FFG Forum Archive

Posted at 2017-08-01 16:12:32+00:00

Hello. This arises out of Villan's thread, but I didn't want to distract from it:

I thought I had read once that generic TIE Interceptors are actually pretty efficient in Epic, but I didn't see them mentioned there. Is that the case? I have been wondering what would happen if you fielded a list like this:

Soontir Fel (27)
Push the Limit (3)
Autothrusters (2)
Targeting Computer (2)
Royal Guard TIE (0)

Carnor Jax (26)
Push the Limit (3)
Autothrusters (2)
Stealth Device (3)
Royal Guard TIE (0)

Turr Phennir (25)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Autothrusters (2)
Stealth Device (3)
Royal Guard TIE (0)

Tetran Cowall (24)
Push the Limit (3)
Autothrusters (2)
Stealth Device (3)
Royal Guard TIE (0)

Royal Guard Pilot (22)
Push the Limit (3)
Autothrusters (2)
Targeting Computer (2)
Royal Guard TIE (0)

Alpha Squadron Pilot (18)
Autothrusters (2)

Total: 300

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Or this:

Soontir Fel (27)
Push the Limit (3)
Autothrusters (2)
Royal Guard TIE (0)

Turr Phennir (25)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Autothrusters (2)
Royal Guard TIE (0)

Royal Guard Pilot (22)
Push the Limit (3)
Autothrusters (2)
Royal Guard TIE (0)

Saber Squadron Pilot (21)
Push the Limit (3)
Autothrusters (2)

Total: 300

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

What would be a better way to field large numbers of TIE Interceptors?

Disclaimer: This topic is just 'for fun'/out of curiousity as, unless I become rich, I don't think I'll ever be able to field such a squadron. So don't worry about spending too much time advising me unless you'll enjoy doing so.

Long live the Emperor.

Edited August 1, 2017 by TheHumanHydra

Posted at 2017-08-01 16:22:33+00:00

For 300pt games, you're only allowed 8 of the same small ship.

And, coincidentally, you can field 2 assault carriers plus 8 interceptors nicely for 300pts...

Posted at 2017-08-01 16:37:50+00:00

15 minutes ago, Gilarius said:

For 300pt games, you're only allowed 8 of the same small ship.

And, coincidentally, you can field 2 assault carriers plus 8 interceptors nicely for 300pts...

Strange, the builder told me 12. Thanks!

Posted at 2017-08-01 17:04:41+00:00

12 for 400pt games. I only have 8 interceptors, though. :(

You can completely wreck an opponent's list with lots of interceptors, or they can die ineffectively. Dice, they are not generally my friends. Basic X-wings are actually better, especially with torpedoes, but interceptors are more fun.

Posted at 2017-08-01 19:42:00+00:00

Nope, it's 12 of the same small ship type for 300 point games. For Team Epic (two players per team, 200 points per player) it's 8 max for each small ship per player . So you could see an Imperial team with up to 16 TIE interceptors in 400 points if both players brought 8 TIE interceptors.

Posted at 2017-08-01 20:10:23+00:00

Spamming fighters like that is actually isn't that fun in Epic, in my opinion. I think you need a little something else just to create interesting decisions on target priority for your opponent. For example, having a support ship to buff your ships or debuff opposing ships, like the Suppressor Gozanti. Or having a Decimator like Captain Oicunn with Mara Jade and Operations Specialist to stress your enemies while handing out extra focus tokens when your shots are evaded.

If you are dead-set on spamming TIE interceptors (which, despite my caution above, does sound exciting), I'm not sure Push the Limit + Autothrusters is the way to go. If all your ships perform focus + evade, that's a lot of stress for not much payoff because many ships will not be shot, and never use those evade tokens. Of course, you do have access to boost + barrel roll, or reposition + focus, and those are really good.

The other thing that gives me pause is Autothrusters. It's great, really. But you could have Targeting Computer to make your range 1 shots hit harder. What's the use in staying alive longer when you roll blanks and can't get damage through? I'm not saying Autothrusters are bad, just that there may be other upgrades you could reach for.

One thing I learned from building with LEGO bricks is that having a limit on your resources actually encourages creativity. I mean, if you have a really good reason for PtL Autothrusters, go for it! But give some thought to other things, like Predator, Ruthlessness, Crack Shot, Snap Shot - there are so many cool Elite Talents that TIE interceptors could use in Epic. Or maybe just run a small group without upgrades to save points for other ships. Not trying to be negative here, but I thought I'd share my opinion on making good/fun epic squads.

