Ok, so I have actually tried this list out - once, and I thought it was great. I flew against a 3 ship Rebel build that was super squishy as well. That being said, I'm looking to see if there is something I can do to tweak it, so I'm open to suggestions.
Vader, Squad Leader
Royal Guard, PTL (x2)
Backstabber, Hull Upgrade
Ok, so it's a squishy list, and Vader doesn't put a lot of hurt out with his 2 dice. I get it - no one likes the Advanced. This was my first try with it, and I quite enjoyed it. My opponent flew the following -
Han, MF Title, Gunner
Blue Squadron B-Wing
Rebel Operative (Hwk), Moldy Crow Title, Blaster Turret and Recon Specialist
Ok, so 2 REALLY squishy lists.
Setup was as Follows. On one corner I had an RGP in front, with Vader just behind. They were facing off against the B and the Hwk.
On the other corner I had The RGP and Backstabber pretty much side by side.
Three PS 6's and a 9 with Vader. I started with Vader and his escort. The RGP moved forward, and Vader moved just behind, staying within Range 1-2 (usually 2) so he could pass off the free action using Squad Leader.
Backstabber attempted to get behind the Falcon, and the other RGP was there as bait essentially.
Once we were in range of each other, my first Group with Vader and the RGP did the following - the RGP Barrel-rolled out of the arc of the B-wing. Vader focussed, and his second action passed a focus to the RGP, who then triggered PTL to evade. So, the RGP with a focus, Evade, and out of Arc. Vader struck first, and hit the B at Range 2 for 2 damage, then the RGP followed up with a focussed attack at range 1, doing 4 damage - bye bye shields, and now down to 2 hull.
It continued on for some time like that, the B going down in the 2nd round of us being in combat range. Next was the Hwk, and finally the Falcon.
All told, I lost a Royal Guard (the one with Backstabber). and had taken only 1 damage on everything else, except Vader who was unscathed.
So... I guess what I'm looking for here are some suggestions. I've got the flying and arc-dodging down, no problem. Even against a 2 turret list, I had no issues whatsoever.
I do want to know if there might be a better way to spend some points though.
I had Backstabber with Hull Upgrade. Would it have been better to drop Backstabber in favour of Dark Curse perhaps, still retaining the Hull Upgrade? Or should I think about removing the Hull Upgrade completely, and adding Engine Upgrade to Vader so he can better keep up with the Interceptors? It didn't seem to be too much of an issue, seeing as Squad Leader has a fairly decent range of 1-2, but the boost may help later in the game.
I don't know that this list would take advantage of Howlrunner, as it really is a flanker list, and Howl would have a difficult time keeping up with the Interceptors. And having three 6's helps keep things simple.
So, I'm open to suggestions, but VADER STAYS. I really need him for this list to work.