I'm currently working on some list ideas to bring to a Hyperspace Trial this weekend. My focus is building around Vader and Stele as the heavy hitters for these lists, but would like some advice and ideas as to what other ship(s) and upgrades to incorporate.

My first list included (3) Academy Pilots to be used primarily as blockers, but my second list went a little different, as I toyed with the idea of using "Pure Sabacc" as the final death blow to whatever ship(s) Vader and Stele had drew first blood on.

The second list ended up at 190-points, which seemed like a nice initiate spread. However, I was wondering if those 10-points would should be looked into a little deeper for more modifications or upgrades.

I'd be interested to see how you'd tweak or improve these lists altogether and what combat tactics you's use.

thanks!

Darth Vader (67)
Fire-Control System (2)
Afterburners (6)

Ship total: 75 Half Points: 38 Threshold: 3

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

Ship total: 54 Half Points: 27 Threshold: 3

Academy Pilot (23)
Ship total: 23 Half Points: 12 Threshold: 2

Academy Pilot (23)
Ship total: 23 Half Points: 12 Threshold: 2

Academy Pilot (23)
Ship total: 23 Half Points: 12 Threshold: 2

Total: 198

-OR-

Darth Vader (67)
Fire-Control System (2)
Afterburners (6)

Ship total: 75 Half Points: 38 Threshold: 3

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

Ship total: 55 Half Points: 28 Threshold: 3

"Pure Sabacc" (44)
Predator (2)
Fifth Brother (9)
Hull Upgrade (5)

Ship total: 60 Half Points: 30 Threshold: 3


Total: 190

Vader/Soontir/3 Academy Pilots is a proven list, so Vader/Maarek 3 Academy Pilots is also probably at least decent.

With Pure Sabaac, I'd always take Shield over Hull. His ability shuts down if he has more than one damage card, and Shield is certainly going to be worth the extra point, to make it a little easier to keep up that 4th attack die. Duchess probably isn't a bad swap in with the same build, but that's just a matter of personal preference. They're both decent ships which can hit hard and are fairly nimble.

As to other options, I feel like Maarek really begins to sing once you've got coordinate support for him. To that end, perhaps a TIE Reaper? 0-0-0 is now Hyperspace Legal, and that feels like it'd be nice too include. Agent Kallus doesn't seem too bad, either. Seventh Sister is also a nasty crew option (particularly with 0-0-0! If they take the stress to deny you a token, you'll be able to tractor or jam them). All the named Reaper pilots seem like they'd be decent. Vizier has stress-free Coordinate without the newly-nerfed Tactical Officer. Feroph can tank more damage than you'd expect. Vermiel can hit hard (I'd like Kallus more than 0-0-0 there, probably). I feel like it'd be hard to go wrong with a Reaper. Any pilot, Crack Shot if you have a Talent slot, Hull or Shield if you can afford it, and pretty much any Hyperspace-legal crew (well, maybe not Krennic).

If you're comfortable flying Sabacc around, you could spend some more points and give him Outmaneuver + Shield upgrade to make that extra damage die last longer and hit even harder.

I'll always sing the praises of Vermiel. He may not be as survivable as Feroph, but I love the damage output.

Vader and Maarek with FCS and AB, plus Marksmanship in Maarek, leaves enough room for the 2 TIE aces, Scourge with Predator and Mauler Mitchel! It's a bit of a middle ground list

1 hour ago, Greebwahn said:

Vader and Maarek with FCS and AB, plus Marksmanship in Maarek, leaves enough room for the 2 TIE aces, Scourge with Predator and Mauler Mitchel! It's a bit of a middle ground list

I kind like this idea! Would you consider upgrading Scourge with Predator?

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

Ship total: 54 Half Points: 27 Threshold: 3

Tempest Squadron Pilot (38)
Fire-Control System (2)

Ship total: 40 Half Points: 20 Threshold: 3

Soontir Fel (53)
Predator (2)

Ship total: 55 Half Points: 28 Threshold: 2

"Pure Sabacc" (44)
Shield Upgrade (6)

Ship total: 50 Half Points: 25 Threshold: 3


Total: 199

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0: https://raithos.github.io/?f=Galactic Empire&d=v8ZhZ200Z174XW113WW105Y178X113WWY179X127WWY210XWWW165&sn=Unnamed Squadron&obs=

Add Marksmanship to Maarek, or try passive sensors on the Tempest

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

Ship total: 54 Half Points: 27 Threshold: 3

Tempest Squadron Pilot (38)
Passive Sensors (3)

Ship total: 41 Half Points: 21 Threshold: 3

Soontir Fel (53)
Predator (2)

Ship total: 55 Half Points: 28 Threshold: 2

"Pure Sabacc" (44)
Shield Upgrade (6)

Ship total: 50 Half Points: 25 Threshold: 3


Total: 200

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0: https://raithos.github.io/?f=Galactic Empire&d=v8ZhZ200Z174XW113WW105Y178X240WWY179X127WWY210XWWW165&sn=2AdvancedSoontirStriker&obs=

8 hours ago, pakirby said:

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

Ship total: 54 Half Points: 27 Threshold: 3

Tempest Squadron Pilot (38)
Fire-Control System (2)

Ship total: 40 Half Points: 20 Threshold: 3

Soontir Fel (53)
Predator (2)

Ship total: 55 Half Points: 28 Threshold: 2

"Pure Sabacc" (44)
Shield Upgrade (6)

Ship total: 50 Half Points: 25 Threshold: 3


Total: 199

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0: https://raithos.github.io/?f=Galactic Empire&d=v8ZhZ200Z174XW113WW105Y178X113WWY179X127WWY210XWWW165&sn=Unnamed Squadron&obs=

Add Marksmanship to Maarek, or try passive sensors on the Tempest

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

Ship total: 54 Half Points: 27 Threshold: 3

Tempest Squadron Pilot (38)
Passive Sensors (3)

Ship total: 41 Half Points: 21 Threshold: 3

Soontir Fel (53)
Predator (2)

Ship total: 55 Half Points: 28 Threshold: 2

"Pure Sabacc" (44)
Shield Upgrade (6)

Ship total: 50 Half Points: 25 Threshold: 3


Total: 200

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0: https://raithos.github.io/?f=Galactic Empire&d=v8ZhZ200Z174XW113WW105Y178X240WWY179X127WWY210XWWW165&sn=2AdvancedSoontirStriker&obs=

I do like 4-ship builds! How would you group/solo each the ships from each other during flight and engagement?

On 7/11/2019 at 5:46 AM, A-N-T-N-Y said:

I do like 4-ship builds! How would you group/solo each the ships from each other during flight and engagement?

Roll Maarek, Tempest & Sabacc in a loose formation in the middle and have Soontir get into a flanking position on the left side. Sabacc will eventually break off from Maarek and flank on the right side. Don’t joust but maybe put the Tempest out in front a bit to maybe block.

https://starfightermafia.blogspot.com/2018/09/article-2-how-to-joust-less-badly.html

If you've got academy pilots as blockers and spare point, you could spend it worse than giving Maarek Ruthless.

1 damage on a 23 point TIE in return for pushing through one of Maarek's "what's the worst thing that could go wrong right now" criticals is more than fair.