I’m looking for decent hyperspace alternatives to TIE Salad, vader+soontir+bombers, and TIE Swarms, and the 5x5 squad. Basically, exploring if there’s any other semi-competitive squad theorycrafting. I know empire is not known for being beefy, but what about this? On approach, I could see Maarek and the sbc aiming to flank. Keep the coordinator close to Maarek so he can focus, lock in a single turn. Then the bombers and night beast try to joust with the beef/defensibility they have. This is 29 health overall and should take some time to burn down. What strengths and weaknesses does this squad have, and do you think it could compete above casual games? I haven’t tried it yet, but may be able to give it a shot this week.

TIE/ln Fighter - •“Night Beast” - 26
•“Night Beast” - Obsidian Two (26)

TIE Reaper - Scarif Base Pilot - 43
Scarif Base Pilot - (41)
Tactical Officer (2)

TIE/sa Bomber - Scimitar Squadron Pilot - 37
Scimitar Squadron Pilot - (30)
Barrage Rockets (7)

TIE/sa Bomber - Scimitar Squadron Pilot - 37
Scimitar Squadron Pilot - (30)
Barrage Rockets (7)

TIE Advanced x1 - •Maarek Stele - 56
•Maarek Stele - Servant of the Empire (46)
Marksmanship (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
Hull Upgrade (7)

Total: 199/200

View in the X-Wing Squad Builder

I like your list, but here's my take on it:

Maarek will draw heat, no doubt. Every time I play him if my opponent hasn't already learned to hate him, they soon do.

I would fly the bombers up front Range1 if possible as sacrificial lambs with Del near by for defensive re-rolls, as well as to generate crits via Ruthless.

You still have 29 health, but I moved the Hull upgrade from Maarek to the Reaper.

Maarek Stele (46)
Ruthless (1)
Fire-Control System (2)

Scarif Base Pilot (41)
Tactical Officer (2)
Shield Upgrade (4)

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (30)
Barrage Rockets (7)

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (30)
Barrage Rockets (7)

Del Meeko (30)
Total: 200

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

If I had 3 reapers, I would try this:

Maarek Stele (46)
Ruthless (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
Shield Upgrade (8)

Scarif Base Pilot (41)
Tactical Officer (2)
Shield Upgrade (4)

Scarif Base Pilot (41)
Tactical Officer (2)
Shield Upgrade (4)

Scarif Base Pilot (41)
Tactical Officer (2)
Shield Upgrade (4)
Total: 198

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

Lots of blocking, lots of coordinating, lots of health, 33!

Put afterburners on maarek.

It's a shame but drop tactical officer, let your cordinate be red so when you dont want ailerons you have option.

1 hour ago, Blademaster72 said:

It's a shame but drop tactical officer, let your cordinate be red so when you dont want ailerons you have option.

Tac Officer only adds the white coord, so the red remains an option even still. It's beautiful.

14 hours ago, Force Majeure said:

I like your list, but here's my take on it:

Maarek will draw heat, no doubt. Every time I play him if my opponent hasn't already learned to hate him, they soon do.

I would fly the bombers up front Range1 if possible as sacrificial lambs with Del near by for defensive re-rolls, as well as to generate crits via Ruthless.

You still have 29 health, but I moved the Hull upgrade from Maarek to the Reaper.

Maarek Stele (46)
Ruthless (1)
Fire-Control System (2)

Scarif Base Pilot (41)
Tactical Officer (2)
Shield Upgrade (4)

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (30)
Barrage Rockets (7)

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (30)
Barrage Rockets (7)

Del Meeko (30)
Total: 200

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

I like this and see the strategy here. Ruthless gives Maarek a bit more opportunity for crits, and there’s health enough to take a hit or two on my own ships. Also been wanting to find a way to work Del Meeko onto the table. However, it’s up to Maarek and Del entirely to create a damaged attacker in the first engagement (who hasn’t shot) that will trigger Del’s effect in order for any friendliest to reroll defense. so I might be missing the strategy a bit there.

