I know Defenders are the current hotness but I see everyone running X7s (admittedly they are awesome) but there seems to be no love for the D due to its cost.

Are the PS1 Deltas worth using for this as it seems to be the only way.

Delta - D, Ion Cannon

Delta - D, Ion Cannon

Delta - D, Tractor Beam

...or would I have to compromise.

Ryad - X7, PTL, Mk2 TIE

Delta - D, Tractor Beam

Delta - D, Tractor Beam

Thoughts?

I have seen a x2 Deltas with tractor beam and title and a bunch of academy TIEs do fairly well.

Going with at least one x7 defender would be good. &/Or possibly a different 3rd ship maybe TIE S/F Backdraft?

From my experience, flying a mix of TIE/D & X-7 does not work well. It makes targeting priority easy for your opponent (kill the tie/D first).

Now that torpedo scouts are no longer a menace, triple deltas (each with ion cannon) can come back. Its a pretty solid list. You can drop one ion cannon for tractor beam, but I think having 3 ion cannons is superior because it means more ships are controlled and this is the key to winning with a control list.

As an alternative, I have used this with good results:

Jax w/ PTL, title, thrusters & hull = 34

2 deltas w/ ion cannon & TIE/D = 33 x 2

100

Way back in the day, I used to run this list with Fel instead of Jax and it was okay (this was waaaaay before Imperial Veterans!). The problem I found though was that an opponent could safely ignore Fel and if dice were poor, possibly win a joust with the defenders and get into a situation that Fel could not win (too many enemy points left on the table by the time the deltas bit it). Jax solves this problem since most players will not ignore him, so he makes very good bait (just don't lose him!). With the opponent committing to Jax, the deltas get to use their tokens for offense more reliably.

Another good list using TIE/d is Biophysical's list (which I have also used successfully):

Rex w/ predator, TIE/d, tractor & hull = 44

Maarek w/ predator, TIE/d, ion & hull = 44

Academy pilot = 12

100

While I like these lists, I admit that the TIE/d is harder to use well and even harder to build lists around. It means a squishier defender, and therefore, one that you have to fly more carefully (mistakes become more punishing compared to X-7 defenders).

Here's an idea I have been meaning to try, but haven't yet:

Maarek w/ predator, TIE/d & tractor beam = 39

2 Sigmas w/ FCS & SPA = 29 x 2

97

For the last 3 points, I'm undecided. Hull upgrade on Maarek or intel agents on the Sigmas are the best options in my mind...

For a while I was even considering using TIE D's with Tractor Beams as a way to bring the Punisher back.

Punisher lays mines, the Tractor Beams throw anyone dumb enough to get close onto them.

Personally I really like the following:

Delta x7 (28)

Delta TIE/D, Ion Cannon, Hull Upgrade (36)

Delta TIE/D, Ion Cannon, Hull Upgrade (36)

I'll usually use the x7 to fly in and be a nuisance/blocker, while the two TIE/D's approach slowly, ion something, then rush into range 1 to hammer the ionized ship.

interesting, the defender has never really been thought of as a three ship ship, the closest is 2 defenders and omega, though when the defender first came out there was talk of putting it in a 3 firespray list (yes those once existed) but even then it wasn't thought to be good enough for a three defender list, imp veterans has definitely helped but the defender meta is currently 2 defender + another ship

I had moderate success against small base ships with this list:

Vessery: (35) 39

Adaptability +1 (0)

Tractor Beam (1)

Stealth Device (3)

Tie/D

Maarek Stele (35) 42

Predator (3)

Tractor Beam (1)

Stealth Device (3)

Tie/D

Wampa

Targeting Computer

Run with asteroids, Chuck small base ships onto asteroids, prevent then from firing. Wampa can get an extra target lock for Vessery, and it splits up targeting priority pretty nicely. Very unforgiving of mistakes though, and not as good versus large base ships. Might work better with Ion Cannon and Tie/Mk 2 instead.

Personally I really like the following:

Delta x7 (28)

Delta TIE/D, Ion Cannon, Hull Upgrade (36)

Delta TIE/D, Ion Cannon, Hull Upgrade (36)

I'll usually use the x7 to fly in and be a nuisance/blocker, while the two TIE/D's approach slowly, ion something, then rush into range 1 to hammer the ionized ship.

Here's an example of how you could run an X-7 along with TIE/D ships and make it actually work! I'm definitely going to give this a try to see if it is in fact any better than the triple deltas with ion cannons...

Personally I really like the following:

Delta x7 (28)

Delta TIE/D, Ion Cannon, Hull Upgrade (36)

Delta TIE/D, Ion Cannon, Hull Upgrade (36)

I'll usually use the x7 to fly in and be a nuisance/blocker, while the two TIE/D's approach slowly, ion something, then rush into range 1 to hammer the ionized ship.

Here's an example of how you could run an X-7 along with TIE/D ships and make it actually work! I'm definitely going to give this a try to see if it is in fact any better than the triple deltas with ion cannons...

I like it but im on the 'Stealth Device' side of that particular debate lol