So I've played a bunch of games casually, but haven't made it to a tournament until now. I'm making the drive down to Austin and want to make sure that I do well enough to justify the drive and entry cost. I don't need to win, but I'd like to at least be competitive.

That said, how does this list look?

Soontir Fel

-Push the Limit
-Shield Upgrade
-Royal Guard Tie

-Targeting Computer

Mauler Mithel

-Veteran Instincts

Backstabber

Dark Curse

Obsidian Squadron Pilot

Obviously Fel is the big threat, but that's kind of the point. I'll run Dark Curse and Obsidian Squadron with him to function as blockers and let Backstabber and Mauler do their thing as flankers. It's not the usual Howlrunner swarm, but I'm terrible at flying in formation and I hope that this can reward free flying--while also breaking up enemy formations.

I've considered also trading Shield Upgrade and Targetting Computer for Hull Upgrade and Stealth Device. It'll lower my killing potential, but maybe help turtle up to let the flankers do their thing.

Thoughts from you veteran tourney goers? Any amateur mistakes made here?

well i tried to fly my squints alongside eyeballs and that didnt work out that well even if i won i got heavy casualties just sayin use squints as single entities and give em room to do crazy manouvers while u fly the ties in kind of a formation, they dont have to fly a tight formation like u do with howl but a loose formation instead.

EDIT: good look on ure touarnement ;P

Well, as mentioned above, Interceptors are generally best when they are alone as flankers, while the bulk of a list acts as the lure and the primary threat. Flying an Interceptor with a TIE escort tends to limit the interceptor and help the enemy focus on it, which even with 4 HP is ... squishy.

Now, it was recommended that you group the TIEs as a block and run Soontir solo. This is a solid plan. Indeed, if you drop TC, you can get:

Soontir Fel (27)
Push the Limit (3)
Shield Upgrade (4)

"Howlrunner" (18)

Academy Pilot (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

Total: 100

Howl + 4 Academies is a serious thread and Soontir acts as a flanker. A mini-swarm is always a strong option for a Tournament. If you want a high PS TIE group, consider this:

Soontir Fel (27)
Push the Limit (3)
Shield Upgrade (4)
Targeting Computer (2)
Royal Guard TIE (0)

"Backstabber" (16)

"Dark Curse" (16)

"Night Beast" (15)

"Mauler Mithel" (17)

Total: 100

Here you fly the four TIEs together. Yes, even Backstabber. Soontir flanks. Backstabber's role here is to discourage your opponent from turning to face Soontir. Afterall, if they try to take out Fel, Backstabber gets an extra die in his attacks. Dark Curse does his usual shenanigans. Mauler Mithel is a serious threat at range 1. And Night Beast gets all sorts of focus, so he can evade/barrel roll every turn, making him also rather tough. Whether it would stand in a tournament I'm unsure.

I've actually been mulling between these two themes for my Imdaar lists. I worry with a Howlrunner + 4 Academy swarm that I'll lose one of the Academies before they get to shoot, at which point, why not just have 4 TIEs that shoot before the PS2-4 generics? But then, you're giving up on one of your guns before any dice are thrown, and the academies make great blockers if you can position them right, which makes the return fire that they'll be taking significantly less dangerous... Hrm, maybe I'll just go with a reliable rebel squad instead, but that just feels like giving in to the upstarts.

I've actually been mulling between these two themes for my Imdaar lists. I worry with a Howlrunner + 4 Academy swarm that I'll lose one of the Academies before they get to shoot, at which point, why not just have 4 TIEs that shoot before the PS2-4 generics? But then, you're giving up on one of your guns before any dice are thrown, and the academies make great blockers if you can position them right, which makes the return fire that they'll be taking significantly less dangerous... Hrm, maybe I'll just go with a reliable rebel squad instead, but that just feels like giving in to the upstarts.

I've been wrestling with exactly this dilemma. Academy Pilots are expendable, but I don't want to spend the points on something that's just expendable. I want them to at least get a shot off. This sort of thinking had me considering the Rebels as well, but flying interceptors is what hooked me on the game and I just can't leave them at home for my first tourney.

SableGryphon and SoulCrusherEx,

I think that you're right about the TIEs. I'll keep them together and let Fel run free. I had considered your second list, Sable, but I wasn't sure how important initiative would be for this list. I'm still not sure, frankly. I'll likely do as you suggest.

Now how should I approach standard tourney builds?

Vs. Han Shoots First, I usually run the "swarm" right at the freighter and try to overwhelm it quickly. Think this is still possible?

Vs. XXBB

I haven't played against Advanced Sensors B-Wings, but I'm not too worried about this. I'm usually able to stay out of arcs and whittle them down.

Vs. TIE Swarm

Do I stay at range three and rely on my superior PS to shoot first a D whittle them down or charge in?

Thanks for the helpful feedback!