So I have learned to fly the swarm, more or less. My brothers fear it like fire and I had some success on a local tournament. And I wanted to move slightly towards learning to fly Aces. But with my limited ship list, I am slightly torn, what to actually field. I have currently access to 7 Tie/LN and 2 Tie Advanced X1. Which gave me this idea:

1. Darth Vader (Tie Adv X1) - Afterburners, Fire-Control System (75 points)
2. Marek Stele (Tie Adv X1) - Afterburners, Fire-Control System (54 points)
3. "Scourge"Skutu (Tie/LN) - Predator (34 points)
4. "Mauler" Mithel (Tie/LN) - Predator (34 points)

I think that both "Scourge" and "Mauler" are too cheap to be a source of focused fire, if the enemy will have a choice to either focus on one of the Tie Adv X1s or the two Tie/LNs. Vader is super mobile and deadly. I am tempted to use the remaining 3 points to give him Hate for no bid, as I know a lot of the players in my area fly with 200 points. And I kind of learned to fly first with my swarm either way. Alternative would be to give the Tie/LNs Elusive instead of Predator and keep them as Range 1 pests to pew pew at the enemy.

PS: I have access to cards that came in the Tie/LN, Rebel Y-Wing, Rebel X-Wing, Tie Advanced X1 and the Core Set only.

21 minutes ago, Schanez said:

Alternative would be to give the Tie/LNs Elusive instead of Predator and keep them as Range 1 pests to pew pew at the enemy.

I'm not convinced Elusive is that great for a TIE/ln. Even with a reroll, you're never going to make a TIE fighter 'tough', and getting a decent I5 pilot for the bargain-basement price of 32 points is a big part of the appeal of them. If someone is trying to kill Scourge rather than Vader, that's a win for you and you probably shouldn't discourage them...

I'd be tempted to suggest Crack Shot - bullseyes are hard enough to line up that getting multiple bullseyes over the course of the game isn't garuanteed - though I guess with Scourge you're going to be making a much bigger effort to do so.

My main concern is a lack of firepower. Mauler and Scourge are nominally 3-dice primary ships, but it's easy enough to find them only getting their 2nd die - and for that matter technically so is Maarek Stele.

I think you're going the right way with Maarek; he's cheap, high initiative, and really suits a squad where he can fire last (i.e. a mix of 'aces') given his lethal pilot ability. If I was looking for points his afterburners would probably be the first thing cut, though.

There is a rather nice squad I've seen using 5 initiative 5 imperial pilots, but it requires a TIE/sk Striker, which you don't have.

• Maarek Stele - Fire Control System, Marksmanship
• "Duchess" - Crack Shot
• "Howlrunner" - Crack Shot
• "Mauler" Mithel - Crack Shot
• "Scourge" Skutu - Crack Shot

You could produce something similar substituting "Duchess" out for Iden Versio - you lose the manoeuvrable mini-ace but make your 4-ship TIE swarm much, much tougher since they ignore the first 'kill'.

MaarekHowlScourgeMaulerIden

(46) Maarek Stele [TIE Advanced x1]
(2) Fire-Control System
(1) Marksmanship
Points: 49

(40) "Howlrunner" [TIE/ln Fighter]
(1) Crack Shot
Points: 41

(32) "Scourge" Skutu [TIE/ln Fighter]
(1) Crack Shot
Points: 33

(32) "Mauler" Mithel [TIE/ln Fighter]
(1) Crack Shot
Points: 33

(40) Iden Versio [TIE/ln Fighter]
(1) Crack Shot
Points: 41

Total points: 197

Do you really need Marksmanship on Maarek Stele? The Tie Advanced X1 has that Hit to Crit on Locked Targets already. And as mentioned, getting Bullseye can be problematic. I really prefer the Predator on him, for two rerolls without burning a Lock. I'd also prefer to move away from Swarm flying, thus I didn't pull more Tie/lns onto the board. I'd love to field a Suntir Fel, Vader and Stele together. But I don't have the Interceptor expansion. Yet. But for now, how about a:

1. Darth Vader (Tie X1): Hate, Afterburners, Fire-Control System
2. Howlrunner (Tie/LN): Outmaneuver
3. "Scourge" Skutu (Tie/LN): Outmaneuver
4. "Mauler" Mithel (Tie/LN): Outmaneuver

Keeping the three ties together, using Vader to bite enemy?

