I have two but I rarely fly them, in fact I fly my tie aggressors more. And it's probably strange cause my favorite ship is their big brother. So I figured I'd try to mix a striker in with my 2nd favorite ship, the x1s.

TIE Advanced x1 - Storm Squadron Ace - 44
Storm Squadron Ace - (40)
Marksmanship (1)
Passive Sensors (3)

TIE Advanced x1 - Storm Squadron Ace - 44
Storm Squadron Ace - (40)
Marksmanship (1)
Passive Sensors (3)

TIE Reaper - •Major Vermeil - 60
•Major Vermeil - Veteran of Scarif (49)
Predator (2)
•Director Krennic (4)
•Agent Kallus (5)

TIE/sk Striker - •“Duchess” - 51
•“Duchess” - Urbane Ace (42)
Predator (2)
Hotshot Gunner (7)

Total: 199/200

View in the X-Wing Squad Builder

So the basics here is Duchess rips a token off. Gets OP from Krennic as well. Vermeil can do some serious damage, especially if the target is hunted, and the passive x1s bat cleanup.

Alas, while Duchess can equip Hotshot Gunner, it doesn't function on her attacks. HSG only works on turret attacks, even if it doesn't require a turret arc on the ship, in order to be equipped. Cutting one of the Predator in the list for Crack Shot, plus the 1 point of bid, would be enough to swap up to Fifth Brother, which is a legit gunner on Duchess.

I'd also probably go Crack Shot over Marksmanship on the Storms (I think MMS is good on Maarek Stele, but kinda not on anyone else), but that's pretty minor.

Drop Predator and Hotshot Guner for Fifth Brother on "Duchess". This is what I got with your Krennic and Kallus Reaper.

1. "Duchess" - Fifth Brother, Optimized Prototype
2. Major Vermail - Director Krennic, Agent Kallus
3. Storm Squadron Ace - Fire-Control System, Predator
4. Storm Squadron Ace - Fire-Control System, Predator

You have 3 points to play with. Either for bid or Elusive/Targetting Computer on "Duchess" and no bid. Now... While I get Passive Sensors on the low Initiative X1s, I would fly them with the Predator and FCS. One reroll and a potential of two is big. You can Lock a target and then use Bullseye as threat for more damage. If you want Passive Sensors, I would drop Predators and Grab Lone Wolf on "Duchess" instead.

I must admit, I am not too fond of Agent Kallus and Director Krennic on one ship. Krennic adds you a target Lock and Vermail with Kallus can already swap one Blank/Focus and one Focus into hits. With three Red Dice it is enough imho. "Duchess" also doesn't really want to spend her hit results to remove shields. Although maybe... I'd go with ISB Slicer and use the Reaper Action to Jam, enabling the Green Token removal and activation of Pilot Ability.

EDIT:

I mean... You need to Lock with Reaper to enable "Duchess" stripping shields or flipping cards. And if she is spending one of her dice results, stripping tokens is less likely. Range 2-3 it will be 2 dice attack with one spent for Optimized Prototype. And with Fifth Brother she doesn't want to spend the Focus at all, she wants to flip it into Crit with Force. And then Vermail has a high chance of shooting a Focused/Evading ship, preventing his pilot ability to trigger. And he throws 3 dice from which he can flip a Focus into Hit from Kallus and Blank/Focus into Hit from himself, if he can. So a wasted Target Lock imho.

1. "Duchess" - Outmaneuver, Fifth Brother / Elusive, Fifth Brother, Targeting Computer
2. Major Vermail - ISB Slicer, Agent Kallus
3. Storm Squadron Ace - Passive Sensors
4. Storm Squadron Ace - Passive Sensors

Is what I would roll with. "Duchess" is super dangerous with Outmaneuver/Targeting Computer. She will hit super hard and people will be more tempted to spend that Green Token to prevent her rain of pain. Then you can trigger Vermail and Kallus at once more reliably. X1s can mop up the remaining enemies or act as blockers and annoyance.

