I am curious to see how Defenders do in the wave 9 meta though...

Do you think there's something in Wave 9 that looks like a particular threat to defenders?

They have now rightfully taken their place as the best fighter in the galaxy.

In all seriousness though, I think they are one of the few ships FFG has gotten perfect (with its fix). They are very strong, fun to play, yet they aren't overwhelmingly powerful.

I am curious to see how Defenders do in the wave 9 meta though...

Do you think there's something in Wave 9 that looks like a particular threat to defenders?

There really isn't

However, seeing how competitive x7s are, I'm very glad ARCs have been able to stand up to them exceptionally well

Nothing the ARC foes hardcounters x7s, in fact it seems like nothing freaking happens because you got 2 dice versus evade tokens V no mod attacks (stressed defenders), but it is a very even match

Bodes well for the competitive quality of the ARC, which really only hates torp scouts

What's the best cannon for a TIE /D? Tractor beam is only 1 point, but mostly useless against Ghosts and Decimators.

I've mainly used Ion cannon, but I also only use T/D for Vessery to take advantage of the target lock ability. I'll try tractors eventually, but for now, I think I'll stick with Ion until I feel a need for tractor, which may never happen anyway :/

I've mainly used Ion cannon, but I also only use T/D for Vessery to take advantage of the target lock ability. I'll try tractors eventually, but for now, I think I'll stick with Ion until I feel a need for tractor, which may never happen anyway :/

Yeah, the question really is which of the three do I want to do?

1) Reduce the opponent's agility.

2) Give him stress and a damage.

3) Give him an ion token and a damage.

"Major's Palpfenders" has won two nationals: Canada and Australia. Safe to say Defenders (at least the x7 variety) are here to stay. Biophysical's double D with an Academy should not be overlooked though. One of the guys down here has been wrecking face with it.

I am curious to see how Defenders do in the wave 9 meta though...

I don't think they change too much. The one exception might be PTL ahad, who likes Black Market Slicer Tools only a little less than Soontir Fel. Ventress might have an effect on Ryad as well. The others care quite a bit less.

I've mainly used Ion cannon, but I also only use T/D for Vessery to take advantage of the target lock ability. I'll try tractors eventually, but for now, I think I'll stick with Ion until I feel a need for tractor, which may never happen anyway :/

Yeah, the question really is which of the three do I want to do?

1) Reduce the opponent's agility.

2) Give him stress and a damage.

3) Give him an ion token and a damage.

Out of those 3 cannon options, flechette is definitely the weakest since if your target is already stressed, you cant give them another stress. The advantage of using a stress giving weapon/ability is being able to stack it, especially stress. Ion Cannon and Tractor Beam are easily the top two options for the T/D. Plus, in terms of targeting higher ps ships, who are commonly stressed from PTL, an Ion token will ruin their day.

I've mainly used Ion cannon, but I also only use T/D for Vessery to take advantage of the target lock ability. I'll try tractors eventually, but for now, I think I'll stick with Ion until I feel a need for tractor, which may never happen anyway :/

Yeah, the question really is which of the three do I want to do?

1) Reduce the opponent's agility.

2) Give him stress and a damage.

3) Give him an ion token and a damage.

In my fairly extensive testing of the TIE/D title, All are useful, but Ion is really the best. Points matter, though, and so do supporting squad members, so I think you can reasonably go with any of them as long as you have a clear idea of what you want it to do. If you don't have a clear idea? Take the Ion, it rocks.

I am curious to see how Defenders do in the wave 9 meta though...

Do you think there's something in Wave 9 that looks like a particular threat to defenders?

That was more of an open-ended question that I was looking for other opinions on. Personally, I don't see anything really threatening. Even PTL Ryad isn't all that threatened by BMST and Assajj because she can just not push and still be ok with a focus and evade. I'm thinking Defender popularity will continue to rise in the Imperial meta due to a lot of the PTL Aces being hit hard this wave.

I am curious to see how Defenders do in the wave 9 meta though...

Do you think there's something in Wave 9 that looks like a particular threat to defenders?

Not in my estimation.

I've tried 2x [Glaive Squadron / Tie/D / Predator / Ion Cannon] and they do so much damage.

There are 20 points free for a third ship and I don't entirely know what it should be.

Currently it's a Scimitar Tie Shuttle with Mara Jade and Intel Agent. Aces can be a weakness if the Ion Cannon doesn't hit.

I've tried 2x [Glaive Squadron / Tie/D / Predator / Ion Cannon] and they do so much damage.

There are 20 points free for a third ship and I don't entirely know what it should be.

Currently it's a Scimitar Tie Shuttle with Mara Jade and Intel Agent. Aces can be a weakness if the Ion Cannon doesn't hit.

Scourge with Adaptability and hull upgrade, perhaps? Adapt him down to a 6, let the Glaives push some damage through, then kick in the extra dice attack.

X7 defenders just won like, every single national since they've been out (friendly reminder that gencon is not a national) tie d defenders haven't been in such a crazy good place

I've tried 2x [Glaive Squadron / Tie/D / Predator / Ion Cannon] and they do so much damage.

