5 Deadliest Tie Fighter Variants | Star Wars Legends Ranked

[@antonanderson1965]

TIE Defenders were so good, that Disney brought them into canon.

[@Jeffthecreepyastafan]

One of the very few good things Disney has done

[@bugbuster8598]

Wasn't TIE Defender used on ROTJ before? In the final space battle?

[@imperialsnowtrooper7579]

@@bugbuster8598 Idk. I think it was retconned into the battle after disney brought the fighter into canon. Although, I don't think its seen in return of the jedi, and I believe there was only supposed to be a single defender squadron at endor in the lore.

[@iJosh64]

@@bugbuster8598 I don’t think they appeared in the film.

[@keatonburton6064]

Unfortunately, the canon TIE Defender has replaced the ion cannons with another pair of laser cannons.

[@KyloRen0127]

Thank you disney for making the TIE defender canon but please bring back the TIE phantom as well

[@Lt_Voss]

Empire at War, published by LucasArts (therefore canon, whatever Disney might think), has TIE Phantoms. Ergo, TIE Phantom is canon. TIE Fighter (from 1994, I think?) had TIE Defenders, so Disney only "made" Defenders canon because they thought they could scrub all the previous canon.

[@kalks4334]

@@Lt_Voss That's not how it works

[@redrobbingrobber1696]

I want to like but then I'd break the 69 likes

[@silverbubble1037]

due to the star wars armada game it has been canonized for a while now

[@bilbobeutlin3319]

​@@Lt_Voss empire at war isn't canon.

[@AsteroidMike]

I love using the TIE Defenders when playing Empire At War.

[@lyndoncford6877]

Me too. I always use them to take out enemy starfighters in order to protect my capital ships. They've given me the victory on more than one occasion.

[@RocketHarry865]

Not only they are so good at killing enemy starfighters the TIE Defender can also take out capital ships due to it being equipped with proton topredos that ignore shielding

[@lyndoncford6877]

That's true.

[@ST-np6mf]

Empire at War! My favorite SW game, next to TIE Fighter and KOTR.

[@AsteroidMike]

I always have at least 3 squadrons of Defenders for all of my fleets when I attack. Would be cool if they had every variation of TIEs available in the game.

[@inquisitrmikey7920]

the Tie Defender is my favorite Starfighter easily the best ship that star wars had to offer. it's the embodiment of Technological Terror. If the Empire would have produced it earlier and more numbers of them it would definitely destroyed the rebellion without question. but no they would rather put there resources on a mega size space station known as the Death Star that failed twice.

[@Mike-mt4ln]

Inquisitr Mikey actually, in canon it was produced over a year before the battle of yavin. Thrawn oversaw production at the factory on lothal

[@inquisitrmikey7920]

Yeah but it wasn't in widespread use because of budget for Death Star. I think that they should have made a better decision to produce a better naval fleet than building a second Death Star that blew up too.

[@Mike-mt4ln]

Inquisitr Mikey definitely. A more advanced fleet would have had a chance against the rebels

[@fakedthunder]

Mike7998 the imperial fleet was pretty advanced but the starfighter core was only for support roles

[@operationstratos1013]

Mike7998 Legends. this list is on pre-disney TIE fighters. but....yeah.

[@Tiejocky]

I know the TIE defender suppose to outclass the TIE Avenger. Still I love the dagger like appearance of the TIE Avenger

[@briansouthparkstudio1357]

imagination that a TIE Defender with a clocking device from a TIE Phantom. most OP thing in the world..... plus with the better power source of the Defender more could be powered at once

[@youwayo]

Then it would be the most expensive star fighter and the highest priority target

[@FalconWindblader]

There's a reason why regular soldiers ain't wearing batman armor... cost...

[@gajbooks]

No, just give a few to the best pilots and Darth Vader. Most pilots don't need cloaking devices or wouldn't be good enough to make the most use of them. Think of all the TIE patrols there are where nothing happens for literally months at a time.

[@antimatterstudios8395]

Brian southparkstudio pfft that would easily lose to obi wan with the high ground

[@lenkagamine4145]

@@FalconWindblader hence why you dont give cloaked TIE defenders to regular soldiers, you give them to inquisitors, vader, and the highest ranked ace pilots in the empire. Imagine how dangerous Vader in a cloaked starfighter would be.