2 hours ago, Schanez said:

• "Duchess" - Outmaneuver, Fifth Brother / Elusive, Fifth Brother, Targeting Computer
• Major Vermail - ISB Slicer, Agent Kallus
• Storm Squadron Ace - Passive Sensors
• Storm Squadron Ace - Passive Sensors

Looks nice. the one tweak I might suggest is:

• "Duchess" - Outmanoeuvre, Fifth Brother, Afterburners
• Major Vermail - Agent Kallus
• Tempest Squadron Pilot - Passive Sensors
• Tempest Squadron Pilot - Passive Sensors

With Passive Sensors and no Talent upgrade, the extra cost on a Storm Squadron Ace seems a bit redundant, and whilst retaining jam tokens is nice, I'm not sure it's that amazing. By comparison, Afterburners on Duchess is amazing - dial in a speed 3 move and you have an optional 'boost' both before AND after your manoeuvre, and unlike any other ship, you can do both if you need to, allowing big swoopy turns.

57 minutes ago, Magnus Grendel said:

With Passive Sensors and no Talent upgrade, the extra cost on a Storm Squadron Ace seems a bit redundant, and whilst retaining jam tokens is nice, I'm not sure it's that amazing. By comparison, Afterburners on Duchess is amazing - dial in a speed 3 move and you have an optional 'boost' both before AND after your manoeuvre, and unlike any other ship, you can do both if you need to, allowing big swoopy turns.

If I were to spend points for Modification on "Duchess" it would usually be a Shield Upgrade. A random Crit she cannot avoid can be debilitating on her. But then again, Afterburners are epic as well. Right now I am testflying a "Duchess" with Fifth Brother and Juke. She is quite tanky and can chew through the Agility Dice a bit more consistent. My biggest problem with Afterburners on "Duchess" is that she has no turn around maneuvers that can trigger them. Just a 1 K-Turn and a 2 S-Loop. But those 135 turns do sound tempting. She can be quite the speedy bee with Afterburners. I think the only faster ship would be a Phantom with Afterburners, but surely not more agile in turns.

EDIT:

I am honestly not too fond of Vermail shooting second in the list. Thus came up with this, that fits my taste a bit more.

1. Darth Vader - FCS, Afterburners
2. "Duchess" - Fifth Brother, Afterburners
3. Major Vermeil - Agent Kallus, 0-0-0, Juke

Vader and "Duchess" are quite deadly in their offensive capabilities, opening Vermeil to use his ability more consistently. Juke keeps him alive a bit more and makes enemies target the Advanced or Striker over the Reaper. And he can pew pew through a lot of defences with that set up.

15 hours ago, KingmanHighborn said:

in fact I fly my tie aggressors more.

Absolutely off-topic, but I gotta know: How do you usually outfit your Aggressors? I love the ship itself and own two, but I can never decide on something that seems satisfactory for them.

32 minutes ago, Vectivus333 said:

Absolutely off-topic, but I gotta know: How do you usually outfit your Aggressors? I love the ship itself and own two, but I can never decide on something that seems satisfactory for them.

Kestal isn't bad. She needs some sort of 'built-in' dice modification - either Fifth Brother (if no-one else is carrying him!) or else Predator or Ruthless - to allow her to spend her focus on her ability. It's great for dealing with stuff like Full Throttle ships that normally come stacked with Focus/Evade - nothing upsets them more than having everything but naturally rolled evades 'vanish' before they can do anything with them.

1. Vader - FCS, Afterburners
2. Duchess - Juke, Targeting Computer, BT-1
3. Vermeil - Juke, 0-0-0, Agent Kallus

4 hours ago, Vectivus333 said:

Absolutely off-topic, but I gotta know: How do you usually outfit your Aggressors? I love the ship itself and own two, but I can never decide on something that seems satisfactory for them.

If I just want to be annoying this one is great

VT-49 Decimator - •Rear Admiral Chiraneau - 107
•Rear Admiral Chiraneau - Advisor to Admiral Piett (76)
Swarm Tactics (4)
•Grand Moff Tarkin (6)
Proton Bombs (5)
Shield Upgrade (3)
• Dauntless (4)
•Fifth Brother (9)

TIE/ag Aggressor - Onyx Squadron Scout - 46
Onyx Squadron Scout - (30)
Swarm Tactics (3)
Ion Cannon Turret (5)
Veteran Turret Gunner (8)

TIE/ag Aggressor - Onyx Squadron Scout - 46
Onyx Squadron Scout - (30)
Swarm Tactics (3)
Ion Cannon Turret (5)
Veteran Turret Gunner (8)

Total: 199/200

View in the X-Wing Squad Builder

Trap a ship up against RAC, aggressors double tap, and ion targets to either ion drift into each or even just drop the proton on. It's a headache for a friend of mine that loves to block.

