From PhilH: TIE Specialists (24 points)

Hello everyone!

A small Tuesday post from me with more from Fantasy Flight Games’ Star Wars: Armada after the Mercenary Theme Round. Yay, two posts in a row the same project: take that, squirrel tendency!

More Armada TIEs, the leftovers from the Imperial Squadrons I set: two each of TIE Advanced and TIE Bombers. A bunch of their screeching brethren were submitted in Challenge XIII.

Bombers in the centre, escorted by Advanced

TIE Advanced are more durable and hit harder than basic TIEs, but for Armada’s squadron metagame they come with an important ability: Escort. Enemy squadrons in range must target these over other squadrons. In short, they help get bombers or other specialists get through to their targets. They're also better at attacking enemy capitol ships.  

Same as last time, I’ve given red markings to more easily spot an ace pilot rather than vanilla squadron, if I’m using one. Their Ace squadron is none other than Darth Vader himself.! 

TIE Bombers's purpose is fairly obvious: they look to get a clear run at opposing capitol ships before ‘bombs away!’. Other than that, they’re predictably, slow and terrible at dogfighting. Their Ace is Major Rhymer, who makes all nearby squadrons more effective against capitol ships - nasty. I wouldn't be surprised if you've never heard of him, but apparently, he first appeared in 1990s Star Wars Collectible Card Game. 

My painting entertainment over recent weeks has been to binge on the first two seasons of the ‘Dice for Brains’ podcast. It’s a Star Wars RPG actual play podcast that’s been going for a good number of years, using FFG’s Force and Destiny system (and later, non-SW RPGs). Not really my usual thing at all, not really being an RPG player, but a friend recommended it highly. After a slow first episode, I found it to be excellent, really nailing the SW universe with a great cast of memorable characters and NPCs and some deft game-mastering. Recommend any fellow Star Wars fans give it a try. 

I recall that we called these 2 points each last time out, so twelve TIEs makes 24 points to my tally please, Lee. 

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A pleasure sir! What's not to like about Star Wars (down Haters, down!)? I may have to take a look at this game in more detail. O-oh...shinney complex kicking in! I really like these and the little bit of 'history' behind them make them extra special. 
Lee