I'm fairly new to the game, but I have some ships on the way to me, and I'm thinking of ways to use them. Here's a squad I worked up:

http://xwing-builder.co.uk/view/101761/deltaechodelta

The idea behind the squad is to set up Echo early with a cloak, and have him generally behind and out of all firing arcs, or be at range 3 with a cloak. Getting Echo into range 1 behind the enemy leaves the potential for single shot removal, especially with PTL adding focus. The deltas head out to dominate the middle of the board, and generally K-turn back and forth in formation. Potentially they can pair up to eliminate 2 or 3 ships before losing one of them, with the hopes of a 3rd or 4th before both are gone.

I can see that the Falcon, or a pair of Falcons might be a hindrance, and perhaps the z-swarm might not be a good enemy either.

Thoughts? Is this standard right now? Is this a bad idea?

The other option I had thought of was a pair of interceptors which would allow me to add more cards, but they're generally a little weaker and want to be behind the enemy, which is sorta what Echo is for. Either that or pairing Echo with 3-5 ties.

Jacob

Never use PTL with phantoms. Phantoms die when they stress. You can't use ACD while stressed (you can't perform actions or free actions while stressed). Generally speaking the higher pilot skill the better with phantoms, so veteran instincts is generally accepted as the preferred Pilot talent for Echo and Whisper.

I would try:

Echo

Veteran instincts

Recon Specialist

Fire Control System

Advanced Cloaking Device

Delta x2

I wouldn't use PTL on a Phantom. One thing you never want on a Phantom is stress. You pretty much always want VI on a named Phantom for the PS boost.

I wouldn't use PTL on a Phantom. One thing you never want on a Phantom is stress. You pretty much always want VI on a named Phantom for the PS boost.

You can use PTL + Advanced Sensors on a Phantom, as long as (1) you start the round without stress, and (2) you're comfortable using a green maneuver on any turn where you activate PTL.

The problem, for me, is that it's a little bit finicky and it pushes out your PS bid. Echo's PS6 works great as long as you don't run into a ship that (a) has PS6+ and (b) can reliably attack you. That means you're counting on never running into Dutch, Lando, Han, Soontir, Kath, Fett, etc. So, like others, I'd either upgrade Echo to Whisper (which at least edges out the PS6 ships and, if you build to 98-99, probably PS7 as well) or drop Push the Limit for a PS bid via Veteran Instincts.

If you're really attached to PTL on Echo, though, you could do something tricky:

"Echo" (30)

Push the Limit (3)

Advanced Sensors (3)

Advanced Cloaking Device (4)

Darth Vader (29)

Decoy (2)

Royal Guard Pilot (22)

Hull Upgrade (3)

Shield Upgrade (4)

Royal Guard TIE (0)

Total: 100

Subbing Vader for one of the Defenders means he does his usual double-action, strong-finisher thing while pushing Echo's PS up to 9. I have a Royal Guard standing in for the other Defender because you can't quite get to 30 points, and no PTL is a drawback--but you're trading the Defender's extra hit point for PS6, which isn't such a bad deal. (You could also drop the Shield Upgrade for PTL and an initiative bid, and I'd seriously consider doing so.)

Great Feedback. I hadn't thought about the PTL issue. I'm attached to Echo, as I want to learn to fly the various manoeuvres he can come up with, but I'm not attached to PTL, so I'll look at refitting.

Jacob

Here's what I would suggest, and it's a very minor switch

Echo + VI + FCS + Intel Agent + ACD

x2 Delta

98pts total.

Intel Agent on Echo will help against Higher PS pilots that you want to avoid. FCS lets you keep your focus for defense, and is really good against high health ships.

What about this:

Echo with VI+AS+ACD+Tactition

2x Delta Squadron

100 pts.

That would work. Recon spec is good on echo too because you can use one focus for firing, one for defense or two for defense if you're getting shot at twice, four dice with focus is hefty defense.

I liked the tricky idea with vader and decoy!

One combo that I considered once was:

Vader (29):

- Decoy (2)

- Assault missile (5)

Phantom (sigma squadron, 25)

- Intelligence agent (1)

- Advanced cloaking device (4) (working with Vader's decoy)

Echo (30)

- expert handling (2)

- stygium particle accelerator (2)

The goal would be to have an extremely manoeuverable Echo while Vader supported the other phantom (and threw a missile as an aplha strike. Unfortunately, I need 1 more phantom to pull it off.

Just say not to PTL on Echo.

The big problem I see with this list is that it's too small. With only three ships, you'll go down fast. Since Echo darts about, staying out of arcs, he won't typically be with your main force. That leaves only two Defenders to face the enemy. Yeah, they're good ships, but you've only got two of them. I think your opponents, if they're capable, will destroy the Defenders in short order (not hard to do, since there's only two of them, and they don't have enough combined firepower to give as good as they get), ignore Echo until they're dead, then hunt down the Phantom. You'll need to work hard to keep this list alive.

Consider Echo w/ Advanced Cloak, a Delta and three Academy Pilots. A much hardier force. Yes, Echo's less effective, but your main force is a significantly greater threat, and harder to bring down. In addition, you'll be doing a lot more damage, and have more ability to absorb damage.

Advanced cloak only truly is worth the cost when your high enough PS to cloak for most return fire, not much point in 4 points spent on it without VI IMHO.