I know Rage/Baffle Quickdraw suffers from being a one-trick pony that's hard to get much use out of, but has anyone tried running this build alongside an Upsilon? I wonder if Inspiring Recruits + Coordinate would change the equation, allowing you to fire earlier in the maneuver phase and shed the stress to do it again. Again, probably too many resources invested in a corner-case trick.
TIE/sf Options
QD's ability is once per round so no, that doesn't work.
Being able to get the shot earlier would help, but probably not as much as you'd think since it requires you to get it before you move, and people aren't going to be going close to your scary bits.
I've not seen Defenders and SFs as taking the same spot. They seem quite different to me.
As long as they're abilities somewhat synergise then it can't hurt to take both can it?
My personal favorite build with the TIE/sf is
Backdraft
- Adaptability or Trick Shot
- Fire Control System
- Sensor Cluster
- Lightened Frame
- Special Ops Training
Not a complex build but I don't plan on doing anything fancy with the sf anyways. Just a solid ship build that will put out fairly consistent damage and has good survivability. Focus every turn (unless barrel rolling is more optimal), use the free target lock as my offensive dice modification and then save my focus to guarantee at least one evade regardless of my green dice results. I've found I don't need Pattern Analyzer on Backdraft because I rarely need to use red maneuvers to keep enemy ships in at least one of the two firing arcs.
Pattern analyzer is practically glued to the SF. It severely frees up its dial, i usually have Mk2 so i can do faster banks while stressed (which saves my bacon far more than LWF does).
My favorite build with Backdraft is Outmaneuver, Title, Pattern Analyzer, FCS, and Mk2 engines. 35pts and if flown correctly (dont fly them like any other ship, you WANT to swing to the side and get aux arcs because if done in the right places they cant follow you) he murders people. Outmaneuver works out of the aux arc long as they arent looking at you, and Backdraft's aux arc is actually stronger than his front (3/4 die attack is not as good as 2/3 + Auto Crit result)
Nobody in my area even attempted to give the SF a chance when it came out. I few Backdraft immediately with that build (minus the PA since that came out later) and quickly changed a lot of people's minds. Now when i bring him people gun for him first lol
I dont like QD. I have never gotten her ability more than once, she doesnt want to fire out of the aux arc since she isnt backdraft, and even if you build her super defensive people still find a way to explode her in one pass. Never had her make me feel like she contributed, while Backdraft has been the MVP countless times.
My current go to list
Smart Ryad (100)
The Inquisitor (30) - TIE Adv. Prototype
Juke (2), TIE/v1 (1), Autothrusters (2)
"Quickdraw" (35) - TIE/SF Fighter
Wired (1), Fire Control System (2), Primed Thrusters (1), Special Ops Training (0), Lightweight Frame (2)
Countess Ryad (35) - TIE Defender
Outmaneuver (3), TIE/x7 (-2)
Instead of PA, my upgrades on QD mean she can Barrel Roll, in effect Focus, and generate a Target Lock (just a turn ahead when stressed) each round. But this build is better than PA in that it gives 3 actions and works no matter the source of your stress.
I often take debris as my obstacles. Early game I'll sometimes fly over them on purpose... Triggering at worst Wired, but if I take a crit, she fires a shot in the activation phase... That's caught some people by surprise
I will say, Ryad should be nervous... Backdraft may replace her soon.
Edited by LobokaiI can attest to receiving many beatings from expertise baffle quickdraw. It hits hard, protects itself from stress (with benefits), and has plenty of modification no matter what.
I like backdraft with predator, lwf, pattern analyzer and title. Predator can be swapped for vi+fcs if you want ps9 or fcs+expertise if you really like going balls deep but that's a bit expensive usually.
My current 'fun' build is this:
Quickdraw:
* A score to settle
*FCS
*Concussion Missiles
*Targeting Synch
*Title
*Guidance Chips
Tomax Bren:
*Crackshot
*Homing Missiles
*Extra Munitions
*Guidance Chips
Captain Jonus:
*Veteran Instincts
*Homing Missiles
*Extra Munitions
*Guidance Chips
Super accurate attacks, considering that both bombers get to focus and can still shoot almost fully modified. Not competitive because it has two bombers in a list, but hits like a train at high PS. K-turning the bombers and firing off modified Homing Missiles is also a sweet. If you get an early kill, it can beat a surprising number of lists.
Since I only have one TIE Striker, LF goes on it in this squad:
Duchess w/Outmanuever/LF/AA
Countess w/VI/Ion Cannon/TIEM2/TIE-D
Backdraft w/Determination/CD/SpecOps/IonPulseMs/PT
With so many options for movement, Outmaneuver on the Duchess works best on her and keeps cost of losing her down. Backdraft and Countess have the hit points to handle more cost and Backdraft has long-range option, with both ships having ability to mitigate enemy movement.
