Hi All,

First post and new to X Wing, so be brutal!

I'm trying to build an Imperial list that might stand a chance against a rebel mini swarm of 3 x A wings with Snapshot & Juke + Jess.

My last engagement saw me get destroyed twice, and I was flying Omega Leader, Deathfire, Double Edge and Zeta Leader - essentially all as Aces. It was a big big fail. But I have a new plan, ramming.

So for 99 points:

Darth Vader + Lone Wolf + Assault Missiles + Engine Upgrade + TIE/x1 + Advanced Targeting Computer
Captain Oicunn + Ruthlessness + Mara Jade + Tactician + Agent Kallus + Engine Upgrade + Dauntless

The plan is to stress them from a distance and up close, ram the swarm with Oicunn - restricting the use of snazzy stress manouvers whilst also damaging them. And of course soak up lots of damage while Vader gets to work.

Vader is there to stay out of focus fire arcs, do damage from a distance and hopefully get a good shot off with the assault missiles (if they hit) which could punish the rebel scum swarm

Would you do anything differently? And/or how would you fly against the rebel mini swarm?

If you really really want a ramming decimator (which is good for one or two turns, then it has to turn and come back around) try this one:

Captain Oicunn + Daredevil + Inspiring Recruit + Dauntless + Engine Upgrade (52)

You can add other upgrades to taste, I usually run Palp for modifying the turret shot but you could also vader + gunner to really take something down quick. Boshek would be pretty neat too!

I think you'll have a rough time ramming ps3 A-wings and Jess as they're all pretty quick and move before you do. But if they are flying all close together it makes it a little bit easier. If you miss though... that's a LOT of snapshots onto a 0 agility ship!

8 hours ago, BadgerLeader said:

Darth Vader + Lone Wolf + Assault Missiles + Engine Upgrade + TIE/x1 + Advanced Targeting Computer
Captain Oicunn + Ruthlessness + Mara Jade + Tactician + Agent Kallus + Engine Upgrade + Dauntless

Well I can't fly Oicunn for toffee so I can't give much advice there except practice makes perfect. However I wonder if some Ion control would be useful which would combine nicely with the Stress control. An ionised ship performs a white straight 1 manoeuvre in the next activation phase making their next move predictable and they don't clear any stress and can't take an action. A simple change could be Ion Pulse Missiles on Vader. Alternatively consider a Defender with TIE/D and an Ion Cannon. Or some Bombers with Ion Torpedoes or Ion Pulse Missiles. This sounds like fun maybe I'll get Oicunn out again!

I would run some defenders with the TIE/x7. Defenders are very tough (3 Hull and 3 Shields), roll 3 defence dice and with a 3 or more maneuver gets a free evade before Snapfire if you got the initiative. Its rather importent, that your list consist of fewer points, than your opponents, because the player with the initiative decides which happens first: If the defenders gets their free evade first or if the A-wings gets their snapfire first. Build a list of 3 defenders all with TIE/x7 titles, which is cheaper than his and choose to get the initiative, then you should beat him rather easily.
Here is an example of a 97 point list
Delta Squadron, TIE/x7 (28)
Countess Ryad, TIE/x7, PTL, Twin Ion Engine (36)
Colonel Vessery, TIE/x7 (33)

Thinking more on this with the help from ideas above... I'd try this:

Captain Oicunn + Adaptability + Thermal Detonators + BoShek + Emperor Palpatine + Dauntless + Ion Projector (59)

Oicunn has adaptability (adapt down) for bumping, so you need an initiative bid to get those A Wings before they move. You will bump one, you can still do an action (I'd recommend Target Lock the A wing you think will clear you) then you can BoShek the one you bumped when they activate. Use Palp if they bump you to get the Ion Projector to guarantee a hit/ion token. Then you can mix in your favorite ace at around 38 points. I'd recommend Vader with Engine Upgrade, Cruise Missile, Title, and ATC, and whatever EPT you're comfortable with.

12 minutes ago, jonnyd said:

Thinking more on this with the help from ideas above... I'd try this:

Captain Oicunn + Adaptability + Thermal Detonators + BoShek + Emperor Palpatine + Dauntless + Ion Projector (59)

Oicunn has adaptability (adapt down) for bumping, so you need an initiative bid to get those A Wings before they move. You will bump one, you can still do an action (I'd recommend Target Lock the A wing you think will clear you) then you can BoShek the one you bumped when they activate. Use Palp if they bump you to get the Ion Projector to guarantee a hit/ion token. Then you can mix in your favorite ace at around 38 points. I'd recommend Vader with Engine Upgrade, Cruise Missile, Title, and ATC, and whatever EPT you're comfortable with.

or replace boshek with saboteur to try and double down on the ram damage/ get blinded pilot/major explosion........

Actually, I do believe the list you posted is quite well put-together, OP.

Just two things, maybe:

a) Tactician is just working in Arc, and you'll probably be ramming in that direction. It's not always favourable to bank on another ship being right behind the one you're touching, at the precise distance no less.

b) Assault misssiles on Vader are pricey, and you got Ruthlessness for splash damage. Not that there's anything necessarily wrong with more splash, but they require you to spend your lock (which you need with AdvTC) and since you're all up in the opponent's grill- maybe swith to Proton Rockets for a quick, juicy kill or leave the slot open. This would allow your Deci to take Rebel Captive for more Stress Control!

So, I'd say try your stuff. Just remember to focus fire one terrorist at the time and go blast some good-for nothing boy scouts!

Thanks all for the advice folks, certainly some options and changes to think about! Lots to try and practice with, not enough time!

Having done a tad more research as well, I didn't realise that I won't be able to use the Boost action to ram with Oicunn, so Daredevil might be another EPT to consider instead?

As it stands I'll be trying an Oicunn/Vader combination but also a triple defender list

Onyx Squadron, TIE/x7, Twin Ion Engine (31)
Onyx Squadron, TIE/x7, Twin Ion Engine (31)
Countess Ryad, TIE/x7, PTL, Twin Ion Engine (36)

I get PS3 with the Onyx, so at 98 points I can still get initiative and as the a-wings are also PS3, I'd get to shoot first during the combat phase. Another option I just thought of (still 98 points, but a bit more tanky):

Delta Squadron, TIE/x7, Stealth Device (31)
Delta Squadron, TIE/x7, Stealth Device (31)
Countess Ryad, TIE/x7, PTL, Twin Ion Engine (36)

For the Oicunn/Vader option, also 98 points

Darth Vader + Lone Wolf + Proton Rockets + Engine Upgrade + TIE/x1 + Advanced Targeting Computer
Captain Oicunn + Daredevil + Mara Jade + Rebel Captive + Agent Kallus + Engine Upgrade + Dauntless

And finally... the Oicunn/Defender option (99pts)

Countess Ryad + Outmaneuver + TIE/D + Twin Ion Engine + Flechette Cannon (40)
Captain Oicunn + Daredevil + Mara Jade + Rebel Captive + Agent Kallus + Engine Upgrade + Dauntless (59)

One more idea, to counter Snap Shot maybe, as well as Juke...

Delta Squadron Pilot + Shield Upgrade + TIE/x7
Delta Squadron Pilot + Shield Upgrade + TIE/x7
Countess Ryad + Push the Limit + Twin Ion Engine Mk. II + TIE/x7

Tie/x7 helps counter Juke

Delta PS1 counters Snap Shot as they always move first regardless of initiative + extra shields for survivability whilst Ryad zips about...

maybe too specific a solution for a specific problem?