Ok so I'm wanting to have Etahn lead a sqaud of Z's into battle using his ability to put some crits on people. I can't decide between going with etahn and 5 talas with barely any points for upgrades or etahn and 4 talas which gives me 13 points for upgrades. Thoughts?

Advanced Sensors, Push the Limit, Engine Upgrade, Hull Upgrade.

Makes him expensive, but a super awesome Flanker.

I've been wanting to do something like this but I cannot find a way to deal with super maneuverable ships. It seems really fun against falcons and other swarms but I feel like echo would walk all over it.

Advanced Sensors, Push the Limit, Engine Upgrade, Hull Upgrade.

Makes him expensive, but a super awesome Flanker.

Thinking about running pretty much that just worried that his ps is to low to really take advantage of the boost and barrel roll.

Advanced Sensors, Push the Limit, Engine Upgrade, Hull Upgrade.

Makes him expensive, but a super awesome Flanker.

Thinking about running pretty much that just worried that his ps is to low to really take advantage of the boost and barrel roll.

Then just take the Hull Upgrade and be super careful, or give him VI. They will have to take a lot of crits from the swarmlet or chase him down, getting broadsided by the swarmlet and still lots of crits. Test a few things, see what works for you.

I've been wanting to do something like this but I cannot find a way to deal with super maneuverable ships. It seems really fun against falcons and other swarms but I feel like echo would walk all over it.

Add a Y or HWK with an ion. I've run Jan (VI, Ion)+Etahn and 3Zs and it hits pretty hard (especially with Jan's extra die) and ion provides some control and deterrent.

Etahn doesn't need a lot of upgrades to be effective, but Predator is probably the best. Focus/evade as necessary for defense, and get a free offensive re-roll. Here are my two preferred lists:

Etahn

Tala + Concussion Missiles x4

and

Etahn + Predator

Bandit + Concussion Missiles x4

Also: OP's math is wrong. You have 16 points to play around with, not 13.

The best E'tan and the Z's I've found is 4 Talas and E'tan with shield upgrade,R2-D2, tactical jammer, and predator. Makes him really tough to kill and the Talas wreck on people with all of those crits. Add in predator on E'tan and he is pretty strong himself.