[@doncalypso]

The TIE Defender is a starfighter pilot's wet dream.... period point blank!

[@shep9231]

Indeed sir.. the T/D is SOO overpowered. Its just epic!

[@eccentricgamer4111]

The Missile Boat would like to have a word with you.

[@gemarks4537]

But not immune to EMP.

[@hurricaneace143]

I still like the Tie Hunter a lil more tho🤔

[@omartorres5688]

Question is the Defender a fighter a fighter that can be maintained in the same like the X wing to keep going for a long time?

[@SomeMoofMilker]

No TIE Hunter? She carries a hyperdrive, shields, proton torpedoes, ion cannons. . . Basically a nimble, aerodynamic watered-down TIE Defender. Deserves a shoutout.

[@DerOve]

I would've included the "Royal Guard Tie Interceptor"!

[@FalconWindblader]

With the regular vanilla TIEs being cheap shitty cannon fodders & overall just one of the worst crafts ever to be manufactured in its time, it's kind of a wonder to see that they grow to have such impressive, formidable variants.

[@user-Jay178]

Yeah

[@MrAranton]

I doubt the vanilla TIE was the apex of Sienar's capabilities at the time. If a company is comissioned to design a starfighter (or any kind of military equipment) they're usually given spefications they need to meet (or better yet: surpass) and a budget with which to achieve that. If the commission is for a cheap, disposable starfight, that's what you're going to design - even if you have the ability to come up with something significantly better.

[@sithlord7182]

The TIE/LN Is the base model Toyota Corolla of TIE fighters with crank windows.

[@sethb3090]

The TIE platform was revolutionary. It was just Imperial procurement that decided to go for the cheapest model available so they could afford five million or so.

[@skyslasher2297]

The tie series is one of my favorite ship designs in starwars and these fighters really show the potential of these models if you put the resources into making them great

[@randyranderson690]

I love flying the TIE defender when I play the Lucas arts TIE Fighter game. Totally kick ass

[@pvtspartan]

meanwhile wedge Antilles took put TIE defenders almost casually

[@youwayo]

Soontir Fel > Wedge

[@springtrapafton2701]

That stupid rebels who stole the tie defender !

[@vmorales225]

@@youwayo Mareek Steele was better than them both

[@thedutchman6451]

While I generally agree with the overall list, I am in complete agreement that the TIE Defender is #1. I was glad to see the ship be included in the Disney canon in Rebels (although admittedly, there is still so many good Legends details that I would highly recommend for any SW fan ;)). Wonderful list!

[@neilsonnentag917]

You definitely got number one right I just paid $75 to get a tie Defender diecast titanium series they're so hard to find but it's my favorite TIE and I'm making a shelf of as many TIE variants that I can ... You did leave out the TIE aggressor... I thought it would be higher on the list. But like I said you definitely got number one right

[@bananatank9048]

If only the empire didn’t build a Death Star then they would of made billions of copies of tie defenders or better

[@czar_sadowski_3]

I think my favorite Star Wars spaceship in general might be the Royal Guard Tie Interceptor. That thing just looks so awesome with it's red and black color scheme!

[@pontustergesten4388]

I really enjoy how much love you give the TIE Defender!

[@alluringming]

You forgot about the Tie Hunter. Series of ties that were designed to, correct me if im wrong, counter the x-wing but only piloted by storm commandos. They had their own shield generator and hyperdrive system.

[@Seyomint]

Wasn’t the TIE Hunter a possible contender for this list? It was the empire’s answer to the X-Wing. It had A hyperdrive, proton torpedo launchers and it was about as (if not completely as) maneuverable as the X-Wing. Though I will admit it could still be beat by the top three without a doubt.

[@darthrevan704]

What about the tie hunter it was the fastest fighter in the empires arsenal. Has shields ion cannon and proton torpedoes 12 of the with a hyperdrive only used by storm commandos the hyperdrive was a class 1

[@realone4993]

Yeah only the storm commandos had clearance to use them

[@leepurdie4837]

As someone who loved flying the A-wing. I hated the Tie-Defender. :P

[@yuphine9001]

tie predator, in my opinion is the pinnacle of "tie fighters" not the best in terms of durability or fire power, but definitively the most faithful to the tie philosophy

[@joar990]

Always good to see the Avenger!

