I've never played with any of the people that will be attending, so I don't really know what their meta looks like. Do you guys have any preferred lists for flying blind, essentially?

I'm thinking:

Chewie, VI, concussion missiles, falcon title, and EU

3x bandit squad, ion pulse missiles, munitions fail safe.

I figure that could hold up against phantoms, other large ships, and even defenders in the post-wave 4 world.

I dunno if I would run that many pulse missiles as well as z95s. Try to include a bwing in there if I were you.

That should be fine, I would suggest dropping the missile and VI on chewie and taking a gunner, even though I am not a fan of that upgrade, or take predator and something else for 2 points instead, most phantoms should be 8 or 9 PS so VI on chewie will only help you a small amount and the falcon won't be facing the enemy most of the time.

Have you used this list yet? I would generally recommend that someone take a list they're comfortable with to their first event. I'm not too keen on some of Chewie's upgrade choices, but if you have experience with them, then go for it. The ships themselves look alright.

I don't own predator or gunner, unless they come in the E-wing and I forgot to check.

Also, drop the missle on Chewie, and try to put Gunner on him.

Or, play a list you enjoy and have lots of fun. Tournaments can be very fun, and a great challenge.

'ed

Use Luke instead of Gunner, if you can scrape the points. It comes in really, really handy on turns where you opt for a mobility action over an offensive one.

Have you used this list yet? I would generally recommend that someone take a list they're comfortable with to their first event. I'm not too keen on some of Chewie's upgrade choices, but if you have experience with them, then go for it. The ships themselves look alright.

I've run Chewie before, with a Y and HWK, both packing ions. I won, but it was against Bs and Zs at low PS.

My phantom kills have come from my own phantom/interceptor list, and an AEZ list that was decked out.

Good luck on your first tournament. Go Virgin.

As noted above, I'm another vote for "Fly a squad you're comfortable with". Just taking a build that others have won with, will not mean that someone who just picks it up will automatically win with it too. It comes down to knowing what your squad can, and especially cannot, do.

Just curious what the plan is after the pulse missiles are fired? They will do 1 dmg and double ion. Say he goes up against a phantom heavy list they for sure will already be cloaked before he gets in range to target lock which means he'll have to wait for one of them to decloak or risk firing and going against 4 defense dice. He does have munitions fail safe but either wayif the phantoms are still cloaked then they will stay cloaked. If he hits them while uncloaked the only ship doing dmg to them would be chewie. I dunno, I can see how it could work but the phantoms are way more maneuverable than z95's and most likely is the z95s won't even get more than 1 shot off. A phantom could 1 shot a z95 let alone someone running 2. So far tho I've seen a single phantom maybe 2 supporting a BH. Again tho this is just my opinion and obviously I'm not a big fan of lots of pulse missiles or flachettes for that matter. Ide rather use cluster missiles for a point more.

Good luck at your first event. I think the key is to go in with realistic expectations. Play hard, but accept the fact that you may not do well in your first event. Do not let one loss discourage you.

Things to watch for:
TIE Swarm, it is still out there even with the threat of the dreaded Phantom Menace
Phantoms (these will be everywhere)
Double Falcon lists, can you burn down a Han + Chewie list before it kills you?

If not, you will need to rethink your list.

Good tip, if it is an FFG official event you need the cards for the upgrades and ships you are running.
Take a tray/show box to carry every from table to table in, this will save a ton of time

And Have Fun!

My idea was a falcon plus numbers should give me a little bit more staying power than you would first assume. My biggest problem is that I'm trying to use my Zs like As, and I don't have any As.

Let's try this on for size

Echo, tactician, VI, adv cloaking

Carnor jax, PTL, royal guard title, HU, targeting comp

2x black squadron TIES

I think what you're going to find is that a lot of people will either recommend their pet favorites, or the most commonly accepted lists/upgrades. If that's what you want, you really need look no further than any of the dozens of threads already abounding within this forum. If you want a critique tailored specifically for you, you should probably give us some more personal information. Which ships/upgrades do you have available? Which ships/upgrades do you have the most experience with? What is your preferred play style? What is your preferred faction? What are you trying to accomplish at this tournament?

