I'm returning from a lengthy break (pre-scum) 95% of my collection is Imperial which seems to be heavily unfavoured as far as I can see, but I've bought so heavily into it I can't justify moving away from it now..

As far as I can see, the best thing going for the empire is KyloRAC + QD or other.

Considering what my current collection allows I was looking at flying Vader over QD just to save on more purchases (I'm still missing titles etc.) but I've seen that this list struggles against Ghost/Fenn, is the matchup hard enough that it's just not fun? I don't know what my LGS's meta is, but I know the community there isn't against using whatever is currently "strongest".

VT-49 Decimator: •Rear Admiral Chiraneau (64)
Engine Upgrade (4)
•Dauntless (2)
Veteran Instincts (1)
•Kylo Ren (3)
•Emperor Palpatine (8)

TIE Advanced: •Darth Vader (36)
Engine Upgrade (4)
TIE/x1 (0)
Juke (2)
Advanced Targeting Computer (1)

Total: 100/100

Is the list I'm tinkering with at the moment, as I've stated I don't know the intricacies of current x-wing and will be coming from a mostly casual background.

From what I've read Ghost/Fenn has to be beaten with passive dice mods (which I think this list does okay with) but I'm not sure about it's overall fire-power and durability :S

Is there anything I'm missing?

Nothing wrong with RAC. You’ll probably suffer more against the harpoon Gunboats than Ghost builds - PS0 Fenn is a sad Fenn!

RAC + Inq just won two big regionals.. 2 blinded + 2 ps0 crits are still great!

Haha, duly noted

I love vader, but I second the inquisitor. The Autothrusters are really helpful with the current Meta, especially if you're Juking your Vader. Inquisitor just does it better and cheaper. it also allows you to add a bit of a hyper start with a missile or something of sorts.

INKY- Juke, Title, Autothrusters, Harpoons, for 34 points.

If you were going to stick with Vader, you probably want to drop Palp for something else. Both pilots get easy crits to trigger ISYTDS, so you'd be using it almost exclusively on Vader's defense. HSCP would be nice to make sure Vader's attack gets through, or Gunner has always been a solid choice. Since you can't fit both, you might look into rebel captive or even Ysanne since late game RAC won't be bumping and getting stress as much. Keeps RAC around longer and extra stress is always nice to throw at your opponent.

RAC is still totally viable. So is Vader. They are very viable together too. I'm just gonna throw some tweeks, in particular referencing your concern with Fenn/Ghost:

Vader

VI

EU

Title

ATC

RAC

VI

Dauntless

Kylo

Gunner

HotCop

That leaves you 4 points to spare. This is the standard Vader build: at PS 11 (with room for a bid), he can counter PS 11 Poes and Fenns, and ATC gets around Fenn. Plus, he can generally get around the Ghost. RAC like this will eat anything for breakfast. Admittedly, HotCop is less amazing when you are the second shot, so downgrading to Rebel Captive could be quite strong. But that ISYTDS will always go through. You should be able to burn Fenn down quick, then I'd say you have good odds against the Ghost.

Okay, so if I take hotcop and gunner over palp, would it make sense to take VI off Vader so he can follow up after RAC?

Or would he struggle too much against the higher PS ships due to him kinda being an arc dodger

Edit: I've seen it said that Engine Upgrade isn't staple on RAC when you're using Kylo, I assume that's because he'll eat the actions where you'd really want to use it? (just looking to save points)

I tried the Vader list a couple of times and have to say that I prefer the Inquisitor over Vader.

He has more maneuverability, an awesome ability and autothrusters.

I run him with proton rockets. rac with Kylo and Palp.

Thanks for your input, but at this time I can't invest in one.. When I can I will definitely be picking one up (And the cards to go with it begrudgingly) but until then I'm stuck with Vader

2 hours ago, MagmaSnott said:

Thanks for your input, but at this time I can't invest in one.. When I can I will definitely be picking one up (And the cards to go with it begrudgingly) but until then I'm stuck with Vader

Poor Vader, as kinda sounds like he is one of the last kids chosen to play dodgeball.

My B-I-L runs RAC +1, (also with Kylo and Palp) and it is nasty tough.

