Thrawn and Chimaera are so expensive together, Im having a hard time coming up with a list that is tough with them both.

My attempt...

Competetive/Canon Thrawn (398/400)
=================================
Imperial I-class Star Destroyer (110 + 52)
+ Grand Admiral Thrawn (32)
+ Skilled First Officer (1)
+ Hardened Bulkheads (5)
+ Dual Turbolaser Turrets (5)
+ Chimaera (4)
+ Entrapment Formation! (5)
Arquitens-class Command Cruiser (59 + 12)
+ Projection Experts (6)
+ Slaved Turrets (6)
Gozanti-class Assault Carriers (28 + 5)
+ Comms Net (2)
+ Disposable Capacitors (3)
Gozanti-class Assault Carriers (28 + 5)
+ Comms Net (2)
+ Disposable Capacitors (3)
Gozanti-class Assault Carriers (28 + 3)
+ Disposable Capacitors (3)
Gozanti-class Assault Carriers (28 + 3)
+ Disposable Capacitors (3)
Valen Rudor (13)
3 x Tie Fighter Squadron (3 x 8)
Opening Salvo
Fleet Ambush
Solar Corona

Thats about the best I can come up with. I think if you are gonna use the combo of Thrawn in his chariot you have to leverage the Fleet Command and the extra orders.

Tough puzzle to solve. What do you guys think?

(I wouldve put this in fleets, but Im not so worried about a critique as I am discussion on the subject.)

It's not just the Thrawn/Chimaera combo. The problem is the cost of Chimaera + a Fleet Command + a reliable and flexible source of Command Tokens. If you use a comms Gozanti that's 34 points dedicated to the Title card. Like you, I'm not saying it's impossible to make a competitive list, but it will be tight.

Why use assault gozanti with disposable capacitors?

I had considered the Chimaera an ISD-K based on the illustration provided by FFG. Of course that's just my own interpretation. I'm thinking Thrawn/Chimaera would be of good use (and more thematic) in a campaign setting.

++ Standard (Imperial Navy) [393pts] ++

+ Objectives +

Assault Objective: Most Wanted

Defense Objective: Planetary Ion Cannon

Navigation Objective: Solar Corona

+ Squadrons +

TIE Fighter [32pts]: 4x TIE Fighter Squadron

+ Arquitens-class Cruiser +

Arquitens-class Light Cruiser [63pts]: Turbolaser Reroute Circuits, •Captain Needa

+ Gladiator Star Destroyer +

Gladiator I-class Star Destroyer [84pts]: Assault Proton Torpedoes, Engine Techs, Ordnance Experts, Skilled First Officer, •Demolisher

+ Gozanti-class Flotilla +

Gozanti-class Cruisers [25pts]: Comms Net

+ Imperial Star Destroyer +

Imperial II-class Star Destroyer [189pts]: Electronic Countermeasures, Gunnery Team, Leading Shots, XI7 Turbolasers, •Chimaera†, •Entrapment Formation!, •Grand Admiral Thrawn†, •Strategic Advisor†

++ Total: [393pts] ++

Created with BattleScribe

You can probably get another gonzati in there if you go with a Kuat or an ISD-1 and downgrade the Arq to just dial turbo laser turrets.

I’m rather interested with Thrawn on a Cymoon, but that rules out Chimaera.

Ok, I was trying to figure out why your ISD looked so un-upgraded, then I suddenly noticed the DCaps and the Assault Gozantis. Yikes!

By getting rid of the DCaps and downgrading to regular Gozanti Cruisers, you can swap 2 Cruisers for another Arquitens like the one you've already got. Then you'll have 2 Comms Net Gozantis to feed tokens to your other ships to ability spam.

Finally, I think you can safely ditch the Hardened Bulkheads for Boosted Comms, letting your ISD command squadrons without the need to invest in a Relay shuttle.

oops....how did I blunder that one? Mustve been to focused on something else.

Ahhh, beginning to like a bit better. (that Gozanti foul up was costing me)

So, Vader or Engineers?

