Hey folks, I wanted to do something fun instead of my misguided complaining. We all have builds that just work. No need to be fancy or different, this combination of upgrades pays dividends for you and your list. Once you get tired of flying it, you already have another ship that fits perfectly in that price range and are mutually interchangeable. I want to do a series of these for different prices, but I think this one is interesting for what it excludes as well as what it includes.

I usually play imperials so here are two of my favorites.

Tomax Bren- Crackshot, Title, Tactician, and Rebel Captive. 30 points

He's a mosquito, annoying, but out for blood too. Crack shot allows him to do damage, but he is really a utility ship.

Backdraft- Wired, Title, Collision Detector, Twin Ion MK2, (and maybe Sensor Cluster). 29-31 points with Sensor Cluster

Wired is actually fantastic for Backdraft. He has mods for defense and attack, (which if you blank out you'd be out of luck anyway), or if you do the "double tap" with title. I played a game with this build, and his attacks were always hit, crit or hit, hit, crit. He doesn't need too many defensive mods because he isn't long for this world anyway, but wired has gotten an extra 2-4 evades a game.

Bren/Crack/Homing/EM/Chips

Inq/PTL/v1/ATs

Quickdraw/Rage/Baffles/Title

Fearless Fenn (with appropriate support...)

Psycho Tycho (RAGE/PTL/Exp Int/ATs/Prockets, RIP, killed by BMST)

This one tends to do well.....

Delta Squadron Pilot (31) TIE Defender (30), TIE/x7 (-2), Stealth Device (3)

Sabine Wren with Push The Limit and Chewbacca for 28 points. Nice little ship who can play around with people's expectations. Bump her up to 32 with Targeting Computer and Auto Blaster Turret, and you've got a dangerous PS 5 ace.

Wes Janson r3a2, veteran instincts, and integrated astro. 32 points.

Bren/Crack/Homing/EM/Chips

Inq/PTL/v1/ATs

Quickdraw/Rage/Baffles/Title

Fearless Fenn (with appropriate support...)

Psycho Tycho (RAGE/PTL/Exp Int/ATs/Prockets, RIP, killed by BMST)

Fearless Fenn is great, a shotgun with a timer. He took my full health Vader down to 1 hull in a single attack even with my focus and evade.

The Inquisitor of course is a great ship for 31 points with push, thrusters, title (though skittish about slicer tools admittedly).

I've recently started experimenting with backdraft, predator, title, pattern analyzer and it's pretty solid actually. Shooting out the back with focus is similar damage output to predator Vader (technically exactly the same output) and if you double up then predator helps both shots.

The Inquisitor of course is a great ship for 31 points with push, thrusters, title (though skittish about slicer tools admittedly).

I've recently started experimenting with backdraft, predator, title, pattern analyzer and it's pretty solid actually. Shooting out the back with focus is similar damage output to predator Vader (technically exactly the same output) and if you double up then predator helps both shots.

I'd look at Lone WOlf over Pred for him. Making him tougher is nice, and chances of double blanks aren't THAT high - not to mention that Pred in the current meta almost never rerolls more than one die anyway.

The Inquisitor of course is a great ship for 31 points with push, thrusters, title (though skittish about slicer tools admittedly).

I've recently started experimenting with backdraft, predator, title, pattern analyzer and it's pretty solid actually. Shooting out the back with focus is similar damage output to predator Vader (technically exactly the same output) and if you double up then predator helps both shots.

I'd look at Lone WOlf over Pred for him. Making him tougher is nice, and chances of double blanks aren't THAT high - not to mention that Pred in the current meta almost never rerolls more than one die anyway.

That's fair though the list I was running him in was already using lone wolf for countess ryad.

Warden Squadron Pilot with Sabine, Connor nets, Extra Munitions and Advanced Slam.

33 points exactly and great fun for what it does.

The Inquisitor of course is a great ship for 31 points with push, thrusters, title (though skittish about slicer tools admittedly).