14 hours ago, Force Majeure said:

If I had 3 reapers, I would try this:

Maarek Stele (46)
Ruthless (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
Shield Upgrade (8)

Scarif Base Pilot (41)
Tactical Officer (2)
Shield Upgrade (4)

Scarif Base Pilot (41)
Tactical Officer (2)
Shield Upgrade (4)

Scarif Base Pilot (41)
Tactical Officer (2)
Shield Upgrade (4)
Total: 198

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

Lots of blocking, lots of coordinating, lots of health, 33!

@Force Majeure , I have 2 Reapers, though! What would you put in place of the third?

3 hours ago, Synel said:

it’s up to Maarek and Del entirely to create a damaged attacker in the first engagement (who hasn’t shot) that will trigger Del’s effect in order for any friendliest to reroll defense

True, but Maarek should be capable of doing that relatively easily in the first engagement assuming you get a lock and have the option to use Ruthless.

I'm willing to accept a few shots to get Del to work his magic next turn. Choosing the right 30 point TIE is a choice based on your play style, I think.

I love Wampa. but he's I1. I love Gideon, but again his ability needs the ship he's attacking to be damaged to get the extra die. I love Seyn, but she screams for Marksmanship which in this list, there's no room for unless you drop the Shield to a Hull upgrade. And Scourge and Mauler are too expensive (32pts) unless you jettison something from the Reaper.

2 hours ago, Synel said:

@Force Majeure , I have 2 Reapers, though! What would you put in place of the third? 

That's a tough question for a Hyperspace list. In Extended, the easy choice would be the Lambda Omicron Group Pilot--keeping with the Beef+coordinate theme.

For HS... I'd go one of two ways:

1) two Academy Pilots to work as harassers/blockers. More ships means your opponent has more things to worry about.

Or

2) bring in a Striker. Any of the named ones will do. Countdown is the most survivable (add a hull upgrade), Pure Sabbac (so many ways you can go with him depending on the Talent you choose) or Duchess: she can slow roll, she can Aileron while stressed, she can bomb, she is good. The only thing the Strikers are missing is a way to consistently modify dice outside of a Focus. With the Reapers you can use Juke and coordinate either a focus or the evade, so that's nice.

I'm not the best list builder; I think I'm okay.

If you want grade A advice and insight, you want to summon @wurms

5 hours ago, Synel said:

@Force Majeure , I have 2 Reapers, though! What would you put in place of the third?

Maarek Stele (46)
Ruthless (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
Afterburners (6)

“Pure Sabacc” (44)
Ruthless (1)
Shield Upgrade (6)

Major Vermeil (49)
Ruthless (1)

Scarif Base Pilot (41)
Hull Upgrade (3)
Total: 200

just go all-in on offensive firepower. Maarek, Sabaac, and Vermeil are usually enemy no.1. Tough choice for your opponent. Kill an offensive threat, or kill the generic reaper jamming into their face making the three firepower ships even worse.

1 hour ago, wurms said:

Maarek Stele (46)
Ruthless (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
Afterburners (6)

“Pure Sabacc” (44)
Ruthless (1)
Shield Upgrade (6)

Major Vermeil (49)
Ruthless (1)

Scarif Base Pilot (41)
Hull Upgrade (3)
Total: 200

just go all-in on offensive firepower. Maarek, Sabaac, and Vermeil are usually enemy no.1. Tough choice for your opponent. Kill an offensive threat, or kill the generic reaper jamming into their face making the three firepower ships even worse.

I foresee Maarek ending up in the back of the squad naturally, due to the reaper’s speed. But that seems like a bit of an advantage, too, especially if he can stay at range 3.

thank you, @wurms , @Force Majeure , @Cuz05 , and @Blademaster72 for all your advice and suggestions! I welcome any other thoughts you may have on this, but wanted to share my appreciation.

That is a scary list that Wurms concocted: Everyone has 3 die attacks!

12 minutes ago, Force Majeure said:

That is a scary list that Wurms concocted: Everyone has 3 die attacks!

Sabaac has four And if Sabaac or Vermeil die, they are not removed until that initiative 4 is done firing, so they can ruthless each others corpse, muahaha

7 hours ago, wurms said:

Sabaac has four And if Sabaac or Vermeil die, they are not removed until that initiative 4 is done firing, so they can ruthless each others corpse, muahaha

Better yet, if Saba can work his way around into range 1 without losing too much health, 5 dice!