I’ve been having lot of fun with these two but I’ve been struggling to find the right third ship for 22 pts. Here is the dynamic duo:

Assuming you are not wanting to change any cards on the defenders a striker might be up your alley. They are fun versatile 3 dice ships that can pack a punch. Here are some 22 pointers:

Pure Sabbac PS6 with title and either trick shot, adaptability (to mach Ryad) or a score to settle for more punchy

Countdown PS5 with title and LWF for a bit of staying power

I know I push TAPs a lot but the PS2 with title and AT comes in at a paltry 19. The PS4 is 22 points with a chance for a 0 point EPT like Sabbac has.

I really like the Striker idea.

My problem with any non-Inquisitor TAP is the two attack dice. I love the TAP but only having 2 dice at range 2-3 drives nuts.

The 'go-to' 22 point gunboat build is:

Nu with harpoon missile & long-range scanners.

17 minutes ago, blade_mercurial said:

The 'go-to' 22 point gunboat build is:

Nu with harpoon missile & long-range scanners.

What is the advantage of LRS over Chips?

8 minutes ago, impspy said:

What is the advantage of LRS over Chips?

Its a PS 2 ship. How are you getting your target lock with chips?

LRS requires no 'help' to get your TL. Chips on a low PS ship means you need one of the following to fire: deadeye, targeting synchronizer, thread tracers, squad leader on a high PS ship, etc. In other words, you have to build your list around chips, or else take a high PS carrier (who has an easy time getting the TL). LRS allows the Nu to fire its missiles independently.

I do have an alternate that has that missile build. My problem with it is firing every other round after a reload vs. firing every round with the cannons. I think I'll try both at X Wing night at my local shop on Thursday and see which is most effective.

I'll second taking a missile+LRS Gunboat as the #3 ship. I'd also consider going Concussion over Harpoon. One of the big strengths of TIE Defenders is that it can be hard to push damage through on them with their high agility and frequent Evade tokens. Harpoons provide potential splash damage to your opponent for getting around those dice. Harpoon certainly hits harder, and they're the most popular missile for a reason. Just might be worth thinking about if you have trouble with the splash damage.

Another tweak to consider is to swap Rexler Brath down to Colonel Vessery. With target locks from Countess and a LRS Gunboat, he'll almost surely have a TL on the target for his pilot ability, and combined with Expertise that's full rerolls and focus on two attacks from him. That's really nice. The extra two points could be put into Extra Munitions on a Gunboat, or towards a Striker (which is also a fun idea). You could take Pure Sabacc with Lightweight Frame now, and that's a pretty scary attack for the point cost. Brath's really cool, though. Just tossing out options.

Just now, Darth Wrath said:

I do have an alternate that has that missile build. My problem with it is firing every other round after a reload vs. firing every round with the cannons. I think I'll try both at X Wing night at my local shop on Thursday and see which is most effective.

One thing worth trying to do with a missile gunboat is to try to secure a block on the reload turn. Put your ship where you think your opponent will go, reload, and if they bump into you, you probably weren't getting a shot anyhow.

1 hour ago, blade_mercurial said:

Its a PS 2 ship. How are you getting your target lock with chips?

LRS requires no 'help' to get your TL. Chips on a low PS ship means you need one of the following to fire: deadeye, targeting synchronizer, thread tracers, squad leader on a high PS ship, etc. In other words, you have to build your list around chips, or else take a high PS carrier (who has an easy time getting the TL). LRS allows the Nu to fire its missiles independently.

Ah, of course, that makes more sense.

What about downgrading Rexler (who isn't the strongest) to Vessery (who loves being an Expertise TIE/D). That leaves you room for either ASTS Omega Leader or a Nu with XG-1, Flechette Canon, Linked Battery, and LRS - Omega or LRS both feed Vessery's ability.

9 hours ago, Greebwahn said:

What about downgrading Rexler (who isn't the strongest) to Vessery (who loves being an Expertise TIE/D). That leaves you room for either ASTS Omega Leader or a Nu with XG-1, Flechette Canon, Linked Battery, and LRS - Omega or LRS both feed Vessery's ability.

I’m liking the look of this.

18 hours ago, Greebwahn said:

What about downgrading Rexler (who isn't the strongest) to Vessery (who loves being an Expertise TIE/D). That leaves you room for either ASTS Omega Leader or a Nu with XG-1, Flechette Canon, Linked Battery, and LRS - Omega or LRS both feed Vessery's ability.

I'm pretty sure LRS requires both torpedo and missile upgrade slots

On 1/13/2018 at 7:06 AM, CMDR Ytterium said:

I'm pretty sure LRS requires both torpedo and missile upgrade slots

And Alphas have both!

10 minutes ago, Greebwahn said:

And Alphas have both!

I was talking about Omega Leader but yes, I do love gunboats, I'm just sad about no bombs, the imps don't have good bomb delivery, only bomb slots are Bomber, Deci, Punisher, and firespray, and no sabine-like crew