The TIE Interceptor angled towards the oncomming rebel fighters. Taking evasive action the fighter is poised for a flanking manoeuvre. His wingman close and slightly behind.

Suddenly, red laserblasts tear through the solar panels and bulbous cockpit, killing the pilot instantly. His wingman, looking aghast at the spectacle, doesn't notice the pair of A-wings emerging besides the large asteroid.

The admiral turned around. With the screams of the dying pilots still echoing through the speakers he switched of the recording.

"Four years gentlemen. Four years you have some of the Emperor's finest at your disposal. And you failed.

You complain about the design, the fragility of the hull, the lack of training.

But the fact remains other commanders perform more than well with the Interceptor. You have received the best pilots, the latest developed upgrade packages. And still your so-called "Aces" have not succeeded to deliver results.

Compared to other sectors it is clear. While other commanders led their Interceptor squadrons to victory, with minor losser, your "tactics" have led to defeat.

High Command has had enough.

There shall be an exchange of staff and materièl with the neighbouring sector. Two thirds of the Interceptor force shall be sent there. Half shall be replaced here with their TIE Defender surplus. To be manned by the true sons and daughters of the Empire. This will ensure succes here around Manaan.

However, an example must be made to ensure future commanders do not fail again. Therefore the other half of relocated Interceptors shall be replaced by the common TIE/ln Fighter, to be manned by you.

You are hereby collectively demoted to the rank of pilot. Report to your new post at hangar bay 3. Any who fail to comply shall be considered guilty of treason and liable to summary execution.

Dismissed"

Is this the preface of a flight log summarizing your games?

No. After four years of trying I have to accept I am not really good with interceptors. I tried many builds, asked advice on the forum and two friends who fly these things blindly to victory.

In contrast to latest fashion I wanted to say goodbye to two of my three interceptors in a humourus way :-)

A friend of mine has 3 defenders and to many fighters. So we'll trade.

Aces pack content vs defender and tie fighter pack content .

I feel your pain. The Emperor cringes every time I launch Whisper and Echo. Had more than one "chat with the boss" after losing Phantoms.

It's getting harder and harder to predict which thread is going to win " Most Confusing Original Post of 2017 " award.

You should give strikers a try. They are the new interceptors.

At the beginning of my career it became obvious that I had a good grasp of TIE/ln squadrons. I'd cut my teeth on them and they performed well.

With the new Defender coming onto the scene I was viewed as a strong candidate to use these new fighters. I did so with gusto, even before much needed technical packages were in place.

It was deemed appropriate by High Command to send me on missions with various TIE models to further round out my experience. What has followed is a series of disappointing results. I find myself back in command of Defenders, along with a compliment of SFs, as I attempt to bring back the successes of my earlier career.

2 hours ago, AngryAlbatross said:

You should give strikers a try. They are the new interceptors.

They seem to have to much ' interceptor ' about them ;-)

4 hours ago, Stoneface said:

I feel your pain. The Emperor cringes every time I launch Whisper and Echo. Had more than one "chat with the boss" after losing Phantoms.

Did you explain to his imperial majesty that it is not your fault, but ever since Seinar Fleet Systems skimped out on the cloaking technology and started to issue those cheaper mk2 cloaking devices which were inferior to the original mk1 cloaking devices in every way, it is just impossible to employ the TIE Phantoms effectively?

Thus far the TIE Phantom Mk2 still performs well, if flown by Echo with VI, rec spec and ACD.

For me the problem lies with any 'classic' flanker; Interceptors, Advanced Prototypes, A-Wings, and Fang Fighters. Basically anything with 4 hitpoints, AG3, and the cheapest generic with a cost from 15 up to and including 19 points.

I fly, I loose :-(

6 hours ago, Marinealver said:

Did you explain to his imperial majesty that it is not your fault, but ever since Seinar Fleet Systems skimped out on the cloaking technology and started to issue those cheaper mk2 cloaking devices which were inferior to the original mk1 cloaking devices in every way, it is just impossible to employ the TIE Phantoms effectively?

To the Emperor, this reasoning is just an excuse for failure. You win or die. Period.

His attitude is what has lead me to the Scum and Villiany with brief forays with the Rebels.

