The DEADLIST TIE DEFENDER loadout in Star Wars Squadrons

🔶 Today, we explore one of the BEST LOADOUTS for the new TIE Defender starfighter in Star Wars Squadrons. A shield & power focused build that sacrifices hull for shields, increase firepower against Fighters, Bombers & Supports whilst generally being unkillable in the process.
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[@EcksToo]

Hey guys, the 10 kills - 0 deaths game starts at 6:06, using the loadout mentioned! Also, we put out one of our most *EXPENSIVE videos to make on the channel* yesterday, if you missed it, go check it out HERE ==> kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYqniGOrjJicbLc

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Thank you for giving us this advantageous video. Time to slaughter these New Republic fools before they corner us at Jakku.

[@cuptainreese]

Charlie.. The defender doesnt have guided guns. Those are the normal burst cannons. And are quite solid if used when being hunted and decent when hunting down other players. Besides, using them will slowly improve accuracy the more you use them.

[@kingjunior5674]

React on sw the lost fate fangame pls

[@poptitanofstarwarsgames4473]

@@kingjunior5674 yes please

[@cinematicwars164]

@@kingjunior5674 Yeah!

[@RockingJay]

I like to run propulsion engine with this loadout instead. Losing 8 maneuverability but nearly doubling your acceleration is so good

[@EcksToo]

I too ran propulsion engine. However, I require more training in reducing accuracy timing in my shots, rather than evading. So I tend to focus more on keeping manoeuvrability, until I become a far more accurate shot. - Charlie

[@RockingJay]

@@EcksToo Ah fair enough, I'm not a great shot either so I'm gonna give that engine a go thanks! Hoping to play with you guys again I was in one of the games last week. Love the channel!

[@-Rickster-]

@@EcksToo I fire wonky lasers too Charlie.

[@-Rickster-]

I’ve tried micro thrusters which helped a lot. I preferred running the shield hull because it give me more turning speed. Helps give me time to correct my overshoot. Might try a agile hull and micro thrusters and see if my eyes spin in my head

[@skeleguna.k.adefinitelynot4656]

I run damping hull/shields and burst laser and acceleration engine

[@connectronbuilds9960]

0:53 when you fall asleep at the wheel

[@EcksToo]

LOL - Charlie

[@bruuh4842]

There is no leathal loadout to the tie defender, it IS the leathal loadout.

[@darthterminus2774]

I want to like but 66

[@bruuh4842]

@@darthterminus2774 finally some good f***ing food

[@evilcoleslaw]

Ian mentioned the other night on stream that the unstable engine shield reduction is working as intended. The error is in the text description.

[@noahcozzi3375]

"Playing on defense, THAT is where the TIE Defender really shines." Huh, who'da thunk it? For real, looking forward to the B-Wing build.

[@Hopeful_Husker]

Maybe that's why it's called the TIE Defender...

[@StarWarsExpert_]

Do you know if the video is still up to date?

[@myriadmediamusings]

So so happy to see one of the best TIE models of all time done justice in Squadrons.

[@thislostendevour]

Defender is great in the hands of skilled players? Damn, always a catch.

[@lennyrachelhoover7273]

Hi Charlie, I like the tie defender better because I can almost have every system overcharged before a fight. Also, love your videos, keep them coming.

[@Notorious_MIG]

Definitely like the TIE-D over the squint because of the shields. I feel like you always need to run repair kits with the squint because you'll just take incidental damage from frigates and AI. That being said... I think I still prefer the A-wing overall because of reflec hull and target jammer. Its also a bit hard to close big gaps or escape sometimes in the TIE-D because of the short boost duration.

[@barragethree5047]

Finally, someone who uses the proper terminology!

[@AWACS_Snowblind]

Just wish it had some torpedoes. It's considered a multi-role fighter, yet mostly labeled a fighter-bomber like the Y-wing in lore. But I suppose that would devalue everything else even further Also, I'm still uncertain on if I prefer the Interceptor or Defender. The Defender is genuinely really fun in how much you have to micromanage your power, but I feel like otherwise, the Interceptor doesn't particularly do it's job better or worse than the Defender, just is genuinely much easier to play via power shunting. But maybe the shields, overall, just make the Defender the more effective option.

[@Ravenclaw-ql6kk]

I wish it had torpedoes too.

[@JTheBoldandNoble]

Defenders dont have access to guided lasers. Not sure what charlie is talking about there right at the beginning. Its a simple burst cannon and is actually better than standard lasers for dps and better overall than standard imo.

