I'm saving up for my first Raider, but with the TIE Aggressor coming out, I don't know if I should get the new ship, and put a halt on my sinister battle plans. Help, fellow forumers!

Which ships do you already have? What cards do you expect to use from each expansion? How often will you put them on the table? What is your play style?

The Raider is a beautiful model, but I haven't been able to use it yet in an epic game. Palpatine's crew card obviously is a huge deal, even after a smallish recent nerf, and is the reason most people bought the Raider. I do use the TIE Advanced titles, which makes at least Vader competitive again (and I think it works well for Stele also).

The jury seems to be out on the TIE Aggressor. It's a lot easier on your budget, however, and is the first Imperial ship to sport a Turret upgrade slot. It comes with Twin Laser Turret (great), synced turret (unknown, probably so-so), and Unguided Rockets (which could be good for both TIE Bomber, and Punisher). It also barrel rolls. EDIT: Almost forgot Intensity!!

For now, I'd keep saving for that Raider and see how the Agressor plays on the mat. As far as I know, we haven't even seen its dial yet. The thing could be a flying turd for all we know right now. If it ends up being a must-have ship in Imperial lists, I'd consider changing my opinion at that point. Remember, you also get a TIE Advanced and a bunch of TA fix cards with the Raider (and a gimped Palpatine card).

49 minutes ago, Parable said:

The jury seems to be out on the TIE Aggressor. It's a lot easier on your budget, however, and is the first Imperial ship to sport a Turret upgrade slot. It comes with Twin Laser Turret (great), synced turret (unknown, probably so-so), and Unguided Rockets (which could be good for both TIE Bomber, and Punisher). It also barrel rolls. EDIT: Almost forgot Intensity!!

Don't forget "Lightweight Frame".

Considering the cards that come with the expansion, the TIE Aggressor is probably the best deal (for a single ship expansion) so far.

I would get the Aggressor first, unless you are going to be playing epic games. I don't see a reason to buy a raider and not fly it. Palpatine is not a reason, and neither are the tie advanced fixes. There's enough other options out there for 100/6 if that's all you'll fly.

On the other hand, go epic and have fun with it! I own all the non-Imperial epics for my primary factions. At some point I may slip into the dark side enough to want one of theirs.

The Raider.

If you have plans to play epic with the Raider, keep saving for the time being. She's worth it. Worse case scenario, if the TIE Aggressor is a sleeper hit you can always change you mind after release. Really, I'm not one to buy any ship for the cards in the pack so the TIE Aggressor doesn't feel high on my list... is kinda pretty though...

If you're going to be playing a decent amount of Epic, or are a massive fan of the TIE Advanced (ideally both), then the Raider is a decent buy. Otherwise I'd pick up the TIE Aggressor and wait a bit longer before grabbing the Raider.

But if you're a fan of Epic, then seriously, get the Raider. It's an amazing ship in that format, and looks fantastic.

I'd lean towards the Raider actually. The Raider is a great Epic ship and loads of fun; to boot, you get the TIE Advanced Title and Advanced Targeting Computer --4 copies of each-- and the lighter gray painted TIE Advanced model. Yeah, and you can have a Palp card that read what his powers were before he was thrown into the retirement home. On beer nights we fly Palp pre-nerf; and although he doesn't see too much play, he still has the lighting in his anger when he's riding in that Lambda, haha!

The TIE Aggressor could be an "meh, who cares" Rebel copy of a ship, or it could be a cool filler mini-Ace, it ALL depends on the dial. If the dial is great, it'll be good, if the dial is fair, it'll be a dud. Why FFG wants to hide this information is curious. Either the dial is great and they want to surprise Imperial pilots with a real treat in this overall Scum-powered wave (YAY), or it's average and they wanted to reduce the warranted lack-luster Imperial enthusiasm to increase early order sales from the addicted like us. I sadly think it was a business decision to make money, this is a business, so the dial will be underwhelming.