18 hours ago, Schanez said:

Do you really need Marksmanship on Maarek Stele? The Tie Advanced X1 has that Hit to Crit on Locked Targets already. And as mentioned, getting Bullseye can be problematic. I really prefer the Predator on him, for two rerolls without burning a Lock. I'd also prefer to move away from Swarm flying, thus I didn't pull more Tie/lns onto the board. I'd love to field a Suntir Fel, Vader and Stele together. But I don't have the Interceptor expansion. Yet. But for now, how about a:

1. Darth Vader (Tie X1): Hate, Afterburners, Fire-Control System
2. Howlrunner (Tie/LN): Outmaneuver
3. "Scourge" Skutu (Tie/LN): Outmaneuver
4. "Mauler" Mithel (Tie/LN): Outmaneuver

Keeping the three ties together, using Vader to bite enemy?

That’s an awful lot of points invested into ties with Outmaneuver. All 3 Ties really don’t need any upgrades. As far as Maarek, Marks & Crack work good, more of a personal preference.

20 hours ago, Schanez said:

Do you really need Marksmanship on Maarek Stele? The Tie Advanced X1 has that Hit to Crit on Locked Targets already.

On a normal TIE/x1, I'd agree. But Maarek's ability makes criticals SO punishing that the potential to land two draw-three-pick-one criticals in a row worth looking at.

It's especially punishing on expensive, high-hull large base ships (like a VT-49 decimator) - and pleasingly, such ships are most likely to take 'both' criticals (since they have little or no agility) and since they have a large base are comparatively easy to draw a bullseye on.

I am gonna run a vader list with two tie/ln.

200/200

Vader

-FCS, Hate and Afterburners

Pure Sabacc

-Shield Upgrade and Outmaneuver

Del Meeko

-Elusive

Gideon Hask

-Elusive

21 hours ago, PicklesTheBear said:

I am gonna run a vader list with two tie/ln.

200/200

Vader

-FCS, Hate and Afterburners

Pure Sabacc

-Shield Upgrade and Outmaneuver

Del Meeko

-Elusive

Gideon Hask

-Elusive

I am not a fan of Elusive on the Tie/lns. They only have a 3 and 4 U-Turns that can replenish the reroll. Especially with Del Meeko in the squadron. Also the three 4 Initiative will get outgunned by other Aces. Would possibly shoot after the standard Tie/ln Swarm, which could be devastating. But if you fly it right, seems good. I really like the Del Meeko 0-2 Range on his skill.

EDIT:

So I bought the Tie/SK yesterday and am now playing with a three ship list containing Darth Vader, Maarek Stele and "Duchess". This is what I have for now:

1. Darth Vader (Tie Advanced X1): Fire-Control System, Afterburners
2. Maarek Stele (Tie Advanced X1): Fire-Control System, Afterburners, Marksmanship
3. "Duchess" (Tie/sk Striker): Shield Upgrade, Outmaneuver

This set up leaves me with 16 points to use still. I was thinking of Hate or Sense on Vader. Maybe Conner Nets with Skilled Bombardier on "Duchess" in case enemy turns to chase her, it seems nice to have an "Oh duck" escape option. But I have never flown a Striker, so I am utterly clueless on what would work best on the ship. I don't even know, if you first drop the device and then execute the Adaptive Ailerons.

6 hours ago, Schanez said:

So I bought the Tie/SK yesterday and am now playing with a three ship list containing Darth Vader, Maarek Stele and "Duchess". This is what I have for now:

1. Darth Vader (Tie Advanced X1): Fire-Control System, Afterburners
2. Maarek Stele (Tie Advanced X1): Fire-Control System, Afterburners, Marksmanship
3. "Duchess" (Tie/sk Striker): Shield Upgrade, Outmaneuver

This set up leaves me with 16 points to use still. I was thinking of Hate or Sense on Vader. Maybe Conner Nets with Skilled Bombardier on "Duchess" in case enemy turns to chase her, it seems nice to have an "Oh duck" escape option. But I have never flown a Striker, so I am utterly clueless on what would work best on the ship. I don't even know, if you first drop the device and then execute the Adaptive Ailerons.

Regarding Maarek's talent: while Pred or Crack are worth considering, especially if he has no other source of actions, I personally prefer Marks, for two reasons. First, it gives more upside potential with his ability. Second, it allows you to land crits when you don't have a lock. This is a vital consideration given Maarek's weak action economy. The X1 lives and dies by its locks, but getting them, even at I5, is not guaranteed. You might be stressed; you might have to roll or focus (or both) for defense; you might have to shoot someone when your lock is on someone else. In those cases, Marks gives you a chance to fish up those sweet, sweet crits that you wouldn't otherwise have.

