I'm looking to see what everyone's best list for three imperial small ships. Maybe two small and one large. Just seeing what people really enjoy running, with today's meta. Or competitively. Okay. Maybe more competitively. But either or would be great.

I really like running first order ties. I usually have backdraft, omega leader, zeta leader and epsilon leader.

One s/f tie and 3 f/o ties makes for a well balanced team with synergy. I have had a lot of fun and success with them

This is what I've been enjoying at the moment:

(97)

"Duchess" (29) - TIE Striker
Expertise (4), Adaptive Ailerons (0), Lightweight Frame (2)

"Quickdraw" (39) - TIE/SF Fighter
Expertise (4), Fire Control System (2), Sensor Cluster (2), Special Ops Training (0), Lightweight Frame (2)

"Omega Leader" (29) - TIE/FO Fighter
Juke (2), Comm Relay (3), Stealth Device (3)

QuickDraw is the definite threat here, so I try to position Dutchess to come in and help when the attacking starts.

My current one is:

Backdraft + Adaptability + Fire-Control System + Targeting Synchronizer + Special Ops Training + Lightweight Frame

Tomax Bren + Proton Torpedoes + Extra Munitions + Guidance Chips + Crack Shot

Colonel Vessery + TIE/x7 + Twin Ion Engine Mk. II + Veteran Instincts

I played it at Worlds and ended up #46.

My current Imperial list is:

Quickdraw, A Score To Settle, FCS, Lightweight Frame = 33

Backdraft, VI, FCS, Lightweight Frame = 32

Soontir Fel, PTL, Targeting Computer, Autothrusters = 34

It hits hard and combines a traditional maneuver ace with two meatier fighters.

I really enjoy the Tie/SF. Super fun to play with. Seems like the ship to have in the list. Thanks guys. Ill have that ship. Just need a filler for the rest. Keep them coming.

I haven't played with this one, but I want to soon. It looks fun.

99 points

“Quickdraw” (36)
Special Forces TIE (29), Expertise (4), Electronic Baffle (1), Special Ops Training (0), Lightweight Frame (2)

“Omega Leader” (26)
TIE/fo Fighter (21), Comm Relay (3), Juke (2)

Colonel Vessery (37)
TIE Defender (35), Push the Limit (3), TIE/x7 (-2), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

Only three? You're missing out on some sweet swarm action, but that's a matter of taste here's my favorite imperial three ship:

(36) TIE Defender: •Colonel Vessery (35)
TIE/x7 (-2)
•Swarm Leader (3)

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

(28) TIE Defender: Delta Squadron Pilot (30)
TIE/x7 (-2)

Total: 100/100 Lots of accurate firepower from Vessery here and the delta can really block well, doubling as a counter block protecting Vess/Ryad from blocks. This list is a bit harder to use since the latest errata though.

Shout-out for the First Order aces:

(39) TIE/SF Fighter: •"Quickdraw" (29)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Special Ops Training (0)
Expertise (4)
Fire-Control System (2)
Sensor cluster (2)

(34) TIE/SF Fighter: •"Backdraft" (27)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Special Ops Training (0)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
Sensor cluster (2)

(26) TIE/FO Fighter: •"Omega Leader" (21)
Juke (2)
Comm Relay (3)

Total: 99/100

I don't know yet how competitive they are, but I'll be finding out this SC season. I'll probably be trying both of these out just because I have fun flying them. First list I've typically gotten off a nasty alpha. I've ruined Dengar's day a couple times by making sure I had enough room to 3 hard and barrel roll next to him to just drop a proximity directly on him with Deathfire's ability. The second list is just ridiculous action economy with Tomax basically being purely a support ship. Handing Ryad (and by pilot ability Vessery) target locks, handing both focuses potentially allowing them to double up or free me up to barrel roll if need be. Stress kicks in to give himself a token with Cool Hand which I get to keep forever because Tomax.

Yes, I still love Defenders. The nerf really had no effect on how I already fly them, and the stresshogs don't really appear much around here.

