I am really curious, and maybe the math gods around here can help out. Tie Swarms, yeah, 8 is badass. But, can 5 Avenger PS-3 do just as well? Will they get torn apart?

I know this doesn't require Aces and I could have done this long ago - but I've also waited for Aces so I haven't bought any extra Squint xpacs, leaving me only with 3 of the pilots themselves (just thinking in terms of if this actually worked, I couldn't proxy the cards).

Sorry if this has been debated somewhere around here, I haven't seen it and the thought just popped into my mind!

I think you'd be better off dropping one for Howlrunner. She'll die on the first pass most likely, and then the interceptors are freed up to use their speed and maneuverability to their advantage without worrying about staying next to Howl.

I think you'd be better off dropping one for Howlrunner. She'll die on the first pass most likely, and then the interceptors are freed up to use their speed and maneuverability to their advantage without worrying about staying next to Howl.

This might be a good idea. You REALLY need to kill something on your alpha strike and Howl will help you do this.

They can make it, even have a good chance. Right up until the dice blank once and they explode. The reason that swarms are so effective is because they can survive loosing 1 tie a turn. A 5 ship swarm has a harder time stomaching those numbers.

Yeah I figured as much. I always cry when my Squints explode when they blank. I like the idea of Howl too, that might free up enough space for a Royal Guard Int so for alpha you have Howl, Royal Guard, then the 3 PS-3 Int's. I might have to try that out. And, it means I don't have to buy another interceptor expansion pack!

Awesome.

I like the idea.

Youd be sad when you face a PS4 rebel squad.

With 5 interceptors, I actually kind of prefer to run 1 expensive high skill interceptor and then a bunch of alphas. I had been running a PtL Turr and 4 alphas, but now that Aces is out there are a few other variants that would be good to try. The nice thing about running 5 is that it doesn't hurt nearly as much to lose 1 interceptor like it does when you're running 4.

With 5 interceptors, I actually kind of prefer to run 1 expensive high skill interceptor and then a bunch of alphas. I had been running a PtL Turr and 4 alphas, but now that Aces is out there are a few other variants that would be good to try. The nice thing about running 5 is that it doesn't hurt nearly as much to lose 1 interceptor like it does when you're running 4.

Jax give you a high PS Dark Curse like ship. Only it's even better!

Jax+Swarm Tac

Alpha x4

Or

Jax+PtL+Stealth+Shield

Alpha+Stealth X3

Ive tried it out for poops and laughs. It didnt do that bad my opponets superiror flight skills i think is what bested me. I managed to alpha strike his bwing and finish a xwing the next go. the only troubles i had was his ion ywing and slippery awing. think i lost like 2 ships to rocks and the 1 to the ywing and the a wing got me.

but it was fun. my starting manvure i just flew them 5 straight 2 turns in a row and got behind his slow rebel ships quite fast.

Be aware that the imperial aces box does not come with alpha (ps1) or avenger (ps3) pilot cards or ship base plates so if you want to run 4 or 5 low ps ship builds you will actually need that many expansion rather than just 3 expansions + imp aces box

Be aware that the imperial aces box does not come with alpha (ps1) or avenger (ps3) pilot cards or ship base plates so if you want to run 4 or 5 low ps ship builds you will actually need that many expansion rather than just 3 expansions + imp aces box

While true, you could easily have 3 expansions and 1 aces and run this:

Royal Guard w/ Adrenaline Rush

Lt Lorrir

3x Alpha Squardon

I've run the 5 TIE Int swarm in many of our group games. They are far more survivable than most give them credit for.

Be aware that the imperial aces box does not come with alpha (ps1) or avenger (ps3) pilot cards or ship base plates so if you want to run 4 or 5 low ps ship builds you will actually need that many expansion rather than just 3 expansions + imp aces box

Only advantage people like me who bought 4 or more interceptors before aces was announced get in a 100 point game.

5 Interceptors do really good, I've flown them several times. Loosing 1 early is ok, only loosing two in the first two rounds of fighting will put a lot of pressure on you.

I would not go with Howl. You sacrifice the squad mobility to stay close, for a reroll that you will not get - prior to your ints shooting and using the reroll the higher PS pilots of the opponent will finish off Howl.

Far better to split your squad and come from different angles at your opponent (instead of one close formation going head on for some jousting), forcing him to decide which one to attack, therefore if he gets a lucky OneShotkill with his high PS then his lower PS ships can't target a different one, such reducing the effectiveness of his combat round. If he splits up to go into 1:1 even the better, as you can outmaneuver him then. This approach sounds easy and like a good idea but its pretty tough, you need to do some good flying here and you really need to know your distances, as you have to manage to get all ships from their different angles into striking distance at the same time to put the pressure on the opponent. It looks like pure magic though if you manage it, and even if you loose the game the opponent will had a hard fight.

Of course all sucks when you go against turrets... (especially Han will make your life miserable) :-)