Hi! I'm a recent frequent reader here on the forums, this is my first post.

I love this game but spent a long time looking at it only to get into it about 3 months ago... before the news of 2.0 hit. But I'm alright with it, I've been focusing on one faction only so far so my conversion won't be too bad. That's not why I'm here though, haha!

I initially began playing with Defenders and Quickdraw. I've gotten a few other packs to collect/expand card or ship collection/try stuff for fun. I recently got the Silencer to learn to play more arc dodging (with a more durable ship), and to finally get Autothrusters as I've been sticking solely to Imperial packs. I'd like some help picking/improving these builds. I would like to stick to using just stuff I own unless I would need just one Imp pack to get the needed upgrade - I'll list packs at end of post. After that, I'm open to any suggestions to help me grow competitively. If a build is just not strong enough to hit or take hits, please feel free to shoot it down, haha! So, without further rambling:

Silence in the Maw

• Test Pilot "Blackout" - TIE Silencer (31), total: 37
  • PTL(3) [I understand that trick shot would go well here, I just don't have it]
  • Collision Detector(0)
  • Primed Thrusters(1)
  • Autothrusters(2)
• "Quickdraw" - TIE/sf (29), total: 37
  • Debris Gambit(2)
  • FCS(2)
  • Advanced Optics(2)
  • Special Ops Training(0)
  • Lightweight Frame(2)
• "Omega Leader"TIE/fo (21), total: 26
  • Juke(2)
  • CommRelay(3)

Goal is to keep this squad close to obstacles. I would plan to use debris clouds instead of asteroids in order to reduce threat of flying over them with Test Pilot (TP) as he tries to hide behind the junk. QD is in for a durable, threatening punch. OL to finish out First Order theme and have a third, cost-fitting, offensive presence.

Force-sight ("foresight")

• Kylo Ren - TIE Silencer (35), total: 44
  • PTL(3)
  • Advanced Sensors(3)
  • Primed Thrusters(1)
  • Autothrusters(2)
• Captain Oicunn - VT-49 Decimator (42) total: 55
  • Intimidation(2) [I understand EU is good for this ship, but haven't picked that up yet]
  • Navigator(3)
  • Darth Vader(3)
  • Intelligence Agent(1)
  • Dauntless(2)
  • Anti-Pursuit Lasers(2)

Goal is to use Oicunn to peek at a dial, have a little flexibility to adjust distance (I'll have to guess direction correctly), and ram or block, Potentially doing damage either way. Once I know where they'll be, I get Kylo into position to pick them off.

I own: TFA Core, Lambda Shuttle, 2x TIE Defender, TIE Phantom, VT-49 Decimator, TIE Punisher, TIE/FO, Inquisitor's TIE, TIE/SF, 2x TIE Agressor, Alpha-class Star Wing, TIE Silencer, Imperial Aces & Vets. I also have 2x VI.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and consider. Tell me what you think, how I can better build or strategize these (planning to test one or both tonight/Tuesday).

Hello friend, welcome to forum posting - a very rewarding experience, as I've discovered.

You seem to have a strong start here, so I'll just mention a couple things.

List 1:

PTL on Blackout is far from bad, honestly, though with it, I would advise Adv. Sensors to help avoid the obstacles - you don't want an actiony build and to be robbing yourself of actions. That puts you a bit over, so I would ditch Optics and Debris Gambit for VI on QD - still a VERY strong build in my experience.

Overall, it seems like a brutal target priority list - WHO WOULD I SHOOT??? Great list.

List 2:

I'll less optimistic on this build. Oicunn is a niche pilot, and by far the best build I've seen for him has Daredevil, EU, Dauntless, Inspiring Recruit, to reliably deal 2 damage on every bump. I would encourage you to freely proxy things - it really helps you figure out what you want to get - though don't be buying much before 2.0 lol.

Daredevil Oicunn still leaves room for Kylo, so the concept still works. Though I caution you, in a 2 ship list, the Silencer is ASTOUNDINGLY fragile.

Thanks, Greebwahn! I appreciate the insight and also the recommendations for proxying. I want to have a good “legal” build for any tourneys that may come up, but also minimize my conversion cost. So, as long as I can get what I might still need through Imperial packs now, I’ll only need Imps and FO conversions, lol. Sounds like I’ll be looking at the 3-ship build for the time being. Thanks again!

An important point to note regarding Debris Gambit is that you can only spend one evade per attack. See p.7 of the current FAQ 4.4.1

Mostly relevant for tournament play.

I had a chance to play the 3-ship list tonight against Chewie (trick shot), Miranda (cluster bombs, tlt), and a ps2 z-95 (may have been other upgrades but I don’t remember / they didn’t factor in).

1 win (OL & Blackout left, QD but all clusters in 1 turn), 1 loss/timeout (full QD left and only downed shields and some damage on Chewie)

Certainly was a learning experience with arc dodging! First game I downed the z-95 then Falcon pretty steadily. Miranda was last, but I made some poor maneuvering decisions with BO at the end (one being trying to br back and away to turn and put debris between it and Miranda - let’s just say that he didn’t shoot that turn, d’oh!)

Blackout’s ability felt a little gimmicky... but I expected to make some mistakes and imagine that, with practice, I can learn when to use it, when to not, and when to run. Lining up an obstructed shot with the falcon during a first engagement while forgetting about trick shot was definitely a BAD move.

LOVED having Autothrusters. Such a useful upgrade! Had some difficulty deciding on maneuvers for BO - not used to so many options! For me it’s usually been “turn, white k turn, turn, k turn, k turn” etc. if you follow.

Yup, I'd say its the kind of list that will reward lots of practice haha. Sounds like good matchups anyway

I would give Kylo Advanced Optics, not Primed Thrusters. But else, it's very solid. If you can find the points for the title, I always find it increases his punch in the late game, but it's expensive.

2 hours ago, Stefan said:

I would give Kylo Advanced Optics, not Primed Thrusters. But else, it's very solid. If you can find the points for the title, I always find it increases his punch in the late game, but it's expensive.

I’ll definitely try this. In my play style (for now) Primed Thrusters didn’t bear the weight of any significant moves. It let me do a little repositioning after a ptl move the previous round. But, if I was stressed, I found that I would opt to do a green maneuver first to clear it, THEN action+ptl. Primed thrusters would only allow me a br/boost and maneuver, no other action. Found myself hungry for tokens a lot though. Also, I’ve been looking at intensity with threat tracker on QD, wwould give access to evade at times. Also, if they ignore her in light of avoiding revenge shot, seems like a possibility to refresh intensity might be more possible.