" came about, ackbar and his lots became completely obsolete as top tier, falling to mid-tier. in my area though, we all play x-wing and are not interested in filling our lists with squadrons-nobody plays here such bomber lists, so ackbar/big ships etc lists still rule. if your local meta is like that, go for it.

a typical setup like the ones I described can destroy one victory class star destroyer in a single turn. combined with some support from his ships, I don't think you will have a single ship remaining after 3-4 turns.

My expectation is a bit different. With TIE's stalling bombers a bit in the beginning and BCC being dead midgame, I expect that bombers will need 1.5-2 turns to kill a VSD (3+3+3+8 = 17-19 damage). Given that they'll be out of time to get Interdictor.

Given that carriers would need to be in a shooting range to activate bombers, that'll end up being a war of attrition. So needs to be tested, I'm still split on the potential result.

And in my mind, Ackbar's downfall wasn't bombers, it was Demo.