Posted at 2017-08-01 22:06:47+00:00

You know what? I take it back. Spamming ships in Epic can be a lot of fun. Thanks to you, I can't stop thinking about a full squad of TIE interceptors flying straight at the enemy. I do think that having more variety in a squad will make it more dynamic and engaging for your opponent, but sometimes it's nice to just throw a mono-ship squad on the table.

I have 8 TIE interceptors, and although I haven't tried it yet, I'd love to fly them alongside an Imperial Raider.

Posted at 2017-08-01 23:44:00+00:00

Great insight, Parakitor, especially the idea of variety making it more fun for your opponent. I hadn't considered that. I really like that Decimator.

3 hours ago, Parakitor said:

One thing I learned from building with LEGO bricks is that having a limit on your resources actually encourages creativity. I mean, if you have a really good reason for PtL Autothrusters, go for it! But give some thought to other things, like Predator, Ruthlessness, Crack Shot, Snap Shot - there are so many cool Elite Talents that TIE interceptors could use in Epic. Or maybe just run a small group without upgrades to save points for other ships. Not trying to be negative here, but I thought I'd share my opinion on making good/fun epic squads.

You want variety? Can your sensory inputs withstand this?

Royal Guard Pilot (22)
Expertise (4)
Autothrusters (2)

Royal Guard Pilot (22)
Ruthlessness (3)
Autothrusters (2)

Soontir Fel (27)
Push the Limit (3)
Autothrusters (2)

Tetran Cowall (24)
Predator (3)
Autothrusters (2)

Royal Guard Pilot (22)
Outmaneuver (3)
Autothrusters (2)

Saber Squadron Pilot (21)
Snap Shot (2)
Autothrusters (2)

Carnor Jax (26)
Juke (2)
Autothrusters (2)

Saber Squadron Pilot (21)
Intimidation (2)
Autothrusters (2)

Turr Phennir (25)
Intensity (2)
Autothrusters (2)

Royal Guard Pilot (22)
Trick Shot (0)
Autothrusters (2)

Royal Guard Pilot (22)
A Score to Settle (0)
Autothrusters (2)

Total: 300

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

My brain would hurt trying to fly this ... but my heart would soar.

Posted at 2017-08-02 02:31:24+00:00

Wow. That is busy. But I can see some really cool tactics forming because each ship has its own role to play. Very nice!

Edited August 2, 2017 by Parakitor

Posted at 2017-08-02 07:30:54+00:00

I've been mis-reading the rules on numbers for over a year. Thanks, Parakitor! (Feeling embarrassed now.)

Posted at 2017-08-02 14:31:53+00:00

7 hours ago, Gilarius said:

I've been mis-reading the rules on numbers for over a year. Thanks, Parakitor! (Feeling embarrassed now.)

It's not entirely your fault. Page breaks would do wonders for the clarity of their tournament documents.

Posted at 2017-08-02 16:19:43+00:00

So what are the most efficient ships in Epic? I'm very curious.

Posted at 2017-08-02 16:54:18+00:00

25 minutes ago, TheHumanHydra said:

So what are the most efficient ships in Epic? I'm very curious.

TIE interceptors . You don't even need to throw anything on them - just naked Saber Sq. Pilots are brutally efficient. Alpha Sq. Pilots are probably even more efficient. But I don't know how that is now; this comes from a long line of complaints about Epic from right after the Raider was available. There was a surge in Epic games after that, and the main takeaway was that TIE interceptors can do anything. They're maneuverable enough to dogfight, and hit hard enough to take out huge ships, while having the agility to save their skins when there's no reason they should have survived. Made for some really frustrating games for people.

And yet, we know power creep is a thing, so newer ships I think have beaten them out. Twelve TLT Y-wings, for example, are so efficient that they are widely accepted as a negative play experience for the opponent (and sometimes even for the player flying them). I think this is the squad that has made me shy away from straight up spamming a single ship in Epic.

Those are the big ones I can think of. If there are other super efficient ships, I haven't heard reports about them yet. I suspect TIE defenders (especially TIE/D) and T-70 X-wings are right up there, though.

Epic Interceptors