Viable List for VT-49 Decimator?

[KrisWall 966]

Hello all.  I just came into possession of a free VT-49 Decimator box.  I like the look of the model and would like to be able to fields it.  I'm relatively new to the game and am not likely to take this to a tournament.  I'm just looking for some ideas for a viable, mostly casual list where I won't be crushed immediately.

 

I'm looking at the VT-49's stats and possible upgrades and nothing is jumping out at me.  Seems like there might be some good builds for going after other large ships and either bumping them on purpose, or trying to slow them up with ion weaponry?  Maybe have a couple of Interceptors flying escort?

[KrisWall 966]

No idea how I double posted.  Apologies.

[CBMarkham 2,441]

Tell us what expansion packs you have purchased and we'll know what upgrades you have access to.

[KrisWall 966]

Tell us what expansion packs you have purchased and we'll know what upgrades you have access to.

I'm not averse to buying small ship packs to support this ship, but would prefer to steer clear of anything larger.  Assume that I own multiples of all small base ship expansions for all factions, a Firespray and the VT-49.  I also own the Most Wanted, Imperial Aces and Imperial Veterans boxes.  I'm perfectly willing to spend $15 here or there to give myself more options.  I come from a Warhammer 40k background.  In comparison, X-Wing is basically a free game.

[Klutz 1,590]

A Decimator with an ace can be quite fun and effective. Something like RAC + Fel or Oicunn + Whisper maybe.

 

An other option could be a lower cost Decimator (Gunner + Vader for 2 guaranteed hits per turn!) and a mini-swarm of 4 Obsidians. Like this.

[CBMarkham 2,441]

So I think Decimators are best built fat (lots of points, lots of upgrades) because they're so costly to begin with. Lots of tournament Decimator lists have the Decimator flying with an Ace, but for that you'd need Palpatine crew. Your Decimator would probably also benefit greatly from an engine upgrade, but the two sources for those are non-Imperial, large base ships which you've indicated you're not interested in purchasing.

 

If we're talking about solid ships for casual play, try this out:

 

Rear Admiral Chiraneau (46)

Predator (3)

Gunner (5)

Ysanne Isard (4)

 

Academy Pilot (12)

 

Academy Pilot (12)

 

"Howlrunner" (18)

 

Total: 100

 

Howlrunner with a couple of wingmen will help you learn to fly in formation, let you practice the fundamentals of blocking, and their attacks are accurate.

 

RAC with Predator and his native ability is pretty accurate, even if you bump and don't get your actions. If you do get an action, take a focus token. Gunner will ensure that he can punch damage through on targets who would otherwise be very difficult to hit and Ysanne can help prolong his life quite a bit if Howlrunner is the focus of your opponent's opening salvo rather than the Decimator.

 

RAC +Predator + Gunner should help you against hard to hit aces, and Howlrunner + Academies should give you solid, accurate bulk red dice against lower ships with less evasion but more HP.

 

Practice flying that around a bit and see how you do. Good luck, have fun.

[Rinzler in a Tie 1,892]

If you ask me, the best Decimator list is: 

 

Rear Admiral Chiraneau (59 points) 

- Darth Vader

- Gunner

- Engine Upgrade

- Veteran Instincts

 

Whisper (41 points)

- Agent Kallus

- Adv. Cloaking Device

- Fire Control System

- Veteran Instincts

 

This list eats Palp Aces and, if you play it right, can beat Dengaroo. 

Edited August 24, 2016 by Rinzler in a Tie

[CBMarkham 2,441]

A Decimator with an ace can be quite fun and effective. Something like RAC + Fel or Oicunn + Whisper maybe.

 

An other option could be a lower cost Decimator (Gunner + Vader for 2 guaranteed hits per turn!) and a mini-swarm of 4 Obsidians. Like this.

 

If you ask me, the best Decimator list is: 

 

Sure, but you guys are posting upgrades he doesn't have, which come from large base ships he said he doesn't wanna buy. If you all are gonna cheat a this, I'm revising my list. 

[Han Silo 28]

I'm going to try this out next time I get the chance -

Decimator - Captain Oicunn + predator + Vader + Engine upgrade + Dauntless title = 54pts

Tie Advanced Prototype - Baron of the Empire + Title + Push the limit = 23pts x2

Think you can only get Engine upgrade with the Millennium Falcon and Darth Vader is in the Imperial Shuttle upgrades, but you can pick up individual cards on eBay etc

The list should be fun to fly with plenty of blocking to set up shots and for free damage. Plus the Decimator looks great when set up being flanked by a pair of Prototypes

[Rinzler in a Tie 1,892]

 

A Decimator with an ace can be quite fun and effective. Something like RAC + Fel or Oicunn + Whisper maybe.

 

An other option could be a lower cost Decimator (Gunner + Vader for 2 guaranteed hits per turn!) and a mini-swarm of 4 Obsidians. Like this.

 

If you ask me, the best Decimator list is: 

 

Sure, but you guys are posting upgrades he doesn't have, which come from large base ships he said he doesn't wanna buy. If you all are gonna cheat a this, I'm revising my list. 

 

 

Oh.. **** it. Do you mean there are people who play this game that aren't obsessed and buy 3-4 of everything? 

I have 4 Tie Advanced. ... Why?! WHY?!

[DropItLikeItsHoth 20]

I personally like RAC with Expose + Experimental Interface and some escort TIEs. Super fun to get range 1 5 dice and a Target Lock.

[KrisWall 966]

Thanks for all the advice!  Definitely some good ideas in here.  I'll probably try several of them and see how it goes.