You can probably cut EU from RAC if you needed to save points somewhere. You'll typically use kylo at least 4 times to get out both blinded pilots and damaged cockpits to neutralize threats early and late game respectively, and target lock when you're getting range 1 and 2 shots. I've also seen some decent use of shaken and stunned pilot, but those are really situational. Like using Palp and ion projectors to slow kill a small ship levels of situational. As for VI on Vader, I'd say that's more of a meta call and again down to how familiar you are with your list and what suits your playstyle. A lot of lists run at least one PS11 ship, whether that be Poe, QD, Vader, Fenn, Hann. It's a pretty long list, and having high PS is a strong asset in any case. But that's only a single damaged cockpit away from putting your ships on top. If you don't mind shooting second for the first combat or two, I think you'll get a lot more utility out of a different EPT and in the end will have better match ups late game when RAC gets burned down (which most players know is the best way to fight these lists).

Haha, I have never actually flown Vader, back when I was playing I was on triple interceptors (this was before bombs and turrets were big)

It's my understanding that the Tie Advanced ship is a little underwhelming, so Vader kinda suffers because of it..

I do think Vader would be better using Juke or something to push through more damage in the late game than VI, Kylo can hopefully deal with the PS gap anyway, and having Vader fire after RAC will help trigger those crits (also makes more sense to strip focus with RAC first, right?)

If you made room for Gunner and HSCP, then you absolutely want RAC to strip tokens as best he can before Vader goes in to push damage through.

TIE Advanced in general are a little lacking. They don't bring a lot of fire power without ATC's, and their greens are pretty abysmal. You'll definitely have some issues if you fly against stress lists. Vader is pretty good at dodging arcs though, so you'll want to get some practice in with him. Not getting shot at is his best defense.

Yep, thanks for the confirmation I know at this point it's all theory crafting.. Just not used to "brewing" in X-Wing (MTG background) so I'm trying to understand all the intricacies still

VT-49 Decimator: • Rear Admiral Chiraneau (61)
• Dauntless (2)
Veteran Instincts (1)
•Kylo Ren (3)
•Hotshot Co-Pilot (4)
•Gunner (5)

TIE Advanced: • Darth Vader (36)
Engine Upgrade (4)
TIE/x1 (0)
Juke (2)
Advanced Targeting Computer (1)

Total: 97/100

Gonna give this a swing tomorrow, I am okay with a 3pt bid but I wonder if packing Proton Rockets or throwing something like Expertise on Vader would just be better :S

I personally prefer Intensity or VI over Juke on Vader, because I think the double reposition+focus/evade or single reposition and token stack is definitely preferable over the slight bonus of Juke.

Edit: and Ps 11 is Ps 11 (need I say more)

Lonewolf is also pretty good on vader if you're looking for something more middle ground. Just make sure you stay at range from RAC if you do.

Played 2 games against Rey (YT-1300) + Poe(T-70), not sure how this matchup fairs normally but my opponent was also fairly green..

Juke was okay, only came up once or twice due to a lot of manoeuvring, so maybe Predator or something more universally helpful?

Both games Kylo put Poe on PS0 on turn 2 and it was all downhill from there..

Wanted to play against Triple TIE/D w/ Ion, Flechette & Tractor hut we ran out of time and proxy in ships is awkward haha

8 hours ago, MagmaSnott said:

Played 2 games against Rey (YT-1300) + Poe(T-70), not sure how this matchup fairs normally but my opponent was also fairly green..

Juke was okay, only came up once or twice due to a lot of manoeuvring, so maybe Predator or something more universally helpful?

Both games Kylo put Poe on PS0 on turn 2 and it was all downhill from there..

Wanted to play against Triple TIE/D w/ Ion, Flechette & Tractor hut we ran out of time and proxy in ships is awkward haha

When running Vader I would use Veteran instincts. At ps11 you can arc dodge and push through the blinded pilot more effectively. Palp helps with the crit.

I will never fly Vader without VI because of no autothrusters.

Yeah, I get it VI is the better EPT.. But without it I was consistently pushing Kylo's required crit through every turn I used the ability and until he was "safe" I just kept him at Range 3 :/

Is there really gonna be games where I actually can't get ships in arc at PS9? (I'm a stubborn old mule, I know)

Yes, VI ALWAYS on Vader these days. There is a lot of PS 11 around these days. If you are concerned about the waste of HSCP, just use Rebel Captive on RAC.