I finally learned my Store Championship will be Saturday the 27th. I've been to two pretty casual local tournaments and been completely smashed. I know I'll still get smashed at this more competitive event and location, but I'd like to feel slightly more in the game. However, I have to accomplish this on a limited budget. I'd like to see what I can do buying only one more small ship expansion. If this proves absolutely impossible, I could think about two small ship expansions or one large or double- ship expansion. This is my paltry collection currently:

Core Set II, Imperial Aces, StarViper, Jumpmaster 5000, TIE Striker. I also have three Veteran Instincts I bought online.

While I could fly Dengar or Tel Trevura and Guri, I don't really have the upgrade cards to make it work (I just proxy them for casual play). I think I'm obliged to fly Imperials, and I think I pretty much have to fly Carnor Jax (Royal Guard TIE, Push the Limit, Autothrusters, Targeting Computer) as the best Imperial ship I have.

With all that said, I could get a TIE/sf and an Electronic Baffle (it's cheap online) and run this:

Carnor Jax (26)
Push the Limit (3)
Autothrusters (2)
Targeting Computer (2)
Royal Guard TIE (0)

"Quickdraw" (29)
Rage (1)
Electronic Baffle (1)
Sensor Cluster (2)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Special Ops Training (0)

Epsilon Squadron Pilot (15)

Epsilon Squadron Pilot (15)

Total: 98

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Or I could get a TIE/fo and run this:

Carnor Jax (26)
Push the Limit (3)
Autothrusters (2)
Targeting Computer (2)
Royal Guard TIE (0)

"Omega Leader" (21)
Juke (2)
Comm Relay (3)
Hull Upgrade (3)

"Zeta Leader" (20)
Wired (1)
Weapons Guidance (2)

Epsilon Squadron Pilot (15)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Or a TIE Defender and borrow one of my friend's TIE/D cards to run this:

Carnor Jax (26)
Push the Limit (3)
Autothrusters (2)
Targeting Computer (2)
Royal Guard TIE (0)

Colonel Vessery (35)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Ion Cannon (3)
TIE/D (0)

"Duchess" (23)
Predator (3)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Adaptive Ailerons (0)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Which do you think is least embarrassing (even though they all are)? Is there a better option I'm missing? Could I create something substantially better by doubling my budget?

With what you have, you could purchase an M3-A Interceptor and fly this:

Carnor Jax

Push the Limit

Title

Autothrusters

Stealth Device

Duchess

PTL

Title

Lightweight Frame

Epsilon Leader

Shield Upgrade

Epsilon Squadron Pilot

This is all about keeping Carnor and Duchess arc-dodging. You do NOT want them to be in someone's arc, even if it means you don't get a shot. Patience is key.

OR:

Tel Trevura

Attani

Title

R5-P8

Gonk

Tansarii Point Veteran

Attani

Title

Mangler Cannon

Stealth Device

Tansarii does basic things, whatever it takes to get off a shot. Tel slowly approaches to bank tokens on Gonk, and then, after he "dies" you can shoot back up your shields.

OR you could buy a SF TIE and fly this:

Carnor Jax

Push the Limit

Title

Autothrusters

Shield Upgrade

Duchess

PTL

Title

Lightweight Frame

Quickdraw

Title

Rage

Electronic Baffle

Shield Upgrade

There's also a case to be made for flying a backdraft instead of quickdraw.

Honestly, I think you have some legit options here. Like, maybe competitive if you fly them well. You'll have trouble though with guys like Fenn if you fly one of the imp aces lists, that's where quickdraw could REALLY shine.

Vessery Tie xD / Sabaac / Quickdraw is a strong list and made top 8 in regionals around here.

Quickdraw + Special Ops Training + Adaptability + Guidance Chips + Fire-Control System + Homing Missiles
Colonel Vessery + Ion Cannon + Veteran Instincts + TIE/D
Pure Sabacc + Veteran Instincts + Adaptive Ailerons + Lightweight Frame

You dont have any of the quickdraw build, so we can sub him for Jax, and upgrade Vessery. I dont like Jax being Vessery's lone target lock source. He is 3 hull, and needs his actions for boosting barrel rolling or else turtling up. A TL at the wrong time can end him real quick.