Given that you now have a Striker, I encourage you to give 5 by 5 a chance. It is the most fun list I flew this year. It tends to start out swarmy but turns acey by the end, especially with Duchess.

59 minutes ago, ChahDresh said:

Given that you now have a Striker, I encourage you to give 5 by 5 a chance. It is the most fun list I flew this year. It tends to start out swarmy but turns acey by the end, especially with Duchess.

What is a 5 by 5 list? Maarek Stele, Duchess and two I5 Tie/lns?

7 hours ago, Schanez said:

But I have never flown a Striker, so I am utterly clueless on what would work best on the ship. I don't even know, if you first drop the device and then execute the Adaptive Ailerons.

Devices get dropped in the system phase, so well before ailerons.

Strikers are amazing. I flew them for much of 1st edition and they're still my favourite ship; I've been experimenting with Nantex but I do keep feeling the siren call of ailerons.

Good bits of advice for duchess:

• Afterburners for Duchess too. However you get a third copy, get one.
  • Because Her Grace can choose to use her ailerons (or not) and afterburners (or not) when stressed, her dial is RIDICULOUSLY flexible - in many ways she's capable of outflying Vader.
  • Ailerons =/= Boost, so you can do both. In theory, that means you can do Bank-1, Bank-3, Bank-1 and pull a 135' turn in a huge swoopy arc.
• Don't hesitate to stall your ailerons in a close dogfight. Without ailerons, Duchess has every speed 1 move available - banks and turns - and none of them are red. She's one of the only Imperial ships - one of the only ships in the game - for whom this is true.
• By chaining a bank aileron with a segnor, you can do a 90' turn and then flip back the way you came. Or you can stall your ailerons and pull a speed 1 k-turn. This is a nightmare for people to try and predict.
• Shield Upgrade is not bad if you don't have afterburners, but not getting shot at is better than surviving the hit.
• The best upgrade for her (I know you don't have it but someone might lend you it) is Fifth Brother - giving you a force token.
• My personal preference on talent is Elusive. Since your red dial is so flexible, you'll use it a lot...meaning recovering your elusive charge a lot.
• When using ailerons, be careful how fast you go. It leaves you with an effective minimum speed of 3 - staying in formation is hard.
• Remember colliding on your aileron move does NOT cost you your action - only on your 'proper' move.
  • There's a nasty little trick you can do with Debris. If you can cross a Debris with an aileron move, receive a stress token, then perform a blue move and remove it, you essentially 'skin dance' through the debris with no downside. Provided you don't roll a 'critical', of course.
    • This also works with Gas Clouds.

1 minute ago, Schanez said:

What is a 5 by 5 list? Maarek Stele, Duchess and two I5 Tie/lns?

• Howlrunner
  • Crack Shot
• Mauler Mithel
  • Crack Shot
• Scourge Skutu
  • Crack Shot
• Maarek Stele
  • Fire Control System
  • Marksmanship
• Duchess
  • Predator

What Magnus said. I prefer Crack Shot (and a 1 point bid... more useful than it sounds) over Predator on Duchess, but that's personal preference.

10 hours ago, ChahDresh said:

What Magnus said. I prefer Crack Shot (and a 1 point bid... more useful than it sounds) over Predator on Duchess, but that's personal preference.

Indeed. you can play tunes with the exact upgrades - for example, you could always use that point to turn fire control into passive sensors, making Maarek much more reactive to the results of the squad's attacks, less given to telegraphing his intended target, and better able to engage I6 opponents. A 1 point bid is also worth a thought. Or - since his ability is bullseye-locked, you could put predator on Scourge instead. With 17 'health' in the squad, you might even get some mileage out of Ruthless.

But the basic concept of 5 Initiative 5 pilots, all of whom are at least vaguely dangerous on their own, is an impressive set of building blocks to start with.

I saw a composure and afterburners combo on Merek which I liked as I find that first time Marek grabs a lock, if he has no focus he seems to just die.

This way, 3 maneuver, 'fail' a barrel roll, composure your focus, get your lock.

1 hour ago, MyPalValen said:

I saw a composure and afterburners combo on Merek which I liked as I find that first time Marek grabs a lock, if he has no focus he seems to just die.