[@NvrchFotia]

they don't get ion rockets either

[@luizgarcia3081]

I prefer defender over any other imperial ship for one reason and one reason only: shields. Hull damage needs a frigate, support droid or RTB in order to get fixed, but shields only need a bit of time and bam, back to business. I'm not a great pilot myself, hence why i fly shielded ships. Used to fly reaper out of necessity, but this patch gave me the option to actually get hyped as the imperial side, as the defender kicks the pilots right out of their seats.

[@CicadaAppreciationSociety]

Yeah I prefer this build instead of TIE interceptor because I'm used to shield management already from playing A-wing so it's not as big a learning curve.

[@markgeorge2200]

I'm pretty new to the game and only play against AI, but the tie defender layout you made is really good. I've had alot of success staying alive for a long time destroying AI and attacking frigates and the flagship. Yea keeping power to shields and using the APS on that is important before entering battle, but dang this combo works extremely well.

[@kingsway.183]

Well for me personally I would use standard hull with ray shields, I don’t really get hit by rockets in the tie defender because it’s extremely easy to evade with its boost regeneration.

[@billyjohns332]

I use Ion weapons on it with dumb fire missile and ion missile

[@mboudreaux94]

There is no guided laser for the tie defender unless I'm completely mistaken. With that being the case, were you talking about the burst cannon or ???

[@Fostext]

Awesome video! I’m going to try this out tonight! And will you be making one on the B-Wing? And I like playing the Tie Defender because it has shields🛡

[@EcksToo]

We'll be making on on the B-Wing, but that will likely be focused on lower tiers of gameplay (Maverick I ~ Hotshot III). - Charlie

[@brandoncurtis1636]

Wow I’m gonna try this! Would love to see videos like this for the B-Wing and basically every ship haha. Also would love to see a video on tips and tricks for ranked play to get you climbing up the ladder

[@EcksToo]

We'll be making on on the B-Wing, but that will likely be focused on lower tiers of gameplay (Maverick I ~ Hotshot III). - Charlie

[@alexweigelhikes]

I desperately need a b-wing build. Please?!

[@EcksToo]

We're on it :) - Charlie

[@skellytorb655]

Personally I like the TIE fighter. With the builds i run, its the most versatile platform.

[@joety1035]

List builds

[@giorgichachua3013]

In star wars rebels the tie defender didn't have any weaknes.

[@cuptainreese]

Ace streamer Avenger 1 was a similar loadout. Instead of standard engines, he uses burst, and he uses the engine that gives you extra speed at the cost of acceleration and maneuverability. His reasoning being that with the extra speed, he can put distance against a-wings to avoid ion rockets and to a J hook maneuver to take out the oncoming aggressor.

[@doom_pangolin]

I'm loving the Defender, it's a happy medium between the Fighter and Interceptor. The power management without the APS seems unusually responsive though, I think the charge rate of all sub-systems is likely to get nerfed. Great content, looking forward to a similar breakdown of the B-wing, as I am yet to figure out the best loadouts for different situations...

[@Ravenclaw-ql6kk]

I just wished they had torpedoes since they were fighter bombers.

[@jeffreystangojr]

I'm more of an objective player and the interceptor has been my absolute go-to ship since I got the game. The interceptor has the ability to kill, but can also do a lot of damage to objectives with ion rockets and rockets. I usually run my interceptor with rockets rather than the traditional healing and anti lock on abilities and I usually lead in capital ship damage in most games.

[@michaelwalsh6762]

Ngl that’s a lot of numbers

[@temperededge]

Minor warning for TIE Defender pilots: Watch out for other players ramming you. Keep that speed up.

[@KoalaTContent]

I've been running the same fortified shields + APS since the Defender's introduction and all my Defender loadouts have those components

[@TurKlack]

The TIE Defender did look better in the past. Afterall you can't just slap a 3rd wing on the standard TIE and claim it has all the tech necessary to hold a Shield, more lasers, and a Jumpdrive. Yeah yeah. The old times were better, but the fans were always ignorant fanfiction writing fools.

[@et3inuyasha]

So the TIE Defender is very deadly but very complex to use at it's full potential. I mean... that's fucking CANON.

[@thelonious2213]

I usually use Standard Laser Cannons or Burst Cannons, Advanced Power system, Concussion or Anti-starfighter missiles, Agile Hull or Dampener Hull, Fortified Deflector Shields and Standard Engine.

[@infinitecanadian]

This game will be like any other multiplayer game: it will be a pick-up-and-die game. Some 13-year-old kids with nothing better to do but play the game to death will keep on pwning me, and I will just die, and die, and die, and die, and die. The same thing has happened to me in Star Wars: Battlefront.