7 hours ago, Marinealver said:

Did you explain to his imperial majesty that it is not your fault, but ever since Seinar Fleet Systems skimped out on the cloaking technology and started to issue those cheaper mk2 cloaking devices which were inferior to the original mk1 cloaking devices in every way, it is just impossible to employ the TIE Phantoms effectively?

And the last words he heard was Lord Vader saying "Apology accepted Captain Stoneface".

17 hours ago, Cununculus said:

The TIE Interceptor angled towards the oncomming rebel fighters. Taking evasive action the fighter is poised for a flanking manoeuvre. His wingman close and slightly behind.

Suddenly, red laserblasts tear through the solar panels and bulbous cockpit, killing the pilot instantly. His wingman , looking aghast at the spectacle, doesn't notice the pair of A-wings emerging besides the large asteroid.

The admiral turned around. With the screams of the dying pilots still echoing through the speakers he switched of the recording.

"Four years gentlemen. Four years you have some of the Emperor 's finest at your disposal. And you failed.

You complain about the design, the fragility of the hull, the lack of training.

But the fact remains other commanders perform more than well with the Interceptor. You have received the best pilots, the latest developed upgrade packages. And still your so-called "Aces" have not succeeded to deliver results.

Compared to other sectors it is clear. While other commanders led their Interceptor squadrons to victory, with minor losser, your "tactics" have led to defeat.

High Command has had enough.

What your fleet needs, commander, is not a nerfed cancer that is defenders. Have you heard about our lord saviour Major Stridan?

He makes interceptors fly in this universe called today's meta.

Redeem yourself in the name of the empire.

Baron Soontir Fel awaits your return to the 181st order.

5 hours ago, Grivoire said:

What your fleet needs, commander, is not a nerfed cancer that is defenders. Have you heard about our lord saviour Major Stridan?

He makes interceptors fly in this universe called today's meta.

Redeem yourself in the name of the empire.

Baron Soontir Fel awaits your return to the 181st order.

Aah, The Baron. Yes. The one Interceptor Pilot I do have some, albeit limited, success with.

I do retain 1 Interceptor, so I can fly him as a special ship in my squads.

However my core-ships will be TIE fighters (4), TIE Bombers (3), and TIE Defenders (2).

The special ´guests´ are the remaining Interceptor, TIE Advanced, and TIE Phantom. O, and the occasional Firespray of course...

Concerning the nerfed Defender, I assume you refer to the X7 title?

My greater succes is with the TIE/D title and either tractor beams, or Ion cannons. The nerf hasn´t hit me that hard

I leave the succes with Interceptors and the likes of them to talented and skilled people such as Major Stridan

7 hours ago, Stoneface said:

To the Emperor, this reasoning is just an excuse for failure. You win or die. Period.

His attitude is what has lead me to the Scum and Villiany with brief forays with the Rebels.

Sorry, double post.

Yes, I have a small collection of all 3 factions. Though I am not proficient with regular flankers apparently I can fly a mean flanking Scum Y-wing, provided it is equiped with TLT, BTL-A4 title, Unhinged Astromech, and Engine Upgrade

22 hours ago, Stoneface said:

I feel your pain. The Emperor cringes every time I launch Whisper and Echo . Had more than one "chat with the boss" after losing Phantoms.

...or any of his previously vaunted fighters.

18 hours ago, Marinealver said:

Did you explain to his imperial majesty that it is not your fault, but ever since Seinar Fleet Systems skimped out on the cloaking technology and started to issue those cheaper mk2 cloaking devices which were inferior to the original mk1 cloaking devices in every way, it is just impossible to employ the TIE Phantoms effectively?

...it is the fault of Seinar, the designer overlords can pull a recall at any time....sucking the life from the fleet, and even the Emperor himself.

12 hours ago, Stoneface said:

To the Emperor, this reasoning is just an excuse for failure. You win or die. Period. His attitude is what has lead me to the Scum and Villainy with brief forays with the Rebels .

This.

I also feel bounty hunters are the future of power in the galaxy.

4 hours ago, Cununculus said:

Sorry, double post.

Yes, I have a small collection of all 3 factions. Though I am not proficient with regular flankers apparently I can fly a mean flanking Scum Y-wing, provided it is equiped with TLT , BTL-A4 title, Unhinged Astromech, and Engine Upgrade

Fantastic post, very interesting!