Competetive/Canon Thrawn (394/400)
=================================
Imperial I-class Star Destroyer (110 + 54)
+ Grand Admiral Thrawn (32)
+ Skilled First Officer (1)
+ Boosted Comms (4)
+ Darth Vader (3)
+ Dual Turbolaser Turrets (5)
+ Chimaera (4)
+ Entrapment Formation! (5)
Arquitens-class Light Cruiser (54 + 6)
+ Slaved Turrets (6)
Arquitens-class Light Cruiser (54 + 6)
+ Slaved Turrets (6)
Gozanti-class Cruisers (23 + 5)
+ Comms Net (2)
+ Disposable Capacitors (3)
Gozanti-class Cruisers (23 + 5)
+ Comms Net (2)
+ Disposable Capacitors (3)
Ciena Ree (17)
Valen Rudor (13)
3 x Tie Fighter Squadron (3 x 8)
Opening Salvo
Fleet Ambush
Solar Corona

1 minute ago, Deadshane said:

Ahhh, beginning to like a bit better. (that Gozanti foul up was costing me)

So, Vader or Engineers?

Competetive/Canon Thrawn (394/400)
=================================
Imperial I-class Star Destroyer (110 + 54)
+ Grand Admiral Thrawn (32)
+ Skilled First Officer (1)
+ Boosted Comms (4)
+ Darth Vader (3)
+ Dual Turbolaser Turrets (5)
+ Chimaera (4)
+ Entrapment Formation! (5)
Arquitens-class Light Cruiser (54 + 6)
+ Slaved Turrets (6)
Arquitens-class Light Cruiser (54 + 6)
+ Slaved Turrets (6)
Gozanti-class Cruisers (23 + 5)
+ Comms Net (2)
+ Disposable Capacitors (3)
Gozanti-class Cruisers (23 + 5)
+ Comms Net (2)
+ Disposable Capacitors (3)
Ciena Ree (17)
Valen Rudor (13)
3 x Tie Fighter Squadron (3 x 8)
Opening Salvo
Fleet Ambush
Solar Corona

Tbh vader is better. An ISD is going to be killing rather than damaging ships. Vader can discard a defensive upgrade and then the ISD can go to town on a MC30 without admonition

2 hours ago, Don Henderson fan club said:

It's not just the Thrawn/Chimaera combo. The problem is the cost of Chimaera + a Fleet Command + a reliable and flexible source of Command Tokens. If you use a comms Gozanti that's 34 points dedicated to the Title card. Like you, I'm not saying it's impossible to make a competitive list, but it will be tight.

Hondo Ohnaka

Or hey, Wulff and a friendly Sovereign nearby

Fleet forum is for.....?

21 minutes ago, Ginkapo said:

Fleet forum is for.....?

well, was looking for discussion too, if this needs to be moved, np.

Discussion on Chimaera/Thrawn combo usefullness was to be the main topic.

I’m sorry, are we starting with the premise that Non Avenger SDs are not competitive?

32 minutes ago, Drasnighta said:

I’m sorry, are we starting with the premise that Non Avenger SDs are not competitive?

I think we're also starting with an assumption that we NEED 5 activations no matter what. Why not 3-4 activations and Pryce? Thrawn honestly doesn't seem like he WANTS multiple gozantis, he gives no major benefits to them. They can push 2 squads and navigate, so, weeee?

I heard the REAL Grand Admiral Thrawn once beat the Rebellion with only 2 activations! Or that other time he won a battle with an Interdictor!

I heard he once beat Garm!

3 minutes ago, geek19 said:

I think we're also starting with an assumption that we NEED 5 activations no matter what. Why not 3-4 activations and Pryce? Thrawn honestly doesn't seem like he WANTS multiple gozantis, he gives no major benefits to them. They can push 2 squads and navigate, so, weeee?

I heard the REAL Grand Admiral Thrawn once beat the Rebellion with only 2 activations! Or that other time he won a battle with an Interdictor!

I heard he once beat Garm!

Merely a legend, I fear!

4 minutes ago, geek19 said:

I think we're also starting with an assumption that we NEED 5 activations no matter what. Why not 3-4 activations and Pryce? Thrawn honestly doesn't seem like he WANTS multiple gozantis, he gives no major benefits to them. They can push 2 squads and navigate, so, weeee?

I heard the REAL Grand Admiral Thrawn once beat the Rebellion with only 2 activations! Or that other time he won a battle with an Interdictor!

I heard he once beat Garm!

I heard he once beat Classic Ben.

13 minutes ago, geek19 said:

I think we're also starting with an assumption that we NEED 5 activations no matter what. Why not 3-4 activations and Pryce? Thrawn honestly doesn't seem like he WANTS multiple gozantis, he gives no major benefits to them. They can push 2 squads and navigate, so, weeee?

I heard the REAL Grand Admiral Thrawn once beat the Rebellion with only 2 activations! Or that other time he won a battle with an Interdictor!

