So, Intensity says that when you perform a boost or barrel roll you can get a focus or evade. If you do both reposition actions, do you get both tokens?

Thinking about running:

Vader: title, ATC, EU, Intensity

Let me know if it works!

No.

1. Vader action 1: boost or barrel roll

2. Resolve Intensity, including "flip this card."

3. Vader action 2: reposition if you want, but at this point Intensity is on the Exhausted side, meaning no more free tokens this round.

Ah, thanks, man.

Having said that, its not a bad idea for Vader, since he has the action economy to make good use of Intensity. However, I still think Lone Wolf is the best on him

Can confirm, Intense Vader is great. He ties with Poe as the best single Intensity user in the game IMO.

8 minutes ago, thespaceinvader said:

Can confirm, Intense Vader is great. He ties with Poe as the best single Intensity user in the game IMO.

I think Guri with the new title will take that spot.

I don't personally like Vader with Intensity. Maybe I'm flying him differently, but he needs his tokens for defense often (and that's not including dropping a focus on offense), and his dial isn't good enough to keep him out of dodge. In games I've played (albeit without Intensity), I only see a couple rounds where I'd ever even have a chance to flip Intensity back.

I probably need to test him, though, considering how much I've talked down about this setup. But Expertise Vader gives you a little tank that puts out consistent damage. Intensity gets you a great Alpha strike, and maybe an interesting turn here or there.

I don't really understand Lone Wolf, and never have. I understand that re-rolling is solid, but that's still relying on dice. Mayyyyyyyybe with Palp somewhere on the field, I'd be happier with it, because you'd have the informed decision RE using Palp before the re-roll or not...

I agree that lone wolf tends to get more use. The only ones I've seen that get real use out of intensity is Poe and Jake.

Poe because he doesn't need to spend the focus, and Jake because of the free barrel and boosting he gets.

19 minutes ago, ArbitraryNerd said:

I think Guri with the new title will take that spot.

I don't personally like Vader with Intensity. Maybe I'm flying him differently, but he needs his tokens for defense often (and that's not including dropping a focus on offense), and his dial isn't good enough to keep him out of dodge. In games I've played (albeit without Intensity), I only see a couple rounds where I'd ever even have a chance to flip Intensity back.

I probably need to test him, though, considering how much I've talked down about this setup. But Expertise Vader gives you a little tank that puts out consistent damage. Intensity gets you a great Alpha strike, and maybe an interesting turn here or there.

I don't really understand Lone Wolf, and never have. I understand that re-rolling is solid, but that's still relying on dice. Mayyyyyyyybe with Palp somewhere on the field, I'd be happier with it, because you'd have the informed decision RE using Palp before the re-roll or not...

Guri's great with it, but Mindlink is Just Better unless you're running a 2 ship list.

2 minutes ago, thespaceinvader said:

Guri's great with it, but Mindlink is Just Better unless you're running a 2 ship list.

I don't like relying on Mindlink when list building because I'm pretty confidant (hopeful?) it's getting nerfed.

Also, I've never liked Mindlink, but I play Imperials so there's probably some ulterior motive there.

I'm hoping the new StarViper pilots are awesome (afaik we haven't seen them).

4 hours ago, thespaceinvader said:

Guri's great with it, but Mindlink is Just Better unless you're running a 2 ship list.

Not true. You're underestimating the value of an evade token. Its huge for Guri.

Also, Intensity + Starviper mk 2 + advanced sensors turns Guri into an incredibly maneuverable ship that is also durable in a way that Mindlink doesn't even come close...

35 minutes ago, blade_mercurial said:

Not true. You're underestimating the value of an evade token. Its huge for Guri.

Also, Intensity + Starviper mk 2 + advanced sensors turns Guri into an incredibly maneuverable ship that is also durable in a way that Mindlink doesn't even come close...

(And Virago, in there somewhere, so you can grab Advanced Sensors - apologies for splitting hairs.)

15 hours ago, blade_mercurial said:

Not true. You're underestimating the value of an evade token. Its huge for Guri.

