This is my third day messing with the Imperials and I have come to these conclusions:

• Howlrunner's a magnificent pilot. I will be adding her to every squadron I make.
• Soontir Fel will benefit greatly from the Imperial Aces additions
• TIE Bombers should be used as long range siege weapons, NEVER in the middle of battle
• *holds a Lambda shuttle* What the fierfek am I supposed to do with this?!
• It's pretty fair that we get all the cool babes (Howlrunner, Kath Scarlet, etc etc) and they're stuck with Princess Leia. That's worth two Death Stars, no?

And finally, the TIE Advanced....

I don't know if it's the way I am using it, but I tried running:

Darth Vader

-Push the Limit (For three actions in one perform action step, thanks to Darth Vader's ability)

-Concussion Missiles

-Engine Upgrade

Originally, I didn't think to add the engine upgrade, and added a shield or hull upgrade instead. But any of these three ways, it feels like the modified TIE Advanced is a mosquito that's trying to make the Rebels stop and scratch. But I figured if I add the engine upgrade and Push the Limit, it'll make the TIE Advanced more able to land hits by zipping into range 1 of a Rebel target. I might try running a list that has 1 Interceptor, 1 Bomber, 2 Advanceds, and MAYBE a Firespray. I'm still trying to learn my way around the Firespray, but I'm not sure if I'm fond of it longterm.

See, I prefer fighters. Yeah I can command a fleet of Star Destroyers with Thrawnian efficiency, but it's the pilots and the fighters I like.

TL;DR: Put Engine Upgrade and Push the Limit on Darth Vader and you should be okay.

How can you not like the Celestial Cyclopean Snowy Orc?

No, Rodent, he just doesn't know what to do with it.. the great white northern mountain orca is just eluding his tatical skill set...

It's too big, it's slow. The only thing I can figure out it's good for is keeping it on that 0-maneuver and giving my fighters a boost.

I was running it last night, and it did great

3 bombers with a collection of different missiles

Jendon + ST-321 + Engine Upgrade and FCS, and it did really well, it had no real issue getting decent shots off, or passing TL to the Bombers.

"Slow" is the last thing the Magnificent Ashen Vacuum Humpbacks are. Mine outrun a-wings.

Concerning the Bomber:

I actually like it in a dog-fight. It's a great distractor, and has excellent range 1 and range 5 options. Very hardy.

Concerning the Shuttle:

Engine Upgrade = Practically Necessary

Fire-Control Systems + Gunner = Facewrecking.

Heavy Laser Cannon + Mercenary Co-Pilot + Mercenary Co-Pilot = Crit-Rifle
Captain Yorr + Green Maneuver = 1 pilot per turn gets a free Adrenaline Rush.

Colonel Jendon + Weapons Engineer, ST-321, and/or Fire-Control Systems = Target-Lock Mothership

Captain Kagi = ???

Concerning Vader:

Have you tried Darth Vader + Engine Upgrade + Daredevil? Insane maneuverability. If only he had attack dice.

For me Shuttles are mostly a Bomber support asset, and you have to take Colonel Jendon for target lock hand off. Otherwise, I would use Captain Yorr to take a couple stress tokens off my Saber Squadron Interceptors after K-turning.

[...]

Concerning Vader:

Have you tried Darth Vader + Engine Upgrade + Daredevil? Insane maneuverability. If only he had attack dice.

I run him like this.. the super-maneuverability through his double actions is amazing for staying outside Firing Arcs. Also on occasion I give him Assault Missiles... Being able to Target Lock [for Missile] + Focus is pretty devastating considering the AoE Effect. With how maneuverable he can be lining up a "Tailpipe" shot shouldn't be that hard, unless they're focusing on Vader.. Downside is with Assault Missiles he's 41pts.

Wait, wait wait wait... you're telling me I can use the shuttle as an OFFENSIVE support vessel?

Intriguing. I think with everything I've read here, I'm going to scrap every Imperial squad I have built so far, and start fresh, so if there's any Imperial pilots out there with tips and tricks, that would be great. I've been working on trying to run Interceptors and Eyeballs, but I don't know what are good EPTs to put on pilots like Mauler Mithel and Howlrunner.

I've been thinking Marksmanship for Mithel, but I'm still drawing a blank on what to put on Howlrunner.

[...]

Concerning Vader:

Have you tried Darth Vader + Engine Upgrade + Daredevil? Insane maneuverability. If only he had attack dice.

I run him like this.. the super-maneuverability through his double actions is amazing for staying outside Firing Arcs. Also on occasion I give him Assault Missiles... Being able to Target Lock [for Missile] + Focus is pretty devastating considering the AoE Effect. With how maneuverable he can be lining up a "Tailpipe" shot shouldn't be that hard, unless they're focusing on Vader.. Downside is with Assault Missiles he's 41pts.

That's why I put the Conc Missiles on him. I'd save the Assault Missiles for someone like Major Rhymer who can increase or decrease the range by one. (Range 2 Adv. Proton Torps, anyone?)

Wait, wait wait wait... you're telling me I can use the shuttle as an OFFENSIVE support vessel?

Intriguing. I think with everything I've read here, I'm going to scrap every Imperial squad I have built so far, and start fresh, so if there's any Imperial pilots out there with tips and tricks, that would be great. I've been working on trying to run Interceptors and Eyeballs, but I don't know what are good EPTs to put on pilots like Mauler Mithel and Howlrunner.

I've been thinking Marksmanship for Mithel, but I'm still drawing a blank on what to put on Howlrunner.

