Hi!

Not played Empire that much. I have:

3 Tie/ln

1 X1

1 striker

1 inquisitor

I was thinking about Vadar, Inquisitor and Douches maybe... Thanks for any help :)

Some of it depends on whether you're willing to proxy some upgrades. When I was getting started, I'd print off copies of upgrades I didn't have. No one will care, and folks might try to help you out with spare copies of their own.

I'd go with one of these four lists:

• Vader, Duchess, Grand Inquisitor: three aces who are all pretty decent.
  • Darth Vader ([Passive Sensors or Fire Control System], Afterburners) 75-76
  • Grand Inquisitor () 52
  • Duchess (Crack Shot, Fifth Brother, Shield Upgrade) 58
    • Currenty, there's 14 points to spare here, so that's a lot of wiggle room. Some options include:
      • Upgrading Duchess to Predator, or cutting Shield for Hull would be fine, and can gain a point or spend one
      • Putting Fire Control System on the Grand Inquisitor can be nice, and maybe a missile (the best is probably Concussion Missiles)
      • A bomb for Duchess would be nice (the best option is probably Proximity Mine, but you might not have a copy... Proton Bombs could also be nice, but I wouldn't bother with Conner Net)
      • Hate is a pretty decent Force Talent on pretty much anyone
    • This is also a list where having a little bit of a bid might be nice.
• Vader, Duchess, TIEs: Vader and Duchess are nimble hitters, with the TIEs being good at blocking and Wampa is a great distraction. Folks will try to attack them, to save themselves from a 3-dice attack, and that means fewer attacks into Vader and Duchess who are the most important pieces.
  • Darth Vader (Sense, [Passive Sensors or Fire Control System], Afterburners) 80-81
    • Sense lets you peak at dials, which lets your Wampa/Academy Pilots get in your opponent's way, and lets Duchess and Vader know where they have to move to avoid getting shot. If it's a bit too complicated, I'd suggest Hate (proxy if you have to) in order to keep Vader's force high.
    • Fire Control System is the easiest upgrade, but Passive Sensors is the newly popular one. When you take a lock or Calculate action before you engage, you can use Vader's ability to perform a barrel roll, which can be pretty handy. Vader can just barrel roll normally, but maybe you're moving and shooting first against another Initiative 6 ship, so having the last word in movement actions can be nice.
  • Duchess (Crack Shot or Predator) 43-44
  • Wampa () 30
  • Academy Pilot () 23
  • Academy Pilot () 23
• To split the difference:
  • Darth Vader ([Passive Sensors or Fire Control System], Afterburners) 75-76
  • Duchess (Crack Shot or Predator) 43-44
    • Either Countdown or Pure Sabacc with Crack Shot is also decent, but I think Duchess is the best Striker
  • Wampa () 30
    • Could also probably be Mauler Mithel, probably with Crack Shot, for 32-33 points
  • Seventh Sister (Fire Control System) 46
    • Seventh Sister is a nice little budget pilot, who's pilot ability can be nasty. Pushing damage on someone through green dice is quite good.
    • Maybe fill the points with Hate on Sev and/or Vader, or Mauler, or a different Striker, or just a bit of bid.
• Not feeling like Vader? Try this!
  • Maarek Stele (Crack Shot or Marksmanship, Fire Control System) 49
    • Maarek is a decent enough little pilot. He's a bit awkward with needing a lock, but having great green dice that want a focus, but he's decent for his cost when fairly cheap. Folks have a lot of preferences for what Talent he should get. Marksmanship can be nasty, since picking out crits on your opponent's ship can be game-ending, but Crack Shot helps ensure that a crit will make it past your opponent's green dice.
  • Duchess (Crack Shot) 43
  • Howlrunner (Crack Shot) 41
  • Mauler Mithel (Crack Shot) 33
  • Scourge Skutu (Crack Shot) 33
    • Lots of high initiative ships. Basic strategy is probably to jam them into an opponent's face, and try to kill a ship before it can shoot. I'm sure folks who are more practiced with the list would tell me that's all wrong, but *shrug*

Have fun, @player4233697

Wow!! Thats just superb @theBitterFig !! Thank you so much! I will probably start with a list containing Tie Inq because I have never played with it. But heres a lot to play around with

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

Grand Inquisitor (52)
Fire-Control System (2)

Academy Pilot (23)

Academy Pilot (23)

Academy Pilot (23)
Total: 198

Some nice blockers/fodder for Vader and Inqy to get position and do their thang.

“Wampa” (30)

Gideon Hask (30)

Academy Pilot (23)

Darth Vader (67)
Sense (5)
Fire-Control System (2)
Afterburners (6)

Inquisitor (35)
Fire-Control System (2)
Total: 200

Gideon and Wampa up your dice output. Academy is a good blocker. Vader is your heavy hitter and Sense's for blockers. Inquisitor will be hardest to take down and pretty much ignored, letting him get inside/take over middle of map where those hard1s keeo him on target like a little turret and the hits just keep coming.

