Star Wars: Interregnum is an upcoming mod for Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion that builds off of the highly successful Enhanced 4X Mod. Fleeing the unknown terror that is chasing the Vasari, the factions of Sins of a Solar Empire stumble on a temporary wormhole that takes them to a galaxy far, far away. The sudden arrival of armadas with trillions of refugees and thousands of warships between the events of Episodes 5 & 6 forever alters the Star Wars universe and plunges the galaxy into an unprecedented period of chaos and violence. Begun, a new conflict has.
Another unit not currently in any released Star Wars mod for Sins, the TIE Defender is unquestionably the best Star Fighter the Empire ever built. Armed with 4 laser cannons, 2 ion cannons, and 2 missile launchers, the TIE Defender was also as fast as an A-wing and had shields twice as strong as an X-wing. This combination of traits let it outperform virtually any starfighter it could come up against, while its diverse armament made it a threat even to larger warships.
Of course, a Star Fighter of this caliber does not come cheap, being 5 times as expensive as a normal TIE Fighter and even twice as expensive as an X-wing. Problems with its production before the Battle of Endor prevented it from coming widely into service, while its cost was the main obstacle. In order to ensure only the best Imperial Pilots can fly the craft, only TIE Interceptor pilots who have survived 20 combat missions are allowed to be promoted to Defender squadrons.
Gameplay wise, the Galactic Empire cannot regularly build TIE Defenders, seeing them as too expensive for widespread deployment. However, it can still get a squadron of them in the form of the 181st TIE Fighter Group, which is deployed by hero Captain Terren Rogriss' ultimate ability (see previous image). Further, the other Imperial faction, the Warlords, are much more open to advanced and expensive technology and for a price will be able to acquire Defender squadrons when they are released.
cool
These things were also unique in a fact that they had hyper drives, unlike most of empire fighter/bomber models. Is it possible to mod this into the game?
Not really, which is why I didn't mention that. :p I'd have to make them Corvettes, but Corvettes cannot be in squadrons. So neither they nor any of the Rebel fighters can jump to hyperspace.
That's a shame
Later on maybe we can obtain the TIE Defender killer the missile boat.
Possibly, though the Missile Boat does not translate as easily into Sins as the Defender, since it is basically a Sins LRF unit in starfighter form. If I do add it, I'm not sure if it would be a fighter or a hybrid corvette.
And just an aside, I'd take the speed of the TIE Defender over a Missile Boat any day, though the Defender's shields were weak to physical warheads, which is why they were used to counter them. :p
What about setting it up as a light frigate if there is room. But make the research level required higher to get to it.
Oh it will definitely take some research to get if it gets added. I don't think it makes sense as a light frigate though. Perhaps a Long Range Frigate.
how are TIE defenders going to be more expensive? the only way I know of doing so in sins is to spawn them with an ability or to make them cost antimatter.
Sadly that is correct. For the main Galactic Empire faction that is not an issue though, as they can only get TIE Defenders from the special 181st Imperial Fight Group, which are tied to a hero unit. For the Imperial Warlords, who will be able to get generic TIE Defender Squadrons, I've not yet decided, but they will not be in the first release.
Weaker "Advanced Fighters" like the TIE Interceptor and Assault Gunboats are balanced by only being available from capitalships, titans and/or starbases, by costing antimatter, and having longer build times, so the answer will depend on how well it works for these fighters.