I spent probably half a dozen games playing four generic TIE Interceptors, and it was a helluva lot of fun. The list I ended up liking the most was:

3x Royal Guard Pilot, Predator, Autothrusters = 81

1x Alpha Squadron Pilot = 18

99 points

I liked the open dial, the speed, and the massive offense of this list, but in an effort to play something other than Imperials, and just to try something new, I started looking at similar ships in other factions. The obvious (tiny) shift was Protectorate Starfighters. They are a touch more expensive, but have an extra hull, a Target Lock, no Evade, and arguably a better dial (2-Trolls are sweet!). While they can support a similar build (Predator, with a native extra hull instead of Autothrusters), it's not quite as good, I think, because PS5 for the Protectorate Ace is not quite as nice as PS 6 because of stuff like Brobots and Vessery, and probably Ventress. It could work, but I decided to try for an actual Ace, just to try. So I came up with this list:

Zealous Recruit x3 = 60

Fenn Rau, PTL, Autothrusters, Title = 34

That's 6 points left.

There are a variety of options, here

Flechette Torpedo on Fenn Rau: This is sort of an anti-ace tool so if Fel or someone turtles up at long range against him, he can just drop the torpedo on them to double stress and go in for the kill next turn. Keeping Brobots from turning around is cool too.

Titles on the Recruits. They don't seem to trigger them all that often, but even once is probably okay, and the title is cheap.

Upgrading PS. A Recruit can get 3 PS for 2 points (upgrade to Vet with Adaptability), so they could all be PS4, or two could be PS6 if I upgrade them to Aces.

Initiative: I don't need 6 points, but 2-3 is probably a good idea.

Seismic Torpedo(s) on the Zealots. Anti-swarm and mild anti-ace tech. You've got the right PS for it, certainly.

Any other thoughts about what could go on Fenn Rau or the Zealots. Maybe any solid ideas for switching a Zealot out for something else?

I'm not sure Fenn and the Zealots makes for a good list (although it could do well as a garage band). Besides, I'm just not seeing a really compelling use for those last 6 points...

How about this idea?

Kad Solus w/ predator + autothrusters = 30

2 Dawn Vets w/ crack shot + autothrusters = 25 x 2

1 zealous recruit = 20

100

Kad obviously isn't the same 'ace' material as Fenn, but I've used him with predator and I think its a good fit thanks to his ability.

2 crack shotting Vets probably won't hit as hard as predator Royal Guards, but it will give you a nice little damage boost early in the game.

I'm not sure its much better than the list you propose, but it does get slightly better firepower...

Suppose Fenn sticks around (he's a nice compromise between the punchy ships I usually seem to run and a maneuverable ace), are there other ships you could put on over a 3rd Zealous Recruit?

26 points can get a decent ship. What about just a Binyare Pirate? That makes for 14 points I could put into the Recruits to make them a little more fearsome on their own.

Ace, Attani Mindlink = 24

Ace, Attani Mindlink = 24

Kaato Leachos, Attani Mindlink = 16

54 points

Leaves enough for 34 point Fen and a 2 point bid.

The interceptor squad looks like fun.

Anyway. Scum does not have a lot of strong options in the 25 pt range, and what they do have does not match the rest of the squad;

* N'dru (nah)

* Freelancer with title, beam, zuckuss collission detector (and possibly BMST) (would not keep up, altough the tractor could be nice after a block on a high PS pilot whos turn to fre will have passed as he is dragged into r1 of the blocker - but a bad idea nontheless)

* lean hwks (if anything, torkil could perhaps be something, allowing the recruits to fire before somethig. But, still pretty bad)

* Tlt y-wing (booring and would not keep up)

The one that could go with the rest of them is probably Kad with title or a 1 pt ept. Not wholly unreasonable imo.

The strongest and most boring options are probably either autothrusters or the title on the recruits if you wanna keep the concept intact.

(and here I saw your post about mindlink)

Yes, do that.

Suppose Fenn sticks around (he's a nice compromise between the punchy ships I usually seem to run and a maneuverable ace), are there other ships you could put on over a 3rd Zealous Recruit?

26 points can get a decent ship. What about just a Binyare Pirate? That makes for 14 points I could put into the Recruits to make them a little more fearsome on their own.

Ace, Attani Mindlink = 24

Ace, Attani Mindlink = 24

Kaato Leachos, Attani Mindlink = 16

54 points

Leaves enough for 34 point Fen and a 2 point bid.

Hmm, yeah that's not bad:

Fenn w/ PTL, title & thrusters = 34

2 Concord Vets w/ mindlink + thrusters = 25 x 2

Kaato w/ mindlink = 16

100

I like it!

What are the thoughts about dropping PTL for Mindlink on Fenn? He is noticeably weaker as a last-ship-alive survivor. It frees up 2 points, lets Fenn keep his dial open, and also lets him stack 2 Focus tokens for defense. He can still Focus/TL or Focus and Barrel Roll or Boost, but he can't Boost/Roll in the same turn.

What are the thoughts about dropping PTL for Mindlink on Fenn? He is noticeably weaker as a last-ship-alive survivor. It frees up 2 points, lets Fenn keep his dial open, and also lets him stack 2 Focus tokens for defense. He can still Focus/TL or Focus and Barrel Roll or Boost, but he can't Boost/Roll in the same turn.

I'd be inclined to stick with PTL, since once he's last-man-standing, you will REALLY miss the action economy (and that's what he's there for). Another thing is then you have 4 forward arc ships to manage with mindlink (a little tricky when only one of them per turn can pull a red move).

However, no harm in trying!

How about this as something silly.

Fen AT, Title, PTL

2x zealous recruit AT

Laentin A'shera SD

Total 99

Why not just Autothrusters on the Zealous Recruits, and eschew the initiative bid? Makes things a bit more survivable, and I agree that the title won't be super valuable.

Played your mindlinked version today and took out Wes/Corran/Biggs after what was a really great and close game. It's a very fun list to fly. I added BMST to ka'ato, but never used them as he was always focusing to allow the aces to TL or reposition). Would not trade down from PTL on Fenn.

So I've been playing your mindlinked list with ka'ato for some time now, Bio. Only lost once in what was a very close game (I put fenn on a rock). It might actually be a pretty competative list imho. Have you played it yourself and how did you fare?

So I've been playing your mindlinked list with ka'ato for some time now, Bio. Only lost once in what was a very close game (I put fenn on a rock). It might actually be a pretty competative list imho. Have you played it yourself and how did you fare?

I haven't, sadly. So many things to try right now, and this is one that I probably wouldn't ever make it to an actual table top, as I would need to buy another Jumpmaster and 3 Protectorates to run it. I'm happy its working for you, though. I feel like Mindlink is a very strong card on the Protectorates, definitely the generics, and maybe even better than PTL on Fenn Rau.