There are 20 points free for a third ship and I don't entirely know what it should be.

Currently it's a Scimitar Tie Shuttle with Mara Jade and Intel Agent. Aces can be a weakness if the Ion Cannon doesn't hit.

Scourge with Adaptability and hull upgrade, perhaps? Adapt him down to a 6, let the Glaives push some damage through, then kick in the extra dice attack.

So Zeta L adapt, then

I've tried 2x [Glaive Squadron / Tie/D / Predator / Ion Cannon] and they do so much damage.

There are 20 points free for a third ship and I don't entirely know what it should be.

Currently it's a Scimitar Tie Shuttle with Mara Jade and Intel Agent. Aces can be a weakness if the Ion Cannon doesn't hit.

Scourge with Adaptability and hull upgrade, perhaps? Adapt him down to a 6, let the Glaives push some damage through, then kick in the extra dice attack.

Good suggestion. That's similar to another idea I've had. Backstabber with shield upgrade so everyone is at PS6. I'm still leaning toward a support Tie shuttle as I really want some extra tools to deal with Aces.

I've tried 2x [Glaive Squadron / Tie/D / Predator / Ion Cannon] and they do so much damage.

There are 20 points free for a third ship and I don't entirely know what it should be.

Currently it's a Scimitar Tie Shuttle with Mara Jade and Intel Agent. Aces can be a weakness if the Ion Cannon doesn't hit.

Scourge with Adaptability and hull upgrade, perhaps? Adapt him down to a 6, let the Glaives push some damage through, then kick in the extra dice attack.

So Zeta L adapt, then

Without the stress, though, and a better trigger, IMO.

Tournament players fear the irregularities of dice its therefore no wonder they go with x7.

i'd say theyre one of the more balanced ships, with a toe towards overpowered. In general theyre just really annoying because there isnt any solid counters to them that instantly vaporizes them (they can even weather torps...wont be happy afterwords but they can do it)

They can be a serious threat if not taken seriously but unlike the arcdodgers, they generally cant get more than a few shots a game where they dont get fired at back. Eventually their agility fails, but an arcdodger can keep sidestepping you.

I really like Vessery Tiexd with Tractor beam , and a 32 point Tomax Bren with Inquisitor or OL. Vessery is so good at setting up Bren that it is just scary. That said, I think the homing missile will start to see a lot of play as the x7 defender becomes more and more prevalent.

I really like Vessery Tiexd with Tractor beam , and a 32 point Tomax Bren with Inquisitor or OL. Vessery is so good at setting up Bren that it is just scary. That said, I think the homing missile will start to see a lot of play as the x7 defender becomes more and more prevalent.

I've already had a decent amount of play time with a list that has Tomax with 2 Gamma Vets all with Homing, Extra Muns, & Crack Shot. Vets have LRS while Tomax has GCs. I throw in Wampa with the remaining points. First salvo of missiles if all focus on one defender will usually kill it if not overkill it.

I would have to say that swarm really hates defenders. You need either a true 7 swarm for firepower to remove tokens or a 6 crack to break the token stack. And quickly enough that you don't get torn apart.

I have general trouble with ghosts and large ships that seem to take an inordinate amount of effort to beat. Dengaroo is ok cuz it doesn't output enough firepower. Kanan Biggs utterly boggles my defender list.

"Major's Palpfenders" has won two nationals: Canada and Australia. Safe to say Defenders (at least the x7 variety) are here to stay. Biophysical's double D with an Academy should not be overlooked though. One of the guys down here has been wrecking face with it.

I am curious to see how Defenders do in the wave 9 meta though...

I don't think they change too much. The one exception might be PTL ahad, who likes Black Market Slicer Tools only a little less than Soontir Fel. Ventress might have an effect on Ryad as well. The others care quite a bit less.

For this reason, I've been I've been running my Palp Shuttle with Vessery and Ryad both with Juke, x7 and Twin ION engines. Do no PTL or anything that might give me stress. That and the modification safeguard against stress with the Defenders. It has thus far worked fantastically.

Also, the strategy that has worked very well for me is Palp on one side, defenders on the other (near asteroids). Slow-roll out, k-turn right back, and force about 20 minutes of making your opponent circle around or fly through the asteroid field. I've found it to be very effective as most opponents aren't very patient. Then swoop in with the Defenders and attack when the opponent is in the asteroid filed. This is even more fun if you have a tractor beam at that point

I love the tractor beam, but it's hard to argue the increased survival afforded by the x7 title.

I don't think they change too much. The one exception might be PTL ahad, who likes Black Market Slicer Tools only a little less than Soontir Fel. Ventress might have an effect on Ryad as well. The others care quite a bit less.

The only impact I see here honestly is moving towards lone wolf countess which let me tell you is very legit anyway.

I don't think they change too much. The one exception might be PTL ahad, who likes Black Market Slicer Tools only a little less than Soontir Fel. Ventress might have an effect on Ryad as well. The others care quite a bit less.

The only impact I see here honestly is moving towards lone wolf countess which let me tell you is very legit anyway.

I definitely agree. 2 fewer points and even harder to kill in the end game.