I heard he once beat Garm!

Unless he is giving them concentrate fire dials. Having many friendly ships multiply his effect(moar dials), plus 1 extra dice to small ships are of greater value. The comm nets gozs can then feed whatever tokens the Chimera and kitty wants/needs at the moment.

35 minutes ago, geek19 said:

I think we're also starting with an assumption that we NEED 5 activations no matter what. Why not 3-4 activations and Pryce? Thrawn honestly doesn't seem like he WANTS multiple gozantis, he gives no major benefits to them. They can push 2 squads and navigate, so, weeee?

I heard the REAL Grand Admiral Thrawn once beat the Rebellion with only 2 activations! Or that other time he won a battle with an Interdictor!

I heard he once beat Garm!

I beat a five activation list with a 3 activation list, I was able to 2 ISDs and a gonzoti I took out 3 of his ships turn 2 and won over activation advantage ended up tabling him and I didn't lose anything an ISD was limping away with one health left, but lower activations seems competitive, at least with early testing.

33 minutes ago, Muelmuel said:

Unless he is giving them concentrate fire dials. Having many friendly ships multiply his effect(moar dials), plus 1 extra dice to small ships are of greater value. The comm nets gozs can then feed whatever tokens the Chimera and kitty wants/needs at the moment.

Both Thrawn and Fleet command are leveraged harder the more ships that use it.

Thats why I thought this was discussion worthy, the paradox of a Thrawn/Chimaera Flagship with multiple accompanying ships.

Won it's first two games out. I thought it was hella fun. Thrawn set three navigate. ISD set Nav, con, con. I had a good time. Later I took the suppress title off and put com net. Not my most thematic lost, but worked. Was at least all Rebels era and Late Clone Wars era.

Blast 'Em (398/400)
==================
Cymoon 1 Refit (112 + 74)
+ Grand Admiral Thrawn (32)
+ Minister Tua (2)
+ Gunnery Team (7)
+ Intensify Firepower! (6)
+ Spinal Armament (9)
+ XI7 Turbolasers (6)
+ Avenger (5)
+ Electronic Countermeasures (7)
Arquitens-class Light Cruiser (54 + 6)
+ Slaved Turrets (6)
Arquitens-class Light Cruiser (54 + 6)
+ Slaved Turrets (6)
Arquitens-class Light Cruiser (54 + 6)
+ Slaved Turrets (6)
Gozanti-class Assault Carriers (28 + 4)
+ Suppressor (4)
Opening Salvo
Contested Outpost
Solar Corona

I also have a list I used that isn't too bad. Had a 7-4 loss playing it the first time. I'll post it after my regionals on the 17th. Let's just say I don't play the fighter game and I don't care for a bid. Looks intimidating. Only problem is that you have to get almost every command you do spot on and navigate well otherwise it will be a long game.

Just played in a mini tournament today (2 rounds of Swiss) and took this list. My goal was to try out the new toys and try to have a decent enough list that I didn’t get curb stomped, and most of all, to have fun.

Disclaimer: Now, I would say I’m an “okay” player- there are several guys in my area that are really good and who I have never beaten in a serious game, and a few that are newer and still getting a grasp, and I’d put myself squarely in between those two groups. Also, before today I haven’t played a game of Armada in several months, so I was a little rusty

But still, in spite of all of that, I took second place out of 9 people, missing first place by only 1 point. My point is, this list at least has something going for it if I can do as well as I did with it. I’m sure that players more skilled than I could tweak this list and make it better (or see it’s weaknesses and pick it apart), but I figured I’d share anyway.

Anyway, here’s the list:

Thrawn (398/400)
Empire

Commander: Grand Admiral Thrawn

Objectives: Advanced Gunnery, Contested Outpost, Solar Corona

[flagship] Imperial Star Destroyer Kuat Refit (112)
- Grand Admiral Thrawn (32)
- Chimaera (4)
- Darth Vader Boarding Team (3)
- Early Warning System (7)
- Entrapment Formation! (5)
- Leading Shots (4)
- Wulff Yularen (7)
- External Racks (3)
= 177 total points

Imperial Star Destroyer Cymoon 1 Refit (112)
- Sovereign (4)
- Strategic Adviser (4)
- H9 Turbolasers (8)
- Quad Turbolaser Cannons (10)
- Gunnery Team (7)
= 145 total points

Gozanti-class Cruisers (23)
- Comms Net (2)
- Instructor Goran (7)
= 32 total points

