Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

So there's a local tournament on Saturday that I'm thinking about joining in on. I definitely want to run Soontir Fel and Redline. I filled points with Omega Leader, and also as a soft counter to Poe/Vader/Soontir. I need help choosing munitions for Red though. Here's what I have so far:

TIE Interceptor: · Soontir Fel (27)
Push The Limit (3)
Autothrusters (2)
Royal Guard TIE (0)
Targeting Computer (2)

TIE Punisher: · "Redline" (27)
Extra Munitions (2)
Cluster Missiles (4)
Fire Control System (2)
Guidance Chips (0)

TIE F/O Fighter: Omega Leader (21)
Juke (2)
Comm Relay (3)

That leaves 5 points. I'd hate to spend it all on Redline bringing him up to a huge points sink of 40 points (i could get a decimator for that much) but the ship seems relatively anemic with just 2x Clusters and doesn't benefit as much from Extra Munitions. I like Plasma Torpedoes a lot. Extra free "damage" is great. But that leaves an awkward 2 points that I can't really spend on anything except seismic charges. I could upgrade the torps to Ion Torpedoes. Just as much damage + disrupts swarms but only for 1-2 turns and I don't expect to see a swarm since I was the only one that flew a swarm in recent weeks. I could swap the Torp for a 5 point missile or flechette torps + a 3 point mine or missile. I don't think the utility is there without other control elements though.

How would you load out the Punisher? Or would you just abandon it for a Decimator or Firespray? I prefer small based ships for whatever reason and I'd like to make ordinance work, but if I'm just gimping myself I'll leave it for casual play.

I typically run Redline just as you have him, with the addition of Plasma Torpedoes for essentially removing all the Shields from whatever I'm shooting at first, and when I close the range I then open up with Cluster Missiles.

I would go ahead and add plasma torpedoes or concussion missiles to Redline. You're already invested in Extra Munitions, so you might as well double the amount of ordinance you carry.

I'm not personally a fan of Targeting Computer on Fel, I would upgrade it to a Stealth Device or a Hull Upgrade. Obviously it's nice to be able to boost Fel's damage output, but I feel like his strength as a ship is his raw survivability.

I'll second the "Buy Plasma Torps, give Soontir Stealth" opinions here.

 DanielBeaver wrote:

I'm not personally a fan of Targeting Computer on Fel, I would upgrade it to a Stealth Device or a Hull Upgrade. Obviously it's nice to be able to boost Fel's damage output, but I feel like his strength as a ship is his raw survivability.

I am. Targeting Computer alone has accounted for most of Soontir Fel's kills for me. Any time I take a stealth device I wish I had taken my trusty TC. Any time I take two focus and an evade I wish I had a Target Lock, Focus and Evade instead. I face a lot of opponents where the best move is to boost into R1 and out of arc, where I won't be shot at and don't need an evade to defend with but a second action Target Lock + the free focus from Push the Limit stress will put a lot of damage on ships with a lot of hull and shield (i.e. B-wings, Y-wings, G-1a, etc). Maybe it's just the meta, but people usually ignore Soontir Fel because of how notoriously hard to kill he is which allows and encourages me to play him very aggressively to keep him from facing my opponent's entire list alone. Fel is almost always the last one alive and when I lose it's because the rest of the list folded without doing appreciable damage to the opponent's list. Even when I do, Soontir usually manages to bring down 1-2 ships with him.

The only times I've had Fel not perform is against ships/lists that can put 2+ stress tokens on him in one turn. Tactician+Gunner/TLT or R3-A2+BTL-A4. I hope I can keep Fel out of range just long enough to blow that ship(s) to smithereens with the Punisher.

I guess I'm going to take Plasma Torpedoes and Seismic Charges on Redline. I'm a little uncomfortable having that many points invested in that many munitions that might be marginally useful against high agility ace targets. Or the ship could just blow up with ordinance still in the tubes.

In a more casual environment I think I'm going to try replacing Omega Leader with the Inquisitor TAP. That means leaving Plasma Torps and other munitions at home and just taking Cluster Missiles on Redline. OL feels like cheating though and I really do like the TIE Advanced Prototype and the Quiz's pilot ability.

Redline
FCS
Guidance chips
Extra munitions
Plasma Torpedoes
Cluster missiles

Never leave home without him.

Mr ghoti wrote:
Redline
FCS
Guidance chips
Extra munitions
Plasma Torpedoes
Cluster missiles

Never leave home without him.

I ended up using this build with Soontir as I have him plus Backstabber and an Academy Pilot. It worked fairly well. Most people were gunning for Redline as soon as the gates were open. Usually got good damage with 1-3 of the munitions and then blew up. I might try regular bombers plus Soontir later. Record for the day was one easy win at 162-38 as all I lost was Redline, one crushing loss 0-200 and one close call at 134-66 with Fel having a single hull left.