I want to start flying a list like this

Rho Squadron Veteran (21)
Deadeye (1)
Harpoon Missiles (4)
Guidance Chips (0)

Darth Vader (29)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Harpoon Missiles (4)
Advanced Targeting Computer (1)
Guidance Chips (0)
TIE/x1 (0)

"Quickdraw" (29)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
Harpoon Missiles (4)
Advanced Optics (2)
Guidance Chips (0)
Special Ops Training (0)

Total: 99

There are three thing I'm asking myself:

1) Is it a good idea, to drop one missile and make Vader or Quickdraw more of an ace (adding Engine Upgrade on Vader or Expertise on QD for example)? Or are three missiles exactly what makes this list work?

2) Do you absolutely need a bid in the current meta? It's just for Fenn, Poe and other Vaders/Quickdraws, right?

3) Advanced Optics or LWF on Quickdraw?

18 hours ago, Naerytar said:

1) Is it a good idea, to drop one missile and make Vader or Quickdraw more of an ace (adding Engine Upgrade on Vader or Expertise on QD for example)? Or are three missiles exactly what makes this list work?

Personally I save the points by going down from the Rho to a Nu, which gives you 4 points for EU. It's a crucial upgrade that makes Vader into a beast. Otherwise he is not that good. You need two high PS missiles, otherwise you might be better off with Palp Aces or RAClo + Ace. The third ship is a trap for players who don't realize it. But you need a missile to make them fall for it.

18 hours ago, Naerytar said:

2) Do you absolutely need a bid in the current meta? It's just for Fenn, Poe and other Vaders/Quickdraws, right?

Yes. One Poe with a bid and your alphastrike is gone. He can also remove TLs from other ships, so it's extra important. Then there are PS10 ships like RAC and Nym. And of course Fenn, who will strip one of your tokens with HSCP - you rather spend it on a missile!

18 hours ago, Naerytar said:

3) Advanced Optics or LWF on Quickdraw?

My answer is both, and remove FCS. But not all people agree. LWF is definitely more important than Optics though!

Yes, downgrade the Rho to a NuPoon w/ LRS!

That leaves you room for EU on Vader, which really completes him, and LWF on QD (downgrading tech to Primed Thrusters).

If you drop harpoons down to cruise missiles on QD, you can LWF, plus everything else.

Before I start there are two schools of thought on this type of list on how to build it. You can either strip them down and make them missile carriers with harpoons or cruise and guidance chips and suffer mid and late game if your opponent survives OR kit out your ships for a longer game if it happens. I prefer the latter and here are some of my thoughts on what I like.

Deadeye rho has 3.8 hits on 4 dice and is less clunky than the nu. Also out pilot skills nus. I prefer it. You have another option than those two though - Pure Sabacc is cheap and can have LWF or not and adaptability +1. 22-24 points. Plus he can punish the opponent more if he is ignored.

I have been running cruise on vader. It is better on him in my opinion.

QD does not require missiles. Bait your opponent into triggering revenge shot first round of fire and you are still well within alpha range still. Additionally, putting missiles on QD makes him a tasty point filled target.

Answers to your questions.

1) I love EU on Vader! He crushes throats with it.

2) How much of a bid do you want? I have tried 1-4 point bids with this type of list and my fave has been no bid. 100 pointer... If you do 97 or 98 you can be at the mercy of a die roll for initiative anyway. If you go 96 you may struggle on alpha strike or mid game.

3) I think LWF is essential but I have been loving optics. A lot.

@Kijaucey

that‘s interesting, so instead of removing the EU from Vader, you rather add it and remove missiles from QD? At that point I‘d rather go with fullon Palpaces or Triple aces. You don‘t need VI on QD if you have no missiles, and that opens up many more builds. In that sense I completely support what you said, but I‘d go full alpha or full aces (palp or triple) instead.

I do agree on Cruise for Vader. Also because he likes range 1 later, and he will trigger those harpoons with ATC. But Cruise on QD is imo more problematic

Just as an aside, a Nu with focus+tl has more hits expected than a Rho with focus+GC. You‘re right on the clunkyness.

Consider Sabacc or Countdown to replace the Gunboat. As players are learning it becomes increasingly hard to get value from the 22pt Nu.

Here is what I used in my first 100 + person tourney at Glenn Burnie Regionals. I beat Duncan Howard in swiss and had Jeremy down to a 1 hull thweek and lost on points. Got 39th I think. My Rho reliably got me 4 hits every first engagement and I alpha struck half my games. I think Poe would be the worst matchup but not impossible. You can beat thweek on points if needed. Going down from Rho to sabaac and fitting expertise on QD is tantalizing now that it has been mentioned! Then you would not need optics as much.

TIE Advanced: •Darth Vader (38)
Engine Upgrade (4)
TIE/x1 (0)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Cruise Missiles (3)
Advanced Targeting Computer (1)

TIE/SF Fighter: •"Quickdraw" (36)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Special Ops Training (0)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
Advanced Optics (2)

Alpha-Class Star Wing: Rho Squadron Veteran (26)
Guidance Chips (0)
Deadeye (1)
Harpoon Missiles (4)

Total: 100/100

Thanks for the feedback!

Let's take this "ideal" list:

Rho Squadron Veteran (21)
Deadeye (1)
Harpoon Missiles (4)
Guidance Chips (0)

Darth Vader (29)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Harpoon Missiles (4)
Advanced Targeting Computer (1)
Engine Upgrade (4)
TIE/x1 (0)

"Quickdraw" (29)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
Harpoon Missiles (4)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Special Ops Training (0)

Total: 103

I need to find 3 points + bid somewhere. From what I've gathered, here are the options:

1) Downgrade Rho to Nu
This hurts. As has been said, the Nu is clunky. In my experience getting a new TL after the first engagement is difficult and takes very long. Also LRS means, you telegraph what you want to shoot at. That ship can then get into R1 with the boat. A Deadeye Rho at least has the option to change his target in that case.

2) No Engine Upgrade on Vader
Also very bad, as it's a crucial upgrade on him.

3) Remove one missile
Ideally on Quickdraw. But obviously this hurts your PS11 alpha strike.

Guess it's a case of "pick your poison"

I will give Pure Sabacc a try. Never really played him seriously.

Another place to shave points on Vader is trading ATC to Accuracy corrector and taking focus evade the rest of the game after missiles are off. I guess also then you could trade engine upgrade for guidance if you do turtle vader.

Try cruise on Vader. I know harpoons are the hotness but test the cruise out.

With Sabaac, if you dial in a straight you can go three different directions with ailerons. Definitely practice him around rocks solo first to get your bearings down.

Well, Vader can happily take Cruise Missile not Harpoons, so that's 1 of your 3 points. Unfortunately there's not really a good way to get the other 2 points.

1) Rho -> Nu/Striker

2) LWF -> Guidance Chips on Quickdraw

The version with Sabacc was very popular a few months back, as Sabacc was very good at hunting the low PS Auzitucks and chewing through all their hull.