6 hours ago, Darthain said:

You don't have nearly enough activations to run those raiders without them getting flat out leveled. That would be my criticism. Raiders, more than any other ship, need last to not die.

The Raiders run the greatest risk of destruction if they engage the Biggs Ball. Admonition is also a potential threat, but more so if it's only a single Raider which engages with it. Where I deploy the Raiders and how I run them may compensate somewhat for having two less activations. We'll see. It's all part of the fun of this grand Imperial experiment.

6 hours ago, Parkdaddy said:

For your ISD I, though, you have a blue crit upgrade, but only 3 blue dice in your entire armament including the rear hull zone. That is a waste of points, even if it's only thematic playing.

Another thing is that you appear to be splitting your concentration on the 2 strategies–going for squadrons versus going for ships. Your raiders are heavily upgraded as ship killers, but you've also thrown in a lot of anti squadron options.

The instigator title paired with your squadron cover will be good for keeping the bombers off of your ships for at least the first round of contact, but Rieekan Aces, particularly Dutch/Wedge, excel at mopping up squadrons. I've killed Maarek on the first round before.

So I think it could work. Just my thoughts.

My standard thematic upgrade for ISD Ion Cannons is the Nk-7. But, since I want to somewhat break away from my thematic focus for this exercise, I decided to remove the upgrade so I could spend the points elsewhere. I found I had a couple of points left over as I neared the end of the build, so I decided to add the MS-1's to the Relentless to primarily give the blue dice on the back end a bit of boost.

You're correct in identifying two strategic approaches to this build. The first is defensive and anti-squadron while the second is offensive and primarily directed at ships. Motti will be stationed on the Relentless, btw.

Stele and the two Tie Defender squadrons will be hitching a ride on the Relentless (RLB equipped) until such time as a "particular" condition of the battle is met. The VT-49's will be the only squadrons deployed on the field of battle at the beginning of the game. In essence, I'm forcing the Rieekan Aces to go after my ships, and that is exactly what I want them to do.

1 hour ago, Grey Mage said:

If you ever want to meet at one of the stores in Albany send me a message. Early saturday or sunday tends to be what works for me.

Thanks! I'll let you know when I'm heading your way.

52 minutes ago, Admiral WigT said:

The Raiders run the greatest risk of destruction if they engage the Biggs Ball. Admonition is also a potential threat, but more so if it's only a single Raider which engages with it. Where I deploy the Raiders and how I run them may compensate somewhat for having two less activations. We'll see. It's all part of the fun of this grand Imperial experiment.

If it were any ship aside from raiders, I might have some faith in your plan. A gladiator 2 is a better platform for this. Raiders are notorious for spontaneous evaporation.

45 minutes ago, Darthain said:

If it were any ship aside from raiders, I might have some faith in your plan. A gladiator 2 is a better platform for this. Raiders are notorious for spontaneous evaporation.

Spontaneous evaporation -- I like that!

I did consider a variety of ships including the GSD before I settled on the Raiders. I felt that the ship lacked the flexibility I needed for my strategy.

I can understand your reservations in my plan. I'm not entirely sure it will work either, but I'm still going to try. From what I've read in this forum and to borrow a phrase from Jyn Erso, a "Rieekan Iceberg" is built on hope. I'm hoping that the plan works. I'm hoping that I fly well. And, I'm especially hoping I'm not rolling dice like Wil Wheaton. I'm certain of only one thing...I'm going to have fun with this, win or lose.

51 minutes ago, Admiral WigT said:

Spontaneous evaporation -- I like that!

I did consider a variety of ships including the GSD before I settled on the Raiders. I felt that the ship lacked the flexibility I needed for my strategy.

I can understand your reservations in my plan. I'm not entirely sure it will work either, but I'm still going to try. From what I've read in this forum and to borrow a phrase from Jyn Erso, a "Rieekan Iceberg" is built on hope. I'm hoping that the plan works. I'm hoping that I fly well. And, I'm especially hoping I'm not rolling dice like Wil Wheaton. I'm certain of only one thing...I'm going to have fun with this, win or lose.

The lynch pin of Norm's list is Relay. You need to drop the shuttles to really start hurting it, the shuttles provide the greatest return on the fleet, allowing it to be thin and scattered, despite being made of very fragile ships (GH excluded). The Haven needs to die (practically) before the fighters start to really feel any heat you throw at them, you better believe against your list they will be hanging close around that ship heavily.

Luke is present, he will likely kill a raider in a round on his own with Adar + Yavaris really. thats 4 dmg across 3 shots, pretty easy to do. And you need to come to them, before either Adar/ Yavaris, or Yavaris/GH activate, and expose the raiders to squadron fire. It just isn't robust enough to take that punishment.

5 hours ago, Darthain said:

The lynch pin of Norm's list is Relay. You need to drop the shuttles to really start hurting it, the shuttles provide the greatest return on the fleet, allowing it to be thin and scattered, despite being made of very fragile ships (GH excluded). The Haven needs to die (practically) before the fighters start to really feel any heat you throw at them, you better believe against your list they will be hanging close around that ship heavily.

Luke is present, he will likely kill a raider in a round on his own with Adar + Yavaris really. thats 4 dmg across 3 shots, pretty easy to do. And you need to come to them, before either Adar/ Yavaris, or Yavaris/GH activate, and expose the raiders to squadron fire. It just isn't robust enough to take that punishment.

I have yet to conduct a tactical analysis of Norm's list outside of an initial assessment of his deployment strategy as I have been focusing on Nathan's list first. But, I do agree with you in regards to the threat his VCX-100's pose with their ability to relay. I also agree with your assessment of Luke and his capabilities. He will need to be neutralized. I would think the proper response to my list would be for the squadrons to protect Yavaris and Rieekan's transport. So, I'll test it both ways and see what happens.

28 minutes ago, Admiral WigT said:

I have yet to conduct a tactical analysis of Norm's list outside of an initial assessment of his deployment strategy as I have been focusing on Nathan's list first. But, I do agree with you in regards to the threat his VCX-100's pose with their ability to relay. I also agree with your assessment of Luke and his capabilities. He will need to be neutralized. I would think the proper response to my list would be for the squadrons to protect Yavaris and rieekan's transport. So, I'll test it both ways and see what happens.

It isn't so much tactical analysis as lived experience. I know that list very well...

@Darthain

And, I appreciate your experience.