WATCH THE WORLD BURN

100 points

PILOTS

"Deathfire" (26)
TIE Bomber (17), Extra Munitions (2), Concussion Missiles (4), Proximity Mines (3), Long Range Scanners (0)

Colonel Vessery (38)
TIE Defender (35), Tractor beam (1), Veteran Instincts (1), TIE/D (0), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

Countess Ryad (36)
TIE Defender (34), Push the Limit (3), TIE/x7 (-2), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

OPRAH

100 points

PILOTS

Tomax Bren (31)
TIE Bomber (24), TIE Shuttle (0), Cool Hand (1), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1), Systems Officer (2), Fleet Officer (3)

Colonel Vessery (35)
TIE Defender (35), Juke (2), TIE/x7 (-2)

Countess Ryad (34)
TIE Defender (34), Juke (2), TIE/x7 (-2)

View | Tweak | Export as XWS

Rear Admiral Chiraneau - Veteran Instincts, Ysanne Isard, Gunner, Engine Upgrade - 60

Countdown - 20

Epsilon Leader - Twin Ion Engine Mk. II - 20

I had a lot of fun with this for a while:

TIE Bomber: Scimitar Squadron Pilot (16)
Lightweight Frame (2)
TIE Shuttle (0)
Operations Specialist (3)
Tactician (2)
TIE Defender: · Colonel Vessery (35)
Lightning Reflexes (1)
Tractor Beam (1)
Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)
TIE/D (0)
TIE Defender: · Countess Ryad (34)
Push The Limit (3)
Tractor Beam (1)
Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)
TIE/D (0)
-- TOTAL ------- 100p. --

Tractor /D aces can be fun, but missing that first shot with the tractor can hurt. Fortunately, this list rewards a missed shot with a focus! This actually forces some pretty interesting decisions on your opponent about when to take damage, and when to spend those evades. The Bomber does a surprising amount of work too, with the Tractors making shots easier for him, and Tactician giving some control.

Originally, this list had Rage as Vessery's EPT, and Inspiring Recruit instead of Tactician, but it was overkill (Recruits were a nice stress protection, though). Another option was to ditch Vessery's Mk2 engines and switch his EPT to Snap Shot. Worst case, this generated a free focus. Best case, free damage.

Lightning Reflexes seem really odd, but the ability to get yourself out of a bad situation with a free S-loop, K-turn or IG88D style 3 hard S-loop is amazing. If nothing else, it's worth it to see someone react to Vess revealing a 1-bank, then turning it into a 180.

It went through a couple of iterations, but the main thing that changed was Vessery's EPT. VI, Crackshot, Trickshot etc are all worth a go.

14 hours ago, pt106 said:

My current one is:

Backdraft + Adaptability + Fire-Control System + Targeting Synchronizer + Special Ops Training + Lightweight Frame

Tomax Bren + Proton Torpedoes + Extra Munitions + Guidance Chips + Crack Shot

Colonel Vessery + TIE/x7 + Twin Ion Engine Mk. II + Veteran Instincts

I played it at Worlds and ended up #46.

I made a variation of your list here, as i dont have some of the cards. Adaptability, extra munitions, guidance chips and twin ions mkII. Goes like this:

Tomax Bren; crack shot, homing missiles

Backdraft; veteran instincts, fire control system, light weight frame, special ops training

Colonel Vessary; veteran instincts, tractor beam, tie/d

What are your thoughts on how this would work?

2 minutes ago, MHamerR8 said:

I made a variation of your list here, as i dont have some of the cards. Adaptability, extra munitions, guidance chips and twin ions mkII. Goes like this:

Tomax Bren; crack shot, homing missiles

Backdraft; veteran instincts, fire control system, light weight frame, special ops training

Colonel Vessary; veteran instincts, tractor beam, tie/d

What are your thoughts on how this would work?

In this case there is no real reason to run Tomax (as without chips and extra munitions his threat level is way down), so I would substitute him for a different ace (Both Omega leader or Inquisitor would fit just fine)

15 hours ago, BiggsDarklighter said:

I haven't played with this one, but I want to soon. It looks fun.

99 points

“Quickdraw” (36)
Special Forces TIE (29), Expertise (4), Electronic Baffle (1), Special Ops Training (0), Lightweight Frame (2)

“Omega Leader” (26)
TIE/fo Fighter (21), Comm Relay (3), Juke (2)

Colonel Vessery (37)
TIE Defender (35), Push the Limit (3), TIE/x7 (-2), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

I've played this one. Potent. Definitely top-3 best Imperial list out there right now.

The other two are RAC+Ace and the incoming TLT spam.

18 hours ago, pt106 said:

My current one is:

Backdraft + Adaptability + Fire-Control System + Targeting Synchronizer + Special Ops Training + Lightweight Frame

Tomax Bren + Proton Torpedoes + Extra Munitions + Guidance Chips + Crack Shot

Colonel Vessery + TIE/x7 + Twin Ion Engine Mk. II + Veteran Instincts

I played it at Worlds and ended up #46.

