I've been toying around with various Imperial builds trying to incorporate the Wave 4 ships and upgrade cards. If I include a Phantom or Defender, I usually end up with a 3 ship build (excluding howlrunner mini-swarm). Although the 3 ships are decked out, it's still only 3 Imperial ships (i.e. squishy). One caveat is that I'm using the named Wave 4 pilots, but the non-named pilots can be just as expensive. So my general comment/question is that will the imperial meta shift towards 3-4 ship builds instead of the 6+ ship swarm? If so, would it be "tournament" worthy? One build I like is:

Fel+PTL+Stealth

Echo+FCS+VI+Adv Cloaking Device

OGP+FCS+Tactician+Gunner

One thing to remember is that you can fit Ties in clusters. 3 Tie Fighters is 36 points.

Echo with Vet Instincts and Enhanced Cloak, plus a shuttle 29 points or under plus 3 ties is pretty good. You don't need howl for a mini swarm, 3 ties are pretty effective as blockers, flankers, and carry a lot of durability for the cost.

In addition, 2 Bombers +Flechettes is 36 points. Backstabber and Dark Curse as a pair are 32. Try to fit Ties along with two big guns. It'll work out better.

As for Defenders, the same principle really does apply, but probably cuts you to 4 ships with ties.

I have a Phantom list that is my exact tourny list (Jax, Howlrunner and 4 Academies) with Jax and his upgrades just swapped out for a Sigma with upgrades.

I like my swarms too much to change my personal Imp meta yet It's the one type of list I'm really good at.

I've been toying around with various Imperial builds trying to incorporate the Wave 4 ships and upgrade cards. If I include a Phantom or Defender, I usually end up with a 3 ship build (excluding howlrunner mini-swarm). Although the 3 ships are decked out, it's still only 3 Imperial ships (i.e. squishy). One caveat is that I'm using the named Wave 4 pilots, but the non-named pilots can be just as expensive. So my general comment/question is that will the imperial meta shift towards 3-4 ship builds instead of the 6+ ship swarm? If so, would it be "tournament" worthy? One build I like is:

Fel+PTL+Stealth

Echo+FCS+VI+Adv Cloaking Device

OGP+FCS+Tactician+Gunner

I'd demote Fel to Phennir (I simply think Phennir's the better pilot).

That's 2 points towards finding an Engine Upgrade for the OmG Pilot.

I've been flying echo with Kath, and a tie fighter.

I've gone 5 and 1 with it. Lost my only game cause I flew it very badly and crashed into everything.

I've beaten Falcon /wedge build, 4 ship builds with Y wings, and z95

Haven't flown against imperials with it yet though

I think the meta had really changed

...and z wings

???

...and z wings

???