Also, Intensity + Starviper mk 2 + advanced sensors turns Guri into an incredibly maneuverable ship that is also durable in a way that Mindlink doesn't even come close...

Double focus is very similar in goodness to focus/evade if you assume you'll spend one on attack.

Intensity is great on Guri and I'm super looking forward to it, though.

19 hours ago, ArbitraryNerd said:

I don't like relying on Mindlink when list building because I'm pretty confidant (hopeful?) it's getting nerfed.

100% with you on this though.

As and when Mindlink is no longer the best option for Guri, Intensity will be great on her. Bring Glitterstim to cover the turn when you're not at range 1 of anything.

8 hours ago, thespaceinvader said:

Double focus is very similar in goodness to focus/evade if you assume you'll spend one on attack.

It really isn't. Focus 'might' stop a damage when you get shot, but only if you roll at least one eyeball. Evade stops one damage every time. Its a big help for Guri, because without it, often what happens is she dives into range 1 to get her bonus focus, but then gets banged up by return fire. With Intensity, she can dive into range 1 of a single enemy ship and has a greater chance of coming out unscathed (or less so); much like Fenn.

I'm surprised to hear Intensity has been working so well for people on Guri. I proxied it a couple times when it was revealed and found it middling (same as every other EPT I've tried on her ...). How often are you able to reactivate it? I'll have to give it another go.

1 hour ago, TheHumanHydra said:

I'm surprised to hear Intensity has been working so well for people on Guri. I proxied it a couple times when it was revealed and found it middling (same as every other EPT I've tried on her ...). How often are you able to reactivate it? I'll have to give it another go.

Specifically, it's good with the new StarViper title and Advanced Sensors. Still going to have a hard time if all your enemies are at a higher PS, but that new barrel roll can catch a lot of folks in places they don't expect.

Back to Vader..

I'm looking to try the following intensity set up.

Darth Vader (35) - TIE Advanced
Intensity (2), TIE/x1 (0), Engine Upgrade (4), Advanced Sensors (3)

He puts out very weak damage, but that PS9 repositioning, and faux triple action, means he could be hard to hit.

I'm planning to pair him with a phantom and Deathfire in this list, but if you had the points for a missile, he could do some damage, with a TL, BR Focus then K turn. Hey it could be a good fit with Cruise missiles.

Darth Vader with Advanced Sensors is a terrible idea. His pilot ability only works during the Perform Action Step. If you use Advanced Sensors, then you skip the step without getting his extra action.

Has anyone else compared intensity to Push the Limit on Vader? I started typing a comparison, then gave up because neither is ideal for the way I fly Vader. Lone Wolf or VI for me. Predator if I'm in a formation flying mood.

2 minutes ago, jmswood said:

Darth Vader with Advanced Sensors is a terrible idea. His pilot ability only works during the Perform Action Step. If you use Advanced Sensors, then you skip the step without getting his extra action.

Has anyone else compared intensity to Push the Limit on Vader? I started typing a comparison, then gave up because neither is ideal for the way I fly Vader. Lone Wolf or VI for me. Predator if I'm in a formation flying mood.

Good catch thanks

Vader without ATC is too expensive. Paying that much for a two dice primary ship doesn't really cut it against modern ships. ATC giving an auto-crit and be pretty huge, it's far superior to just a bonus attack die... If you're ok never spending the TL.

I think Intensity Vader is a gimmick that won't last. You'll catch people out, early on, especially if you're rocking Cruise Missiles (it does have some pretty epic Alpha Strike potential), but it's not going to take people that long to learn how to fly against it.

With PS10 Nym and Quickdraw becoming very popular, Vader's going to need VI again soon, and then he's back to the same build that got ousted by TLTs in the first place.

PSA: I recognize what I am writing is an opinion, and one I do not have perfect data to back up. That being said... I played Vader a lot, right after the fix (and Palp) came out. I may be relying on some dated experience, but I've also seen what Intensity can do... And I'm not personally impressed. I accept he can be a pretty strong piece for a PS 9+ Alpha Strike list... But I'd rather take an SF. Or two.