After the Gunboat days I'm still attached to Vader. But now we have Krennic, which turns Vader into a beast. And the crazy high PS days are finally over! So I present the ReaperAces version 1:

Darth Vader (29)
Juke (2)
Advanced Targeting Computer (1)
Engine Upgrade (4)
TIE/x1 (0)

"Quickdraw" (29)
A Score to Settle (0)
Fire-Control System (2)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Special Ops Training (0)

Scarif Base Pilot (22)
Director Krennic (5)
Intelligence Agent (1)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Advanced Ailerons (0)

Total: 99

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

A cheap Quickdraw with ASTS gives double mods against one target, and allows for a defensive focus.

The reaper allows me to Jam, might profit from a free TL and makes the AdaptiveAileron maneuver easier.

Vader is the MVP here: Add a crit result with ATC. Cancel one of your useless results to remove a shield (I usually have them, keep focus mostly for defense). Then juke one of the evades to remove a dice modification or push through the crit.

The reaper will eventually die, but that does not matter too much. QD, as usual, also dies after the shields are gone. But Vader.
Vader, he is now effectively a 3/3/3/3 with two actions, only that one of his attack dice is a guaranteed crit and another one is a guaranteed shield. Such an amazing ship at only 36 points!

Possible changes are

1. to remove juke and give both VI,
2. or remove Juke (give Adaptability or Trickshot) and upgrade IA to Kylo.

Thoughts?

I've flown the reaper in a couple of practice games, and the ISB slicer should be 100% stapled to the ship if you plan on jamming. It works better if the reaper is a higher PS and can pop off a token after a ship has activated, but with all the FCS, advanced optics, and token stacking going around, 1 jam token just isn't enough.

inspiring (been more on scum lately), “Vizier” looks awesome for 1 more point and helps going full-juke. EU Vader is for the lazy ?

"Vizier" (23)
Director Krennic (5)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Advanced Ailerons (0)

Darth Vader (29)
Juke (2)
Advanced Targeting Computer (1)
TIE/x1 (0)

"Quickdraw" (29)
Juke (2)
Fire-Control System (2)
Comm Relay (3)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Special Ops Training (0)

Total: 100

13 hours ago, pyoinator said:

I've flown the reaper in a couple of practice games, and the ISB slicer should be 100% stapled to the ship if you plan on jamming. It works better if the reaper is a higher PS and can pop off a token after a ship has activated, but with all the FCS, advanced optics, and token stacking going around, 1 jam token just isn't enough.

I see. I don‘t really have the additional point other than scrapping juke though.

so far the single jam was well worth it, even against tonen stacked x7 Defenders. Because then they‘re suddenly not token stacked anymore and my double modded ps9 shots can already push some damage through.

I was also happy about staying at ps1. Imo having to waste an action consciously will often tempt the opponent to take another, tokenless action. Plus, moving first means i will get my jam action guaranteed.

13 hours ago, polmoneys said:

inspiring  (been more on scum lately), “Vizier” looks awesome  for 1 more point and  helps  going full-juke. EU Vader is for the lazy ?   

That vizier is a nice idea. A bit expensive overall with 6 points.

That one moment when you really, really need a boost to dodge out though... ?

I'm planning on running this for store champs:

Scariff Base Pilot (30)
ISB Slicer (2)
Director Krennic (5)
Advanced Ailerons (0)
Multi-spectral Camoflage (1)

Darth Vader (35)
Veteran Instincts (1)
TIE/x1 (0)
Engine Upgrade (4)
Advanced Targeting Computer (1)

Quickdraw (34)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Fire-control System (2)
Special Ops Training (0)
Lightweight Frame (2)

After playing some practice games with it, ISB Slicer is very powerful. I was originally running Kylo, but being able to strip target locks, and therefore shutdown or slow the rate harpoons were being shot at me, really gave my aces room to do their thing. MSC did a lot of work as well. It gave me some room to run the Reaper in ahead of QD/Vader to do it's jamming while being more resistant to target locks on the approach.

I prefer keeping them in a loose formation. With SBP stripping target locks or soaking shots from the point position set the other two up for damaging attack runs. Vader being able to feed target locks to SBP to use later in the round proved easier than I thought it would. The Reaper is extremly agile and allows you to easily set up the jams at the right moment really played well.

