I've heard and seen vids of good results and I figured I should understand this ship better.

So while I've been waiting for Scum and Villainy to drop (and it has! and it is glorious!) I've been spending my X-Wing time trying to unlock the enigma that is the TIE Defender.


I've had decent success with Colonel Vessery, even with the limited options the Imperials have of Target Lock (and by that I mean the TIE Fighters and TIE Interceptors not having it), but a free Target lock isn't a huge boost if you have to actually plan and build around it.....especially for the point cost of the Defender.

I just picked up my second Defender (as we were waiting for scum to drop) and I plan to use a pair of Delta Squadron Pilots, along with the Barron, 1 using the new Flechette Cannon and the other using an Ion Cannon to create some stress+Ion fun....which should be decent.

But I have had some really good games with Rexler Brath wHLC, using a Focus token to flip all of the damage cards you've dealt face up is crippling.....I've had it completely reverse where games where headed and I've had it almost finish off games before it really even started.

The trick, as far as I've been able to tell, is to getting good use out of him is having a Focus token that you don't have to use, obviously, so other than just rolling well I'm trying to look at all the options to help create this situation.

Here are some of the options I've found;

Push the Limit
The issue with that is that you don't really want to be intentionally Stressing the Defender as it really limits it's movement optsions the following turn.....a ship with Wingman or a Captain Yorr situation where you can take the stress away could work but that means that ship needs to stay around the Defender witch flies quite different than other ships

Predator, Outmaneuver, Lonewolf
can all be useful but can also have limitations on them.

Tie Bomber: Captain Jonus
I've used him quite well with Rexler.....I've even taken to using a Target lock when I'm beside Jonus on the fist turn of Combat so that when I do have to break away I will be able to have the Target Lock and Focus as need be.

Lamba Shuttle
Any combination of Weapons Engineer, ST-321, Colonel Jendon and/or Fleet Officer can give out Target Locks and/or Focus ......and only have to be within range 2, so that's not that restrictive.

Squad Leader
Not bad, but it means that ship is giving up it's action which is usually an issue......unless its Vader in a TIE Advanced.

Any other options I'm missing?

I can't think of anything else the empire has right now to give out Target Locks, I think Lone Wolf would be the best so you can keep the Focus for his effect. One thing I thought was PTL. Since the Defender does have a white K turn it isn't bad to be that stressed for them, still not great but an option.

PTL isn't the best option, since they only have straights for greens. It's not crippling, but it is a much more limited use.

Mangler Cannon is actually a surprising option. Due to the timing, if they get a face up Minor Explosion, Thrust Control Fire, or Munition Failure, you resolve them and flip them face down, then Rexlar can flip them back up and resolve again. Some extra damage and stress if always fun.

You know, I never would have considered that, good point.

I think the ideal way to go is still the HLC though.....but if I have to shave a few points that might be something to try.


I am really liking the Fleet Officer and Col Jendon.....can load up the Defender and then fly into potential blockers to prevent attacks outright (just like the accursed B-Wings with Adv Sensors)

From the early reports, Decimators seem to be on the rise as people still get accustom to all of the new options that Wave 6 has brought....it might be the perfect time to put Rexlar out there a bit more.....3-4 crits each round on a Decimator is going to wreck that ship...quick.

I have an escalation on the 21st thinking of trying Scum, but might have to switch to empire for this defender build just to try

I was designing my team for escalation, and remembered Marksmanship and Experimental Interface.