Trying Something New

By RyonOlson, in Star Wars: Armada Fleet Builds

Based on the challenge provided by Ginkapo, I've thrown together a list with some stuff I've never used before. The challenge was to build a list using Vader and an ISD with the Devastator title. This is the result:

Name: Vader ISD Arquitens No Squad
Faction: Imperial
Commander: Darth Vader

Assault: Most Wanted
Defense: Contested Outpost
Navigation: Minefields

Imperial II (120)
• Darth Vader (36)
• Wulff Yularen (7)
• Gunnery Team (7)
• Electronic Countermeasures (7)
• SW-7 Ion Batteries (5)
• Devastator (10)
= 192 Points

Arquitens Light Cruiser (54)
• Intel Officer (7)
• Early Warning System (7)
• Slaved Turrets (6)
= 74 Points

Arquitens Light Cruiser (54)
• Intel Officer (7)
• Early Warning System (7)
• Slaved Turrets (6)
= 74 Points

Gozanti Cruisers (23)
• Admiral Titus (2)
• Comms Net (2)
= 27 Points

Gozanti Cruisers (23)
• Comms Net (2)
= 25 Points

Squadrons:
= 0 Points

Total Points: 392

The idea is simple. Maximum damage output, with enough activations that I can attempt to delay the ISD activation until it's ready. ECM on the ISD means I get to keep using the defense tokens, and can get the Devastator buff earlier. EWS on the Arquitens helps against incoming bombers and weakens incoming enemy fire, especially at long range where they will attempt to stay. They will try and flank the enemy. No squads since I'm attempting to move away from my fighter-heavy lists. Trying something new, right?

Objective cards are simple enough. Most Wanted so I can drop the enemy heavy hitter / flagship / carrier quickly. Contested Outpost to make the enemy come to me and fight on my terms. Minefields to create hazards that help control where the enemy ships move.

Suggestions and criticisms are always welcome.

Why Wuluff rather than a third intel officer? Are you aware how badly minefields can backfire?

Paging @rasproteus and @duck_bird for better advice.

9 hours ago, Ginkapo said:

Why Wuluff rather than a third intel officer? Are you aware how badly minefields can backfire?

Paging @rasproteus and @duck_bird for better advice.

Wulff is there to make sure the ship survives longer. Bank a repair token early, and get it back every time it is used. The ISD is meant to attack after the Arquitens have softened up the target, stripping braces and / or redirects. I may switch him for a different officer if he proves sub-par when I play this list.

I'm aware of the dangers to using minefields, especially in the era of strategic squadrons. Luckily, the majority of the local meta is either rogues or bomber swarm. The only Lambda I ever see is Jendon.

I might swap minefields for solar corona or dangerous territory.

How about Brunson on the ISD? Gives you some damage mitigation.

Hmmmm, I only took the 2 intel officers. The isd was kitted out to hunt smalls more than larges. Each arq could reliably deal 5-6 damage with io, and many large ships would panic brace anyway after taking 6 damage.

However, with devastator, I can see the utility in being able to toss your own tokens.

Otherwise, SA is really useful for this fleet. Having 3 non-combat activations was lovely.

7 hours ago, Barney said:

How about Brunson on the ISD? Gives you some damage mitigation.

I initially thought about Brunson, but initially skipped her over. Now, since you mentioned it, I could take her for said damage mitigation, plus get that engineering token from a nearby Gozanti when I need it.

1 hour ago, duck_bird said:

Hmmmm, I only took the 2 intel officers. The isd was kitted out to hunt smalls more than larges. Each arq could reliably deal 5-6 damage with io, and many large ships would panic brace anyway after taking 6 damage.

However, with devastator, I can see the utility in being able to toss your own tokens.

Otherwise, SA is really useful for this fleet. Having 3 non-combat activations was lovely.

I like the idea of SA, might have to try it as a variation of the list.

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far!

IO on the ISD allows you to target one of your own defence tokens to gain the Devastator buff sooner. Just food for thought

2 hours ago, LordTesla said:

IO on the ISD allows you to target one of your own defence tokens to gain the Devastator buff sooner. Just food for thought

I completely forgot about that! Hmm, I'm going to have to think about this for a bit...

No turbolasers on the isd?

Edited by Epic117

I like it, but I dont like EWS on small ship bases, bombers just go around them

Cymoon. Vader loves Cymoon and the feeling is mutual. And you ger some extra points to spend. Plus you can keep red distance and still be deadly.

Thanks for the recent feedback. I have updated the list to reflect some changes:

@Norell Part of the reason I didn't want to go with the Cymoon is that I rarely can keep my ships constantly at long range, and I don't like that I'm losing ECM.

Name: Vader ISD Arquitens No Squad 2.0
Faction: Imperial
Commander: Darth Vader

Assault: Most Wanted
Defense: Contested Outpost
Navigation: Minefields

Imperial II (120)
• Darth Vader (36)
• Captain Brunson (5)
• Gunnery Team (7)
• Electronic Countermeasures (7)
• SW-7 Ion Batteries (5)
• Spinal Armament (9)
• Devastator (10)
= 190 Points

Arquitens Light Cruiser (54)
• Intel Officer (7)
• Reinforced Blast Doors (5)
• Slaved Turrets (6)
= 74 Points

Arquitens Light Cruiser (54)
• Intel Officer (7)
• Reinforced Blast Doors (5)
• Slaved Turrets (6)
= 74 Points

Gozanti Cruisers (23)
• Admiral Titus (2)
• Comms Net (2)
= 27 Points

Gozanti Cruisers (23)
• Comms Net (2)
= 25 Points

Squadrons:
= 0 Points

Total Points: 395

My son runs something similar to this, it's a good list