Please share your thoughts on which of these versions is the "best."

Note that anything under 40 points is an initiative bid.

Build A

Whisper + Advanced Cloaking Device + Veteran Instincts + Rebel Captive = 40 points

Build B

Whisper + Advanced Cloaking Device + Veteran Instincts + Fire Control System = 39 points

Build C

Echo + Advanced Cloaking Device + Veteran Instincts + Rebel Captive = 38 points

Build D

Echo + Advanced Cloaking Device + Veteran Instincts + Fire Control System + Tactician = 39 points

Build E

Echo + Advanced Cloaking Device + Veteran Instincts + Rebel Captive + Fire Control System = 40 points

Your missing PTL, EU and AS

PTL isn't an auto-include for every ship. Phantoms don't want to get stressed as they can't recloak after shooting.

With regards to the OP - I think Build B is the Hunter role for the Phantom, you pick a target and lock in for future rounds. Great for scoring as much damage as possible, but can signal to your opponent where the Phantom is going to be placed/located, as you will want to track your target.

Build C is a defensive build, designed to keep the enemy guessing where the Phantom will be, and trying to punish them even if they get it right! I would use that when I want the threat of the phantom to be greater than the offensive output (and to save points)

Shadow squadron + academy pilot

OK, nice input.

However, I asked for inputon the five builds provided. Not that you increased the number of options.

Which, of the builds I provided in the original post, do you consider the best option?

Well, here are my 2 cents. Rebel Captive is a more limited use case on Whisper. Much better on Echo to protect him from Whispers.

I'm not of the belief that FCS is good enough on Phantoms to be more valuable than an initiative bid.

Therefore, if you have a squad that can kill Phantoms, take Build C with Echo for his added maneuverability. If the rest of your squad cannot deal with Phantoms, take Build B minus the FCS. If I'm counting on my Whisper to take down your Whisper, your **** certain I want to win the initiative bid.

Thank you GiraffeandZebra, that was the kind of constructive critisism I was hoping for to confirm my own thoughts.

My personal favorite Phantom build:

Echo + Advanced Sensor + Advanced Cloaking Device + Veteran Instinct + Intelligence Agent (39pts)

Advanced Sensor gives even more trouble to your opponent to guess where you'll end up and can moves you out of a tough spot. Intelligence Agent is for when you fly against a Higher PS pilot and want to know where he'll be.

But from what you posted, I would go with build C. I don't think FCS is that useful on a Phantom and Rebel Captive will keep your opponent in check. If he attacks you and get stressed, he'll be an easy prey next turn.

I know it's not the answer your looking for but I think all those tie up too many points in one glass cannon. I would go just vi+ ACD so that the ships checks in a little cheaper.

OK, nice input.

However, I asked for inputon the five builds provided. Not that you increased the number of options.

Which, of the builds I provided in the original post, do you consider the best option?

I am ever so terribly sorry.

I wouldn't go for any of the builds you have listed. But that may be because the rest of the squads that I'd put a phantom into aren't the same as the squads you'd put it into.

Asking the question in isolation without knowing what's in the rest of your squad is pretty meaningless. The advice I would give if your remaining 60 points was 5 academy pilots would be very different to if it's a bounty hunter and an interceptor.

As it stands I'm running on the assumption that this is for a 100 point build, I may be wrong on that...

Still,

Good luck.

I like, Echo + Veteran instincts, Fire control System, Recon specialist, Advanced cloaking device - if I want a fully kitted out phantom - but If looking for points, Echo + ACD by itself is good.

build b is my favourite of the ones listed. though I'd add tactician as a possible swap to the fcs

If there is one mistake many people make and keep making is to add too many upgrades on ships.

It really, really is usually better to have an extra ship.

A Phantom with high PS just about *screams* ACD. True. And Vet. instincts mesh very well.

but any after that? You better have a **** good reason to put even more eggs into one 2hp/2shield basket...

YMMV ofc.

Out of the options listed I'd go A, maybe B.

Something that might be important. If Vessery is part of the team, definitely take a FCS on your Phantom.

I'd go with option A if you're interested in running Whisper--probably for the PS9 bid, which is really strong. If you'd rather run Echo, though, I'd take C, but with a caveat. For me the first priority on defense is avoiding damage, and controlling my opponent's choices is secondary.

So I think Echo needs some extra help in the action economy, because otherwise I think it's too easy to flub your attack roll or your defense roll when you can't modify your dice. And that, in turn, means I think Recon Specialist is a substantially stronger upgrade for Echo than the Rebel Captive.

I like, Echo + Veteran instincts, Fire control System, Recon specialist, Advanced cloaking device - if I want a fully kitted out phantom - but If looking for points, Echo + ACD by itself is good.

I agree.

My to go build for Phantoms is fully upgraded "Echo" with Veteran Instincts + FCS + Recon specialist + ACD. 40pts of awesome firepower and focus left for defence while in cloak. FCS has proven amazing against almost anything as you get to shoot with TL+Focus with 4-5 dice. It is pretty hard not to hit with TL+Focus Echo.

But 40pts doesn't leave you much if you screw up.. it comes up to your flying skills as it is fairly easy to stay out of firing arcs while able to shoot at enemy.

Fully upgraded "Echo" won me almost single-handedly the Finnish regionals.. High risk, Very high reward.

So I'd go with E, with Recon specialist swapped in

I run D but instead of Tactician I use Navigator.

Another vote for Build E with Recon spec over here. It's expensive, but paired with the right set of distractions, it's worth it. If they go Phantom hunting too early, you can sit out at range 3 while the rest of your force rips them apart, and if they don't, your Phantom can get in close, and has all the tools to put the hurt on.

Edit for spelling

I vote for Build B.