So, that said, it looks like your best bet is with the known commodity: The Raider!

You always buy the Raider.

You'll be able to save up for the aggressor first and play the ship more often, but I'd recommend finishing your original goal of saving for the Raider. I just started playing Epic with my two sons and we all agreed that it's fun, and plays differently than the combos in 100/6 games. Our local store did an epic night to celebrate the C-Roc release. Fun was had and we will repeat that as well. You can play epic vs small ships too, its fun.

1 hour ago, clanofwolves said:

The TIE Aggressor could be an "meh, who cares" Rebel copy of a ship, or it could be a cool filler mini-Ace, it ALL depends on the dial. If the dial is great, it'll be good, if the dial is fair, it'll be a dud. Why FFG wants to hide this information is curious. Either the dial is great and they want to surprise Imperial pilots with a real treat in this overall Scum-powered wave (YAY), or it's average and they wanted to reduce the warranted lack-luster Imperial enthusiasm to increase early order sales from the addicted like us. I sadly think it was a business decision to make money, this is a business, so the dial will be underwhelming.

FFG never fully reveal a ship before release, and the only thing they haven't spoilered for the Aggressor is the dial. I don't think there's any motivation beyond wanting to have at least one component that isn't revealed before the expansion hit retail, and they chose to show us Intensity rather than the dial. I'm OK with that call.

I think the main reason to buy the raider is to get Palpatine and the Tie advance fixes. The aggressor itself is going to be useful(pending the dial), but it also has intensity and unguided rockets. Intensity is going to be good on Vader, and unguided rockets for punishers/bombers.

Irony is both sets are buffing the TIE advanced.

1 minute ago, BadMotivator said:

I think the main reason to buy the raider is to get Palpatine and the Tie advance fixes.

That's a pretty bad reason to invest $80+ imo.

If I buy one it's because I want to command a raider into battle.

I also vote for the Raider. It's so good to have in the collection, and does work in Epic play. And after you get the Raider, you can save up for a TIE Aggressor to put Intensity on Vader with his /x1 title!

Intensity!

Now I want an "intensity intensifies" gif.

If you plan on playing Epic, I would go raider, if it's just going to be shelf decor, I'd probably go with the aggressor.

By the way, it does make very nice shelf decor. It's a beautiful model, but as I usually play rebel or scum epic (when I get a chance to play epic) I haven't fielded my raider yet.

If you have Epic plans, definitely raider

If not, the Raider is still a good buy because it gives you Vader options, which is still a good solid pick even though his ship clearly has issues. Palp nerf kinda removed the main reason to getting it.

The TIE Aggressor right now is still up in the air if its useful. We dont know the dial and thats big. About all we can guarantee is four TLT Aggressors will be a thing somewhere, the innate barrelroll making them a little better than ywings.

The only thing better than flying a Raider into battle is flying 2 Raiders! And a Gozanti plus a wing each of interceptors and fighters...next time, there'll be bombers too!

Definitely Raider right now. The aggressor is going to be a 15 USD blister. The Raider is one of those big purchases. Unless you plan on buying like 7 aggressors, I would just get the raider and wait a little while for the other.

To add to my comment above, the Raider is the sweetest looking model in the game. That, of course, is my opinion but it's a nice looking ship. Plus, with the new Thrawn novel and BF2, it has the distinction of being the only ship specifically designed for XWM to make it into official canon. That's gotta be worth something. I'm starting to feel like a used car salesman here. Just buy the Raider. It's sexy.

BOTH! Just skip lunch for a couple days and throw that money at the new Tie.

2 hours ago, Joe Censored said:

BOTH! Just skip lunch for a couple days and throw that money at the new Tie.

Yeah! Food is for the weak!

11 hours ago, BadMotivator said:

I think the main reason to buy the raider is to get Palpatine and the Tie advance fixes.

No, the main reason to buy the Raider is to fly the Raider.

You can fly any number of Imperial starfighters instead. . .but there is only one Raider!