[RentAHero 1]

Here's one I put together for a casual night. Not out to win tourneys either, but it held down an Aggressor/JumpMaster build.

TIE/fo Fighter: Epsilon Squadron Pilot (15)

TIE/fo Fighter: Epsilon Squadron Pilot (15)

TIE/fo Fighter: Epsilon Squadron Pilot (15)

VT-49 Decimator: · Captain Oicunn (42)

Intimidation (2)

Ion Projector (2)

· Moff Jerjerrod (2)

Tactician (2)

· Mara Jade (3)

· Dauntless (2)

-- TOTAL ------- 100/100p. --

[KrisWall 966]

Here's one I put together for a casual night. Not out to win tourneys either, but it held down an Aggressor/JumpMaster build.

TIE/fo Fighter: Epsilon Squadron Pilot (15)

TIE/fo Fighter: Epsilon Squadron Pilot (15)

TIE/fo Fighter: Epsilon Squadron Pilot (15)

VT-49 Decimator: · Captain Oicunn (42)

Intimidation (2)

Ion Projector (2)

· Moff Jerjerrod (2)

Tactician (2)

· Mara Jade (3)

· Dauntless (2)

-- TOTAL ------- 100/100p. --

I think I'm going to try this out.  I think I'd only need to buy a single TIE/fo expansion.  I have the two that came in the Force Awakens Starter.

[RentAHero 1]

Be advised that Ion Projector came out of Hounds Tooth, but it's easily replaced. The Intimidation came out of M3A Interceptor.

Edited August 25, 2016 by RentAHero

[JasonCole 1,024]

I don't care for tactician or dauntless on the VT49. Tactician requires that you have them in your arc and at range 2, so for the PS4 oicunn, that's a rare occurrence. 

[Rolotamasi 208]

Here's one I put together for a casual night. Not out to win tourneys either, but it held down an Aggressor/JumpMaster build.

TIE/fo Fighter: Epsilon Squadron Pilot (15)

TIE/fo Fighter: Epsilon Squadron Pilot (15)

TIE/fo Fighter: Epsilon Squadron Pilot (15)

VT-49 Decimator: · Captain Oicunn (42)

Intimidation (2)

-- TOTAL ------- 100/100p. --

 I stripped the crew and added:

Darth Vader (3)

Gunner (5)

Rebel Captive (3)

 

Then personally I would add 3 Black cracks instead of the Epsilons, but I get the OP's restrictions. 

[CBMarkham 2,441]

Darth Vader (3)

Rebel Captive (3)

 

OP did not indicate that he owns a Lambda, and said he doesn't really want to invest in more large base ships.

 

...Rebel Captive is pro, though.

[Rolotamasi 208]

 

Darth Vader (3)

Rebel Captive (3)

 

OP did not indicate that he owns a Lambda, and said he doesn't really want to invest in more large base ships.

 

...Rebel Captive is pro, though.

 

Good call - forget the large base restriction.  Maybe I'll just try it out

[CBMarkham 2,441]

I don't care for tactician or dauntless on the VT49. Tactician requires that you have them in your arc and at range 2, so for the PS4 oicunn, that's a rare occurrence. 

 

Dauntless sometimes has a place on VI RAC or Oicunn, since both of those ships enjoy a good bump, but agree that Tactician is probably not the best on a Deci. Not with options like Ysanne, Rebel Captive, Vader, Gunner, Agent Kallus, or even Mara Jade.

[CBMarkham 2,441]

Be advised that Ion Projector came out of Hounds Tooth, but it's easily replaced. The Intimidation came out of M3A Interceptor.

 

...although if you DID buy a Hounds Tooth, it'd come with an Engine Upgrade, which is the thing you REALLY want for a competitive Decimator. 

 

Mmm....big ship boosting with a 360 turret...so spicy.

Edited August 25, 2016 by CBMarkham

[RentAHero 1]

The Tactician was just me shoring up the last two points. I don't own a Shuttle or it'd be different.

Edited August 25, 2016 by RentAHero

[KrisWall 966]

So, I bought a Lambda-class Shuttle.  I was able to get one at a significant discount.  That gives me a couple of the mentioned upgrade cards.  I'm also considering getting the Hound's Tooth.  It seems like Engine Upgrades is super useful, and I like the look of the Hound's Tooth.  For Imperial Assault, I'm playing a Trandoshan heavy list.  Makes sense to fly Bossk.

[CBMarkham 2,441]

So, I bought a Lambda-class Shuttle.  I was able to get one at a significant discount.  That gives me a couple of the mentioned upgrade cards.  I'm also considering getting the Hound's Tooth.  It seems like Engine Upgrades is super useful, and I like the look of the Hound's Tooth.  For Imperial Assault, I'm playing a Trandoshan heavy list.  Makes sense to fly Bossk.

 

You have many Decimator options once you've got an Engine, Rebel Captive and Vader crew.

 

Pretty much the only thing you can't do at a Tier 1 level is Decimator + Ace, because even though you can do that, you can't do that optimally without Palpatine crew, which is fantastic at protecting fragile, point intensive aces.

[K Genesis 176]

If you're willing to get some large-base ships, then:

 

Rear Admiral Chiraneau (46):

• Predator (3)
• Rebel Captive (3)
• Ysanne Isard (4)
• Engine Upgrade (4)

Total: 60 pts

 

 

Soontir Fel (27):

• Push The Limit (3)
• Autothrusters (2)
• Royal Guard Pilot (0)
• Stealth Device (3)

Total: 35 pts

 

 

5 pts left for either another crew or a bomb. Rebel/Ysanne to make it a bit uncomfortable for your opponent to focus RAC (s/he still will, but...) and standard Fel to clean up.