What's the best way to murderize a Defender?

By Ailowynn, in X-Wing

The Defender is a Big Thing right now, and they're super tanky. Worse, the usual ace counters (like bombs, autoblasters, and stress) are way less effective against these guys thanks to their guaranteed actions and high hit points. So what's your preferred way to munch Defenders? What lists are best against them? What tactics?

with murder

(note, "way less effective" is a massive exaggeration. The dudes have a "mighty" 2 health over your typical ace. It's not like you're trying to grind down a VCX here

sabine crew ruins their ****)

Edited by ficklegreendice

There is no hope, I warned ye of the defenderpocalypse and now it is upon us, surrender hope ye sinners the defenders are here!!!

Bossk murder bus with a Homing Missile. Had one take down a full health Ryad in one shot.

Crack shot and homing missiles. Sometimes both.

Autoblasters, bombs, and stress are actually the way to do it. The 4th piece of the puzzle is rolling a zillion red dice.

Homing missile miranda does the trick real nice.

Ion

Concentrated TLTs

Homing Missiles

Carnor Jax

A bunch of crows might work.

Norra will eat their lunch.

Norra will eat their lunch.

eventually

might not be any lunch after the slow decay of time is done with it

x7 v regen games tend to last a while, even if regen always ultimately wins

Ion

Concentrated TLTs

Homing Missiles

Carnor Jax

Old Teroch

Anything that steals their previous tokens

Stress to completely rule out tight turns and limit extra tokens.

Edited by ABXY

What's the best way to murderize a Defender?

Try this.

Concord Dawn Ace X2

Attanni Mindlink

Autothrusters

Title

Asajj Ventress

VI

Gyro Targeting

Ketsu Onyo

Title

BMST

It may seem unconventional but i think it could work (see signature). Asajj stresses them and IF she hits they get a long lasting tractor beam thanks to Ketsu. The Fangs have the dial to potentially keep up with defenders (thanks to mindlink keeping their dial more open) if going against Glaives they have many opportunities to block. Just takes alot of thinking ahead.

Bring back IG88B!

Bring back Gunner on PWT ships!

Bring back 4 dice Phantom!

One of the main reasons Defenders felt so underpowered when released was the meta at the time. Gunner makes them feel bad and can generally force 1 damage through a round (or the Defender risks token/palp spending ad eating Gunner shot with less tokens to back it up). Phantoms and HLC IG88 are also able to reliably sneak damage through against 3 agility and can still evade minimal 3 dice attacks per round. The X7 title will make it less effective, but it is still effective.

Edited by phild0

They move in a straight line. Block with a cheap ship to deny them their actions. Don't take them head on. Turrets allow you to stay out from in front of them.

The Defender is a Big Thing right now, and they're super tanky. Worse, the usual ace counters (like bombs, autoblasters, and stress) are way less effective against these guys thanks to their guaranteed actions and high hit points. So what's your preferred way to munch Defenders? What lists are best against them? What tactics?

Bombs not effective? Try Conner Nets:

Warden Squadron Pilot

ABT

EM

Connor Nets x2

ASlam

Bombardier (or other crew to flavor)

Miranda Doni

Sabine

TLT

EM

Connor Nets

Ion Bombs

Proton Bombs

Homing Missile

ASlam

Defenders are tough, but very beatable. Try Fickle's Arc/Biggs list or his K-Wing/Biggs list. Both good counters to lots of stuff, not just Defenders.

They move in a straight line. Block with a cheap ship to deny them their actions. Don't take them head on. Turrets allow you to stay out from in front of them.

That. Times 1000.

They move in a straight line. Block with a cheap ship to deny them their actions. Don't take them head on. Turrets allow you to stay out from in front of them.

That. Times 1000.

TLTs do work, especially if Palpatine is not around. Sure, the Defenders usually have that evade token, but it only works for one of the attacks while autothrusters are usually there for all the TLT shots.

I have renewed my interest in Miranda Doni because of how popular Defenders are right now. She has TLT, can equip homing missiles and she is PS8 which means she can slam, usually knowing where the Defenders will be pointing their guns.

Edited by Sixter

Ketsu ability and TLT's

I have had good success by priming them with an R3-A2. They don't like losing tokens and being stressed. Those K-Turns are white and predictable, that makes them vulnerable to the next attack. Especially if you can get behind them.

Force them to turn hard to get to you, Defenders hate turning. half the game is asteroid placement and initial positioning.

Adjust your approach so that after the first engage you force your opponent to hard turn to get to you.

I had a game yesterday Bossk vs Countess were we were doing a merry go round around the steroids.

Needless to say Gonk was aboard too and brought Bossk back to full health before he finished of the Countess.

Edited by tsondaboy