Hi all

This is the squadron I think i'm going to be trying out now with my shiny new Phantom. Any thoughts?

Echoes of a Swarm - 100 points

Echo - Veteran Instincts, Fire Control System, Advanced Cloaking Device [37]

Howlrunner - Swarm Tactics [20]

Mauler Mithel - Swarm Tactics [19]

Academy TIE [12]

Academy TIE [12]

Alternatively I could drop ST and the FCS and give Howl and Maul Stealth Devices for a bit more staying power, but I quite like the idea of everyone shooting at PS 8 and 7

I think that looks way fun to fly. I'd like to try it out.

I would keep the ST's on. Let the Mini-swarm do as much damage as possible to leave Echo left to pick off any remainders. If they try to go after Echo early, that swarm can really chew them up.

I like it, I really wish you could fit Howlrunner and 5 ties. As is I'd go with Echo and a 5 Tie build either way. Backstabber and 4 Academies gives you a 1 point Initiative bid, something you want to lose with a Phantom. You really want to not have initiative, and you need the choice there.

Yeah that's not a bad alternative, Echo, Backstabber and 4 Academies. Echo definitely becomes target priority 1 though, whereas in my original build Echo, Howlrunner and Mauler are all equally big threats... But the extra ship is definitely something to consider!

Yeah that's not a bad alternative, Echo, Backstabber and 4 Academies. Echo definitely becomes target priority 1 though, whereas in my original build Echo, Howlrunner and Mauler are all equally big threats... But the extra ship is definitely something to consider!

Not really, no. Echo is 100% your biggest threat. Phantoms will always be the biggest threat to damage to solve the problem on your team. If they chase Echo you have 10-11 attack dice coming at their back. If the chase your squadron you have Echo lighting into their backs.

With Stygium Particle accelerator let's say:

decloak...free evade
recloak as your action, another free evade?
or is the second free evade illegal?

With Stygium Particle accelerator let's say:

decloak...free evade

recloak as your action, another free evade?

or is the second free evade illegal?

It gives you a free action, not the token itself. You can only perform the action once per turn.

With Stygium Particle accelerator let's say:

decloak...free evade

recloak as your action, another free evade?

or is the second free evade illegal?

Yes, the second free evade is illegal. It's a second evade action. Much like you cannot Advanced Sensors Cloak, Decloak immediately, and then use Advanced Cloaking Device later.

I think you'll still want initiative with the phatom. Blocking is an overrated concern with so many vectors of escape. Even having two PS1 fighters, intiative would still be very valuable in this list. My contribution would be:

Whisper, FCS, Advanced Cloaking, VI

Howlrunner Swarm Tactics

Mauler Mithel

Academy

Academy

I conceived a similar list several weeks ago, all shooting at PS8:

30 Echo

4 Advanced Cloaking Device

1 Intelligence Agent

1 Veteran Instincts

18 Howlrunner

2 Swarm Tactics

14 Black Squadron Pilot

2 Swarm Tactics

14 Black Squadron Pilot

2 Swarm Tactics

12 Academy Pilot

I'm planning on something like this for my next X-Wing night:

Echo

- VI

- Advanced Cloak

- Advanced Sensors

- Recon Specialist

Lt. Lorrir

Saber Squadron

- PtL

Academy Pilot

Recon gives Echo more survivability than any other crew option. Two Interceptors do their usual arc-dancing antics. Academy is wondering why someone painted his flight jacket red.

Could just run 34 pts worth of Phantom to fit Howl + 4 AP. Having a PS3 or PS5 Phantom, or even mostly naked Echo would still be an imposing threat. I just don't have as much success with Howl and 3 Ties. Maybe the Swarm Tactics bid will make up for it

Been playing around with some builds

First off want to say, I really like your list wonder.

Here what I been toying with

Echo

Veteran instincts

Advanced cloak

Turr

Push the limit

Royal guard

Push the limit

Academy pilot

List #2

Echo

Veteran instincts

Advanced cloak

Bounty hunter

Hlc

2x academy pilots.

So many variations I want to try

I think you'll still want initiative with the phatom. Blocking is an overrated concern with so many vectors of escape. Even having two PS1 fighters, intiative would still be very valuable in this list. My contribution would be:

Whisper, FCS, Advanced Cloaking, VI

Howlrunner Swarm Tactics

Mauler Mithel

Academy

Academy

You don't want initiative because you want to move after as many ships as possible, so you can see the layout of the board completely as possible, and evade the firing arcs of boosting barrel rolling ships with High Pilot skill. For instance, you want to move after Fettigator with Echo. If he didn't take vet instincts losing initiative allows you to do so.

I think you'll still want initiative with the phatom. Blocking is an overrated concern with so many vectors of escape. Even having two PS1 fighters, intiative would still be very valuable in this list. My contribution would be:

Whisper, FCS, Advanced Cloaking, VI

Howlrunner Swarm Tactics

Mauler Mithel

Academy

Academy

You don't want initiative because you want to move after as many ships as possible, so you can see the layout of the board completely as possible, and evade the firing arcs of boosting barrel rolling ships with High Pilot skill. For instance, you want to move after Fettigator with Echo. If he didn't take vet instincts losing initiative allows you to do so.

Echo vs Soontir is going to be a lot of fun.

DPS variation 1:

Whisper + VI + ACD

Soontir + PtL + SD

Delta Defender

Variation 2

Whisper + VI + ACD + WE + FCS

Vessery

Doomshuttle

With Stygium Particle accelerator let's say:

decloak...free evade

recloak as your action, another free evade?

or is the second free evade illegal?

Yes, the second free evade is illegal. It's a second evade action. Much like you cannot Advanced Sensors Cloak, Decloak immediately, and then use Advanced Cloaking Device later.

Thank you. I was a bit turned around there.

Initiative is better for my iteration of the list because I want Whisper to shoot first and then disappear before reprisal. Its a moot point though, because based on my experience in the finals at AIA when I ran her, she won't be in ANYONE's arc. I can see your point, Aminar, about barrel rolling, but in my experience, being able to dictate asteroid placement, block and shoot first can be used to your advantage. Honestly, Echo's ability is great, but it seems like Whisper is a steal for only two more points.

I was thinking of having a "Water Dancing" list. Ok Star Dancing list, where the idea is to just get the eff out of the way out of people's arcs. I can see it working one of two ways.

Whisper +VI +Intelligence Agent +Advanced Sensors +Advanced Cloaking Device

Boba Fett +PTL +Engine Upgrade +Navigator

Academy Tie

Boba can stay out of peoples arcs like nobody's business. So can Whisper. Academy Tie is there to spend 12 points (I could have bought a HLC and Proton bomb, not sure if that would work better).

The other way I was thinking is just be annoying.

Whisper +VI +Intelligence Agent +Advanced Sensors +Advanced Cloaking Device

Echo +VI +Intelligence Agent +Advanced Sensors +Advanced Cloaking Device

Dark Curse +Stealth Device