This is a very easy to play list if you need to get your feet wet before playing high risk aces.

Empire Ideas

(67) Darth Vader [TIE Advanced x1]
(2) Fire-Control System
Points: 69

(52) Grand Inquisitor [TIE Advanced v1]
(2) Fire-Control System
Points: 54

(44) "Countdown" [TIE/sk Striker]
(2) Predator
Points: 46

(30) Seyn Marana [TIE/ln Fighter]
(1) Marksmanship
Points: 31

Total points: 200

I am currently flying this:

1. Darth Vader: Afterburners, Sense, Fire-Control System
2. Maarek Stele: Afterburners, Marksmanship, Fire-Control System
3. "Duchess": Shield Upgrade, Outmaneuver, Skilled Bombardier, Conner Net

But once the most recent purchases come over, I am swapping to:

1. Darth Vader: Afterburners, Fire-Control System
2. Grand Inquisitor: Fire-Control System, Ion Missiles
3. "Duchess": Shield Upgrade, Fifth Brother, Juke

Idea is to let "Duchess" roll with an Evade Token each turn and do some shoot shoot. Due to the leftover points, 3 in total actually, Vader can fit Hate if I feel like it. You more or less have 3 ships with 6, 5 and 5 Initiative, each can shoot 3 attack dice and has decent tankiness with the agility they have. Alternatively you can equip "Duchess" with Outmaneuver, Fifth Brother and Targeting Computer for the most Dakka Dakka she can possibly fit.

According to the X-Wing calculator, a "Duchess" with Juke against an T-65 X-Wing is expected to hit 0.927 hits on average. But one with Target Lock 1.409 and if we consider Outmaneuver as well, that goes up to 2.021 which is already quite potent. Just a matter of knowing how to fly her. And flying after your enemy.

There's always Vader plus a mini-swarm:

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

Ship total: 75 Half Points: 38 Threshold: 3

"Howlrunner" (40)
Swarm Tactics (4)
Shield Upgrade (8)

Ship total: 52 Half Points: 26 Threshold: 2

Del Meeko (30)
Crack Shot (1)

Ship total: 31 Half Points: 16 Threshold: 2

Seyn Marana (30)
Marksmanship (1)
Shield Upgrade (8)

Ship total: 39 Half Points: 20 Threshold: 2


Total: 197

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0: https://raithos.github.io/?f=Galactic Empire&d=v8ZsZ200Z173XW113WW105Y217X132W165Y222X116WY224X125W165&sn=New Squadron&obs=

You can basically swap your TIE pilots out to taste aside from Howlrunner. Del Meeko adds some defense, and I almost always take Seyn out to push those damage cards through, which in this case helps to proc Del's ability. Gives your swarm some defense vs. a big threat. There's also room to slap Hate onto Vader if you're not worried about a bid.

Passive sensors is so much better than fire-control system on Vader.

It allows you to arc-dodge at the start of engagement(whichever action you choose, you can use a force to also barrel roll). Just keep the barrel roll available.

If you're taking Wampa, someone in the squad needs swarm tactics and to hold his hand.

With your list, it's also possible to do the Five 5s. Maarek Stele, "Duchess", Howlrunner, "Mauler" and "Scourge". You have a bit left for upgrades as you see fit. I use FCS and Marksmanship on X1, Predator on Striker and Crack Shots on Fighters.

16 hours ago, KingmanHighborn said:

If you're taking Wampa, someone in the squad needs swarm tactics and to hold his hand.

Swarm Tactics is nice with Wampa, but Wampa at Init 1 serves as a semi-Biggs, drawing fire to negate the extra attack die. There's going to be advantages to both styles, depending on the list.

Maybe this helps keep Vader or Duchess alive, and they're far more important. If it's a swarm where Howlrunner wants to stay near Wampa anyhow, Swarm Tactics seems vital. If it's Vader/Duchess and some Academy blockers, trying to Swarm Tactics would mess up your mobility and positioning. Maybe it's worth putting in the extra 2-3 points for Mauler Mithel or Scourge Skutu (and probably Crack Shot). Depends on the player, I guess.

1 hour ago, theBitterFig said:

Swarm Tactics is nice with Wampa, but Wampa at Init 1 serves as a semi-Biggs, drawing fire to negate the extra attack die. There's going to be advantages to both styles, depending on the list.

This too. Wampa is a fantastic flanker/yolo line runner, just as he comes. They go for him in that awkward spot, great. They don't, also great.

