Vader, Sabacc, Stridan

By t3hjim, in X-Wing Squad Lists

Hey, I've recently picked up my first OT expansions and was looking at combining them with some first order ships. As the striker's biggest weakness seems to be lack of re-rolls, I immediately thought of Stridan shenanigans. I thought he might go well with an intensity Vader too.

Major Stridan - 32

Pattern Analyzer - 2

Systems Officer - 2

Hux - 5

Collision Detector - 0

41

Pure Sabacc - 22

VI - 1

LWF - 2

Ailerons - 0

25

Vader - 29

Intensity - 2

Adv. Targeting Computer - 1

Twin Ion Engine - 1

TIE/x1 - 0

33

Total 99

Any thoughts/suggestions would be great! Thanks

the lack of green maneuvers on the upsilon makes it a less than ideal carrier for hux and systems officer, instead, a TIE FO with Targeting sync (I like Epsilon Ace for this) would be a better idea on how to get sabacc his rerolls, I would then give Darth EU for added maneuverability, and maybe switch intensity for VI purely for PS issues, I would also add cruise or Harpoon missiles to Vader. This would leave points for another EPT on Sabacc, (Up to 3 points) and then I would add everyone's favorite TIE Fighter Pilot, Wampa. These pilots really mess with your opponents targeting priority, Vader being the beast that he is, Sabacc and Epsilon Ace getting big buffs when healthy, and Wampa just being a massive threat. Unfortunately, as beefy as the Upsilon's primary is, it turns like a beached space whale, and you will find it very hard to keep arc especially at PS 4.

Those are 3 fun ships!

This is how I would run them.

Coordinate an Evade for Vader or Sabacc depending on how you think the target priority will play out.

Should be able to blind one ship before it shoots and do a considerable amount of damage to it early.

Baffle Stridan is really much easier to use thanks to those Stops and Hard ones and ends up spending a lot more time on target.

Darth Vader — TIE Advanced 29
Veteran Instincts 1
Cruise Missiles 3
Advanced Targeting Computer 1
Engine Upgrade 4
TIE/x1 0
Ship Total: 38
"Pure Sabacc" — TIE Striker 22
Adaptability 0
Lightweight Frame 2
Adaptive Ailerons 0
Ship Total: 24
Major Stridan — Upsilon-class Shuttle 32
Electronic Baffle 1
Systems Officer 2
Kylo Ren 3
Ship Total: 38
Edited by Boom Owl

Thanks for the advice guys, seems like VI + missiles are really popular on Vader so will definitely try and squeeze at least cruises in there. Also seems like Hux might be a tad ambitious, but I have had really good results with upsilons before. If you start in a corner and hold position as much as possible, which the baffle would be great for, it seems to work well. I really do like the sound of that Epsilon Ace build (only really run it naked before) but think I would miss the coordinate too much.

I think the Strikers' real issue is trying to fly them as if they will survive - they are the epitome of glass canons, and you want them to draw your opponent's attention from your primary ships, because otherwise, they will mess stuff up.

With that in mind:

Epsilon Ace (Targeting Synchronizer)

Pure Sabacc (Snap Shot, AA, LWF)

Omega Ace (VI, Adv. Optics)

Omega Leader (Juke, Comm Relay)

Epsi provides pure with a TL. Snap on Sabacc is rolled with 3 dice. Omega Ace provides a dangerous hit/run. Omega Leader is her usual brutal self. 4 ship lists are very strong these days. Has room for 5 points of upgrades!

1 hour ago, Greebwahn said:

I think the Strikers' real issue is trying to fly them as if they will survive - they are the epitome of glass canons, and you want them to draw your opponent's attention from your primary ships, because otherwise, they will mess stuff up.

With that in mind:

Epsilon Ace (Targeting Synchronizer)

Pure Sabacc (Snap Shot, AA, LWF)

Omega Ace (VI, Adv. Optics)

Omega Leader (Juke, Comm Relay)

Epsi provides pure with a TL. Snap on Sabacc is rolled with 3 dice. Omega Ace provides a dangerous hit/run. Omega Leader is her usual brutal self. 4 ship lists are very strong these days. Has room for 5 points of upgrades!

Not really close to what the OP posted but still a fun line of thought...this is how id do it.

Pure Sabacc" — TIE Striker 22
Veteran Instincts 1
Lightweight Frame 2
Adaptive Ailerons 0
Ship Total: 25
"Omega Leader" — TIE/fo Fighter 21
Juke 2
Comm Relay 3
Hull Upgrade 3
Ship Total: 29
"Zeta Leader" — TIE/fo Fighter 20
Veteran Instincts 1
Advanced Optics 2
Twin Ion Engine Mk. II 1
Ship Total: 24
"Countdown" — TIE Striker 20
Lightweight Frame 2
Adaptive Ailerons 0
Ship Total: 22
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Edited by Boom Owl

I do like the idea of a 4 ship list, which definitely means ditching the Upsilon. Unfortunately, I've only got 2 tie/fo and one striker. Combining your ideas with the ships I have has given me:

Pure Sabacc (Snap Shot, LWF, AA)

Epsilon Ace (targeting sync)

Vader (VI, ATC, EU, Tie/x1)

then 19 points for last ship.

I was thinking maybe Zeta Ace with VI to pair with Vader or Howlrunner with VI and have vader roam while the other 3 stick together.

Maybe a cheap named TIE, like Mauler or Scourge or someone like that?