Thread:Wazat/@comment-27613051-20161214021819/@comment-454133-20161214225024

It might look that way at first, but don't be dismayed. The small imperial ships like TIE Interceptors, TIE Advanced, and even normal TIE Fighters are very fast and agile. Their aces excel at arc-dodging, where you barrel roll out of the enemy's arc in such a way that you can still hit them, but they cannot hit you. If you beat their pilot skill, you can deny many or most of your opponent's shots if you're really on top of your game. Interceptors and Advanced are really good at this, especially with the right elite talents or other support (e.g. PTL, or Darth Vader). TIEs are also generally more agile, allowing them to dodge more shots when they take fire, and they usually have the Evade action available when they need to guarantee a miss.

Their lower attack power or health also comes  either   with a lower point cost, or in exchange for other abilities. For example, the TIE Advanced has TIE/x1 and Advanced Targeting Computer that it can equip together for a total of 1 point, which gives it a free crit every time it attacks (as long as it has a lock and doesn't spend it), making it better than a mere 3 attack dice. Vader with ATC is scary, BTW.

For more examples, The TIE Adv. Prototype has The Inquisitor, a pilot that always attacks at range 1 even if he's actually at range 3, and he can equip TIE/v1 to improve both his attack and defense with one action. And the Special Forces TIE pulls fun tricks of its own, like Backdraft's rear arc or Quickdraw's counterattacks.

And don't forget the power of numbers. You can generally field 1.5 to 2 TIE Fighters for the cost of an X-Wing (more or less), and they can pull maneuvering and flanking tricks against that X-Wing that it may struggle to counter. While it's trying to pursue one TIE, the other can swoop in from behind or the side and exploit the choice.

Rebels tend to focus on less agile, but more durable and more attack-heavy ships. The A-Wing is one exception, though it doesn't compare one-to-one to a cheaper TIE Fighter or other TIE variant. It does its own thing. :)

I hope that helps!