What do you guys think about "Backdraft" with outmaneuver? It works with the auxillary arc so it can function like tailgunner for either arc. With alot of really good positioning work it could make the double 2 die shots do real work (especially considering the extra crit out the back). A probably decent version would look like:

"Backdraft" (32)

-Out Maneuver

-sf training

-fcs

I know you are at ps 7, but the aux arc probably makes up for an ace match-up, and I feel like there could be some power here. Am I crazy?

I'll bring this back up, as it didn't seem to light any fires previously, but here's a list I have in mind. Probably the first I'll fly tomorrow.

Backdraft (34)

-Outmaneuver

-FCS

-Title

-Sensor Cluster (replace with pattern analyzer when that comes out)

Colonel Vessery (35)

-Juke

-Tie/X7

Quickdraw (31)

-Rage

-EBaffle

-Title

I think sf's will make excellent vessery partners due to FCS, so I threw him in the squad alongside both sf aces. Quickdraw should be able to remove aces from the equation or at least act like a Biggs while the other 2 do their work. I want to see what outmaneuver will do with backdraft, so that's the ept for now. May eventually change if I think it is underperforming. Thoughts?

I will be interested in hearing how this goes. With outmanoeuvre and the two arcs you could get some good opportunities to use it and the FCS will help Vessery. If I were playing against this I would hammer the SFs. With two thirds of your points in them behind 2 agility there's no point attacking vessery with his 3 agility and x7. Once the SFs are gone vessery's pilot ability can't be used. Maybe swap QuickDraw for a couple of TIE/FOs as they can target lock. You could then add TIE MkII to Vessery for some extra (non-straight) green manoeuvres.

...Which is precisely why I'd stick with Sensor Cluster on backdraft, not pattern analyser. A TIE/sf's dial isn't that bad (especially with the auxiliary arc) and they really, really need defensive modifiers to stay alive.

Quickdraw.....yeah, she's a kamikaze, so who cares.

I'll probably test pattern analyzer for a while after it comes out, but I will be flying with sensor cluster till then. I count any turn the enemy is chasing the rear arc ships as a win because that means a juke enabled vessery will be behind them and loving every second of it. (Of course backdraft will be even more dangerous when they are chasing him down because of that awesome abillity)

As stated quickdraw is a kamikaze, hopefully she kills a soontir fel or something before she fireballs.

So I got two games in with this list today. It's crazy aggressive. I played against an opponent with 2 arcs and 2 z-95's and then against an opponent with fenn rau and 2 u-boats.

Game 1 couldn't have ended quicker. The arcs dealt enough damage for me to lose shields on the enitre list + kill quickdraw and deal hull damage to Vessery. I absolutely adore Quickdraw. She Vomits damage. It just stacks on. In this game she triggered her abillity all three times. The offensive output is crazy. Backdraft is the exact opposite, he plays the long game. Sensor cluster came in clutch once (saved me from a crit). Backdraft just keeps dealing out damage. In front or behind doesn't matter, and the only (1) time I didn't have a shot today was because I was just barely out of range while turning around. Out maneuver was awesome, in this match it triggered 4 times. Just an awesome ship. Vessery played as expected but man does he love having a partner with fcs. Match made in Imperial Heaven. There were 3 turns of play after the first turn of combat, fast furious and done.

Next was against Fen Rau and 2 u-boats. I was a little daunted facing u-boats (the slayers of liw agillity ships), but by changing the way I engaged I came out of the match with a full 100-0 victory. I imagine my opponent will be more prepared to deal with the rear arcs next time, but the squad just devoured the u-boats. I shot first and with full mods on 3 of the 4 shots, 2 of the four were range one from quickdraw for a total of 14 dice into the first u-boat, 11 fully modified and 6 at minus 1 agillity (juke and OM). The ship was vaporized before it ever fired. I lost a single shield off quickdraw in return which left me with one more double tap to absolutely pound my target with. Quickdraw ended the match with 1 remaining hull. Backdraft had 1 shield and vessery was untouched. These games are really promising for the SF. Not a large enough sample to say definitely competitive, but I will say I know what I'm going to practice with for my next few tourneys.

