Bomber lover that I am I have to confess that so far I haven't given poor Deathfire even a thought. The hits and misses thread has shown me that I have little basis to judge the poor guy on. To accurately do that I need to find the ideal list for him. Palpatine mini-aces doesn't sound like the worst idea, but I don't think he can really stand up to Omega Leader in that list. Another strong imperial archetype is 3 Defenders. However for them the third ship often is a bit weak, so here is where I will start:

"Deathfire" (17)
Flechette Torpedoes (2)
Extra Munitions (2)
Conner Net (4)
Long-Range Scanners (0)

Countess Ryad (34)
Push the Limit (3)
Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)
TIE/x7 (-2)

Rexler Brath (37)
Expertise (4)
TIE/x7 (-2)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Ryad is the standard lategame monstrosity that the always is. By using Deathfire enough points are freed up to use Rexler as the second Defender, who looks rather strong with Expertise now.

Deathfire himself is kept as cheap as possible while still offering damage with 2 three dice attacks. Other warheads look stronger, but he can't be the focus of a list if he is supposed to work.

I have had good luck so far (casually 5-0) with this. couple minor changes here and there, like: EU on ryad; with VetInst and no twin ion on Vess; and plasma torps instead of homing miss. The key I have found is letting Deathfire act a little like Biggs (the 2pt EM make people fear all the ordinance). Mos my opponents focus him down first, so if I can get a fully modded missle off and lay one cluster mine with affect (even if just to block an escape lane) I feel he has served his purpose and mostly am perfectly willing to trade his 28pts for most enemy ships I target first. It is ussually just a great bonus if he survives long enough to use a 3rd or maybe all his ordinance, but knowing he has 2 of each enemies always focus on him letting Ryad and Vess get into chase positions

Deathfire and his defenders (100)

"Deathfire" (28) - TIE Bomber

Homing Missiles (5), Cluster Mines (4), Extra Munitions (2), Long-Range Scanners (0)

Colonel Vessery (36) - TIE Defender

Juke (2), TIE/x7 (-2), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

Countess Ryad (36) - TIE Defender

Push The Limit (3), TIE/x7 (-2), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

Ryad with EU is harder to fly IMO to clear stress but can really hurt when able to slip into rg1 more often!!!

Yeah cant imagine using rex over vess

Been running literally swindy's list albeit with the VASTLY more consistent conner nets

Even if deathfire ends up being biggs, hes done his job

Yeah cant imagine using rex over vess

Been running literally swindy's list albeit with the VASTLY more consistent conner nets

Even if deathfire ends up being biggs, hes done his job

So I got to know, how do you find conner net "VASTLY" more affective?? Not to say I hold the opposite opinion, I just like the burst damage I guess. If I can make that turn and dropp all three right in front so minimum 2 get hit that ship is likely taking min 2 damage. So much of my meta has the means to reposition even after being ioned that I prefer the burst damage, but if somehow I am setting it up wrong or there is a better way, I def want to hear it.

Conners are easier to land and have a strong control effect, on which the Defenders can capitalize. Clusters have their place alongside Sabine, where they can provide more opportunities to use her ability. I don't like them elsewhere.

Rexler over Vess might not be the best choice, but I have found Vess to be a bit dissappointing late game, so I am willing to try something new there. Expertise emulates his ability to some degree and PS8 has some value.

Note i wrote "consistent"

Though Ill personally take guaranteed 1,damage, ionization and action step skipping over six red dice split across 3 templates

Note i wrote "consistent"

Though Ill personally take guaranteed 1,damage, ionization and action step skipping over six red dice split across 3 templates

Fair enough, sorry for the mis-quote How are you stopping their action though? am I missing something?? Rules say they get action as normal, unless I missed something in the FAQ. My guess is you stay in front of them to block the 1-white movement?

I have also run JSwindy's list and I can confirm it is brutal. I have had much more luck with Deathfire as a Wingman for Vess/Ryad than OL.

I have also run JSwindy's list and I can confirm it is brutal. I have had much more luck with Deathfire as a Wingman for Vess/Ryad than OL.

Technically I beleive I stole it from you

I have also run JSwindy's list and I can confirm it is brutal. I have had much more luck with Deathfire as a Wingman for Vess/Ryad than OL.

Technically I beleive I stole it from you

In that case, you're welcome.

You can do Vess with expertise and mk.ii for just 38pts. That helps vess in late game also. Frees up enough points to upgrade that fletchette to ion missile. Why ion? Better control over large ships than fletchette, and you dont spend your TL when you attack, which helps vessery out, and yourself, so you can maintain a TL with LRS in case ya need to kturn and fire another missile. Deathfite fires last, and people will actually take damage from your defenders rather than spend their focus or evade, knowing they need to dodge an ion missile shot. Nobody likes being ion'd

Expertise on Vess is an interesting idea. He is rarely stressed and it means he can happily use his Focus token for defense. Juke seems like a pragmatic choice but I often find it only kicks in once or twice per game.

Another interesting Idea I have used Deathfire with is giving him seismic Torps. He moves first so if you opponent is neat asteroids they get potential collateral damage. You totally and know what your planning and allow your wingmen to take on some outrageous moves into positions where the asteroid was and then drop a net behind you as a free be and if your opponent isn't anticipating the tactic may end up out of sorts or just totally flanked.

So, I have been running a lot of:

"Quickdraw" (29)
Adaptability (0)
Fire-Control System (2)
Homing Missiles (5)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Special Ops Training (0)

Rexler Brath (37)
Predator (3)
Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)
TIE/x7 (-2)

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (16)
Fleet Officer (3)
Rebel Captive (3)
Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)
TIE Shuttle (0)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

And it's been really effective. I then switched out Fleet Officer for Op Spec and that worked okay. After reading this thread, I plugged in Deathfire + EM + Conners + LRS in the Scimitars place and HOLY MOLY! he was worth his weight in gold. Conner netted a Kath right off the board. 50+ pt ship at full health taken out by 23pts of Deathfire. Love it!

With Ketsu and Kath with HM, I knew my opponent needed to turn into me for his alpha strike to work, so I skirted the edge. He banked in and the HM took 3 shields off Rex. I dont think he thought the barrell roll could reach that far, and I blocked his 2 hard with Kath while delivering the goods as well.