Before I get into my post, I'd just like to say that this is my very first post on this forum. It looks like an interesting, supportive and friendly community (which is why I made an account!) so this should be fun. Anyway, I looked around a bit and didn't see any kind of sticky'd FORUM RULES thread so if I inadvertently break any rules, I apologize.

Ok, let's get our hands dirty...

So this is, I believe, an interesting and unique trick to use. But it requires a few things:

Darth Vader, or another PS 9 pilot with Squad Leader.

Soontir Fel with Push The Limit.

step 1: During your planning phase, give Soontir a green maneuver, and Give your Vader (or Vader proxy) a maneuver that will bring it into range 1 of Soontir's current position.

step 2: Resolve "Vader" first. Use Squad Leader to give Soontir a free action of your choice (boost, barrel roll, or evade would be best).

step 3: Trigger Push The Limit (since it doesn't need to be an action in Soontir's action step, it just says 'immediately after performing an action') to perform your second action. Receive your stress token as per PTL's rules. Assign your focus token as per Soontir Fel's pilot ability.

step 4: reveal your maneuver dial (which should be a green maneuver) for soontir fel. remove your stress token. Now the 'Check Stress' phase occurs, allowing you to remove the stress token you acquired earlier from PTL.

Step 5: Execute your regularly scheduled action for Soontir Fel. Depending on your actions taken, you could theoretically be in an excellent position for the combat round (AKA being at Range 1 for the thing you want to kill), with AT LEAST 1 focus token, an evade token, and no stress tokens.

Generally, this is very useful for getting a lot of actions. If your initial actions are boosts or barrel rolls, using this effectively will require a high degree of skill at eyeballing template movements and distances. I am a graphic designer and screen printer by trade, so this is something I am capable of. HOWEVER, this strategy becomes extra helpful if your opposition uses Ion Cannons or Turrets. Ending a turn with an ion token AND stress token for an Interceptor is almost certain death (and is also the reason I created this tactic). Otherwise in that situation your only defense is being tremendously lucky in the defense phase.

I LOVE IT!!!!

Reread the post and realized I don't know what I'm talking about

Squad Leader only works on pilots with a lower pilot skill rating than the 'leader.' Since Soontir is PS9, there are currently no pilots who can perform this function for him, as adding Veteran Instincts to a pilot uses up the upgrade slot needed for Squad leader.

Should a natural PS10 imperial pilot ever get printed, then soontir could move and take his action, then the PS10 uses SqL, giving Soontir a second action which he PTLs for a third, a stress and a focus token. Unfortunately Soontir would still be stressed for the next rounds planning phase.

I doubt they will ever break into natural double digit pilot skill so it's pretty much moot. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Alas.

On the plus side, Ibtisam and Ten Nunb can do this on their own, using Advanced Sensors.

Squad Leader only works on pilots with a lower pilot skill rating than the 'leader.' Since Soontir is PS9, there are currently no pilots who can perform this function for him, as adding Veteran Instincts to a pilot uses up the upgrade slot needed for Squad leader.

Should a natural PS10 imperial pilot ever get printed, then soontir could move and take his action, then the PS10 uses SqL, giving Soontir a second action which he PTLs for a third, a stress and a focus token. Unfortunately Soontir would still be stressed for the next rounds planning phase.

I doubt they will ever break into natural double digit pilot skill so it's pretty much moot. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Crap, you are right. **** for overlooking something like that. Well, It's good that I was made aware of that before actually trying to field it. Well, i suppose it's still possible to salvage a chunk of this combo, with a weaker Pilot. Especially many of the upcoming Imperial Aces interceptor pilots could benefit from PTL and then removing the stress token with their green maneuver, just not quite as well without the free focus.

If they ever release a card that gives more than one Elite Talent though….. a man can dream can't he?

Alas.

On the plus side, Ibtisam and Ten Nunb can do this on their own, using Advanced Sensors.

That is true. But I play strictly Imperial and to my knowledge there are no current one man craft that can get system upgrades. so Advanced Sensors is not a choice for me.

What about using it with Tur Phenir (or however it's spelled)? Normally PTL isn't a great choice as it prevents the movement action after firing, and his ability benefits from the veteran instinct PS boost, but it could work decently in this combo.

Squad Leader only works on pilots with a lower pilot skill rating than the 'leader.' Since Soontir is PS9, there are currently no pilots who can perform this function for him, as adding Veteran Instincts to a pilot uses up the upgrade slot needed for Squad leader.

Should a natural PS10 imperial pilot ever get printed, then soontir could move and take his action, then the PS10 uses SqL, giving Soontir a second action which he PTLs for a third, a stress and a focus token. Unfortunately Soontir would still be stressed for the next rounds planning phase.

I doubt they will ever break into natural double digit pilot skill so it's pretty much moot. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Crap, you are right. **** for overlooking something like that. Well, It's good that I was made aware of that before actually trying to field it. Well, i suppose it's still possible to salvage a chunk of this combo, with a weaker Pilot. Especially many of the upcoming Imperial Aces interceptor pilots could benefit from PTL and then removing the stress token with their green maneuver, just not quite as well without the free focus.

