So I recent got a shuttle and I've been looking for fun lists to run. I came up with this.

Omicron Group Pilot + Merc Copilot + Merc Copilot (25)

Academy Pilot (12)
Academy Pilot (12)

Howlrunner + Swarm tactics (20)

Mauler Mithel (17) Or Mauler Mithel + Swarm tactics (19)

Black Squad Pilot (14) or Academy Pilot (12)

Total 100 points for either way its ran.

The idea is to keep the shuttle as far back as possible and get as many range 3 shots in and focus them to Hits and then Merc them to crits.

All the while the Tie's are getting up close and personal dealing damage and causing action losses and slowing any advances towards the Shuttle.

Running the first list you'd get PS of 887421 until Howlrunner dies. (That is assuming you use it on an academy pilot)

The 2nd variant has 887721, Howl and Mithel providing swarm boosts. So you get a lot of shots early to strip shields/cause damage then the shuttle follows up with (hopefully) some crits.

Thoughts?

You really need Engine Upgrade of the Lambda. It's just too risky without it. That means you need to free up 4 points. Thus, drop the third TIE to Academy and don't add swarm tactics to Mauler. That gives you 2 points. You can either drop swarm from Howlrunner (ouch) or one of the Merc Co-Pilots (Ouch) or drop Mauler to Night Beast (probably the better option here but still... ouch).

Since the goal is to make range three shots, I'd find a way to use a Heavy Laser Cannon. No sense in giving everyone an extra defense die if you don't have to.

If I did do both Engine upgrade and HLC that'd make it down to Howl, Mauler both with Swarm and two Academy, or 5 Academy which means a lot of low PS shooting.

Since the goal is to make range three shots, I'd find a way to use a Heavy Laser Cannon. No sense in giving everyone an extra defense die if you don't have to.

It's so expensive, you are getting to the point of making material sacrifices to this list with this suggestion. IE: You have to lose an Academy TIE to get an HLC.

That leaves you with Lambda + Howlrunner + 3 TIEs (including Mauler). That's not enought to warrant Howlrunner. It might be best to do something like this then:

Omicron Group Pilot (21)

Fire-Control System (2)

Heavy Laser Cannon (7)

Mercenary Copilot (2)

Mercenary Copilot (2)

Engine Upgrade (4)

"Dark Curse" (16)

"Backstabber" (16)

Black Squadron Pilot (14)

Veteran Instincts (1)

Black Squadron Pilot (14)

Veteran Instincts (1)

Total: 100

This way, all of your TIEs are PS 6 and your Lambda is a brutal craft at PS2. TIEs move forward while the shuttle flanks to get Range 3 shots.

I honestly think you are better off with the Buzzsaw shuttle instead of the Critboat. That would look like:

Omicron Group Pilot (21)

Fire-Control System (2)

Gunner (5)

Engine Upgrade (4)

"Howlrunner" (18)

Swarm Tactics (2)

Academy Pilot (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

Total: 100

A much more potent list, in my opinion.

How about this? Kinda pulls off my other thread about Instant kill bombers.

3 x Scimitar Squad + Proton bombs (21)

Omicron group Pilot + HLC + Merc Pilot + Merc Pilot + Engine Upgrade.

Anything the Bombers don't kill the Shuttle and any remaining bombers finish off. Also comes in at 99 points for Initiative and 28 Health total.

You could also drop one Merc for a Fire Control System.

How about this? Kinda pulls off my other thread about Instant kill bombers.

3 x Scimitar Squad + Proton bombs (21)

Omicron group Pilot + HLC + Merc Pilot + Merc Pilot + Engine Upgrade.

Anything the Bombers don't kill the Shuttle and any remaining bombers finish off. Also comes in at 99 points for Initiative and 28 Health total.

You could also drop one Merc for a Fire Control System.

I'd be very tempted to drop the HLC and bump up to all Gamma and put FCS on. I see why you want HLC but it always just feels like sooo many points. Especially on something notorious for getting out manuvered.

I made a list like this the other day my list was.

Omicron w/ Heavy laser cannon, x2 Merc co pilots, Fire control system and Engine upgrade.

Omicron w/ Heavy laser cannon x2 Merc co pilots , Fire control system and Engine upgrade

Omicron w/ vader

Fought against a dual firespray list and this list did wonders. I rolled hot, so set up can't really take all the credit. Though I forced at least 4 crits through with the Merc Greedos. HLC kept them firing at 4 dice whenever they fired, which helped. I ran vader a bit more aggressive taking the harder turns while banking and boosting with the gunships. My opponent made some mistakes in not expecting the set up, and met me In the middle of the asteroid field, but they worked well. Took out both firesprays, didn't even lose vaders shuttle, his shuttle was at 2 hull left, and one gunship ( nicknamed the bomb ) also had two hull, the third had only 2 shield removed. The firing was over before they ever needed to turn around more then half way and only once.

I call that list, or at least the shuttles with dual merc co pilots, a Fistfull of Greedos.

Alright, keeping it with your ship list and theme, I'd go with:

Omicron Group Pilot

+ Merc Co-Pilot

+ Merc Co-Pilot

+ Heavy Laser Cannon

[ 32 ]

Howlrunner

+ Elusiveness/Swarm Tactics

[ 20 ]

4x Academy Pilot

[ 12 ]

However, I'd also consider cutting 1 Academy Pilot in favor of Engine Upgrades, a Stealth Device for Howlrunner, and 5 points to salt and pepper as you please (Mauler, perhaps?)

Also, I much prefer Backstabber to Mauler, as he gets the bonus die more often. EPTs seem to be unfriendly to Tie play, in my opinion.