I've recently started experimenting with backdraft, predator, title, pattern analyzer and it's pretty solid actually. Shooting out the back with focus is similar damage output to predator Vader (technically exactly the same output) and if you double up then predator helps both shots.

I'd look at Lone WOlf over Pred for him. Making him tougher is nice, and chances of double blanks aren't THAT high - not to mention that Pred in the current meta almost never rerolls more than one die anyway.

What about juke, title, thrusters? You can throw in ion pulse missiles since ion seems to be the more popular control element right now.

The Inquisitor of course is a great ship for 31 points with push, thrusters, title (though skittish about slicer tools admittedly).

I've recently started experimenting with backdraft, predator, title, pattern analyzer and it's pretty solid actually. Shooting out the back with focus is similar damage output to predator Vader (technically exactly the same output) and if you double up then predator helps both shots.

I'd look at Lone WOlf over Pred for him. Making him tougher is nice, and chances of double blanks aren't THAT high - not to mention that Pred in the current meta almost never rerolls more than one die anyway.

Predator... on the Inquisitor? That guy who should always be taking Target Locks anyways?

And meh. The Inquisitor works best outside of BMST range anyways, so there shouldn't be an issue. Worst case, you skip a round of PtL if your opponent manages to box you in... Or you DO PtL and let them spend their action on a possible point of damage.

The Inquisitor of course is a great ship for 31 points with push, thrusters, title (though skittish about slicer tools admittedly).

I've recently started experimenting with backdraft, predator, title, pattern analyzer and it's pretty solid actually. Shooting out the back with focus is similar damage output to predator Vader (technically exactly the same output) and if you double up then predator helps both shots.

I'd look at Lone WOlf over Pred for him. Making him tougher is nice, and chances of double blanks aren't THAT high - not to mention that Pred in the current meta almost never rerolls more than one die anyway.

Predator... on the Inquisitor? That guy who should always be taking Target Locks anyways?

And meh. The Inquisitor works best outside of BMST range anyways, so there shouldn't be an issue. Worst case, you skip a round of PtL if your opponent manages to box you in... Or you DO PtL and let them spend their action on a possible point of damage.

On Backdraft... Though, Lone Wolf isn't awful as a budget choice for Inq - Lone Wolf/ATs would be 29 points. The troubel is for that price Juke/Comm/Stealth OL is WAY better.

And on that note, how on EARTH did I not mention Omega Leader with Juke, Comm, and optionally Stealth Device or TIE Mk2.

And meh. The Inquisitor works best outside of BMST range anyways, so there shouldn't be an issue. Worst case, you skip a round of PtL if your opponent manages to box you in... Or you DO PtL and let them spend their action on a possible point of damage.

The problem is slicer tools works before the Inquisitor moves, and the most popular slicer ship (Asajj Ventress) is fast enough to either force you to not push, hurting your action economy or stress you herself, opening the door for a slice.

With 2 hull it seems risky to bank on slicer tools just wiffing since it only needs to hit twice before you're dead.

Braylen with alliance overhaul, gunner and r3a2. 32 points of double stressing rebel madness.

Omega Leader + Comms Relay + Juke + Hull Upgrade = 29 Points
Inquisitor + PtL + Title + Autothrusters = 31 Points

Soontir Fel + PtL + Autothrusters = 32 Points
Darth Vader + Predator + TIE/x1 + Advanced Targeting Computer = 33 Points (or Adaptability, Proton Rockets, Guidance Chips = 33)
Omicron Group Pilot + Emperor Palpatine + Collision Detector/Fire Control System = 29/31 Points
Contracted Scout + Adaptability/Intimidation + Intel Agent + Anti-Pursuit Lasers + Feedback Array = 31/33 Points

Trandoshan Slaver + Zuckuss + 4-LOM + Intertial Dampeners = 32 Points

Jake Farrell + PtL + VI + Title + Autothrusters + Proton Rockets= 33 Points
Wes Jansen + VI + R3-A2 + Integrated Astromech = 32 Points
Warden Squadron Pilot + Extra Muniitions + Advanced SLAM + Cluster Mines or Conner Net + Seismic Charge OR Sabine = 33 Points