No offense, but you can spitball list ideas all day long and we can tear them down for you, but I don't think that's really going to get you anywhere.

Hi Nikk Whyte - I have my first tournament coming up to. I will probably run echo, but I would advise using recon specialist on it rather than tactician. The extra focus keeps it alive while making it more lethal when attacking. I'm looking at running it with a shuttle or two though. What's the tactic with the ties and carnor?

Good list, I like it.

I guess I am one of the odd ball guys one this forum that does not believe that the elite small Imperial Squads with a Phantom is a good idea. I think a Phantom needs a good anchor squad, something with staying power and the ability to take ships out.

Something like a mini swarm (4 or 5 TIEs, with or without Howl, I recommend with), buzzsaw Shuttle (OMG Pilot with Fire Control systems, gunner, and engine upgrade), Firespray, something like that.

In the list you have outlined above, a double Falcon list would still rock this list, the Phantom and Interceptor will not get close to that 360 firing arc leaving you two TIEs to take one of them out.

Just my thoughts, I could be wrong, but I think that double falcon list will be VERY prevalent early in wave 4.

I think what you're going to find is that a lot of people will either recommend their pet favorites, or the most commonly accepted lists/upgrades. If that's what you want, you really need look no further than any of the dozens of threads already abounding within this forum. If you want a critique tailored specifically for you, you should probably give us some more personal information. Which ships/upgrades do you have available? Which ships/upgrades do you have the most experience with? What is your preferred play style? What is your preferred faction? What are you trying to accomplish at this tournament?

No offense, but you can spitball list ideas all day long and we can tear them down for you, but I don't think that's really going to get you anywhere.

Oh no, just talking it out is getting me somewhere. I've already moved on from the initial list, and learned about luke as crew. He's expensive as hell but would get use every turn and probably earn back his worth in points.

I've only flown each of my lists once or twice tops, and have only lost due to flying off the map/poor opponents. So really I could go just about anywhere.

I like the rebel pilots better but am usually better with imperials.

Well, the first list you mentioned should be considerably easier to fly than the second. The Empire tends to require more skill, so game experience definitely comes into play, as does the amount of time practicing, specifically, with the Phantom. Depending on those factors you may or may not want to stick with the Rebels.

So, you have 10 points worth of upgrades invested in Chewie. If you want the Gunner/Luke effect and some extra mobility, consider Expert Handling + Luke + Nien Nunb (or MF title) instead. It's not particularly original, but it works.

Also, @wonderwaaaagh

I've got a core set, falcon, HWK, Y-wing, E-wing, Z-wing, imp aces, phantom, tie advanced

Ill "echo" above and say run what your comfortable. (To a degree. 4+ ship builds)

I made the mistake of trying a new combo at imdaar alpha and it was just a bad combo that i wasn't good with so i placed absolutely last.

Is it safe to assume you won't be purchasing any new ships before the weekend? At least you have an Advanced, I was worried you wouldn't have access to Expert Handling.

Haha, I don't actually have 3 Zs to play. I'm really trying to hold out for rebel aces before I buy any duplicates.

I've always felt best in the falcon, so I'm gonna see if I can squeeze the E and X in there.

Alright, falcon and fighter escorts

Chewie, luke

Airen Cracken

Etahn A'baht

If I fly them tight, Etahn should help everybody and Cracken can dispense free actions.

Since Chewie moves first, I can keep bumping to a minimum, and it won't be too hard to keep the Cracken close. I'll get free target locks or focus right after Cracken fires, and with 22 life I should take some time to dispatch.

With that list...maybe Engine Upgrade for the falcon...you can intentionally block/overlap since you can still pick up your TL/Focus/Boost from Cracken.

Predator or Vet Instincts on E'tahn?

Squad Leader on Cracken?

Not sure how many points you have left...got enough for a Y-Wing+Ion Turret? Or even a Wedge/Biggs?