[@jacenstarhunter8988]

These variants videos are very enjoyable, appreciate it!

[@jacenstarhunter8988]

+My favorite is the Tie Interceptor, it's an awesome fighter! ; )

[@VengeanceMkII]

If I recall, in Star Wars cloaking tech has a major disadvantage where the object being cloaked is cut off from all external information and is unable to send information out (without being detected obviously) or receiving said info as they're cloaked. It was getting around these issues which made Grand Admiral Thrawn so deadly in that he didn't rely on direct combat effectiveness but rather tactical options. Being in a fighter and unable to even see where you are going would be troublesome though I imagine a lot of benefits simply from entering the field undetected. Also TIE Defender FTW

[@youwayo]

When cloaked, all other systems around the ship (weapons, shields, hyperdrive, etc.) had to be power down immensely

[@liammercado1235]

If anyone ever doubts the Tie Defender's capabilities let it be known that it has Vader's seal of approval.

[@somacsonka4161]

2:09 Actually the Naboo N-1 is the fastest and most maneuverable fighter in the galaxy but the TIE predator would easily overpower if it had superior numbers. Great list!

[@priyonjoni]

I really think the solar panels on a TIE fighter should be retconned to be some sort of maneuvering device. Anytime we see a more nimble fighter, it's still using twin ion engines, with more wings. I think it would make more sense to say the solar panels are some type of maneuvering and thrust vectoring technology.

[@ArkaSaurusRex218]

4:20, actually the rebellion raided and destroyed the facility that made tie phantoms before it could be mass produced

[@mrsejd3446]

I just *love* TIE Avenger, it may even be my favourite fighter in Star Wars (or at least one of my favourites).

[@Monarch5584]

What about the TIE Punisher/Interdictor? It's basically a tie bomber on steroids

[@oscarcodes4069]

dragon rampage you mean midiclorians

[@Kidzspeed]

it is the steroids!

[@realone4993]

Lol ye

[@nickbruderly6414]

The Tie Predator looks so freaking cool

[@young_dieg0301]

why no aggressor and hunter

[@pvtspartan]

ByMaatdraG I like the hunter but really it's just a x wing eith the TIE's advantages

[@darthrevan704]

xXStretcHXx actually the tie hunter had a 10 hyperdrive and ion cannons and double the proton torpedoes

[@18videowatcher41]

My top 4 TIE fighters, in no particular order: TIE Defender, TIE Hunter, TIE Avenger, and the TIE Predator. If I’m including non-TIE Imperial fighters, the Missile Boat would also be on this list. Also, the TIE Defender is pretty much my favorite starfighter in all of Star Wars.

[@PhazonKing]

TIE Defender really is the most awesome starfighter and would definetly be my personal ship ;)

[@18videowatcher41]

My top 5 are (in no particular order): TIE Defender, TIE Hunter, Scimitar Assault Bomber, TIE Oppressor, and TIE Predator. Honorable mention goes to the TIE Advanced, TIE Avenger, and TIE Aggressor. I specifically didn't include First Order ships in my list, as that complicates things somewhat, and I wanted to highlight ships that diverge somewhat from the standard TIE design. If I had, the TIE Silencer and the TIE/sf (special forces TIE fighter) would've definitely been on the list. EDIT: I see you listed the TIE Predator! Interesting ship to be sure, but in my opinion, the TIE fighters on my list serve their purposes better. I see the Predator as just an improved TIE Interceptor. Then again, the TIE Advanced could also be likened to an improved TIE/in, so maybe the Predator does indeed deserve a spot on my list. In fact, now that I think about it, it's quite likely that the Predator is more maneuverable than the TIE Advanced, so I'm revising my list. I didn't include the TIE Phantom, because I believe its cloaking ability would've been better utilized by another TIE model, such as the TIE Defender or TIE Hunter.

[@williamgratke8765]

Nice Video!

[@TomasioTV]

- Has an impressive variety of TIE starfighters - Proceeds to produce en masse the fragile, shield-less and non-hyperspace capable TIE fighters - Gets wrecked by smaller squads of X-wings

[@lenkagamine4145]

Not in the movies, they dont. In a new hope, TIE's shoot down more x-wings than vice versa, and only force-sensitives and ace pilots actually shoot down any TIE's. They make a good account of themselves in Return of the Jedi too. Most of the times that TIE's get wrecked is due to poor doctrine (sending them way up ahead of friendly capital ships, making them vulnerable both to enemy interceptors and enemy point defense).