Build Howlrunner DEFENSIVELY. Most of her damage is through every other ship you run, so she could still be your MVP without firing a single shot!

For Howl I'd give her something that increase her survivablity - Determination, Elusiveness, or PTL for Focus+Evade.

Not sure about Assault Missiles dropping to range 1... it would hit the Shooter and everyone else in range 1.

This is my third day messing with the Imperials and I have come to these conclusions:

• Howlrunner's a magnificent pilot. I will be adding her to every squadron I make.
• Soontir Fel will benefit greatly from the Imperial Aces additions
• TIE Bombers should be used as long range siege weapons, NEVER in the middle of battle
• *holds a Lambda shuttle* What the fierfek am I supposed to do with this?!
• It's pretty fair that we get all the cool babes (Howlrunner, Kath Scarlet, etc etc) and they're stuck with Princess Leia. That's worth two Death Stars, no?

And finally, the TIE Advanced....

I don't know if it's the way I am using it, but I tried running:

Darth Vader

-Push the Limit (For three actions in one perform action step, thanks to Darth Vader's ability)

-Concussion Missiles

-Engine Upgrade

TL;DR: Put Engine Upgrade and Push the Limit on Darth Vader and you should be okay.

Howlerunner yes, she is awesome, she really shines in the TIE Swarm. Just remember to protect her.

Soonter Fell+PTL+Stealth Device is already super awesome, and already a little costly. If you are planning on adding even more upgrades he might get a little over pricy

TIE Bombers are great dogfighters. Not quite as manuverable as TIEs, but they have that coveted straight 1 that so many TIEs would kill for. Their 6 Hull points make them hard to beat down. Yes give them missiles and or torps, but don't count them out in their secondary role

It took me a little while to like the Shuttle too. Engine Upgrades help it a lot. So does making it a dedicated suicide ship (with vader and a gunner) If it dead by turn three you don't have to worry as much about it's terrible dogfighting ability.

And Finally Vader is Awesome, I think he is one of the last ships I would put PTL on. Engine Upgrades absolutly, missiles probably. Swarm tactics or squad leader are much better choices for his elite slot.

And there you have it.. Howls Moving Celestial Albino Bovine.

Howlrunner, couple squints and one Celestial Ivory Pachyderm and you're set..

And there you have it.. Howls Moving Celestial Albino Bovine.

Howlrunner, couple squints and one Celestial Ivory Pachyderm and you're set..

Wish i could double like... think I'll rewatch that later this weekend

And there you have it.. Howls Moving Celestial Albino Bovine.

Howlrunner, couple squints and one Celestial Ivory Pachyderm and you're set..

Wish i could double like... think I'll rewatch that later this weekend

Er,,, my version seems to be about a Castle not a Cow.... therefore can't be the right movie... Is this the sequel?

Welcome to the side of righteousness, law, and awesome!

I see you have already tried out most of our ships and even have a little bit of grasp on their use. Hold tight Academy Pilot and you will be rewarded someday. Now grab 4-5 of your classmates, Howlrunner has an assignment for you.

Chanel your anger, fear, hatred, and vengeance and you will be victorious.

And there you have it.. Howls Moving Celestial Albino Bovine.

Howlrunner, couple squints and one Celestial Ivory Pachyderm and you're set..

Wish i could double like... think I'll rewatch that later this weekend

Er,,, my version seems to be about a Castle not a Cow.... therefore can't be the right movie... Is this the sequel?

Castle? Cow-Still? Cow-stle? What exactly are you hinting at? I'm having a tough time seeing what you're trying to tell me

you will not see this squad anywhere (probably for good reason) but i can say that it is fun and play and more competitive than it looks.

Darth Vader/Shield Upgrade/Assault Missiles (38)

Maarek Steele/PTL/Shield Upgrade (34)

Turr Phennir/PTL (28)

if u like fighters then this might be worth a try. assault missiles on vader could be homing missile or even concussion missiles. all 3 ships are flankers and are not designed for a frontal assault. double actions on all ur ships is very good. ur playing more of a cat and mouse game trying to get free shots and keep out of firing arcs (yes Han Shoots First would not be a great matchup for you, or anything with ions cannon/blaster turret). Having said that i narrowly lost a game to a double falcon squad.

The only thing(s) I feel are "broken" with the advanced is the measly 2 attack die and the lack of decent maneuvers. I mean they put the best pilot in the galaxy in a sub-par ship. I fix this by adding engine upgrade and PTL. Adding more would be more overcosted than it already is. Would not use him in a tournament setting though.

Edit: "Him" meaning Vader. I never use the advanced without him. His ability comes in handy in more than one occasion.

I have run vader plus engine plus maybe vet if up against Han Solo. That with bounty hunter and 2 academy is pretty good. I have had good games with that

And there you have it.. Howls Moving Celestial Albino Bovine.

Howlrunner, couple squints and one Celestial Ivory Pachyderm and you're set..

Wish i could double like... think I'll rewatch that later this weekend

Er,,, my version seems to be about a Castle not a Cow.... therefore can't be the right movie... Is this the sequel?

Castle? Cow-Still? Cow-stle? What exactly are you hinting at? I'm having a tough time seeing what you're trying to tell me

Just an amusing play on names.. Howlrunner sets up well for fun switches like that.. lol.. just found it to tickle my funny bone.

Vader's never been anything less than amazing for me, even with 'only' two attack dice.

I feel ya brother, I like Darth vader as is pretty much, his ability is a PtL with no down side.. can't beat that.. and for the best guy in the game, the points reflect that you can't field all the best at one time.. lol