The other one I like is this:

TIE/ag Aggressor - Sienar Specialist - 33
Sienar Specialist - (28)
Ion Cannon Turret (5)

TIE/ag Aggressor - Sienar Specialist - 33
Sienar Specialist - (28)
Ion Cannon Turret (5)

TIE/sa Bomber - Scimitar Squadron Pilot - 37
Scimitar Squadron Pilot - (29)
Barrage Rockets (8)

TIE/sa Bomber - Scimitar Squadron Pilot - 37
Scimitar Squadron Pilot - (29)
Barrage Rockets (8)

TIE/sa Bomber - •Captain Jonus - 57
•Captain Jonus - Disciplined Instructor (43)
Saturation Salvo (6)
Barrage Rockets (8)

Total: 197/200

View in the X-Wing Squad Builder

don't overbuild strikers

they're four hull, two agility. In layman's terms, they're like a patchwork scarecrow staring down an active flamethrower

Literally all you "need" is a named pilot and maybe crackshot.

Let them flank or run them with similarly mobile ships, such as the Phantom

On 10/30/2019 at 10:28 PM, ficklegreendice said:

don't overbuild strikers

they're four hull, two agility. In layman's terms, they're like a patchwork scarecrow staring down an active flamethrower

Been flying an overbuilt Striker on the recent Polish Championship and I can double tap on what is said here. 2 Agility with my 4 Hull and 1 Shield was not enough to protect the points.

Depending how you want to fly the Striker, you have a few options. I still love Fifth Brother on my "Duchess" but I am going to drop Shield and Juke for simply Predator or Targeting Computer. While I got some use from Juke, it was too rare to excuse the 7 points cost. And with no rerolls, Striker lacks a lot of ompf. Going for a couple generic Black Squadron Scouts with Crack Shot is a neat idea.

how do you feel about these upgrades?

“Duchess” (42)
Predator (2)
Fifth Brother (9)

“Vizier” (45)

“Countdown” (44)
Predator (2)
Hull Upgrade (5)

“Pure Sabacc” (44)
Ruthless (1)
Shield Upgrade (6)
Total: 200

Outmaneuver + TC on Duchess looks nice also.

Countdown + 💣 has been a thought.

I have been having a ton of fun with this list. It's not competitive (despite me being 4- 0 with it) but the fun interactions with Snapshot are cool.

Rexler Brath (81)
Predator (2)
Jamming Beam (0)

Ship total: 83 Half Points: 42 Threshold: 4

"Pure Sabacc" (44)
Snap Shot (7)
Fifth Brother (9)
Shield Upgrade (6)

Ship total: 66 Half Points: 33 Threshold: 3

Turr Phennir (44)
Snap Shot (7)

Ship total: 51 Half Points: 26 Threshold: 2


Total: 200

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0: https://raithos.github.io/?f=Galactic Empire&d=v8ZsZ200Z196X127WW12WY210X256W82WW165Y180X256WW&sn=Turr-ible!&obs=

23 hours ago, polmoneys said:

how do you feel about these upgrades?

“Duchess” (42)
Predator (2)
Fifth Brother (9)

“Vizier” (45)

“Countdown” (44)
Predator (2)
Hull Upgrade (5)

“Pure Sabacc” (44)
Ruthless (1)
Shield Upgrade (6)
Total: 200

Outmaneuver + TC on Duchess looks nice also.

Countdown + 💣 has been a thought.

I like but I only have 2 strikers. Love the Reaper though. Maybe Feroph or Vermeil.

23 hours ago, polmoneys said:

Countdown + 💣 has been a thought.

Don't forget Delayed Fuses on Countdown! 😄

Why? Delayed Fuses seem absolutely useless to me. If anything, wouldn't skilled bombardier be better?

12 minutes ago, KingmanHighborn said:

Why? Delayed Fuses seem absolutely useless to me. If anything, wouldn't skilled bombardier be better?

Only played a few Delayed Fuses games, but it's felt nice as an option. Depending on board state, putting down a bomb and letting it go off a turn late can be a big amount of zone control, or just set things up for an opponent that can't turn too well to come into the bomb radius a few turns later.

Also works great with Seismic Charges, since those can often be dropped in the middle of a few obstacles, and you'd be able to pick which one you want to blow up. That's a lot bigger of a zone to scare opponents away from.

//

Skilled Bombardier pushes things only 1 speed, which never seemed that good to me. It's not too big a distance.

