Tie Advanced Tempest Squad

By Englishpete, in X-Wing

So,

I am going to fly 4 Tempest Advanced for a while.

Would you;

a. Take shield upgrades

b. Take engine upgrades

c. Take Stealth Devices and upgrade 2 Tempests to Storms.

Now, we are not taking any named so please do not suggest them.

So which set up and why?

I think Engine Upgrade would be great. The added mobility would give them quiet an edge and help make up for lack of attack dice. Vader with EU is already great, mostly due to the fact that he can boost + barrel roll but I think it would prove effective on a tempest.

I have been following the thread about the advanced and know what you are trying to do. I hope to see some interesting results.

Honestly I'd try each set a few times and then try mixing them up (2 Eng Up, 2 Shield Up) and see what seems to stick.

How about a Scimitar Squadron Pilot and make it 5 ships?

If not, I'd go:

2x Tempest Squad /w Stealth Device

1x Tempest Squad /w Assault Missiles

1x Tempest Squad /w Homing Missiles

In theory, the Stealthed up pilots can block for the ones with missiles and give them the turn they need to get their TLs.

maybe C, as you may have a chance to dodge alot of shots if your rolls are good. boost is nice too. b or c. A does not give you alot to work with, one more turn is all or a good close shot and your toast

C does look attractive as I could be disciplined and use focus in defense unless I am out of fire arcs. That would really boost the Stealth utility.

Edited by Englishpete

A looks the least attractive, so I'll say C for the sake of having more initiative and trickier craft.

I realize this wasn't one of the choices but I would put Concussion Missiles on them. Four ships with only two attack dice each is going to have trouble putting much damage out. A nice alpha strike could put your opponent at a disadvantage for the remainder of the game.

Why not conclusion missiles on all four?

I like engine upgrades too.

Concussion Missiles, definitely. You've got loads of survivability already, and good maneuverability already. It's your DAMAGE that needs help, and an alpha strike of Concussions help with that.

So,

I am going to fly 4 Tempest Advanced for a while.

Would you;

a. Take shield upgrades

b. Take engine upgrades

c. Take Stealth Devices and upgrade 2 Tempests to Storms.

Now, we are not taking any named so please do not suggest them.

So which set up and why?

id b tempted to replace one with jonus and put cluster missiles on all 3 adv. ties :)

i think an extra shield would be best if u wanted to run upgrades that werent missiles.

Its odd to go all Advanceds and not have Vader around. Since he is off the table, though, I'd take a crack with this squad if I were going to run 4 Advanceds:

Tempest w/ Stealth

Tempest w/ Stealth

Tempest w/ Homing Missile

Tempest w/ Homing Missile

Lead with the 2 with stealth tempests and choose evade for an action - I know you're statistically as likely to benefit from focus as evade, but evade helps keep the stealth device on when you roll all blanks. The homing missiles should provide some punch, though I expect them to be more successful against rebels than a Fighter 7 ship swarm.

If we're going to talk advanceds, lets at least have a slight discussion w/ Vader:

Vader, Squad Leader, Concussion Missile, stealth

Storm Squadron, Homing Missile, stealth

Storm Squadron, Homing Missile, stealth

This list hits harder on the initial volley than the 4 ship build and has a serious edge in pilot skill.

You really don't want to go with Vader? You really want to have a Tempest squad? You really want it bad, don't you ;)

I would go with a Concussion Missile each. I probalby won't go for an Alpha strike (well it depents on the enemy list - imagine you could take out Han Solo early with 4 concussions) but to TL an Focus to maximize the effect.

Maybe I would even go for 4xClusters

I wouldn't use Engine Upgrade (because of the low PS) or Shield upgrade or Stealth Device (this would make the lousy cost/attack efficency of the Advanced even worse).

Imagine the Strom would be at 22 points and had an elite slot. Wouldnt you go with:

4 x (Strom 22 + PTL 3)

?

