As I have stated many a time, I am a huge fan of running a Tie Swarm with a Shuttle flanker. My first and favorite list being:

Howlrunner + Swarm Tactics

Academy Pilot x 4

OGP Shuttle + FCS + Gunner + Engine Upgrade

I like this list, it works just fine, etc etc. However, it has some flaws, such as too many Low PS ships to always use Howlrunner effectively if she dies early, no upgrades to protect Howlrunner, etc. Swarm Tactics attempts to make up for this, but I am wondering if I can do better. However, there aren't many points to spare, so the only place to cut points is with the shuttle.

I don't mind using only Advanced Sensors + Engine Upgrade. This turns the shuttle more into a bulky Interceptor, rather than a high powered, flanking Gun Boat. I know Ill miss the FCS+Gunner damage, but maybe moving some points to the swarm will pay off.

Let's see, that gives me 4 pts from removing gunner and replacing FCS with Adv Sensors. I can also toy around with removing Swarm Tactics, giving me 6 pts. Also, I don't like running Darth Vader crew card. I haven't had much luck with it so far...

I could then upgrade to 4x Obsidians, with 2 pts to spare, intel agent and Determination?

Or I could pick Night Beast and Winged Gundark

Or Night Beast and BSP + DTF

Or 2 x BSP + DTF

Or Backstabber with 2pts left over

Or Stealth Device + PTL on Howl

Or 3 x Obsidian and 1 x BSP + DTF

Anyone have any insight as to what might work best?

Would you stick with the original setup? What new setup would you pick? Etc etc etc!

I've been playing around with the Omicron + Vader as the shuttle, and then 6 TIEs. That leaves enough points for 5 Academy Pilots and a Backstabber, but you could drop Backstabber down to AP to give the shuttle an engine upgrade.