So I have a strong list I want to practice with (I think Biophysical is to thank for coming up with a slightly different original versions, so cheers!):

TIE Defender: · Maarek Stele (35)

Predator (3)

Ion Cannon (3)

Hull Upgrade (3)

TIE/D (0)

TIE Fighter: Academy Pilot (12)

Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

TIE Defender: · Countess Ryad (34)

Predator (3)

Ion Cannon (3)

Hull Upgrade (3)

TIE/D (0)

However, with the release of Tie Strikers upcoming I want to to try something with slightly more teeth (red Dice wise) and was thinking of something like the below :

TIE Defender: · Countess Ryad (34)

Predator (3)

Ion Cannon (3)

TIE/D (0)

TIE Striker: · "Countdown" (20)

Lightweight Frame (2)

Adaptive ailerons (0)

TIE Defender: Glaive Squadron Pilot (34)

Veteran Instincts (1)

Ion Cannon (3)

TIE/D (0)

Suppose the main issue here is weakness to turrets. I'm not sure if the higher PS Maarek + Hull to survive, with a low PS blocker is more effective. Countdown is going to be a pain to kill, but has no Dice rerolls on attacks...

Thoughts welcome!

Well, if I was going to take a striker with me, it would be Pure Sabacc - you want the enemy to be shooting at your distraction ship. Also, stick trickshot on Sebacc, and you might be looking at a 5-dice attack to open with.

“Pure Sabacc” (22)

TIE Striker (22), Trick Shot (0), Adaptive Ailerons (0)

Glaive Squadron Pilot (38)
TIE Defender (34), Ion Cannon (3), Crack Shot (1)

Countess Ryad (40)
TIE Defender (34), Ion Cannon (3), Predator (3)

Thanks man, Sabacc is a good shout. I went with Countdown as hell require at minimum 4 shots you kill, buy more offence might work better.

Your call, good reasons to take both. Generally when you run /D's your opponent just has to focus fire them off the board asap, but Sabacc looks like he'd give them a bit of a targeting priority conflict, which is always a good thing

Hull upgrade on Countdown makes Lightweight frame redundant I think. Green die are green die, his ability to cancel all hits for one damage is a great ability.

Hmm? No the Hull is on the Defenders in the list with an academy, but not in the list with Countdown. It was more questioning whether more survivable Defenders are better than a harder hitting wing mate.

Fully take on board the point that Sabacc will cause issues with target priority, I'd certainly gun for him first so will try a list with him too. Thanks

You need mods for your attack and the glaive just has a single one. You are gonna want predator, it can also save you the focus on defense when rolls are nice, or is your counter to things like Hotshot Co-Pilot, Wes, Palob, Terry, etc. PS2 is back as well which makes predator even better. Also, bumping is actually a good defense for your defenders. Bump one ship so it can't shoot at you and fire at another.

I ran Maarek,Vessery, and Epsilon F/o (since it has TL action) for awhile and its one of my favorite lists. Dont underestimate the academy in the double ion list. That guy is MVP in many matches. One good block with both of your ion defenders in arc just about kills any tokenless ship.

One option I want to try is run a scimitar shuttle with operation specialist. That way every time your ion cannon misses or gets evaded, they get a focus token for their primary, and if that misses then they have a focus for defense or pass a focus to the next defender to attack. Your opponent will want to take the bomber out first which will act like your 19pt Biggs or 21pts with lightweight frame.

Oh man, Bomber shuttle support is a great idea..

Agree that the Defenders really need Dice kids so will come up with something new I think. Or just go with the first list I posted XD

anyone tryed this list?

delta w/ TIE/d + TB + Prockets + chips: 34

delta w/ TIE/d + Ion Cannon + Prockets + chips: 36

Backdraft + Title + Collision Detector + VI + LwF: 30

total: 100

Nope but that is also a pretty cool list