I've got a store championship coming up in a week but I can't decide which list to fly. I was gonna fly my old stand-by, but I was worried it might not hold up against all the jumpmasters torpedo boats. This is my current list:

"Backdraft Special"

Backdraft

-Adaptability

-FCS

-Spec. Ops Train.

-LWF

(31 points)

Col. Vessery

-Expertise

-Tie x/7

(37 points)

The Inquisitor

-PTL

-Tie v/1

-Autothrusters

(31 points)

Total: 99 points

When flown right I've had pretty decent success with the Backdraft Special. However my fear is that against all the Jumpmasters i'm gonna need the defenders (holding onto their focus tokens) for defense against all the torpedoes. I'm not sure that my fears are grounded in truth or whether I've just fallen prey to the fear-mongering and hatred of Jumpmasters that all of my friends share. I've only been flying for about three months now and i'm excited for a store championship, but i'm just afraid my old stand-by list won't be able to withstand the fire of a championship.

I had planned to run this list, but my love for defenders coupled with Expertise led me to build this list yesterday:

"Store Champs?"

Col. Vessery

-Expertise

-TIE x/7

(37 points)

Maarek Stele

-Expertise

-TIE x/7

(37 points)

Omega Leader

-Juke

-Comm Relay

(26 points)

Total: 100 points

I chose Maarek over Ryad because I prefer to have higher PS when possible so that I can gang-up on a ship when possible, (both lists commonly offer consecutive shots by my pilots) plus Maarek's ability can come in pretty clutch at times. Do you think there will be enough synergy for Vess to use his ability every round or should I swap him out for another pilot? Am I perhaps sinking too many points into defenders when I should try and utilize a variety of ships instead of just duplicates? Also, should I be worried about not having an initiative bid? Is 99 points even a bid?

I'm a newbie to championships, so i'll take any advice I can get. Help me pick (and then pick-apart) my list! All tips are welcome!

(p.s. What has the store champion meta been like in your area? Is it as scary as worlds or are people more original with their lists?)

Thanks!