52 minutes ago, TheDoctor084 said:

I'm planning on running this for store champs:

Scariff Base Pilot (30)
ISB Slicer (2)
Director Krennic (5)
Advanced Ailerons (0)
Multi-spectral Camoflage (1)

Darth Vader (35)
Veteran Instincts (1)
TIE/x1 (0)
Engine Upgrade (4)
Advanced Targeting Computer (1)

Quickdraw (34)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Fire-control System (2)
Special Ops Training (0)
Lightweight Frame (2)

After playing some practice games with it, ISB Slicer is very powerful. I was originally running Kylo, but being able to strip target locks, and therefore shutdown or slow the rate harpoons were being shot at me, really gave my aces room to do their thing. MSC did a lot of work as well. It gave me some room to run the Reaper in ahead of QD/Vader to do it's jamming while being more resistant to target locks on the approach.

I prefer keeping them in a loose formation. With SBP stripping target locks or soaking shots from the point position set the other two up for damaging attack runs. Vader being able to feed target locks to SBP to use later in the round proved easier than I thought it would. The Reaper is extremly agile and allows you to easily set up the jams at the right moment really played well.

I've been torn between double VI like this, or running Adapability on both QD and Vader, allowing me to take Optics on QD and LWF on SBP.

I'm just not sure I like running a light QD when she's a full 3rd of my list.

I've had a fair bit of fun on FlyCasual with V Wing .... I think I may have posted it before but it's similar to what's been discussed.

Vader - x1, Juke, ATC. 32

Vermeil - LWF, AA, Slicers, Krennic. 35

Vessery - x7. 33

Krennicked Vader is a monster indeed.

I'm very, very far from an X Wing Xpert so keeping these guys dials aligned for the nasty combined attack they can dish out is quite the challenge!

54 minutes ago, bydand said:

I've been torn between double VI like this, or running Adapability on both QD and Vader, allowing me to take Optics on QD and LWF on SBP.

I'm just not sure I like running a light QD when she's a full 3rd of my list.

The VIs are a meta call as a lot of players go for PS10/11. Running AO on QD is definitely QD living her best life. It opens up her red moves and barrel rolls, while keeping her shots consistent.

On 6/25/2018 at 4:19 PM, GreenDragoon said:

After the Gunboat days I'm still attached to Vader. But now we have Krennic, which turns Vader into a beast. And the crazy high PS days are finally over! So I present the ReaperAces version 1:

Darth Vader (29)
"Quickdraw" (29)
Scarif Base Pilot (22)

A cheap Quickdraw with ASTS gives double mods against one target, and allows for a defensive focus.

The reaper allows me to Jam, might profit from a free TL and makes the AdaptiveAileron maneuver easier.

I don't know if I like A Score to Settle in this list. In general, I think ASTS is a great pick for QD when trying to stay cheap. However, part of the strength of jam is that you're ideally denying your opponent token-based dice modification. Handing an enemy ship A Debt to Pay gives away some of that benefit. I think ASTS is a worse idea in a Fenn Rau or Stress Ezra based list, since those bring a lot more anti-dice modification tools, but still. I might consider just Adaptability or Trick Shot on QD, or give up the bid for PS 11 with VI.

On 6/25/2018 at 4:39 PM, polmoneys said:

inspiring (been more on scum lately), “Vizier” looks awesome for 1 more point and helps going full-juke. EU Vader is for the lazy ?

"Vizier" (23)
Director Krennic (5)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Advanced Ailerons (0)

Darth Vader (29)
Juke (2)
Advanced Targeting Computer (1)
TIE/x1 (0)

"Quickdraw" (29)
Juke (2)
Fire-Control System (2)
Comm Relay (3)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Special Ops Training (0)

Total: 100

38 seems like a lot to invest in a Quickdraw. A Juke Defender would be a lot cheaper--going for Ryad with Juke, /x7, and Twin Ion Engine Mk.II would allow you to add ISB Slicer and TIE Mk.II on Vader, still with a bid. Those 2 and 3 banks being green would be pretty handy on that dial.

Here is what I want to bring to a tournament Saturday. I plan on putting OP on the Inquisitor:

TIE Adv. Prototype: •The Inquisitor (31)
Autothrusters (2)
TIE/v1 (1)
Push the Limit (3)

TIE Defender: •Countess Ryad (36)
Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)
TIE/x7 (-2)
Push the Limit (3)

TIE Reaper: Scarif Base Pilot (31)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Advanced Ailerons (0)
•Director Krennic (5)
ISB Slicer (2)

Total: 98/100

25 minutes ago, ztiesman said:

Here is what I want to bring to a tournament Saturday. I plan on putting OP on the Inquisitor:

TIE Adv. Prototype: •The Inquisitor (31)
Autothrusters (2)
TIE/v1 (1)
Push the Limit (3)

TIE Defender: •Countess Ryad (36)
Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)
TIE/x7 (-2)
Push the Limit (3)

TIE Reaper: Scarif Base Pilot (31)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Advanced Ailerons (0)
•Director Krennic (5)
ISB Slicer (2)

Total: 98/100

Ryad is a better option for Op. the speeds the X-7 wants is going to be better than Quiz who’s greens are at the slowest end. The Reaper is a very swift maneuverable ship. Almost identical to strikers.