Squadrons (44/134):
1x Ciena Ree TIE Interceptor Squadron (17)
1x Sontir Fel Tie Interceptor Squadron (18)
1x Black Squadron TIE Fighter Squadron (9)

some strategy thoughts after my two games with it:

4 activations (essentially, with Strategic Advisor) is okay-ish, but not fantastic, right? That’s where the Cymoon comes in. With H9s and QTCs (and Intensify Firepower and/or Concentrate Fire commands, if needed) it can pretty reliably get two accuracies and 4 damage at long range , perfect for sniping flotillas, and in both of my games that’s exactly what it did. My first game I one-shotted a Raider (that had jumped to Medium range) and the second game I one-shotted a flotilla, both times tipping the activation advantage in my favor. Seriously, the H9 + QTC combo is a thing of beauty.

Chimera title and being able to cycle through Fleet commands was a lot of fun. Wulf Yularen is a must, of course, and I had Sovereign on the Cymoon so that I could swap out tokens as needed. I threw comms net on the Gozanti because I had the points to spare, and it was certainly useful, but I could have managed without it if I needed to.

Thrawn’s ability was fun, especially being able to repeatedly pop a Concentrate Fire command for multiple back to back rounds of CF Dial + token barrages. Not much more to say about him yet, but I look forward to experimenting some more with him.

The only thing I’m not sure I’m sold on is my choice of squadron screen. I was aiming for using Goran to gets lots of counter attack damage on any squads that tried to rush in, but I’m not sure that it really paid off in this list. Neither of the lists I faced featured a heavy squadron component, so I don’t really know how Soontir + Ciena would have held up, but I get the feeling that anyone dedicating 134 points to squadrons would have steamrollered right through them (or intel’ed their way past and ignored them). I considered dropping squads completely and adding a Raider, but I don’t know.

Anyway, that’s the list I came up with and my thoughts on it so far. It’s getting late at night here and hard to think so I’m just going to stop.

Fun list that also performed well. 5 Stars. Would try again. Would recommend to a friend.

I've been messing around with lists but haven't had a chance to try them out yet (missed delivery of my Wave 7, so will have to go on an expedition to a Mail Delivery Of f ice to track it down):

Name: Thrawn's ISD II Chimaera (387)
Faction: Imperial
Commander: Grand Admiral Thrawn

Objectives: Advanced Gunnery, Hyperspace Assault, Solar Corona

Imperial II (120)
• Grand Admiral Thrawn (32)
• Wulff Yularen (7)
• Electronic Countermeasures (7)
• Leading Shots (4)
• XI7 Turbolasers (6)
• Chimaera (4)
• Entrapment Formation! (5)
= 185 Points

Gladiator I (56)
• Ordnance Experts (4)
• Assault Proton Torpedoes (5)
• Demolisher (10)
= 75 Points

Raider I (44)
• External Racks (3)
• Instigator (4)
= 51 Points

Raider I (44)
• External Racks (3)
• Impetuous (4)
= 51 Points

Gozanti Cruisers (23)
• Comms Net (2)
= 25 Points

The plan being to use Commands and Fleet Commands excessively. Entrapment Formation for the first couple of rounds to get the Demolisher in position (combine that with a Nav command from Thrawn and potentially you've got a Demolisher changing speed by 2 (or 3 with a token), plus concentrating fire). Using the Gozanti token up the Chimaera, then switching to Intensify Firepower once the fighting starts properly, with a Concentrate Fire Thrawn Dial when needed. The Raiders are there to cause trouble and - hopefully - keep squadrons busy. And then, if necessary, a Repair Thrawn Dial and/or Shields to Maximum to keep things alive near the end.

My main worry is whether two Raiders with the titles and an ISD II can keep squadrons down long enough for Demolisher and/or the ISD to kill off their carriers. Might need to drop Impetuous to keep the bid high enough.

It's unfortunate, but It feels to me like Thrawn+Chimera is redundant- Both offer 3-4 turns of fleet-wide support, and both end up being over 30 points apiece after you build a support for the Chikera. That's about 70 points of support upgrades, plus 130-ish points of ISD unless you go really light on its non-Chimera upgrades. Add a token 30-50 point fighter screen*, and you only have 150-180 points for additional ships. Personally, I see Chimera worming better with Grand Moff Tarkin in the Correlian Campaign.

*You could buy a flak boat raider instead, but that means you're going to take a real mauling before the raider gets into position.