[@womanstriker2009]

I'm just gonna say my Defender Loudout and see if anyone hates me for it Burst Cannon for Primary Ion Missile for Left Auxiliary Anti-Starfighter Missile for Right Auxiliary Chaff Particles for Countermeasures Dampener Hull for Hull Fortified Deflector for Shields Unstable Engine for Engine

[@dont_recommend_this_channel]

After the bug fix, don’t you guys love when a tie defender comes head on at you with the burst canon, seeing as it reduces health or something?

[@bluestingray1325]

I Would prefer Running The Burst Laser On Fighters. Rotary Cannon For Bomber And Standard Laser Cannons for Interceptors And Support Because Of DPS And Range im Not Sure If I Should Run Agile Or Standard For Interceptors? I Prioritize Damage And Defense Over Speed any Recommendations Would Be Great. PS Did you Get My Concepts For The B Wing Gunboat And Prototype Build My Ideas

[@MrFallingfromgrace]

Just starting to game again after a 25 year hiatus all because of this game. I was a huge fan of the X-Wing and TIE Fighter games back in the day. I love the TIE Defender due to the cannon but also because once you get good at shuffling power and using APS for someone out of practice it keeps me alive long enough to learn how to fly better.

[@685eric685]

7:06 It's unfortunate that it's SUPPOSE to take away %20 shields alongside %20 health.

[@billyjohns332]

How, how are you level 115

[@outcry27]

Just what Squadrons needs, more rocket spam. I know it's not y'all's fault they're busted as hell, just... Ugh. I hate seeing them *everywhere*.

[@eddieram435]

Trying to keep it with the powerful deflectors for offense, then switch them over to the rear while boosting is a good way to get away safely. Sometimes it discourages enemies from chasing you.

[@simpleviewer1334]

My loadout is the same but with the unstable engine, I gives a boost to acceleration and speed but a decrease in health and shields, the final product is health - 120 shields - normal speed + 13 acceleration + 43.5 maneuverability + 11.4

[@slenkhar]

It sort of builds itself, to be fair. I don't know if it's a ping issue and matchmaking problem, but it seems you die instantly in this thing when another player just looks at you. Which is weird, cause overall you have more health than an A-Wing, but yet, in an A-Wing I do a lot better. Probably server pings, really wish we could lock regions when matchmaking, select games by ping range. Playing against so many north Americans, it can't be a good sign for match quality when in the UK.

[@andrewp6387]

Huh. I have standard hull, Fortified deflectors (higher shields, slower recharge), standard lasers, standard engine, and ION rockets. Heck, the last game I played had 6 deaths and 13 player kills, and that was only my third day playing. I tried both the agile and the shield boosting hull, but I got obliterated before I could get the benefits out of them. The Ion rockets have a decent ammo count, plus I can stall a wings by forcing countermeasures with them, and even took a few out that game. Of course that is what works for me so far. I'm sure I will change things around as I improve

[@mattd5857]

You mention not choosing the "guided" laser for the defender but it doesn't have guided lasers, just burst, plasburst and ion. Just a minor nitpick. anywho, I prefer the Interceptor myself, mainly because I don't like how much of an Achille's heel the defender has in regards to ion damage. Any NR pilot that gets stomped by one or more defenders on the Imperial team will quickly switch to something with ion in it's loadout and make the defender's life hell. Meanwhile an interceptor is and will always be an interceptor, no real loadout metagaming to consider, just pilot skill.

[@iycephoenixx4249]

You're confusing when you talk about which lasers to use because you say guided, but the burst available aren't guided.... ? Haha

[@NotMyActualName_]

Exact same primary build thst I use.... I'm just a terrible pilot and can't make use of it. I think I'm going to stop playing imperial ships in VR because there's no benefit due to the enclosed cockpit and it's harder to read the cockpit dash to monitor shields and power.

[@parsival]

My Tie Defender loadout is the lasers (I think they're called Plasma burst) where you hold down to charge, a star fighter missile and the cluster missile. So I can do a massive hit to their shields and then fire 5 missiles at them. I've found that to be extremely powerful.

[@benspooner7396]

I came up with something very similar, the only notable change I have is I use the burst cannon, cause it shreds so fast, yes the ammo is lower but you can get to max ammo faster, 32 ammo for burst with a recharge rate of 3.1 energy per second so 10 seconds give or take, standard 90 ammo with 5 energy recharge per second so 18 seconds give or take. This make all the difference to me, I can boost for the five seconds, divert power to weapons while boosting and once my boost is done the ammo is back to full and then I re divert to speed. I prefer the faster fire rate with more individual shots per second. So to me the burst is far superior than the standard. And ion rockets. And propulsion engine

[@Imperial8933]

I like how the TIE Defender looks but in gameplay I dislike using the ship. I played it on multiplayer and had it on agile hull plus the Microthrust engine for more maneuverability in dogfights. I also had fortified shields to help make the shields stronger but even then I keep getting killed in the TIE Defender either by one or a group of players targeting me. I couldn’t even drift away from their sights.