[@RaphBlade7]

Based upon its appearance, I'd figure the TIE Phantom had one of the best cockpit designs of the TIE series!

[@remen9013]

What would you say would be the Top 5 anti-fighter capital ships?

[@lenkagamine4145]

Now I know its not a TIE fighter but I think Shadow Droids deserve honorable mention as they're made by the same engineers and used by the same faction, and are imo the best starfighters in all of star wars.

[@billlyell8322]

I used to love the game. I had a wicked ugly, I scavenged a tie Scimitar and put a Phantom canopy on the Scimitar cockit. I sealed the bombbay and converted into cabin space. The Scimitar power plant powered the jump drive and ion drives. The tie wings where replaced with 2 opposing b-wing bodies that could rotate around the Scimitar core. Their 2 power plants powered the weapons and I could rip through even a capital ship. The gm was evil as that even though I had scavenged all the parts, the refit cost me the sales price of all 3 ships. Lol. But it was tiny compared to other ships with equal firepower and had enough room for all the game group to travel on. It was a very heavy fighter/ Bomber but still had good speed and manuvability. The Phantom canopy also gave me excellent visibility also. Of course the gm bleed me dry with maintenance cost too frequently, lol. My point is that uglies are great ships too if done right.

[@zer0220]

Ngl when I first heard/seen of the tie defender I thought it looked rather goofy, and for that matter was just a tankier, slower tie fighter Quite a surprise to realize it’s just about the best tie variant there is!

[@seanryan4566]

What About the TIE Hunter The Hunter has shields, Hyperdrive, and foldable wings just like the X wing. It was both faster, and more nimble than an X-wing, and, on average, preformed better in one on one combat with an X-wing. The only thing the X-wing has that the TIE Hunter doesn’t have is an R-2 unit, but the advanced computing system makes up for that. The TIE Defender was more common than the TIE Hunter, but, on average, the Hunter preformed better than the defender during most engagements.

[@necluda001]

I agree 100%

[@SSJCLIFF]

Tie Defender vs X Wing. I think it is a very fair comparison especially considering they are both from the same time period. Also the monetary cost of the fighters need to be considered as well.

[@comingstorm275]

I wouldve put the oppressor at #2 because it was basically the bomber version of the defender. With an anti-ship loadout (3x image rec spam baby) it was a beast vs starfighters

[@cw7legionofpewrights596]

I’d say phantom the capability to open fire undetected by the enemy is shock & awe which is important in a dogfight especially groups such as the rebels

[@Spartan045G]

Where did you get those hi-res renders of the Defender and Avenger? @3:20 and 5:36?

[@darthrevan3315]

Imagine a fighter with a state of the art shielding,2 rotating heavy cannons 1 on each wing,2 ion cannons anti ship missiles and four lasers,a class 0.5 hyperdrive a cloaking device like the phantom and sensors

[@bhu2112]

And s foils

[@rudysmith1445]

Heck yeah! The TIE Defender is my favorite TIE variant! Why couldn’t the Empire spam them like they did regular TIE’s? I mean, if the US airforce can afford tons of expensive F-22s, then an Smpire made up of multiple PLANETS should easily be able to afford the TIE/D, amiright?!

[@00chla50]

Gotta build those Death Stars. Papa Palpatine had his priorities.

[@gups6662]

Now if only there was a model kit for the defender

[@kyrakranenburg6686]

david guipre there is

[@gups6662]

The closest I've seen are resin kits. Would you mind elaborating? TY, positive news on YT, who woulda thought!

[@Lt_Voss]

Gups well I know LEGO had a kit for it, but I think they pulled it from stores for one reason or another. Not quite a "model" kit but, well...

[@aidenfunguy]

It’s not really a model, but have you tried X-Wing miniatures?

[@rudysmith1445]

When did LEGO have this? I must know so I can purchase hundereds of them! Tell me now!! :D

[@Darkmesna1]

Popped in PC TIE Fighter and got controls of the Defender, it's still as bad ass as I remember it. I remember being pissed when Admiral Zarin hogged them all for himself.

