I may have just found the new way to fly a TIE swarm.

3x Black Squadron + Predator + Stealth Device

2x Black Squadron + Outmaneuver + Hull upgrade

I set up the 3 predators in the middle with the Outamnuever's on the sides, I don't have to fly them in formation - thus not really at a terrible risk from a Z-95 Assault Missile swarm, and at PS 4 they are likely to fire before alot of swarms.

The best part about this, for me, is that the TIE has a really nice dial, but when you are flying in formation, alot of the maneuvers are difficult to perform in tight quarters. This way you essentially have 5 ships that each feel like a "Named" pilot due to their upgrades, and you can keep them far enough apart so that you can really take advantage of their dial.

I'm gonna have to fly this again. probably gonna be one of my favorite builds.

I've yet to play against a true swarm. I beat a 6 ship rebel list with the 3 available turreted rebels. Easy picking too.

Yeah it sounds good Crabbie.

I understand why people have done the whole tight formation TIE Swarm deal... but do not think it is the best way to go, certainly not now with the new Headhunter and the new upgrade cards in the Wave Four ships.

Ive been thinkin of something similar.

2x bs w outmaneuver

2x bs w opportunist

2x bs w draw their fire

Ive also thought of dropping opportunists for predator..

Anyways fly them in 2 groups of 3 with one of each type. Since your all at ps 4 you can have the one w dtf shoot, than the one with outmaneuver fire, good chance to strip off tokens for the bs w opportunist.

Predator seems awfully better than opportunist. Especially since you will always be able to use it.

One thing though, is that it boils down to how many defenders you want to buy. I have only 3, and plan to buy zero more, so 5x predator isn't really an option.

The TIE Swarm has more TIEs, 8 is the magical number, others are good squads but not TIE Swarms, greettings

Sounds good. Similar to what I've been looking at.

My one observation - whilst outmanouvre is good, I would swap at least one of the outmanouvre TIEs for Backstabber. - his ability is essentially the same but slightly better (attack die >evade die, hence adding an attack die > removing an evade die) and he's cheaper and higher Pilot skill.

You will need 1 or 2 A.P.'s to help with blocking. Action denial and locking your opponents ships, that you want to target, into position are a big part of a Swarm's tactics (pun intended).

The TIE Swarm has more TIEs, 8 is the magical number, others are good squads but not TIE Swarms, greettings

Magical number is 7, You want Howlrunner in there.

I'm fully aware of how many ships are part of a TIE Swarm, but my point is that the Z-95 has really shaken up the meta. There has been some discussion on weather or not the TIE Swarm that we all know and love is going to survive. Since you can now have 5 assault missiles in the alpha strike, the old style of flying howlrunner + 6 other TIE's in formation is going to have to evolve if it is to survive.

This is what I expect it will evolve into. Less ships, but each can be flown independently, doesn't need to be in "formation", and harder to kill. I'm not saying that 5 ships is the swarm you used to know.... but now with wave 4, super expensive ships, and so many competitive builds having only 3 ships... I'm saying that 5 ships may be the swarm of tomorrow.

Hey Crabbok. I like the intent of this list and don't think it needs any real tweaks. My only change would be to go all Stealth Device, but if you don't have the cards needed this is solid enough.

I totally agree with you on not needing formation flying with this list and I would probably fly a 2 and 3 group initially then split up as tactics and battle require.

Let us know how she flies for you.

Sounds good. Similar to what I've been looking at.

My one observation - whilst outmanouvre is good, I would swap at least one of the outmanouvre TIEs for Backstabber. - his ability is essentially the same but slightly better (attack die >evade die, hence adding an attack die > removing an evade die) and he's cheaper and higher Pilot skill.

Sounds good. Similar to what I've been looking at.

My one observation - whilst outmanouvre is good, I would swap at least one of the outmanouvre TIEs for Backstabber. - his ability is essentially the same but slightly better (attack die >evade die, hence adding an attack die > removing an evade die) and he's cheaper and higher Pilot skill.

Hmm good point. Ill swap him in, funny thing there was another thread on this few days ago .. didnt occur to me haha.

Yes I only have 2 predators and 3 outmneuvers and 2 opportunists to work with.

If you have 3 outmaneuvers, you PROBABLY have 3 Predators also. Don't they both come with the Defender?

Hey Crabbok. I like the intent of this list and don't think it needs any real tweaks. My only change would be to go all Stealth Device, but if you don't have the cards needed this is solid enough.

I totally agree with you on not needing formation flying with this list and I would probably fly a 2 and 3 group initially then split up as tactics and battle require.

Let us know how she flies for you.

Problem is I've only 2 Slaves, so I don't have the 5 required Stealth Devices, otherwise I probably would. I agree that would probably be an improvement.

I'm fully aware of how many ships are part of a TIE Swarm, but my point is that the Z-95 has really shaken up the meta. There has been some discussion on weather or not the TIE Swarm that we all know and love is going to survive. Since you can now have 5 assault missiles in the alpha strike, the old style of flying howlrunner + 6 other TIE's in formation is going to have to evolve if it is to survive.

This is what I expect it will evolve into. Less ships, but each can be flown independently, doesn't need to be in "formation", and harder to kill. I'm not saying that 5 ships is the swarm you used to know.... but now with wave 4, super expensive ships, and so many competitive builds having only 3 ships... I'm saying that 5 ships may be the swarm of tomorrow.