This is the newest iteration:

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

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

Scarif Base Pilot (22)
Director Krennic (5)
ISB Slicer (2)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Advanced Ailerons (0)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Removing ASTS as @theBitterFig suggested (good point!), increasing PS on both. I really miss Juke (or Lone Wolf) on Vader, and really miss a bid. Not yet sure where to go from here.

@Ronu I suck at flying Defenders, played Vader/Inq/QD for too long to get used to the way they move... (e: just realized now that your OP means the prototype, not me)

9 minutes ago, GreenDragoon said:

This is the newest iteration:

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

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

Scarif Base Pilot (22)
Director Krennic (5)
ISB Slicer (2)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Advanced Ailerons (0)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Removing ASTS as @theBitterFig suggested (good point!), increasing PS on both. I really miss Juke (or Lone Wolf) on Vader, and really miss a bid. Not yet sure where to go from here.

@Ronu I suck at flying Defenders, played Vader/Inq/QD for too long to get used to the way they move...

The only drawback to list like this I have seen is OP is likely to have one target. Vader, and since people don’t always like to go after QD first anyways it makes Vader a bigger draw. If your also going to try to benefit from the Target lock Krennic offers, Vader can struggle to keep up with the Reaper though the boost from engine upgrade can help but the it makes Vader semi predictable in his action choices. Vader and Soontir or Connor Jax who could be nasty with the jam and extra survivability.

I agree, but my solution so far (3 games) was to take the free TL as additional benefit, but not to chase it. I care more about jamming to push Vader‘s crit through than about the shot of the reaper.

But it looks like this version is better:

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

The Inquisitor (25)
Push the Limit (3)
Autothrusters (2)
TIE/v1 (1)

Major Vermeil (26)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Director Krennic (5)
ISB Slicer (2)
Advanced Ailerons (0)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

AT for turrets, choice of OP, and the reaper is a valuable part of the squad instead of a jamming krennic carrier.

I saw what you said about the speed of Inq, but him at range 3 and Vermeil at range 1 of an opponent usually puts them at range 2 of each other, so that works well.

From my experience so far Krennic will turn every ship into a beast. My Go-To was this:

Rexlar Brath(37) Expertise(4), X7(-2)

Vermeil(26) , VI(1), Krennic(5), ISB Slicer(2), adv. Ailerons(0), LWF(2)

Pure Sabacc(22) , Crackshot(1), adaptive Ailerons(0), LWF(2)

Total: 100

Managed to loose Sabacc early but Rexlar and Vermeil killed 5 X-Wings with very little effort. Double jam is so **** powerful and if your out of arc just evade with Vermeil and your good to go.

11 hours ago, GreenDragoon said:

This is the newest iteration:

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

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

Scarif Base Pilot (22)
Director Krennic (5)
ISB Slicer (2)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Advanced Ailerons (0)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

I’ve enjoyed lurking in this thread because I’ve been experimenting with similar ideas. I’ve run this build with one minor tweak. I remove LWF from the PS1 reaper to make points for optics on Quickdraw. Here’s my rationale:

1. The reaper almost never has a focus for defense. The extra die from LWF is worth less on ships that won’t have ways to mod that die.

2. I want my opponent to target the reaper first, and the lack of LWF encourages them to do so. PS11 Vader is a monster endgame piece. PS11 QD isn’t so bad late game either. But if my last remaining ship is a PS1 arc-locked ship I’m toast.

3. Here’s more reasons I want the reaper targeted first: the title makes him squirrelly, and it is surprisingly good at escaping when it needs to. Also, it’s a great blocker as a PS1 with the title.

4. Optics on QD let’s you use those useful red moves and get blocked without consequences.

3 minutes ago, Old Sarge said:

Here’s my rationale:

Great points! Especially that LWF without defensive mods is not that good anyway, and that you want the opponent to shoot the reaper first.

Currently I'm weighing this version against the one with Inq and Vermeil. Not sure which one I like more, because I haven't tried Vermeil yet. Allegedly he's super good!

