So I am going to a store tournament this weekend as have been writing lists with my two new shiny gunboats in, and had a dig through some of my lesser used cards and found squad leader! Squad leader on vader can allow the one gunboat to potentially SLAM reposition and get an extra action at PS9, or snag a target lock once other ships have moved into range (covering some of the main weaknesses of the boats is my thinking). Deadeye is there for flexibility. Do you think this list is too gimmicky or will it work well? What would you change?

Darth Vader — TIE Advanced 29
Squad Leader 2
Harpoon Missiles 4
Advanced Targeting Computer 1
Engine Upgrade 4
TIE/x1 0
Ship Total: 40

Rho Squadron Veteran — Alpha-class Star Wing 21
Deadeye 1
Harpoon Missiles 4
Advanced SLAM 2
Os-1 Arsenal Loadout 2
Ship Total: 30

Rho Squadron Veteran — Alpha-class Star Wing 21
Deadeye 1
Harpoon Missiles 4
Advanced SLAM 2
Os-1 Arsenal Loadout 2
Ship Total: 30

You cannot SLAM on a free action. Very bottom of the SLAM reference card.

In theory Vader w/ SL sounds good, but Vader probably wants both his actions his actions most of the time, if not all of the time. The big problem with the Rhos is they will basically only have one modification for their Harpoons unless Vader buffs them. Your biggest threat will be Ghost/Fenn. The Ghost can kill Vader in 2 turns flat unless he can get into range 1 and exploit the very small blind spots on the side. With that nasty list floating around its hard to justify Vader.

I would kill deadeye, and put PTL on the Rho's. I've flown those tons of times, and I have a couple other guys here who agree with me they're probably some of the best Rho's out there. I'd scratch either, the Engine Upgrade or the Harpoons for it. Best is you can SLAM, then used advanced slam to target lock, and PTL to get the focus token. Mine is typically this.

VADER- VI, EU, title and Adv Targeting. 35 pts

x2 RHO- PTL, OS-1, Harps, Adv SLAM 32 pts

1 point for initiative to make sure Vader is as close to the last to move on the board, but I will occasionally scratch the EU for Harpoons or cruise missiles. In your case I'd probably eat up the extra point and scratch VI for squad leader and give it a try.

1 hour ago, Jo Jo said:

You cannot SLAM on a free action. Very bottom of the SLAM reference card.

In theory Vader w/ SL sounds good, but Vader probably wants both his actions his actions most of the time, if not all of the time. The big problem with the Rhos is they will basically only have one modification for their Harpoons unless Vader buffs them. Your biggest threat will be Ghost/Fenn. The Ghost can kill Vader in 2 turns flat unless he can get into range 1 and exploit the very small blind spots on the side. With that nasty list floating around its hard to justify Vader.

Good catch, never really used much SLAM to be honest!

14 minutes ago, SkyCooper said:

I would kill deadeye, and put PTL on the Rho's. I've flown those tons of times, and I have a couple other guys here who agree with me they're probably some of the best Rho's out there. I'd scratch either, the Engine Upgrade or the Harpoons for it. Best is you can SLAM, then used advanced slam to target lock, and PTL to get the focus token. Mine is typically this.

VADER- VI, EU, title and Adv Targeting. 35 pts

x2 RHO- PTL, OS-1, Harps, Adv SLAM 32 pts

1 point for initiative to make sure Vader is as close to the last to move on the board, but I will occasionally scratch the EU for Harpoons or cruise missiles. In your case I'd probably eat up the extra point and scratch VI for squad leader and give it a try.

I really like the PTL Rhos too, though I am thinking I could scratch the advanced SLAMs on them for guidance chips for a bit extra modding, then keep the EU and harpoons on Vader. I still recon I might try out Squad Leader, see how it goes. Would totally pay for itself if I can just get one extra target lock > harpoon shot I wouldn't have otherwise been able to take

Darth Vader — TIE Advanced 29
Squad Leader 2
Harpoon Missiles 4
Advanced Targeting Computer 1
Engine Upgrade 4
TIE/x1 0
Ship Total: 40

Rho Squadron Veteran — Alpha-class Star Wing 21
Push the Limit 3
Harpoon Missiles 4
Guidance Chips 0
Os-1 Arsenal Loadout 2
Ship Total: 30

Rho Squadron Veteran — Alpha-class Star Wing 21
Push the Limit 3
Harpoon Missiles 4
Guidance Chips 0
Os-1 Arsenal Loadout 2
Ship Total: 30

Four fully modded dice have a 3.75 damage output chance. a TL with Guidance chips (cause you lose 1 action and need the TL for Harps) has a damage output of 3.68. If you look at crits, it's better with the four fully modded dice as well.

but that little chance might be worth it for the EU AND Harps on Vader since it has more late game affect while still helping the initial joust. Personally I would scratch the Engine upgrade in my world, but that's my play style.