//

However, they're both the kind of upgrades which need to be felt on the table to really get a sense of them.

Double Reaper double striker action:

“Vizier” (45)

Captain Feroph (47)
Emperor Palpatine (11)

“Countdown” (44)
Crack Shot (1)

“Duchess” (42)
Crack Shot (1)
Fifth Brother (9)
Total: 200

Tough list with countdown and feroph who can take awhile to kill.

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

“Vizier” (45)
Emperor Palpatine (11)

“Pure Sabacc” (44)

“Duchess” (42)
Fifth Brother (9)
Total: 200

Sabaac takes the heat off your init 5 ships. Vizier can coordinate Maarek a focus, or Sabaac an evade, and still provide force for another ship or use for his attack.

4 hours ago, KingmanHighborn said:

Why? Delayed Fuses seem absolutely useless to me.

Joke. Delayed Fuses. Countdown. Geddit?

Okay so something like this?

TIE Advanced x1 - •Maarek Stele - 49
•Maarek Stele - Servant of the Empire (46)
Marksmanship (1)
Fire-Control System (2)

TIE/sk Striker - •“Duchess” - 53
•“Duchess” - Urbane Ace (42)
Predator (2)
•Fifth Brother (9)

TIE/sk Striker - •“Pure Sabacc” - 52
•“Pure Sabacc” - Confident Gambler (44)
Predator (2)
Shield Upgrade (6)

TIE Reaper - Scarif Base Pilot - 44
Scarif Base Pilot - (41)
ISB Slicer (3)

Total: 198/200

View in the X-Wing Squad Builder

Have the Reaper coordinate and then go make a nuisance of itself as a jam/blocker, while the rest of the group gets close and hurts things?

11 hours ago, Rossetti1828 said:

Joke. Delayed Fuses. Countdown. Geddit?

Gold

The thing is that it might not be a bad joke to make.
Countdown is the only Striker semi-reliable enough to take on a low ship-count alpha strike and deliver that device.
I see potential with Seismics: Drop in an area and dare the aces to come chasing you/deny a clean escape path two turns down the road.

Alternatively, useful as a Lead In Fighter:
I have (in the past) used Countdown as a screen for Sabaac. Countdown goes ahead and dares the opponent to waste a shot on her, whilst Sabaac dares the opponent to take a longer range shot, more likely to be obstructed.
Was probably better when Trick Shot was cheaper. Interestingly, in my local area, ordnance has gone out of favour somewhat, making this a better strategy.... this requires further thought.....
Anyhew.... with Delayed Fuses, this potentially allows Sabaac and Countdown to block a lane for a turn, then (when they clear out) have a bomb detonate as the opponent clears through (or forces the opponent to divert).
Alternatively, Countdown dropping a Proximity Mine will not automatically detonate when Sabaac passes over it, again blocking a lane.

1 hour ago, Vespid1311 said:

I see potential with Seismics: Drop in an area and dare the aces to come chasing you/deny a clean escape path two turns down the road.

Agreed. Being able to drop a charge within range 1 of 2 obstacles at once isn't hard - as @theBitterFig notes, and putting an optional 1 turn delay on as well gives you a rather nice 'smart minefield' for still less than the price of a proximity mine.

I think all three named striker pilots have a good use now - I'm convinced Duchess is still the 'best' but Snap Shot is great for Pure Sabbac, and Delayed Fuzes does give Countdown some value as a kamikaze bomber.

5 minutes ago, Magnus Grendel said:

I think all three named striker pilots have a good use

I'm also looking forward to seeing what Vagabond brings to the party.

What about the generics? I never see them get used at all.

13 minutes ago, Rossetti1828 said:

I'm also looking forward to seeing what Vagabond brings to the party.

Ooh. Didn't realise there was a fourth in one of the new boxes! Goddammit! Need to go back to practicing with strikers...the idea of a squad of four named aces is dangerously tempting. I have a reaper and flying three with a reaper is nice, but the reaper does turn like a cow .

Mind you, a trio of V1's that nobody expects could be cool too.

11 minutes ago, KingmanHighborn said:

What about the generics? I never see them get used at all.

Very flexible. I love flying a set of five. You can get a simple but very satisfying squad of five planetary sentinels with a 6-point upgrade (favourites are proximity mines, afterburners and shield upgrades) or four Black Squadron Scouts and Duchess each with a 1-point upgrade (ruthless or crack shot)