I've been running tie SFs quite a lot recently. Actually got third in a Q1 tournament with BD, QD and an upsilon class shuttle.
For me FCS and lightweight frame is mandatory. There's so many big base high-hull ships out there that you will have a TL + F shot most turns.
My latest list is
2sf defender (100/100)
=====================
TIE/SF Fighter: "Quickdraw" (29 + 5)
+ Crack Shot (1)
+ Fire Control System (2)
+ Special Ops Training (0)
+ Lightweight Frame (2)
TIE Defender: Colonel Vessery (35)
+ Crack Shot (1)
+ TIE/x7 (-2)
TIE/SF Fighter: "Backdraft" (27 + 5)
+ Crack Shot (1)
+ Fire Control System (2)
+ Special Ops Training (0)
+ Lightweight Frame (2)
6 hours ago, Stay On The Leader said:Haha, I was literally about to post a topic called 'Quickdraw Options', so I'm going to piggyback into this instead.
It seems like Quickdraw is the most popular TIE/sf but that there's a bunch of different ways to use him...
- Rage / Electronic Baffle
- Draw Their Fire
- Fire Control System / Targeting Synchroniser
- Expertise / Fire Control System (dead now with stress meta?)
I'm really intrigued by how different he can be, from super offensive Rage to almost a support ship with Draw Their Fire or Targeting Synchroniser.
Swarm Leader. Give Quickdraw Swarm Leader. Most people want to attack the swarm leader carrier first. But attacking quickdraw means an attack coming right back at ya.
Countess Ryad (34)
Predator (3)
Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)
TIE/x7 (-2)
"Quickdraw" (29)
Swarm Leader (3)
Fire-Control System (2)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Special Ops Training (0)
"Dark Curse" (16)
Academy Pilot (12)
Total: 100
View in Yet Another Squad Builder
Use Dark Curse's evade for initital 4 dice shot, since he can take care of himself. If any shoots at quickdraw, you can do another 4 or 5 dice attack back at them with your FCS intact. Swarm Leader also makes her butt shot actually do damage. You can do a 3 dice primary at range 1, then swarm leader the butt shot for 4 dice. Im currently flying Rexpertise version (no Dark Curse, just an academy) but Rex is not working out, so I would rather have Predator Ryad or Lone Wolf Vessery instead, and get Dark Curse in there.
Edited by wurms
double post
If youre doing Swarm Leader QD, just go full ham on it.
Quickdraw 38
Swarm Leader (3)
FCS (2)
LWF (2)
Title (0)
Pattern Analyzer (2)
BlackSquads TIE 15x4
Crackshot (1)
Total: 98
They either ignore her, or face a double swarm-shot. Swarm Leader has no "Once" clause, its limited by evade token feeding. Four blackcracks outta fill that issue good.
If they ignore her and go for the blacks, odds are they wont kill them before shes already ripped them a new one popping 5/6/7die attacks at them with full mods.
...i kinda wanna do this now LOL
edit: Above works too ... i guess ... lol but CRACKSHOT!
Edited by Vineheart01I've been running matching Quickdraw and Backdraft alongside a lwf/title Pure Sabacc. The Sfs both have Expertise, FCS, Sensor Cluster, LWF and title. Means They get fully modified shots (after the first round of combat, or if I'm not in anyones arc the first round to TL) and they can focus for a pseudo-evade token. If they don't roll any eyeballs, spend the evade on defense to change a blank to an evade. Can't add an extra evade if they roll all evades against more than 3 hits/crits, but the combination of that + LWF makes them way tankier.
My favorite /sf build right (and I've tried plenty of others) is Quickdraw w/Crack Shot (or other ept of choice -- I've switched over to adaptability recently because of all the Fenn Rau), FCS, title, Homing Missile, and Guidance Chips.
It's all about going heavily on the alpha strike. I think I have over 30 games with the ship in a variety of lists and have only lost six or seven of them, with three being against the same player and friend whose list just gives me trouble in general and is very rare over all (Mux, 2 TLT Ys, Quadjumper)
I really shouldn't share this but I will anyways.
Zeta Lads
3x Zeta Specialists w/ FCS & title
Zeta Leader w VI & CR
99 points
The more SFs ya got the better! Arcsarcsarcs! ZL is a great mini ace and people often leave her be when she has an evade banked. The FO dial sheds stress easily enough and while people often discount the SF dial because of it's seemingly restrictive reds, its actually a great dial. I find that with so many firing angles on the board its very easy to piddle around at speed 1 and get good shots. The 3 sloop is amazing and you can really get around with it. FCS ensures you have consistent dice and the titles extra shot also sees more use with multiple SFs.