Hey, this squad would be competitive ;)

I'm pretty sure, based on the OP's comments, that he's playing a game where no named characters are allowed yet. Possibly in the campaign mode. :)

I'm pretty sure, based on the OP's comments, that he's playing a game where no named characters are allowed yet. Possibly in the campaign mode. :)

No, he just want to prove that the Advanced is not competitive. But he must fight as hard as he possibly could ;)

I don't think you need an all TIE advanced list to prove the ship to be a good one, some synergy could help.

Perhaps

Tempest x2

Tempest w/ concussion

Howlrunner w/stealth

Academy pilot.

But, given the builds you seem to be going for, I like the 4 concussion, or a mix of homing and cluster.

Without named pilots, my first response would be engine upgrades. Advanceds are already pretty tough, and there's no defence bonus like not being in arc to be shot at in the first place...

Mr. RealStarKiller has it correct. I am looking to see if I can use the Advanced competitively or if it is a lost cause. I'm starting that research sans named pilots.

:-)

I like the idea of 3x Tempest with missiles and Jonus. The alpha strike will really slaughter some stuff, especially Cluster Missiles (as you're re-rolling 2 of the 3 dice, twice) and then the Advanced isn't a bad dogfighter. Jonus, after the initial volley, can become a blocker against really high PS ships like Han or Wedge, to prevent them from getting actions while your real dogfighters take them out with the pea shooters

The problem with using Jonus is whether he can survive long enough to lend his rerolls. If I faced the list proposed Jonus would be eating fire from every ship I had to pretty much neuter the alpha strike and pretty much every ship sans Academies will shoot before the Tempests.

The problem with using Jonus is whether he can survive long enough to lend his rerolls. If I faced the list proposed Jonus would be eating fire from every ship I had to pretty much neuter the alpha strike and pretty much every ship sans Academies will shoot before the Tempests.

Its actually not too bad to use Jonas as long as you volley fire the missiles. In my favorite advanced list (2x tempest w/ Cluster, 1x Scimitar w/ Proton, Jonus w/ PtL and Homing) I fly like this:

A A

S J

The 2 Advanceds are range 1 away from Jonus, which means you typically get the Scimitar and Jonus at range 3 at the same time that you get the Advanceds at ranged 2. You fire at the same time as rookies, etc, so you just need jonus to survive enemy upgraded ships, which isn't too hard with 6 hull. While it won't happen all the time, I have one volleyed a pair of enemy B-Wings with this formation on turn 2, which is simply amazing. The burst damage you do with the missiles means you're typically just running cleanup on 2-4 ships with your four, which is good odds even considering all your ships only have 2 primary attack value.

I think your best bet is C quite honestly. They already have a high defense, and if you're playing cautiously they'll evade at least a hit, but often more than that. Chip away at the opponents shields for a while, and get Target Locks when they aren't able to hit you. Then pounce, because the Tie Advanced needs that Range 1 bonus, and the barrel rolls are super effective in close range combat. It's a brawler, not a strafer.

How many people actually have 4 advanced?!?!

I say go with missiles. Stealth means you're going to last longer but you'll have to do so just to get the same output as missiles so it's kinda meh. I would stay away from engine upgrades as that kills your actions. How often will boost get you out of an arcane still have a shot of your own without 2 actions?

Think of concussions as getting to shoot 1.75 times a round; not quite as good as twice since you won't get to modify it but still pretty good.

You could also go 3 missiles and one stealth as a lure. That might be a good balance. If your opponent goes for the low wolf you're getting your missiles off. If he ignores the loaner, you know which ships among it to the end game. Offering opponents choices is a garunteed disruption at least some of the time.

I have 4.. but next to the Bomber, I think I like the looks of the Advanced second.. I am an admitted Imperial fan, I love the look of the ties, and due to them being the bad guys they died easily in the movies. I do wish they had more durability, better hull strength.

I think the Advanced has been beaten down enough, I am on board to seenif we can't find a setup for them that works and is competitive.. I have a couple ideas I wanna try out and then try them in a tournament game..