I've been messing around with adding a single Tie defender to my imp lists. I usually run it with a hodgepodge of other various tie models. Now tractor beam works out well with swarmy type lists for straight damage, but I've found That a well timed Ion can be way worse in the same situations for the opponent as they are faced with way more range 1 shots. So, which is better? Is it worth the points to go for the ion, or does tractor's -1 agility work better? I am putting little consideration towards the movement as it is either completely useless or the best thing ever, and its inconsistency can be easily worked around.

In a vacuum and with only one ship, I give the nod to the Ion Cannon. It affects all ships, though it takes longer to affect a larger target. Tractor Beams have very limited value against Large ships, and have no affect at all against a Decimator or VCX with zero agility.

In the current meta, uggg, if you really want to fly Imps and the D, maybe,

I personally love the Flechette cannon, esp on Vessery. I won my last two tournaments with it: the utility from dealing a stress (and an extra damage) is not to be underestimated. One game in particular, against a Falcon, he only got to take one action the entire game. After that, he was stressed and I forced him into doing white maneuvers so he never got to clear it. Same thing happened against a double jumpmaster list.

Just my two cents.

I flew this list last night:

Deez Defenders (100)

• Delta Squadron Pilot with TIE/D title, Tractor Beam, TIE Engine Mk. II
• Delta Squadron Pilot with TIE/D title, Ion Cannon, TIE Engine Mk. II
• Delta Squadron Pilot with TIE/D title, Ion Cannon, TIE Engine Mk. II

It flew surprisingly well. I had two Ion Cannons so I could threaten large base ships, but I think I'm going to swap out one of the Ion Cannons for a Flechette Cannon because of TIE x/7 and Attani lists.

18 minutes ago, Cmacaulay said:

I personally love the Flechette cannon, esp on Vessery. I won my last two tournaments with it: the utility from dealing a stress (and an extra damage) is not to be underestimated. One game in particular, against a Falcon, he only got to take one action the entire game. After that, he was stressed and I forced him into doing white maneuvers so he never got to clear it. Same thing happened against a double jumpmaster list.

Just my two cents.

Yep

9 minutes ago, Piscopas said:

I flew this list last night:

Deez Defenders (100)

• Delta Squadron Pilot with TIE/D title, Tractor Beam, TIE Engine Mk. II
• Delta Squadron Pilot with TIE/D title, Ion Cannon, TIE Engine Mk. II
• Delta Squadron Pilot with TIE/D title, Ion Cannon, TIE Engine Mk. II

It flew surprisingly well. I had two Ion Cannons so I could threaten large base ships, but I think I'm going to swap out one of the Ion Cannons for a Flechette Cannon because of TIE x/7 and Attani lists.

Yesssss. It is the go-too for TIE/Ds in my experience.

2 minutes ago, clanofwolves said:

Yep

Yesssss. It is the go-too for TIE/Ds in my experience.

The tractor beam is the one I really want to hit. Barrel roll onto a rock, into arc and range 1...light it up with the other two.

30 minutes ago, clanofwolves said:

In the current meta, uggg, if you really want to fly Imps and the D, maybe,

27 minutes ago, Cmacaulay said:

I personally love the Flechette cannon, esp on Vessery. I won my last two tournaments with it: the utility from dealing a stress (and an extra damage) is not to be underestimated. One game in particular, against a Falcon, he only got to take one action the entire game. After that, he was stressed and I forced him into doing white maneuvers so he never got to clear it. Same thing happened against a double jumpmaster list.

Just my two cents.

Flechett cannon is good, especially against a mindlink list. Only thing is that it can't double stress.

And the Flechette is a solid option when facing large base ships too ?

So I don't have a copy of flechette cannon, so assuming that...... Ion or Tractor?

tractor beam and expertise on rexler brath is a mean, if expensive combination

Both Ion and Tractor are good on TIE/Ds. Generally you want a tractor if your TIE/D shoots first in the list, eg:

36 Vessery w/ VI, Tractor, TIE/D.
26 Omega w/ Juke, Comms.
26 Deathfire w/ ConcussionM, EM, Prox, LRS.
12 Academy.

You want your opponent to either be hit by the tractor and lose agility for the rest of your attacks, or burn all their tokens defending against it. It also lets you setup better shots for your other ships.

An Ion/Fletchette Cannon is better in a list where your TIE/D shoots last, eg:

37 Quickdraw w/ Expertise, FCS, LWF, Title.
25 Sabacc w/ Predator, Title.
38 Vessery w/ Score to Settle, IonC, TIE/D.

Generally you want the ion/fletchette to hit. By shooting last, either your opponent has spent all their tokens defending against other attacks, or they've withheld tokens to try and dodge the ion and taken more damage. Both outcomes are good.

39 minutes ago, CRCL said:

Both Ion and Tractor are good on TIE/Ds. Generally you want a tractor if your TIE/D shoots first in the list,

This is the biggest issue. If you have a high PS pilot who can fire before the rest of your list then TB is the way to go. Otherwise Ion/Flechette is better.

I love tractor on D's nothing hurts b-wings and other 1agility ships like removing 100% of their defence.

Ion is good but not always as useful if you see a lot of big ships around your meta.

Flechette is a solid choice but can be reduced in usefulness by ptl aces already stressing themselves.

18 hours ago, Cmacaulay said:

I personally love the Flechette cannon, esp on Vessery. I won my last two tournaments with it: the utility from dealing a stress (and an extra damage) is not to be underestimated. One game in particular, against a Falcon, he only got to take one action the entire game. After that, he was stressed and I forced him into doing white maneuvers so he never got to clear it. Same thing happened against a double jumpmaster list.

Just my two cents.

Cool, agreed.

whats your squad buildout? Curious am I -Yoda

If your Defender shoots first, tractor beam can pay dividends. The more attacks you have, the better it gets. But if it's a low PS Defender or one of only a couple ships, ion or flechette is probabsly better.

1 hour ago, clanofwolves said:

Cool, agreed.

whats your squad buildout? Curious am I -Yoda

Vessery (35) - VI, Flechette Cannon, TIE/D; 38

Ryad (34) - PTL, TIE MkII, TIE X7; 36

Pure Sabaac (22) - VI, LWF, Ailerons; 25

I don't really know why it works so well, if I'm being honest. Last tournament I didn't lose a ship all day. (Small local tourney, 16 people).

If you're using Rexler I always recommend items that deal damage.