You could go slightly different route, by just purchasing the Defender expansion and borrowing the xD title (and tractor beam?).

"Pure Sabacc" (22)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Adaptive Ailerons (0)

Rexler Brath (37)
Predator (3)
Tractor Beam (1)
TIE/D (0)

Carnor Jax (26)
Push the Limit (3)
Autothrusters (2)
Hull Upgrade (3)
Royal Guard TIE (0)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Doesnt depend on target locks, creates a headache for opponent to prioritize targets. Go for 4 dice sabaac, tractor beam rexlar, or Jax who can really mess you up if he gets close?

Hmm, just thought of this:

Colonel Vessery (35)
Veteran Instincts (1)
TIE/x7 (-2)

"Quickdraw" (29)
Swarm Leader (3)
Fire-Control System (2)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Special Ops Training (0)

Epsilon Squadron Pilot (15)

Epsilon Squadron Pilot (15)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

It's very close to what I fly in Vassal League and am 4-0 so far, although I use Rexlar w/ Expertise and two academies.

Quickdraw auto locks for Vess. Epsilons can evade for Swarm Leader (and target lock for vessery if quickdraw goes first).

You would need to purchase a TIE S/F and Defender then borrow x7 and FCS.

56 minutes ago, Greebwahn said:

With what you have, you could purchase an M3-A Interceptor and fly this:

[...]

Honestly, I think you have some legit options here. Like, maybe competitive if you fly them well . You'll have trouble though with guys like Fenn if you fly one of the imp aces lists, that's where quickdraw could REALLY shine.

"Well that's the real trick, isn't it?" Lol! I appreciate these suggestions and the vote of confidence. I'd never have thought of the Scyk expansion and I like how the same buy contributes to lists for both factions.

50 minutes ago, wurms said:

I dont like Jax being Vessery's lone target lock source. He is 3 hull, and needs his actions for boosting barrel rolling or else turtling up. A TL at the wrong time can end him real quick.

You could go slightly different route, by just purchasing the Defender expansion and borrowing the xD title (and tractor beam?).

[...]

Doesnt depend on target locks, creates a headache for opponent to prioritize targets. Go for 4 dice sabaac, tractor beam rexlar, or Jax who can really mess you up if he gets close?

Very true; that was a definite flaw in my list. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to borrow the tractor beam, because my friend is wisely planning on using it in his list! A tractor beam at 8 is realistically probably the best force multiplier my ship selection could have had ...

23 minutes ago, wurms said:

Hmm, just thought of this:

Colonel Vessery (35)
Veteran Instincts (1)
TIE/x7 (-2)

"Quickdraw" (29)
Swarm Leader (3)
Fire-Control System (2)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Special Ops Training (0)

Epsilon Squadron Pilot (15)

Epsilon Squadron Pilot (15)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

It's very close to what I fly in Vassal League and am 4-0 so far, although I use Rexlar w/ Expertise and two academies.

Quickdraw auto locks for Vess. Epsilons can evade for Swarm Leader (and target lock for vessery if quickdraw goes first).

You would need to purchase a TIE S/F and Defender then borrow x7 and FCS.

This is looking quite promising. I realized after posting I could probably borrow my friend's FCS from his Phantom that he's not planning on running. With the same purchases, I also thought of this:

Colonel Vessery (35)
Veteran Instincts (1)
TIE/x7 (-2)

Carnor Jax (26)
Push the Limit (3)
Autothrusters (2)
Targeting Computer (2)
Royal Guard TIE (0)

"Backdraft" (27)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Special Ops Training (0)

Total: 99

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

I don't know if that's any better, but it's interesting.

Thought it'd be good form to check back in. I appreciated the advice! After much agonizing over purchases, I realized last night I might be able to run my Scum as-is. I posted a tournament report in that section of the forums -- it didn't go well competitively, but I had an amazing time. Thanks again.