Pretty sure I played you! If only I could have remembered that QuickDraw had a 1-hard, I could have blasted Backdraft and evaded Bren's arc. Oh well, Didn't lose again until Day 2 finishing 72nd.

My list I flew at worlds was QuickDraw (adapt, FCS, title, Homing, chips), Vessery (VI, tie/D, ion cannon), and Pure Sabacc (LWF, ailerons, VI). Super fun list. Surprisingly beat two Rau boat lists too.

Current squad:

Soontir Fel (27)
Push the Limit (3)
Autothrusters (2)
Targeting Computer (2)
Royal Guard TIE (0)

Delta Squadron Pilot (30)
Ion Cannon (3)
TIE/D (0)

"Quickdraw" (29)
A Score to Settle (0)
Fire-Control System (2)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Special Ops Training (0)

Total: 100

22 minutes ago, polmoneys said:

Current squad:

Soontir Fel (27)
Push the Limit (3)
Autothrusters (2)
Targeting Computer (2)
Royal Guard TIE (0)

Delta Squadron Pilot (30)
Ion Cannon (3)
TIE/D (0)

"Quickdraw" (29)
A Score to Settle (0)
Fire-Control System (2)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Special Ops Training (0)

Total: 100

Have you played many lists with Asajj? Curious if we're just in denial that Fel is still viable OR if the anti-ace tech that FFG drowned us in is being used.

This a "meta" question, and your local meta may be very different from mine/the accepted universal meta, but I want to ask anyway...

1 hour ago, tortugatron said:

Pretty sure I played you! If only I could have remembered that QuickDraw had a 1-hard, I could have blasted Backdraft and evaded Bren's arc. Oh well, Didn't lose again until Day 2 finishing 72nd.

My list I flew at worlds was QuickDraw (adapt, FCS, title, Homing, chips), Vessery (VI, tie/D, ion cannon), and Pure Sabacc (LWF, ailerons, VI). Super fun list. Surprisingly beat two Rau boat lists too.

Yes, I did like your list and was worried about that homing missile. I like strikers, they're a fun ship to fly and it seems that at least Pure Sabacc is a solid ship for the Imperial list. I didn't encounter any Fenn boats, but flew against triple scouts with torpedoes (I almost preferred Rau boats as I can reliably proton Fenn)

1 hour ago, Rinzler in a Tie said:

Have you played many lists with Asajj? Curious if we're just in denial that Fel is still viable OR if the anti-ace tech that FFG drowned us in is being used.

This a "meta" question, and your local meta may be very different from mine/the accepted universal meta, but I want to ask anyway...

I'm in denial , been playing Carnor for all palp defender era and now switched to Soontir + targeting computer for more damage output. At 34 points Soontir can win matches by himself so is not that bad.

I mostly ignore Asajjjjj and try to kill everything else.

Just now, polmoneys said:

I'm in denial , been playing Carnor for all palp defender era and now switched to Soontir + targeting computer for more damage output. At 34 points Soontir can win matches by himself so is not that bad.

I mostly ignore Asajjjjj and try to kill everything else.

I'm with ya - I think Fel is fine against 90% of the meta, even Attani.

But, man, we are scared of putting the Baron on the table... Glad to see he's still doing pretty well. May or may be taking him to a store championship or two

So i should be picking up a Fel card? Good to know. Whats the best loadout for Fel?

23 minutes ago, MHamerR8 said:

So i should be picking up a Fel card? Good to know. Whats the best loadout for Fel?

PTL - Title - Autothrusters - Stealth Device

Pretty standard there - some (@biophysical) are opting for Targeting Computer instead of Stealth Device to be more punchy.

Now just needing a third ship to compliment the other two.

5 hours ago, Rolotamasi said:

PTL - Title - Autothrusters - Stealth Device

Pretty standard there - some (@biophysical) are opting for Targeting Computer instead of Stealth Device to be more punchy.

I am very much not an experienced ace player, so my opinions are probably not to be counted on too much, but I think that the offensive threats to aces will usually overwhelm the stealth device, so offense and maneuver become more important. Targeting computer goves you offense and a point of initiative.

I've flown with this squadron.

"Whisper" — TIE Phantom32

Veteran Instincts1

Fire-Control System2

Agent Kallus2

Advanced Cloaking Device4

Ship Total: 41

"Omega Leader" — TIE/fo Fighter21

Juke2

Comm Relay3

Ship Total: 26

Captain Yorr — Lambda-Class Shuttle24

Emperor Palpatine8

Ship Total: 32

I have had some reasonable victories with these ships in casual games. Another possibility is to change Lambda for two TIE / FO