[@DanielPvb4]

Ok so its on sale right now.....it looks like the player base is dying off already?? Is it worth buying what looks like an already dying multiplayer game?

[@ProlificExpanse]

I'm a huge fan of the TIE/D in Tie Fighter so coming in at first I wasn't a fan of this version. After figuring out the power management I realize it really isn't much different in the hands of great pilot. The standard laser is way better for aiming, I was using the second variation of laser and hating missing every shot.

[@floseatyard8063]

I just played the a wing yesterday, the thing is godly with rapid fire. Cool down is far away making you a fast machine gun basically

[@justadood3679]

Best Imperial Masterpiece, If this was available before Yavin the rebels would have had no chance

[@xanderlee51]

Challenge: lowest possible hull health on the defender for max shields.

[@benspooner7396]

Something I noticed, the tie defender follows lore and is the fastest ship in the game, when you boost you go 275, and the next fastest ship the tie interceptor on boost goes 270. So technically the tie defender is the fastest but for balance it runs out the fastest

[@TheCammunist]

I think I just got absolutely shredded by this loadout. I was full health to dead in a matter of a few shots.

[@fae_baobhan_cernunnos]

So i see this game is super cheap in shop right now. I've been looking for a dog fighter star wars game so im hoping this will satisfy my craving.

[@beauwulf]

Ion rockets are not available to the Defender.

[@EcksToo]

Sorry, you're correct. I meant Ion Missiles! - Charlie

[@regenermoonshinebms6632]

I can take out the flagship shields in one run when the shields are down with concussion missiles because of their heavily reduced cooldown. Because the cooldown is so much lower, I would not use the quick lock missiles instead.

[@Sabastian2000]

More loadout videos!!!

[@agent_w.]

that baby look a NICE

[@CmdrBrannick]

Hope you do one for the b-wing aimed at capital ship damage.

[@hggs4466]

I'm running a very similar build but why aren't you using the propulsion engine it does everything the sublight engine does but better

[@Plantedaphid07]

imagine if they add republic starfighters too....

[@parthiaball]

And yet, tie defenders in the OG 2005 Battlefront 2 are the most useless and always get shot down with ease :(

[@edrianalon5484]

Ik this will be a bit weird but I'm an offline player that uses the defender and instead of ads I use both concision and iorn missiles in tandem can someone explain to me how this would work on multiplayer

[@kingjunior5674]

Hi Dear Eckstoo, could u react on starwars the lost fate fan game?

[@starwraithspacemarine8605]

It’s too bad you can’t have the Tie defender in the campaign!

[@cinematicwars164]

Is it possible, that u react on starwars the lost fate?

[@cardboardmehmehmo]

I like to go for ion canons and anti starfighter missiles because I can disable and then fire the missile.

[@Hopeful_Husker]

Just got this game for Christmas; is anyone still playing?

[@theghostoftsushima]

Plasburt cannon is trash. Change my mind

[@aurelioreist4448]

Hi Eckstoo, could u react on the lost fate please?

[@derpyallan1435]

It's really nice to see that my most recent TIE Defender build (which was the most effective Defender build I've made so far))) looks just like THIS build BUT with Seeker Mines as second auxiliary instead))) ...and sporting the Interstellar paint job! Such a clean looking Angel of Death!

[@thalamay]

Personally, I still prefer the Interceptor. Particularly being able to go into stealth mode for a couple of seconds is something I grew to rely on in a dogfight. But beyond that, it’s mostly about habit. The Defender just plays so completely different that I’m having trouble to adapt. Having said that, I do give the Defender regular playtime. I’ll definitely try your loadout too. It seems to make a lot of sense.

[@siriushauserVT]

When it comes to preferences between the Interceptor and Defender, it's rather situational and depends on what the enemy is going with. If they're mostly deploying A-Wings, I'll stick with my Interceptor, since it has the repair kit and targeting jammer (which the Defender doesn't have). For the heavier ships, I'll run a Defender and make full use of the APS. It's honestly hard to say which one I like more, but because I enjoy flying faster ships, the edge goes to the Interceptor, but I'm seriously happy to finally have the Defender again. It's been over 20 years since I was behind the yoke of one, and I'm happy to fly it once more.

