I'm still experimenting with some theory craft here, but I thought this was a cool idea:

http://xwing-builder.co.uk/view/102970/target-zs

So, this is 4 Tala Z-95's with Ion Pulse Missiles and Munitions Failsafe, along with Garvin Driess (Target lock pass off) loaded with R5-K6 (gain a target lock when you spend one), Flechette Torpedoes, and Munitions Failsafe.

99points, so usually has advantage.

Idea here is formation flying, early target locks focus fire of course, and because of Garvin's Target Lock pass off and the Munitions Failsafe, you're pretty much guaranteed a field of ionized ships that are ripe for picking off.

I figure this will be quite good against lists of 3 or 4, thinks like Greens and Blues, Or x-wings, and perhaps the new squads of Phantoms and 'Ceptors. Wouldn't like to face Falcons (where the lack of high dice rolls and the 360 fire doesn't help) or maybe swarms (focus fire back on ships with 2 evade is pretty weak).

Dunno, it's an idea. What would you do? is it worth trying?

Jacob

One obvious issue: Garven passes focus tokens when he spends them, not target locks.

Ion Pulse is great on one or two ships, but not really on a whole squadron. It forces you into a choice: focus fire, or ionize evenly? If you focus fire, then you've wasted a good few attacks by doing one damage, tops, with each hit. And all of those ion tokens will just go away next turn anyway. If you ionize evenly, then you haven't done significant damage to anyone and now have a bunch of people drifting forward one, which is probably what they would've done anyway since your alpha strike will be on the first turn of combat, when you're still flying toward each other. Sure, you could hold off, but then some of your ships will die, meaning you've wasted points. Also, I think you may be confusing Graven with Dutch. Garven passes focus tokens after he spends one, which makes him pretty useless with torpedoes. Edit:

A better idea might be to drop Garven down to something cheaper, and then upgrade all but one or two of those ion pulse missiles to conc missiles or assault missiles, depending on how many points you can save.