You had all my attention and sympathy until you typed TLT , oh my friend, so close to perfection in flying star fighters you once were.

1 hour ago, clanofwolves said:

Fantastic post, very interesting!

You had all my attention and sympathy until you typed TLT , oh my friend, so close to perfection in flying star fighters you once were.

Agreed. I am working on an alternative, a cheaper one at that, where I replace the TLT with the turret recently unveiled with the TIE aggressor.

Another version replaces the TLT with the autoblaster -turret, the Engine Upgrade with the Vectored Thrusters and skip the BTL-A4 title.

Especially with the Scum PS7 pilot this latter one could be interesting!

12 hours ago, Grivoire said:

What your fleet needs, commander, is not a nerfed cancer that is defenders. Have you heard about our lord saviour Major Stridan?

He makes interceptors fly in this universe called today's meta.

I am interested in further transmissions on this subject. Is it just the Systems Officer target locks boosting offence? Do they need a third action to arc-dodge and token up? How do you fly them, and how do you kit out the Upsilon? Does it make you favoured against anything, or just less unfavoured against everything?

On 4/4/2017 at 9:53 AM, AllWingsStandyingBy said:

It's getting harder and harder to predict which thread is going to win " Most Confusing Original Post of 2017 " award.

Got to have a little fun. With all the nerf threads out there, it's a little depressing.

16 minutes ago, Stoneface said:

Got to have a little fun. With all the nerf threads out there, it's a little depressing.

It's why I posted this way indeed!

I don't need a nerf here or special treatment there.

I truly think you can't be a master of everything. I prefer heavy fighters and bombers. Not because of the damage-soaking per sé (true, it is nice to have ) , but I like how they fly, their style of play.

People win with interceptors. I just don't. Does it mean I don't understand flanking? Sure I do.

To make sure clanofwolves doesn't think I gave in to TLT's , B-Wings with advanced sensors make excellent flankers. As does a Mist Hunter.

It's just the archetype flankers I just can't seem to handle. And believe me I tried (and burned)

So goodbye Aces, hello Veterans

15 hours ago, Grivoire said:

What your fleet needs, commander, is not a nerfed cancer that is defenders. Have you heard about our lord saviour Major Stridan?

He makes interceptors fly in this universe called today's meta.

Redeem yourself in the name of the empire.

Baron Soontir Fel awaits your return to the 181st order.

I've actually been working on a Railgun Kanos build with Stridan as the lynchpin. 99% sure it won't actually be good, but it WILL be fun!

10 hours ago, TheHumanHydra said:

I am interested in further transmissions on this subject. Is it just the Systems Officer target locks boosting offence? Do they need a third action to arc-dodge and token up? How do you fly them, and how do you kit out the Upsilon? Does it make you favoured against anything, or just less unfavoured against everything?

Short answer is the extra actions let you adapt against all sorts of builds and become very unpredictable in the process. Long answer, please refer to my post here:

and let me know your thoughts.

In addition to the above, I found that Stridan + Adv Sens + SO + kylo's shuttle title to be the best build. If you need more initiative, drop the title for 97 pts, and/or add inspiring recruit against the rising stresshog appearance. You also have the option to remove Adv Sens and apply Stealth Device to Omega Leader, making him the strongest endgame piece at the cost of reduced support effectiveness from Stridan

In several of my current play lists Carnor has been kicking but against attani and x7 lists. Give him another shot with Major Striden carrying systems officer and one of the focus giving crew.

1 hour ago, Grivoire said:

Short answer is the extra actions let you adapt against all sorts of builds and become very unpredictable in the process. Long answer, please refer to my post here:

and let me know your thoughts.

In addition to the above, I found that Stridan + Adv Sens + SO + kylo's shuttle title to be the best build. If you need more initiative, drop the title for 97 pts, and/or add inspiring recruit against the rising stresshog appearance. You also have the option to remove Adv Sens and apply Stealth Device to Omega Leader, making him the strongest endgame piece at the cost of reduced support effectiveness from Stridan

Very interesting, and quite the endorsement for Stridan. I wish I could give it a whirl (and that I had more insightful thoughts :/).