Today I want to explore another option for a squad based around a pair of TIE Defenders using the TIE/x7 title from the upcoming Imperial Veterans expansion.

For the basis of the list I'll be using the following:

​2 x Delta Squadron Pilot (30) – TIE/x7 (-2), TIE MKII Engine (1)

Over the past few days in this blog I've researched other options including Whisper, Krassis Trelix, Deathrain, Redline and a Decimator so far with lots of room still for other options and of course lots of play testing.

The ship I want to present today to add to the squad is a pair of TIE Advanced in the form of Tempest Squadron Pilots.

There was a battle report many moons ago I read on the FFG forums that saw 4 TIE Advanced with 3 Tempest Squadron Pilots supporting a tooled up Darth Vader and the list was very effective and I can re-collect it winning the tournament it was playing in.  The job of the Tempests was to block whilst Vader did most of the heavy lifting.

​2 x Tempest Squadron Pilot (21) – TIE/x1 (0), Accuracy Corrector (0)

With this ship there is no reason not to choose evade every action, every turn and I distinctively remember the player that used these ships mentioned that the beauty about using them he didn't have to think too hard about it.

The accuracy correctors are fantastic on the TIE Advanced as they're always coming up with 2 hits so that's 4 hits guaranteed before green dice are rolled every turn provided they're pointing in the right direction causing some headaches for the opponent.

The TIE MkII engine can either be put onto the TIE Defenders or the TIE Advanced but I'm leaning more so towards the Defenders purely because I think although none of these ships admittedly like stress the Defender in my mind is the premium ship about the Advanced. Hopefully when it comes to play testing this squad will become a fairly balanced all comers type relying on consistent damage and lots of evade tokens.

I've spoken about the fast nimble fighter that the TIE Defender is set to become with the new title and I think in partnership with the TIE Advanced they'd be set to take less damage. On damage output however they'll also shine due to the accuracy corrector and the amount of red dice the TIE Defenders will be throwing around.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this squad so please comment!

Thanks for reading.

Yesterday whilst browsing the FFG forums I stumbled across a build with a TIE Interceptor I really liked the look of.  I'm normally left with a bad taste in my mouth when it comes to Interceptors purely because it seems everyone simply runs Soontir Fel (and for good reason I don't dispute) but it's been done to death and it gets very boring very quickly.  Now huge props to Deepspace5 over at the FFG forums for bringing this build into light for me and immediately I knew I needed to try it.

Staying with the fun I've had with the Palp and Vader routine the next logical choice was to drop Juno and place in Turr to see what he could bring to the team.

Omicron Group Pilot - Emperor Palpatine, Ion Projector 
Darth Vader - TIE/x1, Predator, Advanced Targeting Computer, Engine Upgrade
Turr Phennir - Veteran Instincts, Autothrusters, Stealth Device

So at 99 points this gives me a single point initiative bid and the only thing I'm uncomfortable with is that fact I don't have that cool pilot skill 11 of Darth Vader to inflict some hurt on Whisper and friends, I did spot a post yesterday on a forum however stating something a long the lines of superior piloting will out class higher pilot skill so clearly I'm not a superior pilot as yet!

Link to X-wing Squadron Builder here.

Today I thought I'd share a list I came up with last night after searching around for articles and people's thoughts on the upcoming Imperial Veterans release.  Sticking to my theme of liking Darth Vader and the effective build I've been running him with later I decided to add Colonel Vessery to feed off his target locks as well as Omega leader because I haven't used him yet and his skill I really like.

Obviously the load out on Colonel Vessery will change once Imperial Veterans hits the shelves.

Darth Vader - TIE/x1, Advanced Targeting Computer, Engine Upgrade, Veteran Instincts
Colonel Vessery - TIE MKII, Veteran Instincts
Omega Leader - Comms Relay, Juke

Link to X-wing Squadron Builder here.

Drawing from the success and popularity of the Palp, Vader and Soontir list I was looking for something that drew from the core mechanics of the list with Palpatine's dice influence but I've never been fond of interceptors (or I can't fly them to save myself...) so was looking for something else to fill that void and created this list.

Omicron Group Pilot - Emperor Palpatine, Ion Projector 
Darth Vader - TIE/x1, Veteran Instincts, Advanced Targeting Computer, Engine Upgrade
Juno Eclipse - TIE/x1, Push the Limit, Advanced Targeting Computer, TIE MKII Engine

Firstly I must say I was keen to run the ATC to see how well it went and after sealing 4 straight wins it's an incredible and potent tool for the TIE Advanced.  Getting into range 1, throwing 3 dice and then adding a critical hit is generally enough to remove shields from most ships and on the second run through destroy them.  Combined with another ship and an opening volley from the Shuttle I would generally kill a ship on the opening joust.

A few things about the list however are worth explaining.  Veteran Instincts on Vader was to ensure I had a counter for a VI Whisper and/or any other ace that I could come across.  Ion Projector was a bit of a fail safe to ensure that when small ships took off after the Shuttle I could slam on the breaks and hopefully dish out some ion tokens on them for a turn or two allowing the two TIE Advanced to swoop in for the kill shots.

I certainly do miss Predator on Vader however.  I have got into range 1 and rolled blanks forcing me to  use the target lock which is frustrating.  This list suffers against swarms of any kind though, naturally I'm not dishing out quite enough fire power to have a massive influence and cards like Ruthlessness certainly come to mind to combat that.

This is the first time I've used the Emperor in a list and as impressive as it is to change a single dice result I'm unsure if it's worth 29 points to do.  I'm interested to drop it all together and add in another TIE Advanced sporting from ATC goodness.

Link to X-wing Squadron Builder here.

Once upon a time I was wandering around the FFG forums like I do and came across a list that was using an ace (whom I can't remember who it was now but I want to say Soontir Fel) backed up with 3 TIE Advanced.  Anyway the author took it to a tournament and did quite well giving clear goals for each squad member and it was what I though was a well balanced and designed squadron.  I immediately wanted to try it out for myself however not being a huge fan of TIE Interceptors I opted for a different approach.

I was very excited when I first learned about the release of the TIE Punisher, now granted it's not winning any world tournaments but that hasn't curbed my enthusiasm for running this tank like ship.  I especially am drawn to Deathrain and proximity mine builds and when I paired him with the 3 TIE Advanced I was left with a single point over much to my delight.

Deathrain - Enhanced Scope, Extra Munitions, Proximity Mine x 2, Twin Ion Engine MKII
3 x Tempest Squadron Pilot - TIE/x1, Accuracy Corrector

I've played this a handful of times only but immediately enjoyed it as there wasn't much to think about in terms of complex manoeuvres or actions.  Simply put Deathrain attempts to dump his mines on top of unsuspecting ships and/or block lanes whilst the Tempest Pilots continually block, evade, and put out a consistent 2 damage each per turn thanks to accuracy corrector which soon adds up very quickly when chasing the same target.  Then it's just a matter of either separating the squad or rallying up around Deathrain to ensure his payload reaches the intended targets.

http://xwing-builder.co.uk/view/383654/dr-3-tie-adv