I've played both of these lists pretty well. Trying to decide between the two for an upcoming tourney. Can I have your thoughts?

Please no substitutions. Which list and why?

A. Vader's Howl (100 pts)

Vader+Cluster Missiles+Swarm Tactics+Engine Upgrade (39)

Howlrunner+Stealth Device+Swarm Tactics (23)

Academy Tie+Targeting Computer (14)

Academy Tie (12)

Academy Tie (12)

B. Vader's Black Swarm (100 pts)

Vader+Cluster Missiles+Marksmanship+Engine Upgrade (40)

Howlrunner (18)

Black Sq. Tie (14)

Black Sq. Tie (14)

Black Sq. Tie (14)

Thanks!

A. Maybe a little harder to hurt and may shoot a little faster.

Honestly, not a huge fan of either of them but you said "no substitutions."

Oddly enough, there are no As or Bs in either list!

I'm not a huge fan of those lists as well, but Marksmanship seems like wasted points after you've spent your missiles. For that reason I'd opt for the first one.

Vader has good points and bad in both lists. This is down to your personal preference.
Howlrunner in List A is much better than the Howlrunner of list B.
An Academy Pilot with a Targeting Computer is...bizzare.

I'm going to say List A, but explain why you gave someone a Targeting Comp.

For the first guy who said there are no A's or B's...

The list says:

A. Vader's Howl

B. Vader's Black Swarm

To answer your question about a Targeting Comp... I use him to fly with Vader and reroll when needed. It is two points and keeps me from taking a higher PS pilot to move and block for Vader. I can also leave it off for 98 points and initiative.

Leaving it off may not be a bad idea but we aren't allowed to suggest it!

I would roll the black squadrons and try to overpower skill 2-3 based lists

List B, with reservations. The Cluster Missiles are stronger in that list (by which I mean they're usable), and the higher PS means you shoot no worse than immediately after Daggers.

Going to say list a. Waaag's was joking about a-wings and b-wings, and I have to agree that I would like to be able to suggest alterations.

Within the lists though swarm > marksman. Howl needs the stealth device.

I like list A much more than B. I also question the targeting computer. I think I'd like that list if you dropped the targeting computer and made one of the academies a black squadron.

Then you could be shooting 9, 9, 8, 8, 4 for the initial attack. With howl present that means you have a reasonable chance at taking down an enemy ship before they even fire.

Hmmm. Interesting. Thanks for the suggestions.

Ok, I don't mind some adjustments, I just didn't want to hear the usual "Scrap Vader and ..."

Markcsoul- I like the reasoning you present, I just would need to tweak my flight plan.

Apologies to waaagh. I see what he meant now.

If you dropped a few Vader upgrades in B you could PTL those Black Squadron Pilots.

I've played both of these lists pretty well. Trying to decide between the two for an upcoming tourney. Can I have your thoughts?

Please no substitutions. Which list and why?

A. Vader's Howl (100 pts)

V a der+Cluster Missiles+Sw a rm T a ctics+Engine Upgr a de (39)

Howlrunner+Ste a lth Device+Sw a rm T a ctics (23)

A c a demy Tie+T a rgeting Computer (14)

A c a demy Tie (12)

A c a demy Tie (12)

B. Vader's Black Swarm (100 pts)

V a der+Cluster Missiles+M a rksm a nship+Engine Upgr a de (40)

Howlrunner (18)

B l a ck Sq. Tie (14)

B l a ck Sq. Tie (14)

B l a ck Sq. Tie (14)

Thanks!

What's everyone complaining about, I see lots of A's and B's. Based on current meta, I'd play the second list because B's are just such a strong choice.

Ok, I don't mind some adjustments, I just didn't want to hear the usual "Scrap Vader and ..."

Assuming you want to keep using the same ships I'd consider something like this:

Vader + EU

Howlrunner

Backstabber

33 points of additional Fighters and upgrades.

Those 33 points could be:

BSP + VI (x2) and Stealth for Howlie (or other 3 point upgrade)

Mauler, Dark Curse

List B