Hey there! So I am preparing for the next week's tournament in Poland and am considering my choices. While I have the most experience with the Imperial Swarm, recently I have been flying some Aces and this is what I intend to take to the tournament. And because it will be my first encounter with organised play, I have some doubts and questions.

My plan is to fly a trio of Darth Vader, Maarek Stele and "Duchess". Now while I have Vader and Stele worked out more or less... "Duchess" is a bit of an issue... My idea for now, is to run with this:

1. Darth Vader (Tie X1) - Afterburners, Fire-Control System (75 total)
2. Maarek Stele (Tie X1) - Afterburners, Fire-Control System, Marksmanship (55 total)
3. "Duchess" (Tie Striker) - Shield Upgrade, Fifth Brother, Juke (64 total)

YASB 2.0

This puts me at a 6 points bid. Which I think is respectable enough to allow me to mostly pick, if I want to fly first or not. But I am conflicted with the Striker. While I would love to grab Juke + Targeting Computer, I don't gave access to this Modification. I am torn between Outmaneuver and Juke. I feel like Evade and Force Token will make the Striker a bit more resilient to incoming damage and having that 5 Initiative will mostly allow me to use Juke to break through defence. But then again, Outmaneuver with Force Token can be even more deadly.

What is the setup people fly "Duchess" with?

Interesting choices, most imperial aces lists will either run Soontir, phantoms(Whisper, Echo), or other force users alongside Vader(Grand inquisitor, Inquisitor, Seventh Sister).

Duches could struggle with action economy and offensive modifiers. I think I like Outmaneuver more than Juke, as it allows more freedom with action choice, and Duches really wants to arc-dodge anyway.

13 minutes ago, Cerebrawl said:

Interesting choices, most imperial aces lists will either run Soontir, phantoms(Whisper, Echo), or other force users alongside Vader(Grand inquisitor, Inquisitor, Seventh Sister).

Duches could struggle with action economy and offensive modifiers. I think I like Outmaneuver more than Juke, as it allows more freedom with action choice, and Duches really wants to arc-dodge anyway.

I am a second edition player. Tie Interceptor and Phantom are not yet out for it. I believe the Interceptor will be available with Wave VI, alongside Defender and Reaper. So... From Empire I have two X1s, a Striker and 7 Fighters. I was considering to buy a V1 for the Grand Inquisitor, but haven't gotten to it yet. And I am not too comfortable flying a ship on a tournament, that I have absolutely no experience with.

17 hours ago, Schanez said:

I am a second edition player. Tie Interceptor and Phantom are not yet out for it. I believe the Interceptor will be available with Wave VI, alongside Defender and Reaper. So... From Empire I have two X1s, a Striker and 7 Fighters. I was considering to buy a V1 for the Grand Inquisitor, but haven't gotten to it yet. And I am not too comfortable flying a ship on a tournament, that I have absolutely no experience with.

That last sentence is probably the right call. As for the list in the OP, I can only second the suggestion to replace Juke with Outmaneuver. Juke is just bad if you have to take an Evade at the expense of another action instead (like Focus), because then your red dice are unmodified and unmodified attacks (even with Juke modifying defence dice) are too unreliable for a 3-ship list. Juke's only good if you can generate Evade tokens (like Phantoms or Defenders) or have some other synergy.

21 hours ago, Schanez said:

I am not too comfortable flying a ship on a tournament, that I have absolutely no experience with.

I have to second that this is a good call. Especially for phantoms, and to some extent Soontir. Phantoms take skill to fly at all, and Soontir takes skill to fly well.

A last observation is that Vader really likes to have Hate, as he can burn through his Force quickly, oh and passive sensors is better than fire-control system on him since it lets him arc-dodge in the engagement phase by linking lock to focus>barrel roll, with a force point.

I'd love to equip Vader with passive sensors, but sadly... None of the second edition expansions I bought had it as an upgrade. I will be talking with friends to borrow cards, so things might change.

3 hours ago, Schanez said:

I'd love to equip Vader with passive sensors, but sadly... None of the second edition expansions I bought had it as an upgrade. I will be talking with friends to borrow cards, so things might change.

Just print a bunch of passive sensors out and use those. Casual players won’t mind as long as you aren’t using them in a hyperspace tournament...

48 minutes ago, pakirby said:

Just print a bunch of passive sensors out and use those. Casual players won’t mind as long as you aren’t using them in a hyperspace tournament...

Polish Championship is kind of an official thing.

A friend won a HST with Juke 5th bro dutchess. It makes her beefier when she can evade every round. At range 3, she dodges 3 hits with average die roll.

He changed to targeting computer for Worlds which makes her hit really hard and gives points for bombs. I like this option better as dutchess can easily dodge lower init to not get shot at, then instead of wasting her action if she also has no shot, she can setup that lock.

Having proton bombs or proxy mines creates a nice area of denial or shutsdown lanes.

1 minute ago, wurms said:

A friend won a HST with Juke 5th bro dutchess. It makes her beefier when she can evade every round. At range 3, she dodges 3 hits with average die roll.

He changed to targeting computer for Worlds which makes her hit really hard and gives points for bombs. I like this option better as dutchess can easily dodge lower init to not get **** at, then instead of wasting her action if she also has not shot, she can setup that lock.

Having proton bombs or proxy mines creates a nice area of denial or shutsdown lanes.

Yeah, my dream "Duchess" set up is Fifth Brother, Targeting Computer and Outmaneuver. You get a lock and Force. Can usually dodge arcs with her. Or at least offer a more juicy target to pew pew at. Alas I still haven't got my hands on those cards. With what I have, I was flying her with the generic Conner Net she comes with. Once or twice with Proton Bomb.

49 minutes ago, Schanez said:

I'd love to equip Vader with passive sensors, but sadly... None of the second edition expansions I bought had it as an upgrade.

If your only issue is the lack of a physical copy of the card, DM me and I can organise so that the folks from my squadron bring a copy for you.

#EskadraMeneli

37 minutes ago, Ryfterek said:

If your only issue is the lack of a physical copy of the card, DM me and I can organise so that the folks from my squadron bring a copy for you.

#EskadraMeneli

Now you made me curious... Which one of the Menels you are. Driving to Poznań with Enzeru I will talk with you guys on Wednesday. Fifth Brother is on his way via post. The rest I have to think about.