Here is the version I am looking at (not likely to be good, but will be fun)

Scarif Base Pilot (22)
Director Krennic (5)
Advanced Ailerons (0)

Major Vynder (26)
Adaptability (0)
Harpoon Missiles (4)
Advanced SLAM (2)
Os-1 Arsenal Loadout (2)

"Echo" (30)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
Agent Kallus (2)
Advanced Cloaking Device (4)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

got my first game with Vermeil, and I have to say... that's really it! Wow, he hits like a truck!
The free TL from Vader and the free guidancechips from his ability, together with the double jam is ridiculously action efficient: that's 4 actions for the price of one!

My opponent (cool dude!) rolled evades pretty much above average (10 instead of the 6 expected).

But this time I didn't forget to cancel Vader results, didn't forget to assign the TL and was flying ok. And it is not even close to the other versions with the PS1 reaper!

also @Boom Owl

2 hours ago, GreenDragoon said:

Great points! Especially that LWF without defensive mods is not that good anyway, and that you want the opponent to shoot the reaper first.

Currently I'm weighing this version against the one with Inq and Vermeil. Not sure which one I like more, because I haven't tried Vermeil yet. Allegedly he's super good!

Great points indeed. It does not generally occur to me to go without LWF, I generally still have a copy or 2 out from my last game

Would allow me to boost Vader or Vessery a little more.

Quickdraw - expertise, FCS, Special op training, LWF - 37 points.

Scarif Base Pilot - ISB slicer, Director Krennic, Advanced Ailerons, LWF - 31 points

The Inquisitor - PTL, TIE/v1, autothrusters - 31 points.

total - 99/100

Having the Krennic condition on Inqy would make him a lot tougher. The biggest issue with the quiz is how fragile he is, so, an extra shield would be huge. the other benefits are a definite plus.

4 hours ago, Old Sarge said:

I’ve enjoyed lurking in this thread because I’ve been experimenting with similar ideas. I’ve run this build with one minor tweak. I remove LWF from the PS1 reaper to make points for optics on Quickdraw. Here’s my rationale:

1. The reaper almost never has a focus for defense. The extra die from LWF is worth less on ships that won’t have ways to mod that die.

2. I want my opponent to target the reaper first, and the lack of LWF encourages them to do so. PS11 Vader is a monster endgame piece. PS11 QD isn’t so bad late game either. But if my last remaining ship is a PS1 arc-locked ship I’m toast.

3. Here’s more reasons I want the reaper targeted first: the title makes him squirrelly, and it is surprisingly good at escaping when it needs to. Also, it’s a great blocker as a PS1 with the title.

4. Optics on QD let’s you use those useful red moves and get blocked without consequences.

I'd disagree about #1, but find #2-4 convincing. There are some ships which you kind of have to make sure is your first one to fall. Reaper seems like it's easily one of those. Decreasing the defense on one ship to increase the offense on a second ship is totally legit, and how many list are built in this game.

However, LWF is still 3/8ths of an evade every defense. That's quite good for two points. C-3PO is 5/8ths of an evade per turn for three points. LWF is a hugely cost efficient way to increase the defensive capacity of a ship. Is it better if you back it up with tokens? Sure, but don't sell it short on it's own.

Oh, LWF in any reaper is good, and definitely worth the points. In some circumstance though, it’s worth considering leaving it off a skinny reaper build to upgrade your end game pieces.

23 hours ago, GreenDragoon said:

I agree, but my solution so far (3 games) was to take the free TL as additional benefit, but not to chase it. I care more about jamming to push Vader‘s crit through than about the shot of the reaper.

But it looks like this version is better:

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

The Inquisitor (25)
Push the Limit (3)
Autothrusters (2)
TIE/v1 (1)

Major Vermeil (26)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Director Krennic (5)
ISB Slicer (2)
Advanced Ailerons (0)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

AT for turrets, choice of OP, and the reaper is a valuable part of the squad instead of a jamming krennic carrier.

I saw what you said about the speed of Inq, but him at range 3 and Vermeil at range 1 of an opponent usually puts them at range 2 of each other, so that works well.

With 34 pts. Vermeil is super expensive and super squishy. Does he really work? I mean how long does he survive? 2 rounds?

10 hours ago, Ryuneke said:

With 34 pts. Vermeil is super expensive and super squishy. Does he really work? I mean how long does he survive? 2 rounds?

I didn‘t believe it. Then I played him.

Now I, too, believe.

See also the thread on whether reapers are as bad as Fenn. The difference is that Vermeil also does a lot of damage! His ability works so often, and so does the ISB and the OP-TL