I'm not an ace player, yet, but I recently took this one to a tournament and did very well against our shops best. We have a guy who always flies a very tight Decimator Palp + Ace list and he is very tactically sound. I have never beat him, few people can, even the other shop pros fear him. I would have crushed him in a points win if I had done just one more damage but alas I focussed instead of rolling and I had no shot to finish him. He admitted afterwards that the Zeta Lads were the tougher match of the day. It was one of those hair edge games and it was very fun. That same day I also mangled a Rey and Poe build and very nearly toasted that new Mindlink UBoats list that recently won an open. Sadly my green dice were very cold and I was really missing Sensor Cluster. Still brought that list to its knees and only lost because of poor luck. I encourage folks to try this list because it really is quite good.
QD and BD are probably two of the best Imp Aces right now and no one knows it. That QD, BD, OL list is one I have flown as well and that list is a total sleeper hit. That list could win worlds.
Seriously, people need to start playing with these little tanks more because they can punch well above their weight class. People complain about the new overlords of the meta but the answers are all right there in that SF expac. Probably the best ship FFG has ever designed, bar none.
I've been toying with a very similar list.
Zeta Squad (100)
Zeta Specialist (25) - TIE/SF Fighter
Collision Detector (0), Special Ops Training (0), Lightweight Frame (2)
Zeta Specialist (25) - TIE/SF Fighter
Collision Detector (0), Special Ops Training (0), Lightweight Frame (2)
Zeta Specialist (27) - TIE/SF Fighter
Fire Control System (2), Special Ops Training (0), Lightweight Frame (2)
"Zeta Leader" (23) - TIE/FO Fighter
Wired (1), Weapons Guidance (2)
im stealing that Zeta LadZ (why did you not spell it with Ladz?) list lol. I have 3 SFs and i have been rather miffed that every attempt at using all 3 does jack squat. I find a lot of lists that get a 4th ship tend to go from bad to pretty dang powerful, even though you actually have LESS upgrades to get that 4th ship.
20 minutes ago, Darkcloak said:QD and BD are probably two of the best Imp Aces right now and no one knows it. That QD, BD, OL list is one I have flown as well and that list is a total sleeper hit. That list could win worlds.
Don't know if I'd go as far as winning Worlds, but oh god yes.
Oh I think if some of the games top players started flying it they could do it.
But keep those SF ideas coming! I love that Z Squad list too. I was thinking one could do SC and FCS and title on the Zetas and bust Zeta Leader down to Zeta Ace but I'm not sure losing the PS 9 Ace is worth having more durable SFs...
19 minutes ago, Vineheart01 said:im stealing that Zeta LadZ (why did you not spell it with Ladz?) list lol. I have 3 SFs and i have been rather miffed that every attempt at using all 3 does jack squat. I find a lot of lists that get a 4th ship tend to go from bad to pretty dang powerful, even though you actually have LESS upgrades to get that 4th ship.
Thats why I didnt want to share it! Its so good I wanted to keep it to myself but I guess now I can claim creatorship.
Also, refer to your ships as women. It helps the dice. Maybe I'll change the name to Zeta Ladies? Has a nice ring to it...
Zeta Ladiez surely? Really would like to give that list a go...
I've enjoyed flying the Omega Specialist with VI, FCS, PA, LWF, and Title.
Makes for a nice little PS 7 with solid firepower and decent mods.
Played against this a couple weeks back, and it was really tough. Played two games and went 1-1. Both came down to the wire. Snap shot sets up there FCS, and they are now fully modded range 1.
Omega Specialist (25)
Snap Shot (2)
Fire-Control System (2)
Sensor Cluster (2)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Special Ops Training (0)
Omega Specialist (25)
Snap Shot (2)
Fire-Control System (2)
Sensor Cluster (2)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Special Ops Training (0)
Omega Specialist (25)
Snap Shot (2)
Fire-Control System (2)
Sensor Cluster (2)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Special Ops Training (0)
Total: 99
3 hours ago, Darkcloak said:Thats why I didnt want to share it! Its so good I wanted to keep it to myself but I guess now I can claim creatorship.
Also, refer to your ships as women. It helps the dice. Maybe I'll change the name to Zeta Ladies? Has a nice ring to it...
I'd not sweat spilling the beans on a secret. Triple SF with an escort been around awhile. Many podcasts have already sounded off on the virtues of this very solid ship