How do you fly your defender?

[Kaimuund 59]

I just lost a great game on vassal. My Vessery, doomshuttle and Bounty Hunter vs 2 Phantoms (ps 3 version) w/ Stygium thingies and Oicunn in the Decimator. 

 

I flew Vessery like a blind fool. Some of that is from the Phantoms in a weird spot and not wanting to fly right at them, and a bit from not being used to vassal distances. 

 

Brought down a phantom and the decimator, who had determination and cancelled 3 crits with it, and vader who killed two ships with him. Dangerous. 

 

Anyway. How do you fly your defenders?

 

I usually run mine up one table edge and then cut in with a 3 turn and close in from behind while the shuttle and BH keep things busy. 

 

any suggestions on flying these guys? With the point sink into a defender, they really need to be flown correctly to earn it back. 

 

I could use some advice. 

[Clayjar 60]

Armed with an HLC, I prefer to not move too fast and to keep at range three against dangerous ships like the Decimator. USe  white k-turn, but not overuse it. It makes you too predictable.

 

Also mak

[Revanchist 1,063]

I tend to place the maneuver template in front of the ship and move the ship so the rear guides are touching the end of the template all the while making "pew-pew" and "TIE Fighter Scream Noise."

In all seriousness, I'd probably start on a corner, pull a 5-straight then either bank or turn in or pull my K-turn depending on the situation.

Edited October 1, 2014 by Revanchist

[Nyxen 1,605]

I play mine slow up the middle, letting a Tempest Squadron fly up their gullet with a Procket in his pocket and echo dancing on the wings.

[CowboyJesus 27]

As a sngle ship I use them as a flanker, if your opponent is tempted to go for it they'll be flying pretty close towards a board edge where your white K4 gives you a massive advantage.

As a pair (the best way ) similar thing but I play closer to the centre and use the astroids as cover while picking on the biggest threat, after it's delt with just dance around the rest of the ships, trying to keep behind them or using your speed to get away if needs be.

[Keffisch 2,642]

not wanting to fly right at them

To me, that was your problem, the Defender excels in the round(s) after a joust and even if you fly it head on, it can be tough to take down - if you spend the focus token on defence (nerfing your offence in the process).

[Blail Blerg 7,335]

It seems that Defenders do well in changing their role type as the game progresses.  They can take some damage early on and then simply fade into hit and run flank style after that.  

 

My friend likes to run them as 3 generics (we are debating whether ion cannon or hull upgrade is better.  Ion seems to be the choice currently). Or as two bulky, fast dodging flankers: Rexler and Vessery together fully kitted out.  

Fearsome.  HLC + Predator + ability + white 4k?  Ack.  Pretty brutal. 

[Hobojebus 11,341]

At first fly slow use the advantage range three gives the HLC and don't be afraid to go head to head, once your past the other guy you have every advantage if he k turns he's stressed and at range two or hopefully three if he turns you get a free shot at his ass.

Just don't be predictable people will plan on you k turning which is where switching targets and banking can throw them off hard.

[Johdo 343]

Poorly as it is usually the first to die

[Wilhelm Screamer 1,229]

Last game the unfortunate answer was "into an asteroid"

[heychadwick 11,354]

I've only flown it in one list, but I have used that list about 5 times now.  I prefer to use a flanker to distract.  Well, if they go for the flanker, they slow down and my main body moves up fast....or vice versa. 

 

Col Vessery w/ VI

Buzzsaw Shuttle w/ Engine Upgrade

Turr Phennir w/ PTL and Shield Upgrade

 

I keep the Shuttle and Defender near each other as I approach.  I try to get the Defender out a little in front as the Shuttle tends to hang back and have the furball stay in front of him for as long as possible.  I've found most people tend to fire on the Shuttle first.  That allows me to fire at the juiciest targets with both Defender and Shuttle.  If there is a Falcon or something big, I'll plug it full of holes.  Killed a Falcon in 3 turns, once. 

 

Turr is happy to have the extra Shield as a flanker as he sometimes gets too much attention.  I've even boosted him closer after firing when a B-wing and X-wing had TL on the Shuttle.  They would've wrecked the shuttle, but I had enough evade dice to not worry too much that round.  If he can move up, fire, and then pull away, he's doing great.  If he can fire at the same target....like the Falcon, then so much the better. 

 

This way, I've found most people tend to focus on the Shuttle or the Tie Interceptor more than the Defender.  I'm not sure if people just don't rate it; view the Int as the bigger threat, or maximize their dice vs. the Shuttle's low evade.  No matter what, Col. V loves the free TL and usually does focus.  Three dice with TL and Focus is nice.  He causes damage.

 

I should come up with a name for this list.  Maybe "Imperial Fists", due to the 3 Imperial heavy hitters.

[CatPeeler 440]

It's really, really unforgiving... but I've had great fun with Rexler & Vessary, both with Predator/HLC/EU.

[dotswarlock 2,419]

I fly Rexler with PTL and a HLC, escorted by a Tie with Wingman.  The rest of my fleet plays interference (usually, Backstabber is involved).  Rexler is downright scary if he has a HLC, a target lock and a focus every round

[heychadwick 11,354]

It's really, really unforgiving... but I've had great fun with Rexler & Vessary, both with Predator/HLC/EU.

 

I find the Tie Interceptor quite unforgiving due to no shields and only 3 HP.  How is the Defender unforgiving?  It isn't one hittable (within reason) and has decent manuevering to get out of sticky situations that it finds itself. 

 

I also find it probably the most forgiving ship the Empire has.