I used a similar 2 SF and Defender list yesterday against a buddy of mine, who used a standard 3 Defender list (Vessery, Ryad, and Delta).

TIE/sf Fighter: · "Quickdraw" (29)

Crack Shot (1)

Fire Control System (2)

Special Ops Training (0)

Sensor Cluster (2)

TIE/sf Fighter: · "Backdraft" (27)

Veteran Instincts (1)

Fire Control System (2)

Special Ops Training (0)

Sensor Cluster (2)

TIE Defender: · Countess Ryad (34)

Juke (2)

TIE/x7 (-2)

-- TOTAL ------- 100/100p. --

I don't have Rage at the moment so I went for a more long game version of quickdraw.

I was short for time so I decided to joust the Defenders just to make it a quick game. I ended up winning due to clever flying with the SFs and some lucky dice rolling (tbh my buddy was rolling straight garbage). Back draft was amazing, throwing out 3 crits one round, and I feel Quickdraw really wants the super aggressive/suicidal rage/baffle combo now, I was only able to utilize her ability once. I will definitely be testing the SFs more thoroughly now, probably switch to BleakSquadrons build or a version of it.

The ship is good. People are definitely underestimating it. Have fun with them, let me know how things go!

The ship is good. People are definitely underestimating it. Have fun with them, let me know how things go!

Yeah I also think this ship is pretty underestimated. Thus I bought 2 of them yesterday. Definetly looking to try some lists based on them.

In theory it seems Backdraft is much better choice - this rear arc crit is tasty on paper. Give FCS and Outmaneuver and suddenly you got pretty hard hitting ship against which it is not easy to arc-dodge.

The ship is good. People are definitely underestimating it. Have fun with them, let me know how things go!

Yeah I also think this ship is pretty underestimated. Thus I bought 2 of them yesterday. Definetly looking to try some lists based on them.

In theory it seems Backdraft is much better choice - this rear arc crit is tasty on paper. Give FCS and Outmaneuver and suddenly you got pretty hard hitting ship against which it is not easy to arc-dodge.

Backdraft definitely sticks around longer. That doesn't mean he's better however. Quickdraw literally vomits damage in a hurry on the enemy targets, and it isn't even difficult to line up. Both named pilots are awesome. I am going to be giving the generics a shot soon. I can't see how a 25 point zeta specialist with FCS is a bad choice. The omega specialists are going to be a little different approach (might be gimmicky, but you never know till you try) wired, primed thrusters, collision detector, and of course the title. Only 27 points and will fly outlandishly.

I'll bring this back up, as it didn't seem to light any fires previously, but here's a list I have in mind. Probably the first I'll fly tomorrow.

Backdraft (34)

-Outmaneuver

-FCS

-Title

-Sensor Cluster (replace with pattern analyzer when that comes out)

Colonel Vessery (35)

-Juke

-Tie/X7

Quickdraw (31)

-Rage

-EBaffle

-Title

I think sf's will make excellent vessery partners due to FCS, so I threw him in the squad alongside both sf aces. Quickdraw should be able to remove aces from the equation or at least act like a Biggs while the other 2 do their work. I want to see what outmaneuver will do with backdraft, so that's the ept for now. May eventually change if I think it is underperforming. Thoughts?

Used the same build tonight against a stress build: Asajj Ventress, Old Teroch, and Ruthless Freelancer. In two games against the same build I destroyed all ships with Vessery in both games taking the brunt of the damage. I think his downfall in both games was thinking vessery was the biggest threat. Suicide Quickdraw puts up stupid amounts of damage as you said before.

My only possibly change to the list might be switching out maneuver for something else, I only used it once in either game, probably because of the way I fly Back draft.

I'm curious to see how this list performs against Dengaroo or Triple U-boat lists.