[@kyleflanagan963]

I find it very hard to like the Defender, despite it's incredible technology and abilities. Mostly because of how awkward it'd profile is. The three wings make it a very big and obvious target that is almost equal in profile size from any angle. Plenty of shots that would miss a Tie Fighter or X-Wing from above or behind would hit the Defender. But yeah, for abilities and tech capabilities, it's still the best Tie variant.

[@youwayo]

The TIE/Ph has the coolest name and design

[@rudysmith1445]

So? The TIE/D’s shields could absorb pretty much any fire it took, so profile wasn’t a problem. Plus it’s arsenal and traits (i.e. speed, maneuverability.) would allow it to easily eliminate all but the best pilots. It’s pretty hard to kill one of these, unless you are in Star Wars Rebels, apparently.

[@greenhead96]

Good Video!

[@pym100mcpemelon6]

The TIE interceptor is my favourite TIE ship

[@scyphozoa717]

I think the Phantom has interior space, and that I like because as a kid I always liked to have space to put troopers or whomever in the back

[@acgamingpresents9070]

Tie Interceptors are my fav. Defenders are a very close second.

[@GimmieTheJimmie]

TIE Defender is bae

[@acdragonrider]

Can you do a video on the best Grand Army of the Republic fighter variants?

[@vivienneme5475]

I would like to see this as well

[@ohno4112]

Tie predator looks like it's some kind of escape pod

[@nathanlyonproductions917]

TIE Nathan: You five look so cute, But I Can Destroy ANYTHING

[@TV_Renegade]

As someone who played X-Wing Alliance I can attest to the TERROR Tie Defenders were even when controlled by mere AI.

[@juliorodriguez4954]

The tie defender is a beast. But I wonder? If the empire put the tie phantoms cloaking tech on the tie defender? Also if the defenders factories weren’t destroyed. Theses fighters were there in the battle of yavin. Would Star Wars history be very different? Please answer me, I love these what if stories.

[@Falchion1984]

Are there enough "boat" fighters to warrant a list? The Empire's Assault Gunboat, Skipray Blastboat, and the famed Missileboat? Like I said, are there two others to complete such a list?

[@youwayo]

Shouldve mentioned that the TIE Avenger was apparently the first TIE to go for quality over quantity

[@hadaward_dk]

The tie avenger also have the best design

[@damdumah2552]

I'm praying the tie phantom becomes canon

[@channingdeadnight]

I would like to see a battlestar galactica fighter versus a tie fighter. To shield list nimble fighters against each other.

[@wanderingthedesert5599]

The TIE Defender, while a nearly superior fighter in every way, has one glaring weakness that can be exploited by the TIE Avenger, and that's the size and silhouette. The TIE Defender is a bigger target, whereas the Avenger is not, so in spite of the technological superiority, it really comes down to a pilot's skill. Also, let's keep in mind that the Cygnus XM-1 Missile Boat was created for the sole purpose of being able to wear down and overwhelm the TIE Defender so much so, that a single craft could engage multiple bogeys and still come out on top.

[@drstewartshermanful]

I really want to see more realism when it comes to Empire vs. Rebellion/Republic. Shouldn't it be somewhat suicidal to go up against the Imperial Navy? Yet in most engagements we see the Rebellion shows up with a hand full of X-wings and

[@saber5694]

It was suicidal. The rebellion had to rely on hit and run tactics to stand a chance. Look at the battle of skarath from rough one. The rebels lost there entire combat fleet

[@Imperial_Collection]

I have a feeling that the Tie Defender will return in the new Ahoska serie. The reason is with the return of Thrawn he may want to bring back the program for his fleet?

[@carldooley9344]

So late to the discussion! How about the Uglies? how would you rate Tavira's Clutch from 'I Jedi'?

[@tassadro]

the missle boat is faster to the defender when the S.L.A.M drive is working. hands down however when the slam drive is going the missle boat is weaponless. because the speed comes from dumping the energy from the blaster cannon into the engines tripling its speed.

