Played a couple of starter games (35) with my brother's core set. Looking to start playing casually but beyond just a core set. I'm an Imperial fan through and through so that is my base in this game. Been doing a little research and really liked the darth vader pilot card but sounds like it's not as powerful as soontir fel. Reading into Fel he seems like a lot of fun also but I have to be careful. I have some coworkers/friends who are pretty serious into the game. So if I start I don't want to be blown away every time I play. Is Fel + mini swarm a viable list today?

I'm not sure swarms are great for a new player, as it can be hard to fly, and the time they take to plan and move could kill your enjoyment of the game.

That said, Fel is a bit out of the meta, as bombs, stress, and TLTs are thick right now, and Fel hates all that.

He still works though. I would fly him with a couple defenders, or maybe a couple other aces like Vader.

Soontir is great, especially with other Interceptors, but Strider is correct, dudes flying the meta will wreck him despite awesome flying. Imps are awaiting a rebalancing from the heavy Scum and Rebel presence; if and when that comes, Fel will again have his day.

47 minutes ago, StriderZessei said:

I'm not sure swarms are great for a new player, as it can be hard to fly, and the time they take to plan and move could kill your enjoyment of the game.

That said, Fel is a bit out of the meta, as bombs, stress, and TLTs are thick right now, and Fel hates all that.

He still works though. I would fly him with a couple defenders, or maybe a couple other aces like Vader.

I'm not arguing the point, in fact Fel was my first ever and I wish he was viable again. Are bombs that impossible for him? With his PS9 he should be able to adjust course. I haven't flown against bombs becuase everyone is saying don't. Is it something that can be practiced? Surely the Baron can learn to improve from this "auto-loss."

Bombs from low PS is the issue, if they put a bomb or Conner where you're going.....well, yeah. And the **** Slam and Sabine and TLT all on one ship. Balls!

9 minutes ago, Rolotamasi said:

I'm not arguing the point, in fact Fel was my first ever and I wish he was viable again. Are bombs that impossible for him? With his PS9 he should be able to adjust course. I haven't flown against bombs becuase everyone is saying don't. Is it something that can be practiced? Surely the Baron can learn to improve from this "auto-loss."

Can't outfly stuff dumped right on your head

Hmm.

Soontir-

Royal tie title

PTL

Autothrusters

Stealth Device

Vader

Tie/x1

Advanced Targeting Computer

Hull Upgrade

Carnor

Elusiveness

Targeting Computer

Would something like this work? Vader moving in with soontir running flank? Carnor setting the TL and trying to get close to stifle their defense.

I know Hull Upgrade wouldn't be first choice on vader but it's what I got available and fit's the point cap. All suggestions welcome. I am very sad to hear imperial is in need of a buff but I don't want to fly rebel scum :/ or Scum and Villainy

Soontir is great, but best for casual games nowadays. If you're going against serious competition then I'd suggest picking up a TIE/fo and a TIE/sf expansion and fly Omega Leader + Juke + Comm Relay and Quickdraw. I don't know what upgrades are available to you, but most commonly you'll find Fire Control System + Special Ops Training on Quickdraw. All the other slots are filled to taste.

As such, you have 43 points left to add another ace, or any number of TIE Academy pilots, Howlrunner or what-have-you. Col. Vessery (TIE Defender with X7 or XD title) is a solid addition to OL & QD.

Don't fear flying swarms. There's only one way to learn to do it, and that's with practice.

2 hours ago, StriderZessei said:

I'm not sure swarms are great for a new player, as it can be hard to fly, and the time they take to plan and move could kill your enjoyment of the game.

I started with swarms. I would never have picked up x-wing if swarms weren't a thing.

I think my flying was helped by jumping in at the deep end and learning to fly in formation. Two years on and swarms are still my favorite lists to fly.

2 hours ago, Arschbombe said:

I started with swarms. I would never have picked up x-wing if swarms weren't a thing.

I think my flying was helped by jumping in at the deep end and learning to fly in formation. Two years on and swarms are still my favorite lists to fly.

Hey, whatever floats your boat. All I can refer to is my own experiences, and I don't think I would have enjoyed the game enough to keep playing if I started with swarms.

Don't know about miniswarm, but you can use Soontir as a flanker and bring something more dangerous up the middle like Vessery and Backdraft. Just keep Soontir away from bombs and he should do reasonably well. Stresshogs have been around for awhile and Soontir has been fine. Just fear the rebel bombers.

I disagree that Soontir is an easy target in todays meta with bombs, TLTs etc

For threatening situations and enemies you have the TIE swarm which is perfect to block away and melt down bombers akd other targets. I play Ace swarm all the time and had rarely a problem with that. With a bit practice there is absolutely nothing to worry about.

Kind of off topic but... would a darth vader time advanced equipped with expert handling be allowed to take 3 actions? Or am I reading this card incorrectly?

11 minutes ago, Kckid said:

Kind of off topic but... would a darth vader time advanced equipped with expert handling be allowed to take 3 actions? Or am I reading this card incorrectly?

Technically yes, but it wouldn't really help.

He could, for instance, focus, then use Expert Handling, allowing him to shed a TL and take a free Barrel Roll action, meaning he'd performed 3 actions - focus, expert handling, and the enclosed free Barrel Roll.

But Expert Handling itself requires an action to perform, so it doesn't get him anything above what he could normally take.

19 hours ago, Force Majeure said:

Soontir is great, but best for casual games nowadays. If you're going against serious competition then I'd suggest picking up a TIE/fo and a TIE/sf expansion and fly Omega Leader + Juke + Comm Relay and Quickdraw. I don't know what upgrades are available to you, but most commonly you'll find Fire Control System + Special Ops Training on Quickdraw. All the other slots are filled to taste.

As such, you have 43 points left to add another ace, or any number of TIE Academy pilots, Howlrunner or what-have-you. Col. Vessery (TIE Defender with X7 or XD title) is a solid addition to OL & QD.

Don't fear flying swarms. There's only one way to learn to do it, and that's with practice.

In a meta with bombs, I actually think QuickDraw gets a pretty big bonus if you take Advance Sensors over Fire Control System -- it allows you to avoids pretty much any bomb dropped in your path, and you become harder to predict in general. Add PtL & Twin Ion Engines (the latter of which you may not have access to yet), and you get some pretty awesome Advance Sensor combos (ie: AS to barrel roll, then PtL to focus, then perform a 3 bank to clear the stress you just picked up... meaning you can do it all over again.

QuickDraw DOES miss FCS a bit in this build, but in general enjoys a longer lifespan/better positioning options for ideal shots.