I know you have a lot of experience with the game and know what is considered a swarm and what not. I was replying to Kaxel and the fact that he seems to consider a 8 Tie Fighter team the best swarm there is, which I think is just not true. While 7 is the more frequent build I saw, I've seen a lot of Tie Swarm having a lot of success with 6 pilots (the 6 named team come to mind).

Regarding your team, I'm not too sure about the Hull Upgrade and Stealth Device on every ship. If I was to try it, I would probably drop them in favor of one more Black Squadron Pilot with either a 1 point EPT (Draw their Fire?) or a 1 point Initiative bid. 5 Tie does start to seems a little low on the number.

It does and I totally get that. I almost did that myself.

This might be 2 of the variation s of the "new" swarm. 5 bulkier TIEs, or 6 TIEs with EPT.

I don't see 5 ties having enough firepower. I can fit 5 ties on a list with a decked out Whisper. This has 30 points in upgrade cards. That's way way too many.

Sounds good. Similar to what I've been looking at.

My one observation - whilst outmanouvre is good, I would swap at least one of the outmanouvre TIEs for Backstabber. - his ability is essentially the same but slightly better (attack die >evade die, hence adding an attack die > removing an evade die) and he's cheaper and higher Pilot skill.

Hmm good point. Ill swap him in, funny thing there was another thread on this few days ago .. didnt occur to me haha.

Yes I only have 2 predators and 3 outmneuvers and 2 opportunists to work with.

If you have 3 outmaneuvers, you PROBABLY have 3 Predators also. Don't they both come with the Defender?

You'd think so. Actually outmaneuver comes with the E-wing as well. I have 2 preds from defender and 3 outs from 1 e wing and 2 defenders. Too bad predator doesn't come with the e-wing.. it's the odd part of this game, alot of upgrades i have odd numbers of. Like draw their fire for example, i just realized I only have one (it came with the boxed set or falcon.. both i only have one of). I'll probably have to go with veteran instincts or determination on my last two BS.

I don't see 5 ties having enough firepower. I can fit 5 ties on a list with a decked out Whisper. This has 30 points in upgrade cards. That's way way too many.

I agree 5 doesn't seem like alot, thats why i'm squeezing in 6 BS. I will say though I'm not taking mine to a tourny / just having some fun games with it. You never know, 6 BS all with good abilities might work out well. I know 8 ties is what really pushes the game mechanics to the limit though.

Okay, I've been thinking about it. How about:

Backstabber

Dark Curse

Black Squadron with Outmaneuver

Black Squadron with Predator x3

Okay, I've been thinking about it. How about:

Backstabber

Dark Curse

Black Squadron with Outmaneuver

Black Squadron with Predator x3

I like this better. Ignoring the amazing named Ties out there is a mistake.

Given what I own I'd probably swap out and have One Outmanuever, 1 Draw their fire, 1 Predator, add Night Beast, and put a stealth device on Dark Curse with the extra point.

Okay, I've been thinking about it. How about:

Backstabber

Dark Curse

Black Squadron with Outmaneuver

Black Squadron with Predator x3

Quite a possibility. One extra ship - none of them feel too basic. All can still function alone.

Call me crazy, but I'm actually working on a Tie Swarm with a TIE Advanced in it. Black Squadron, go!

Darth Vader, Proton Rockets, Swarm Tactics

Mauler Mithel, Veteran Instincts

BSP, Swarm Tactics

Backstabber

Dark Curse

It's only 5, which I am not pleased with, but it shoots at PS 9, 9, 9, 9, 6 which I really like. Enough firepower to drop a falcon, enough firepower + PS to drop a phantom.. less vulnerable to assault missile.

The TIE Swarm has more TIEs, 8 is the magical number, others are good squads but not TIE Swarms, greettings

Just want to give a definition of a swarm - In 100pt game, a swarm is 5 or more ships of the same type. Thus, it is possible to have a swarm with some other ship types (depending on the point values of the swarm ships).

The TIE Swarm has more TIEs, 8 is the magical number, others are good squads but not TIE Swarms, greettings

Just want to give a definition of a swarm - In 100pt game, a swarm is 5 or more ships of the same type. Thus, it is possible to have a swarm with some other ship types (depending on the point values of the swarm ships).

Call me crazy, but I'm actually working on a Tie Swarm with a TIE Advanced in it. Black Squadron, go!

Darth Vader, Proton Rockets, Swarm Tactics

Mauler Mithel, Veteran Instincts

BSP, Swarm Tactics

Backstabber

Dark Curse

It's only 5, which I am not pleased with, but it shoots at PS 9, 9, 9, 9, 6 which I really like. Enough firepower to drop a falcon, enough firepower + PS to drop a phantom.. less vulnerable to assault missile.

I use a very similar build:

Vader with Outmaneuver and Engine Upgrade

Mauler Mithel with Veteran Instinct

Backstabber

Darkcurse

Black Squadron Pilot

Not a top list, but fun to play and thematic.

The TIE Swarm has more TIEs, 8 is the magical number, others are good squads but not TIE Swarms, greettings

Just want to give a definition of a swarm - In 100pt game, a swarm is 5 or more ships of the same type. Thus, it is possible to have a swarm with some other ship types (depending on the point values of the swarm ships).

Nah. A swarm is when you have a large number of small ships on the squad. It doesn't have to all be the same. I mean, 3 As and 4 Zs is certainly a swarm. 5 Bounty Hunters in Epic is not.

That sounds fair, with the exception of "large number". That is just too subjective.

Might we say this - A swarm for a 100pt squad consists of 6 or more small ships of the same fraction, regardless of ship type.