[@securityguy1984]

the missile boat starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Missile_Boat this was made to counter defenders and advance and had a tractor beam , one laser cannon (weak) but multiple heavy concussive /heavy rocket or heavy torpedoes with a new tech calls S.L.A.M.starwars.wikia.com/wiki/SubLight_Acceleration_Motor which accelerated the projectiles mainly for Heavy Rockets or Bombs making them much more difficult to shoot down this was also use in DEADLY effect with concussive missiles and of course lets not forget the Assault gun boat ( these might not be technically tie-variants but they were solely used by the imperial navy

[@immatt2027]

OMG Im in the thumbnail :0

[@youssh4975]

0:35 is that image from some yuuzhan vong comic?

[@paolodebonis781]

YOU SSH I believe that's the art for one of the pilot cards in the X Wing Board Game

[@vijayadithyat4426]

Admiral thrawn would be proud of tie defender

[@karlyeh7873]

The Defender, designed by Grand Admiral Thrawn himself.

[@VegetaLF7]

To be honest, I prefer Admiral Zaarin's version of the TIE Defender from Legends over Thrawn's in Canon. Zaarin's Defenders had the top two laser cannon mounts actually have ion cannons, giving the ship a greater range of combat options than Thrawn's which only had the six lasers.

[@sithlord7182]

I think the Chiss Clawcraft is superior

[@vmorales225]

The Missile Boat? It was meant to hunt TIE Defenders and had 4 banks of launchers along with a SLAM system capable of doubling its speed for short bursts.

[@plutoisaplanet7879]

I don't know about "official cannon" type stuff. But the Tie Oppressor in SWG (where it originated from) had a hyper drive. I would not have put it on this list though. The Tie Advanced X1 or even a standard tie interceptor would have no problems with the Tie Oppressor. And as far as bombing, or raiding..... Do you really want to be in a Tie Fighter? I know this is a Tie Fighter list, but the gunboat was far superior to the Oppressor. That being said, I wouldn't have the Oppressor on the list.

[@TgamerBio5529]

I love the tie defender

[@francissamson3748]

Do tie defender vs tie phantom two of the greatest starfighters of the empire

[@regeninsgesicht5342]

The Tie Interdictor Bomber?

[@UberLukario]

Is there a way for the Defender to dock to a docking port or would it have to land in a cargo bay of sorts?

[@drstewartshermanful]

I would love to see a couple of Tie Defenders annihilate a squadron of X-wings.

[@RedDeadDepressionist]

Tie Defender is awesome

[@k-874]

*I saw the Tie/D in a Light Year away being no.1 on this list*

[@valeon7303]

oh the tie defender... *sigh* why can I have a sick ride like that?

[@youwayo]

Please do top 5 TIE Fighter Recons

[@kylepeek5069]

I would also put kylo rens tie whisper intercepter on the list in the rise of skywalker, I think that would be just as deadly as a tie defender it has 6 forward firing laser cannons and the heavy laser cannon turret like the special forces tie so 8 laser cannons in total which is ridiculous it's also very fast and very manuravrable as its a tie intercepter design and being that it's a first order ship it would have advanced technology and first order ties had more powerfull engines than the imperial tie models combined with the sheilds and hyper drive this in my opinion would be the deadliest Tie I would love to see a tie defender vs tie whisper intercepter vid I think that would be cool

[@reaperking7748]

It's called the TIE Silencer not the whisper

[@kylepeek5069]

@@reaperking7748 no the tie fighter he was flying in last jedi was the tie silencer this one in rise of skywalker is the tie whisper

[@youwayo]

I personally love the TIE Vanguard. Idk why. I think it’s because of the name

[@dagonfirechimera]

out of legends ,defender is my favorite starfighter. My favorite is from.the.legacy

[@jamiewalsh3349]

The TIE Defender rules!

[@Amadeus8484]

You'd think among the billions of TIE fighters the empire has, the 1.8 million that make up the 72 strong Wings of the 25,000 Star Destroyers would have TIE Defenders or TIE Avengers ONLY. And maybe some of the other three in small groups.

[@saintelmo5590]

Yes, the TIE Defender is a bad ass. With its variety of armaments, and the ability to attack capital ships, the name "Defender" seems pretty misplaced.

[@ggallqas7442]

If I could have a TIE fighter, I would have a phantom, reaper, avenger, oppressor, or (one of my favorites) defender

[@barneyy3637]

My favorite tie is #1!

[@youwayo]

Poor TIE Advance/Avenger... Always getting overshadowed by the TIE/D