This way, 3 maneuver, 'fail' a barrel roll, composure your focus, get your lock.

How would that work? X1 can either Focus > Red Roll or Lock. And burning an Afterburners charge for a failed Boost into Focus sounds a bit expensive. You can just grab a lock at range 3 and then engage with Focuses.

1 hour ago, Schanez said:

How would that work? X1 can either Focus > Red Roll or Lock. And burning an Afterburners charge for a failed Boost into Focus sounds a bit expensive. You can just grab a lock at range 3 and then engage with Focuses.

i don't think you burn a charge if you fail a boost....

41 minutes ago, Manolox said:

i don't think you burn a charge if you fail a boost....

Well X1 cannot boost. It can do so only through Afterburners. And he mentioned a 3 maneuver, which makes me think he meant that specific combo exactly. To fail a boost into Composure Focus Action. That way you could Do a failed Focus Action and then a Lock Action. But that's 7 points for a double tap on actions. And you remove your "Oh **** gotta fly fast" charge for that. Imho a bit expensive.

5 hours ago, Schanez said:

Well X1 cannot boost. It can do so only through Afterburners. And he mentioned a 3 maneuver, which makes me think he meant that specific combo exactly. To fail a boost into Composure Focus Action. That way you could Do a failed Focus Action and then a Lock Action. But that's 7 points for a double tap on actions. And you remove your "Oh **** gotta fly fast" charge for that. Imho a bit

I view it as a 3.5 point PTL that works twice in a game and requires 3+ speed maneuver instead of a stress.

Expensive, sure but when Marek rolls an evade and two focuses in that first engagement having that token is fantastical

The other approach - which is less effective but a lot cheaper - is Elusive.

Evade dice aren't great without a focus token, but a one-time reroll is nice for covering that 'vulnerable turn' where Maarek needs to acquire a lock, and once you've got a Fire Control-sustained lock you can focus as normal (or Talon Roll and pick up your charge again).

Ultimately, yes, he's more vulnerable whilst locking. But 3 dice without focus are about as good as 2 dice with - better against multiple attackers, since you don't spend your focus - so he's not that vulnerable when he's got two shields and he's not that much more expensive than a pretty basic X-wing.

Flown a Vader, Maarek and "Duchess" against Wedge, Like and Thane yesterday. And I have to say, "Duchess" was the MVP, but Maarek was **** for Wedge. Due to circumstances, Wedge chased after Vader into a corner and poped him right off the board. Maarek bit through Wedge's shields while dodging shots from Luke like a pro. Wedge endeg up with two Stress from a crit. Followup gave him a "go 1 straight or suffer damage" crit and it was a dead Wedge. 1 Straight was out of the board and he had 1 Hull left already.

But with Luke full and Maarek at 2 Hull and "Duchess" at 1, I was quite certain this is a game lost. How surprised I was, when "Duchess" got on the tail of the X-Wing, using his focus on the Advanced X1 and started to absolutely murder him. Luke was moving first and the flexibility of the Tie Striker and her ability to choose not to use Ailerons was massive for dodging the attack arc. 1 Hull "Duchess" took Luke from full to 0 in a couple rounds.

This makes me thing, what is the best outfit for a "Duchess"? I have been flying with Outmaneuver, Shield Upgrade, Conner Net and Skilled Bombardier. While I haven't deployed the bomb, it kept the X-Wings wary of flying behind her. I have a few ideas and I would like to ask for opinions more advanced players.

1. "Duchess" - Outmaneuver, Afterburners (54 points total)
2. "Duchess" - Elusive, Afterburners (51 points total)
3. "Duchess" - Outmaneuver, Targeting Computer, Fifth Brother (60 points total)
4. EDIT: "Duchess" - Juke, Afterburners/Shield Upgrade, Fifth Brother (64 points total)

I am just torn between keeping her deadly and mobile, safe and mobile and throwing too many points into a 2 Agility ship. If she can get behind the enemy line, the third set up will absolutely demolish anything it can shot at. Target Lock, Focus into Critical Hit from Force and Outmaneuver will be absolutely deadly. But she has absolutely no defensive power in such set up and I am aftaid to just feed free points to the enemy. What do you guys think?

EDIT: 4th idea for a super tank "Duchess" Evade token and a Force charge make her hard to hit like no other. Juke can capacitate on the Evade token, if she is not being targeted. But it is a very big points pool for a ship that can get utterly blown to bits if caught in more than one arc.