I'm new to X-wing but looking to get into competitions, I have grown very fond of the Defender tie and Countess Ryad. The Tie/x7 title along with PTL on her is a deadly combo, but I don't know if the list I built is going to be any effective against lists like Dengaroo or Miranda/Corran. Tell me what you think of this list and what you think might be an effective addition or substitution.

TIE Defender - Rexler Brath - w/ Swarm Leader, XX-23 S-Thread Tracers, Ion Cannon, TIE/D Title & Stealth Device* (*Thinking of switching out Stealth Device for Shield Upgrade but still unsure)

Point Total: 47

TIE Defender - Countess Ryad - w/ Push the Limit, TIE/x7 Title & Stealth Device

Point Total: 38

TIE/FO - Epsilon Squadron Pilot

Point Total: 15

Squad Point Total: 100

I'm interested to hear any opinions on this list.

The TIE/FO as is won't do much in this list. TIE/FO is good with the Defender pilot Vessery because they can provide target locks for him which improves his efficiency dramatically, especially with the TIE/D title. Your list is overloading the Defenders just a tad. With mild tweaks, here is a FAR more dangerous version of your list.

Swarm Leader is interesting, but I am interested in seeing Expertise on Rexlar, so he will only need his focus token for either defense or for his ability.

Rexler Brath (37)

- Expertise (4)

- Ion Cannon (3)

- TIE/D (0)

Countess Ryad (34)

- Push the Limit (3)

- Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

- TIE/x7

Scimitar Sq. Pilot (16)

- TIE Shuttle (0)

- Systems Officer (2)

- Inspiring Recruit (1)

- Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

100 Points

I am too afraid to have two TIE/D's in a squad, but I think Rexler will do some work. Expertise let's him change focus results on both his attacks, and spend his focus token for his ability. Systems Officer on the TIE Shuttle allows Rexler to get a target lock as well, and TIE Mk. II let's the target locks get handed out more often. Countess Ryad is just a reliable killer. With stress being a serious problem for this squad, ruining both Expertise and Push the Limit, Inspiring Recruit helps to keep the squad afloat.

I don't know, maybe this is way off of what you're looking for. I think the TIE/fo is underestimated as a good support craft, and will serve you well in your original list, but as f0rbiddenc00kie pointed out, the Epsilon Sq. Pilot is an especially great support for Vessery.

I normally run a tag-team of Vessery and Ryad, both with /x7 titles that comes to 71 points.

35 Vessery (35), /x7 (-2), Juke (2)
36 Ryad (34), /x7 (-2), PTL (3), Tie Mk2 (1)

There are lots of options for the last 29 points and I have run several. Deathfire with LRS, Homing Missiles, Conner Nets and EMs is great fun and delivers quite a punch as an alpha strike. After that he can make quite a nuisance with his nets (or Cluster Mines if you prefer). Omega Leader with Juke, Comms relay and Stealth Device is a good late-game piece but I often fall into the trap of using he too aggressively early on and seeing her burnt down. Palpatine in a Shuttle is always solid and turns your Defenders from "extremely tough" to "almost indestructible". Or if 2 /x7 Defenders are good, then 3 is even better. A Delta Squadron pilot with /x7 is a great tough blocker and yet another ship with a token stack for your opponent to burn through, he also leaves a spare point for Mk2 engines on Vessery if you wihs. Here is my list in order of favourites.

28 Delta Squadron Pilot (30), /x7 (-2)

28 Deathfire (17), Homing Missiles (5), Conner Nets (4), EMs (2), LRS (0)

29 Omega Leader (21), Juke (2), Comms Relay (3), Stealth Device (3)

29 OGP (21), Palpatine (8)