The 28-33 point price range is the Imperial sweet spot, as they have so many potent options at that point range with aces that are more than capable of performing well independently and can round at any list. This has given them a ton of flexibility in competitive lists over the past year and half, and these lists have defined the meta. If they want to go higher, they have the Defender/X7 options in the 34-37 Point range (and Ryad, Vessery, Marek, and Brath are all viable options depending on your desire for PS War) and Whisper in the 41 Point Range with Decimators in the 42-60 Point Range. If they need cheaper filler, Wampa is an excellent blocker who can also threaten even the most defensive ship, especially paired with Palpatine, and can always consider Crack Shot or Snap Shot Black Squadron Pilots. They really are the faction that has a rich set of options to choose from right now, though they have a pretty big void between the 17-28pt range.

Meanwhile, at that price range, Scum used to have Torp Scouts but now they just have the Party Bus and Bumpmaster (Fenn Rau is close, coming in at 34 Points, and Manaroo can be built within that range also but she's not generally useful and her value depends heavily on her wingmates). Rebels really struggle at that point range, as most of their aces end up being in the 35-45 point range. Jake is the only Rebel ace that checks in at that point range, and his 2 Attack Dice make him a risky investment once his missiles are fired (note that Inq, Palp, and Vader all effectively have 3 Attack while Omega Leader can hit any target in the game thanks to his ability and Juke), while Jansen is a nice control piece but again depends on match-up as to how useful he'll end up being. The K-Wing Bomber is also present at this range and can act as another control element, especially regarding spatial control.

So there you have it, a definitive run-down of the 28-33 Point range of options for each faction.

Jake and Deathfire

Yaknow...i dont think i ever run 28-33pt ships lol. Unless theyre following a theme in a list that is.

My favorite Backdraft is 35pts, majority of the Xwing builds are under 28pts or way over 33pts, i cant stand Inqy so i never use him, Ryad is the cheapest defender i run which is 34pts...lol...

My personal preference would be Omega Leader with Juke & Comm Relay. If I've got Palp in the list and points left over, I'll slap on a Stealth Device. Without Palp, I'll grab a Hull Upgrade.

Usually, I'm happy with the 26 point version, though.

Horton Salm, proton torpedoes, autoblaster turret, vectored thrusters

Palob Godalhi

TLT

Dengar

Cloaking Device

Playable as is. But once you slap Mindlink on him and run him with other Linkers. That's when he shines.

Palob Godalhi

TLT

Dengar

Cloaking Device

Playable as is. But once you slap Mindlink on him and run him with other Linkers. That's when he shines.

If you've got nothing in the EPT slot give that guy Trick Shot.

Tycho Celchu (31) - A-Wing

Rage (1), Chardaan Refit (-2), A-Wing Test Pilot (0), Experimental Interface (3), Push The Limit (3)

4 stress with an attack re roll, 1 focus, evade and boost (or 2nd focus) each turn, makes him pretty fun, though can drop PTL for VI

Hera Syndulla (30) - Attack Shuttle

Stay On Target (2), Autoblaster Turret (2), Nien Nunb (1), Hull Upgrade (3)

Hera can turn a green straight into any other manoeuvre on her dial, makes her pretty hard to pin down

Torkil Mux with Dengar, turret upgrade and an illicit.

I love Sabine in the Attack Shuttle:

Attack Shuttle (Sabine Wren) 21pts

PTL........................................3 pts

Kyle Katarn............................3 pts

Autoblaster or Ion Turret........2 - 5 pts

..............................................29-32 pts

If you pair this with a friendly that is carrying Jan Ors you end up with a nimble little ship that can move all over and end each turn with 1 reposition before dial, 1 focus, and 2 evades. Throw an intel agent on a friendly and it helps with her relatively low PS. Can be a surprisingly heavy hitting durable ship.