So, I figured I should join the herd and post my planned list for Imdaar Alpha.

Lambda Shuttle - Omicron Pilot

Ion Cannon, Advanced Sensors, Engine Upgrade

31pts

TIE Advanced - Darth Vader

Engine Upgrade

33pts

TIE Fighter - Academy Pilot

12pts

TIE Fighter - Academy Pilot

12pts

TIE Fighter - Academy Pilot

12pts

My plan for this is to keep the cow and the TIEs loosely together as a main force whilst Vader goes on a flanking manouver. If anyone does peel off to face off Vader I can hit them with the Ion to make them drift out of position, otherwise I can use the Ion to either disrupt the enemy formation or force the whole formation to slow to a crawl.

I don't have many ships in my collection at the moment (what I do have is in my signature), but hopefully this should be a usable fleet. Any feedback or suggestions?

Though I like this list, you're not bringing forward that much firepower. The reason many people stress using Howlrunner is her ability to make those 2 dice just that more effective every time they're rolled. While Vader and the shuttle are going to be just fine, those academy TIE's aren't doing a heck of a lot unless you happen to be good at blocking.

It's not a -bad- list by any means, but it feels like it's missing... something I can't quite put my finger on. :[

Looks like it could be a good list. I can't really think of anything to change given what you have.

Another potential list replaces Vader with Captain Jonus (with an Assault Missile and Seismic Charges), and uses the freed up points to upgrade one of the Academy Pilots to Backstabber.

This would mean that I'm getting a good initial shot off when facing a swarm, plus Jonus will also improve the effectiveness of the shuttle's ion cannon. The seismic charge I figure is a cheap way to discourage anyone from getting behind the shuttle, and Backstabber should easily be able to get his outflank bonus, especially if ships are getting ioned.

Another alternative to add Howlrunner would be to replace Backstabber & the seismic charge with her. I got the impression though that her main benefit is in being surrounded by a swarm of TIEs - is she still worth it of there's only 2 other TIEs in her group?

Though I like this list, you're not bringing forward that much firepower. The reason many people stress using Howlrunner is her ability to make those 2 dice just that more effective every time they're rolled. While Vader and the shuttle are going to be just fine, those academy TIE's aren't doing a heck of a lot unless you happen to be good at blocking.

It's not a -bad- list by any means, but it feels like it's missing... something I can't quite put my finger on. :[

Oomph. It's missing Oomph.

Also known as Damage, and Optimization.

You have a list with only 11 attack dice at range 2-3, (and 16 at range 1). Now, that's comparable with 4 X-Wings, in theory, but it's spread out across more attacking ships, which improves the defenders' agility dice.

Then, you decide to nerf some of the damage output from your only ship with 3 attack dice, in favor of controlling your enemy's movements. Ouch.

Consider trading Darth Vader with Soontir Fel as a flanker. He comes with boost already, and like Vader turns Push the Limit into a 3-action upgrade. Unlike Vader, he comes with an extra attack die, cheaper cost, and a slightly more fragile frame.

Turr Phennir and Carnor Jax are also both incredible flankers. Turr is (currently) the only pilot to get actions in-combat, and he CAN use PtL off of that free boost/barrel-roll action, making him as high-damage and difficult to kill as Fel.

Carnor Jax, on the other hand, makes life more difficult for your enemy. They can't perform Focus or Evade actions while in his presence. Nor can they spend tokens already received. This simultaneously improves your attack dice and lessening your opponents', giving you the advantage.

Alternatively, consider scrapping the Flanker entirely, in favor of Howlrunner and an extra Tie Fighter. Losing Vader for this improves your attack dice from 2 to 4, and adding Howlrunner improves the effectiveness of all of those dice. This tactic calls for the Shuttle as a Flanker, which is definitely doable.

Your shuttle is a standard Dogfighting model, but with an Ion Cannon on board as well. I rather view Ion Cannons as sub-par, as you are trading damage for an occasionally-useful utility. Circumstantially, it's amazing, but most of the time, it is worse than your primary. If you're keeping a 31 point shuttle, upgrade to Captain Yorr instead, to make your other ships more effective (and a nice PS bonus to boot).

Consider instead a Buzzsaw-Shuttle. 32 points, so 1 more than it currently costs, but has a Fire-Control System, a Gunner, and an Engine Upgrade.

With FCS + Gunner, your gunner'd attack is ALWAYS target-locked, so you're more free than ever to use your Engine Upgrades or stressful maneuvers effectively.

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TL:DR?

Flank Option 1: Lose Vader for a high-leveled Interceptor (Soontir Fel, Turr Phennir, or Carnor Jax), for a better flanker

Flank Option 2: Lose the Flanker entirely for Howlrunner + Academy Tie, for a better main-fleet, and pincer between Shuttle and Swarm

Shuttle Option 1: Lose Ion Cannon for Captain Yorr, improving your fleet's effectiveness

Shuttle Option 2: Trade Ion Cannon, Advanced Sensors, and 1 point from elsewhere in your fleet, for a FCS/Gunner combo, for massive damage.

Flank and Shuttle Options pair better together when the numbers match, but I think any combination is workable

Unfortunately, getting hold of an Interceptor will be near impossible. (Sadly, getting hold of anything other than X-Wing/Y-Wing/TIE/Advanced and the large ships is hard in the UK.)

Picking up a 2nd core set for the extra TIEs is more of an option, although I'm not sure if I'll be able to stretch to spending that much extra before Imdaar.

I'll see what I can do on the Shuttle front however

Look at Miniature Market for purchasing an extra Interceptor. They are $10 US (about 6.50 GBP) plus shipping, not sure how much shipping is. They are ultra reliable and you'll have your mini pretty quickly even though it's coming from the US.

Just a thought.

Even Miniature Market are out of stock. I can only take this as a sign of Interceptors being so good that everyone wants 1 10