Edited October 1, 2014 by heychadwick

[TheGreedyMerchant 255]

Poorly.

Edited October 1, 2014 by TheGreedyMerchant

[Revanchist 1,063]

 

It's really, really unforgiving... but I've had great fun with Rexler & Vessary, both with Predator/HLC/EU.

 

I find the Tie Interceptor quite unforgiving due to no shields and only 3 HP.  How is the Defender unforgiving?  It isn't one hittable (within reason) and has decent manuevering to get out of sticky situations that it finds itself. 

 

I also find it probably the most forgiving ship the Empire has.

 

But only two ships, that is 12 THP and 8 attack dice (forgot HLC).

Edited October 1, 2014 by Revanchist

[Hobojebus 11,341]

Had a game tonight rexler with predator and HLC plus four ties nothing fancy I face xxxb generic, turn one rexler going up the left flank while ties took centre he fired on one x-wing and took it down to two hit points later a tie finished it off I lost a shield in exchange, my ties did some impressive dodging and one ship took two damage but I reduced another x-wing to hull points.

Turn two I blocked the b-wing forcing it to land on an asteroid and rexler stripped it's shields, one tie ended up right next to the damaged x-wing and killed it, another two ties finished the b-wing and we called it.

One shield off rex and a tie on one hit point but I cleard the board never really feeling threatened, rex only fired twice but both times he dealt crippling damage allowing the ties to Finnish stuff off.

[KCDodger 10,596]

Why, jousting, head on and strafing!

IF I HAD ONE.

[R2ShihTzu 1,867]

 

 

It's really, really unforgiving... but I've had great fun with Rexler & Vessary, both with Predator/HLC/EU.

 

I find the Tie Interceptor quite unforgiving due to no shields and only 3 HP.  How is the Defender unforgiving?  It isn't one hittable (within reason) and has decent manuevering to get out of sticky situations that it finds itself. 

 

I also find it probably the most forgiving ship the Empire has.

 

But only two ships, that is 12 THP and 6 attack dice.

 

 

Actually 8 attack dice (HLC on each). But precisely in the fact that it's 2 ships that don't turn well and are green dice reliant for their longevity. I've had Defenders die from two shots more than once.

[Hobojebus 11,341]

It's really, really unforgiving... but I've had great fun with Rexler & Vessary, both with Predator/HLC/EU.

 

I find the Tie Interceptor quite unforgiving due to no shields and only 3 HP.  How is the Defender unforgiving?  It isn't one hittable (within reason) and has decent manuevering to get out of sticky situations that it finds itself. 

 

I also find it probably the most forgiving ship the Empire has.

But only two ships, that is 12 THP and 6 attack dice.

Eight attack both would have hlc.

[Revanchist 1,063]

Had a game tonight rexler with predator and HLC plus four ties nothing fancy I face xxxb generic, turn one rexler going up the left flank while ties took centre he fired on one x-wing and took it down to two hit points later a tie finished it off I lost a shield in exchange, my ties did some impressive dodging and one ship took two damage but I reduced another x-wing to hull points.

Turn two I blocked the b-wing forcing it to land on an asteroid and rexler stripped it's shields, one tie ended up right next to the damaged x-wing and killed it, another two ties finished the b-wing and we called it.

One shield off rex and a tie on one hit point but I cleard the board never really feeling threatened, rex only fired twice but both times he dealt crippling damage allowing the ties to Finnish stuff off.

But what if I want to Swedish stuff off, or Danish it off??

[Hobojebus 11,341]

Had a game tonight rexler with predator and HLC plus four ties nothing fancy I face xxxb generic, turn one rexler going up the left flank while ties took centre he fired on one x-wing and took it down to two hit points later a tie finished it off I lost a shield in exchange, my ties did some impressive dodging and one ship took two damage but I reduced another x-wing to hull points.

Turn two I blocked the b-wing forcing it to land on an asteroid and rexler stripped it's shields, one tie ended up right next to the damaged x-wing and killed it, another two ties finished the b-wing and we called it.

One shield off rex and a tie on one hit point but I cleard the board never really feeling threatened, rex only fired twice but both times he dealt crippling damage allowing the ties to Finnish stuff off.

But what if I want to Swedish stuff off, or Danish it off??

On my tablet and the autocorrect got one past me, it's not the first time won't be the last

[Revanchist 1,063]

 

 

Had a game tonight rexler with predator and HLC plus four ties nothing fancy I face xxxb generic, turn one rexler going up the left flank while ties took centre he fired on one x-wing and took it down to two hit points later a tie finished it off I lost a shield in exchange, my ties did some impressive dodging and one ship took two damage but I reduced another x-wing to hull points.

Turn two I blocked the b-wing forcing it to land on an asteroid and rexler stripped it's shields, one tie ended up right next to the damaged x-wing and killed it, another two ties finished the b-wing and we called it.

One shield off rex and a tie on one hit point but I cleard the board never really feeling threatened, rex only fired twice but both times he dealt crippling damage allowing the ties to Finnish stuff off.

But what if I want to Swedish stuff off, or Danish it off??

On my tablet and the autocorrect got one past me, it's not the first time won't be the last

 

I hear ya. Stuff like this happens all the time on my phone. Just thought it was humorous.

[Hobojebus 11,341]

I actually feel bad for how one sided tonight's game was but it's not like I'm running a strong meta list I just had all the luck.

[Revanchist 1,063]

I actually feel bad for how one sided tonight's game was but it's not like I'm running a strong meta list I just had all the luck.

What's the list?