If they ever release a card that gives more than one Elite Talent though….. a man can dream can't he?

Sadly that still won't work. The pilot with PTL activates before the SqL.

Your dream of using PTL then activating with a green move to clear the stress from it is currently only possible on rebel side with Lando and a PS 7-9 with PTL, or as stated the named Bwings w/ PTL and Advanced Sensors

But you can use Vader w/ SqL and Turr w/ PTL for 4 actions on one ship. Turr activates, focuses. Vader activates, SqL lets Turr evade (or target lock when Imp. Aces comes out). After Turr attacks he can boost or roll, then PTL for the other to dodge enemy firing arcs. Still stressed going into next round, but that can't be helped as things stand.

Well since Squad Leader doesn't work with someone of the same skill level then things kinda fall apart. Turr Phennir would end up moving first, PTL, stress token, and then would not be able to perform any action later so someone with Squad Leader would not be able to have them do anything.

I have only one person that I can play this game with so far, and I leave everything at his house so I when I come up with strategies in my head I don't have the cards on hand to reference. Having to look them all up individually instead of having them all out in front of me is what lead to this little overlook in the first place.

EDIT: yes Ansible, that is true. You beat me to mentioning it though. And yes, the other thing you suggested with Vader/Turr is something I have already done.

What about using it with Tur Phenir (or however it's spelled)? Normally PTL isn't a great choice as it prevents the movement action after firing, and his ability benefits from the veteran instinct PS boost, but it could work decently in this combo.

The trick to Turr is letting PTL trigger from his boost, instead of before combat.

First post here but my usual squad is fel stealth device an ptl tur expose stealth device an Vader concussion missile an squad leader point is tur exposes at range one Vader gives him a focus an usually guarantees 4 or 5 hits then he boosts away

First post here but my usual squad is fel stealth device an ptl tur expose stealth device an Vader concussion missile an squad leader point is tur exposes at range one Vader gives him a focus an usually guarantees 4 or 5 hits then he boosts away

I use Turr + Vader to get a little more out of Turr but in general it's not really impressive enough. Turr + PTL is pretty nuts on it's own and Fel + PTL is probably just as good as Vader so save yourself some points and stick with those 2. After Aces there will be even more options.

Good thinking though! Keep flying Imperial. Keep putting those rebel {scum} in their place.

im a recent convert to squads using at least one shuttle. here is my latest shuttle squad (i posted this in the 3 Big ship thread as well).

100pts

Capt Yorr + Fire Control System + Gunner + Engine Upgrade + Rebel Captive (38pts)

Omicron Group Pilot + Vader (24pts)

Bounty Hunter + Gunner (38pts)

The combo with gunner/FCS is one which is fairly commonplace now (those forum members responsible for its popularity - you know who you are!)

The strategy with this (and other squads that uses Omicron/Vader) I wanted to highlight here is 'intentional stalling'. If you keep the Omicron behind Yorr or Bounty Hunter you can simply deliberately move into the back of it when Omicron moves which loses ur action but stalls you in place (which is the exact same effect as the zero red stall that is on the shuttles movement dial EXCEPT you dont get the stress token).

Your plan here is to keep the Omicron in firing position for as long as possible. It takes a bit of practice but once mastered you can -in theory- 'daisy chain' your big based ships through an asteroid field and then Boost with Capt Yorr placing him in relative safety and then swing back for a second pass.

All 3 ships have slightly different roles to play:

Yorr - hit and run, use his stress soaking ability when it gives ur other ships a key shot OR give Omicron a free Stall. If you are unable to use the 'intentional stall' tactic then just select the red zero stall with Omicron and pass stress token to Yorr. Try to weaken (or ideally destroy) a ship in the first few exchanges with the enemy.

Omicron Group Pilot - hit hard in full attack mode and then die, its your sacrificial lamb-da. Yorr and Bounty Hunter might be able to strip those annoying rebel shields so that Vader Crew is dealing crits but dont hesitate to trade two of your shields for one of theirs with Vader Crew.

Bounty Hunter - supporting firepower, keep the enemy busy in the early exchanges and buy Yorr the time he needs (2-3 turns) to swing back around for a second pass. Even with boost shuttles are still vulnerable to rear attacks from more agile fighters - unlike Bounty Hunters who can just shoot directly backwards and K-Turn.

One key piece of strategy I find with the Vader Shuttle is, even if it will take you 3 turns to turn it around (plan ahead and fly your other ships accordingly to reduce to 2), don't deal that last point of damage to yourself unless it would take out a key piece of your opponents force. Force your opponent to expend resources on finishing it off. The shuttle is very powerful by itself (3+ dice + TL/Focus).

If it is tactically useful, go ahead, but don't ALWAYS use those last Hull up.