I flew this and it was a lot of fun. Will try Douches with Fifth Brother next time

Soft Empire

(52) Grand Inquisitor [TIE Advanced v1]
(2) Fire-Control System
Points: 54

(67) Darth Vader [TIE Advanced x1]
(3) Passive Sensors
Points: 70

(42) "Duchess" [TIE/sk Striker]
(2) Predator
Points: 44

(30) Seyn Marana [TIE/ln Fighter]
(1) Marksmanship
Points: 31

Total points: 199

Im trying this tonight

TIE Advanced x1 - •Darth Vader - 78
•Darth Vader - Black Leader (67)
Fire-Control System (2)
Afterburners (6)
Hate (3)

TIE/ln Fighter - Academy Pilot - 23
Academy Pilot - (23)

TIE/ln Fighter - Academy Pilot - 23
Academy Pilot - (23)

TIE/ln Fighter - •“Howlrunner” - 43
•“Howlrunner” - Obsidian Leader (40)
Elusive (3)

TIE/ln Fighter - •Del Meeko - 33
•Del Meeko - Inferno Three (30)
Elusive (3)

Total: 200/200

View in the X-Wing Squad Builder

1. Maarek Stele - Marksmanship, Fire-Control System
2. "Duchess" - Fifth Brother
3. "Scourge" Skutu - Predator
4. "Mauler" Mithel - Predator
5. Gideon Hask - Predator

Maarek Stele can easily force enemies to burn through tokens due to his "pick a critical out of three" ability and its synergy with Tie X1 and Marksmanship. "Duchess" is just doing her things, just in a "Super Offensive Force Token Flying Style" now. The trio of Tie Fighters can easily fly together or spread out. Gideon is shooting last, so there is a high chance his pilot ability will be triggered when he gets to fire. The list is heavily based on the player's ability to line up Bulls Eye, as four out of five ships will be best when that happens. Best case scenario you have five ships, that each roll three red dice at the enemy, with four of them rolling also three green dice to defend.

YASB 2.0

Some interceptor list ideas?

38 minutes ago, player4233697 said:

Some interceptor list ideas?

Classic Vader, Soontir and "Duchess"/Grand Inquisitor?

Sounds nice:)

Edit:

Maybe something like this

(53) Soontir Fel [TIE Interceptor]
(8) Shield Upgrade
(1) Marksmanship
Points: 62

(67) Darth Vader [TIE Advanced x1]
(6) Afterburners
(2) Fire-Control System
Points: 75

(52) Grand Inquisitor [TIE Advanced v1]
(5) Cluster Missiles
(2) Fire-Control System
Points: 59

Total points: 196

Soontir wants Predator. You are aiming your bullseye for the focus. Or Juke to get both Focus and Evade. Vader wants Passive Sensors because you get a new window to trigger his pilot ability. And you don't need missiles on GI.

Then 7 pts bid or put on some more mods you think?

(53) Soontir Fel [TIE Interceptor]
(8) Shield Upgrade
(2) Predator
Points: 63

(67) Darth Vader [TIE Advanced x1]
(6) Afterburners
(3) Passive Sensors
Points: 76

(52) Grand Inquisitor [TIE Advanced v1]
(2) Fire-Control System
Points: 54

Total points: 193

You could probably skip the bid, even though Soontir wants one, by putting Sense on the grand inquisitor, and Vader wants Hate because he's going to be burning through that force pool. Drop fire-control to make room. If you still really want a bid with Soontir, take off the shield upgrade training wheels.

9 hours ago, player4233697 said:

Then 7 pts bid or put on some more mods you think?

(53) Soontir Fel [TIE Interceptor]
(8) Shield Upgrade
(2) Predator
Points: 63

(67) Darth Vader [TIE Advanced x1]
(6) Afterburners
(3) Passive Sensors
Points: 76

(52) Grand Inquisitor [TIE Advanced v1]
(2) Fire-Control System
Points: 54

Total points: 193

Nothing wrong with Shield upgrade but you may want to consider stealth device on Soontir instead. If you are going for the bid, probably do FCS instead of passive sensors. If you are not getting more than a few bid points passive could work, but that’s just me. I like the reliability of FCS.

Think I might try something like this:

(53) Soontir Fel [TIE Interceptor]
(8) Stealth Device
(1) Marksmanship
Points: 62

(67) Darth Vader [TIE Advanced x1]
(3) Hate
(6) Afterburners
(3) Passive Sensors
Points: 79

(52) Grand Inquisitor [TIE Advanced v1]
(5) Sense
(2) Fire-Control System
Points: 59

Total points: 200

Probably the right call. Against no-bid lists you're probably beating their initiative anyway, against high initiative ace lists you can't afford the bidding war(who wants a 15-20 point bid to be safe?) That's what makes sense such a god-send for this list. You'll at least know the dial of an opposing ace to inform how you fly Soontir, and Vader doesn't mind so much since he can arc-dodge in the engagement phase with perfect information thanks to his pilot ability and passive sensors. I'd probably pick crack shot over marksmanship, as it becomes a guaranteed point of damage, but that's nitpicking.

If you've got access to it, Soontir can use a Targeting Computer now too. Works nicely with his ability, as he's got more room to use that Focus token for defense if needs be. I usually throw the Targeting Computer and Afterburners on him.