[@curtcollins6659]

I've been running this, but even though you routinely get 15-20 kills and 1-2 deaths, you lose 70% of matches because you just can't ever do anything to the cap ships.

[@splatoonistproductions5345]

I’ve had a problem in general where I can never seem to hit A wing or tie interceptors when they’re manoeuvring like crazy. Is there a way to hit them without sacrificing Dps by getting guided cannons?

[@EcksToo]

Usually Ion Missiles or Anti-Starfighter missiles can do the trick! But right now, A-Wings are VERY strong, because their biggest counter, guided laser cannons. Has been heavily nerfed. - Charlie

[@henryatkin917]

I acctually find that I don’t like the aps because most of the time I need it for sheilds it’s because someone uses ion weapons against me so the sheilds get destroyed anyway

[@HispAnakin42]

That’s tough. I never see any ion weapons in my matches.

[@countluke2334]

TIE-D seems difficult to play - I kill them like crazy with my A-Wing because a lot of people don't seems to be able to handle them very well. And as soon as shields are gone, so are they.

[@Wykletypl]

Does anyone still play this game in MP?

[@cezariovdiogenes]

I prefer tie interceptors or tie reapers instead. However, with tie defender, which I think I should test more, I usually use burst cannon. It's simpler to quickly make more damage and momentarily retreat.

[@davidkeeling2850]

More build videos please 😁 love all your videos

[@Sprizzy]

What would be the best loadout for an interceptor when approaching capital and flagships? Thanks.

[@Sprizzy]

What would be the best loadout for an interceptor when approaching capital and flagships? Thanks.

[@thefudgebot]

Love Defender, it works for literally everything, I find it extremely hard to bomb with any of the other tie fighters, and we all know the Def is great for dogfights

[@jeremylaitem975]

I like the Defender because it kinda feels like an imperial X Wing and I have to admit I relly way too much on shield so I am glad to have an Imp shielded fighter. APS definitely rocks !

[@Simmons3ptO]

Already figured some of these tips with my TIE Defender as far as loadout and the reason I prefer the Defender over the Interceptor is for the tanky nature of the shields, allows my fighter to often survive head to head shootouts or if someone is chasing me my shields will last long enough to get to squad mates while I outrun my attacker trying to balance speed and firepower. Above all, it just looks like a fighter an ace would want for the Empire.

[@dont_recommend_this_channel]

I personally like the defender more, I don’t really like interceptor, I’m more of the y wing guy or the x wing guy with ion and proton torpedoes, so interceptors feel a little hard to control, and I’m not the biggest fan on not having shields, so the tie defender is sounds like just what I would personally want during a dogfight.

[@insomnia2869]

ah yes the iron torpedoes, my favourite type, god the iron damage is great, for real though i do love myself some tie defender, feel like it's really good long as you know how to shift your power often enough with it

[@markercrayon457]

Doyou use advanced power management?

[@DerWichtel]

As for Intercepting I love using A-Wings or Tie-Defenders. Somehow the Tie Interceptor totally does not work for me and just ends up in me losing without any kills

[@BadlyEquivalent]

I feel like the tie defender needs 5% more total speed and at least 50% more health to help it balance out as I’ve noticed that this ship can get eaten alive. Also there isn’t a bug with unstable engines it does say that you will lose 20% shields on top of -20% health

[@BadlyEquivalent]

I have been running with burst lasers for that extra range but I think that weapon system needs a dps boost as it’s doesn’t do that much more damage for consuming even more energy to fire all guns, the power drain is hard enough on it so I feel that it needs a higher dps output for the weapon system. I’ve been using ion lock on rockets but I might give the cluster missile a try

[@neblolthecarnerd]

So the defender is a good defender. Funny eh

[@JTheBoldandNoble]

Also the defender doesnt have access it ion rockets

[@jsinger4167]

My Hotas is arriving tommorow so I will see what changes but on controller Tie defender feels like the exact mix between a bomber fighter and intercepter. It also feels wierdly overpowered and they really nailed the ship with the skill cieling. I honestly prefer the Tie interceptor over the defender but I still want to try to unlock the full potential of the defender and see if I like it.

[@Howlrunner82]

I use this now on the Defender and on the X-Wing...and I never had so much fun in the game. THANKS

[@danmlesnite7579]

One update that anyone would love to see would be customizable droids. The astromech that every ship has should have the option to customize it. The color and model of the droid. Please consider this.

[@UnknownTuber450]

0:14 I would say that is true, until the last two games I played they were all running interceptors and I was able to do nothing about it, barely leave spawn after mid-game. My gameplay experience was generally soured