I use him with a Glad build with OE and Assault Proton Torpedo . Fishing for crits is the best way to use him. Any other way is just a waste of points

But why not just use screed and guarantee the crits if that's the goal?

because with screed I have to spend a dice.. That is potentially 2 dmg I am giving up. in two rerolls most of the time I have a hit/crit on 3 of the 4 dice and the 4th dice is a hit

Screed also costs 10 points less and will yield crits 100% of the time. Vader just seems like an unnecessary luxury in this context in comparison imo

I have used both in this build and I do better with Vader because of my normal crappy rolls. So the 10 point is worth the return IMO

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/user/267887-skycake/

Although, he was referring to Skycake's list when the original comment was made.

Which is here

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/231053-welp-then/#entry2431962

Thank you. I was beside myself laughing about the ridiculous fun I could have and coming up with all the wacky things that "skycakes" could mean.

http://youtu.be/55h1FO8V_3w

skycake explanation

I've done OK with Vader on this list. By not spending for the 3 x OE on ships that die quick (and therefore not giving those points to the opponent at end of match) and no Leading shots or such on the ISD you save to make up for Vader cost, but you do give up another Admiral's ability in return... don't know if it's worth it. It is nice, however, to get the re-rolls without spending the die (and gives real use to those torpedo ship evades) so you can do more damage before they die quickly, like they always do.

399/400

ISD2 (172) - Darth Vader (36) - ECM (7) - XI7 (6) - Relentless (3)

GSD I (71) - APT (5) - Demolisher (10)

Raider 1 (49) - APT (5)

Raider 1 (49) - APT (5)

Howlrunner (16)
Dengar (20)
TIE Interceptor (11)
TIE Interceptor (11)

The benefit of Vader is that he lets you reroll any amount of dice without having to spend a die (Leading Shots). And since you're getting a reroll effect without needing Leading Shots or Ordinance Experts, those slots are free to have other powerful upgrades equipped.

And, as Drasnighta said, Vader lets Imperials reroll red dice at long range. I would like it if Vader cost 30 instead of 36 though.

Well, my favorite Vader's list so far is the one that capitalizes on red dice. It did pretty good.

400/400

VSD1 (73) - Defense Liaison (3 points) - Gunnery Team (7 points) - Spinal Armament (9 points)

VSD1 (73) - Defense Liaison (3 points) - Gunnery Team (7 points) - Spinal Armament (9 points)

Interdictor Combat Refit (93 points) - Darth Vader (36 points) - Interdictor (3 points) - Captain Needa (2 points) - Medical Team (1 points) - Targeting Scrambler (5 points)

2 TIE Fighter Squadrons ( 16 points)

I tried Vader the other day in an all-ship list. It wasn't bad TBH but the key was concentrating fire a lot and focusing fire. The list was 3 victory Is and demolisher (weird build with Kallus and Glad2 for 3 dice vs aces), vics 2 spinals 1 slaved, all with intel officer. The idea is to throw a bunch of CF and navs and use the demo as a flanker or a goad. Victories are pretty **** point efficient for dice and sturdy for the points as well. When you manage to queue a couple of CF commands in a row at the right time and you start throwing 5 re-rollable reds from a couple of overlapping fields of fire Vader starts showing his value. If you fly reeel guut victories close and start throwing gut punches and you end up with 4 blacks, 4 reds re-rollable and the spinal victories can often even add a side arc if you are lucky for a total of 6 blacks, 6 reds (rerollable) which rival the damage output of anything in the game.

Flotillas get pretty screwed too w/intel officer and frequently un-ignorable amounts of red die damage. This list is similar to an ackbar list in that it will be vulnerable to bomber balls and can be fairly predictable which is where the Demo is a great "back stop" or anti-flank when you aren't using it as a mobile flanker of your own.

I mean, it's OK, Victories are...cool...but it's limitations are well known. Vader is his own limitation, but I imagine his point cost was set given future roadmap for imperial ships including the arquitens, if the arq is rebel corvette levels of cheap, points wise, Vader would be OP in a arq swarm...