TIE-Defender

None

* 67 Seconds (Galactic Conquest)
* 10 Seconds (Space Skirmish)

### Unit Abilities

Power to Shields:* Boost shield regeneration for a short duration. While shields are boosted, the unit moves and fires slower.

## Technical Specifications

### Player Evaluation

This unit needs no introduction. This thing is an absolute killer, plain and simple. The TIE Fighter you dreamed of and completely deserved. The traitor Zaarin may have designed it but Thrawn used it more artistically.

Where to start? The Defender is arguably one of the best fighter units in the game with the speed comparable to an A-Wing and the versatility of an X-Wing but with the combined firepower to outgun both of them with its cheeky ion stunners to drain the shields of those pesky Rebel fighters and debuff their fire and hit rate, effectively making them easy pickings for the rest of your fleet if they can't kill them on its own which they can usually do. The added firepower of Light Proton Torpedoes also allow it to punch up significantly by taking out hardpoints and/or corvettes and frigates all together.

A TIE Fighter with a shield is a good TIE Fighter, therefore the Defender has shields and then some. Added hull points will give it much longer survivability, allowing it to run around like a homeless man on drugs while picking fights with anything that comes near it without so much as a scratch or care. The Power to Shields ability is useful as well should the unit need to make a tactical retreat. A more than useful multipurpose unit, the Defender can be a better Interceptor and Strike Fighter than the X-Wing or E-Wing. You're doing something wrong if you're not using them. The few things that can give the Defender a hard time are anti-aircaft, A-wings,and Braha'tok gunships.

Pairing them with the cheaper TIE-Avenger will allow you to provide an effective anti-fighter screen against fighters of all kind. Of course, support them with Raider Corvettes and Lancers in your battle line to really stick it to the rebel and pirate scum. As with most Imperial units, it has a high price tag per unit but credits are hardly ever a problem for the Empire. You will get more than enough value out of these things if you use them right. Go make Thrawn proud.

## Lore Description

Developed by Sienar Fleet systems and overseen by Grand Admiral Demetrius Zaarin, the TIE/D Defender were made as part of a new starfighter project just before the Battle of Yavin. Similar to the TIE Avenger, the Defender was a big departure from the fighters created under the Tarkin Doctrine as they possessed hyperdrives, shields, and a withering amount of firepower. They were also extremely quick, much quicker than their older brothers and sisters. Consequently, only the best of the best pilots were allowed to fly Defenders, specifically those who had survived numerous combat missions. Due to this exclusivity based on pilot requirement and cost to produce, they were made in smaller numbers compared to the cheaper and easier to produce TIE/LN starfighter. The TIE/D Defender would remain in during the time of the Imperial Remnant where it continued to prove a match against the New Republic.