After playing this game for over a year, I'm increasingly finding that particular pilots eventually settle into a fixed starting point.

For example, as far as I'm concerned, Soontir Fel costs 32 points (27 + PTL + TC). It would take a lot of convincing for me to field him without those two upgrades. If I have the points to spare, I might also give him Stealth Device or Hull Upgrade, but he's always going to start at 32 points.

Similarly, fielding a Firespray (of any type) without Engine Upgrade would probably cause me physical pain... despite the fact that this essentially makes the 'true' cost of the Firespray 37/40/42/43. On the other hand, I don't feel as strongly about this with the Falcon...

It's a bit like taking 'autoinclude' to the next logical step... although it has only really happened for a handful of ships. EPT Interceptors are almost there with PTL... but I'll still field those with Predator or Outmaneuver.

Has this happened for you?

Turr + PTL is much the same. I tried VI and it just lacks so many options. Royal Guard + PTL... starting to see the pattern there?

Jake (coming soon) + Test Pilot + Refit + PTL + outmanuver

not as many as I thought. I run a ton of shuttles with lots of different load outs, lots of Kath but a variety there too... I can never decide on Rebel Captive Vs. Recon Spec on a firespray (I do almost always if I have the points add a seismic charge though!).

Echo or Whisper + VI, ACD

I used to mess about with the crew and systems for Whisper, but since I discovered the Invisible Buzzsaw, there's no going back...

There are a few for me.

Phantom with Advanced Cloaking.

Kyle with Moldy Crow and Ion cannon (and, realistically, probably a recon specialist as well)

Luke with R2 and engine upgrade used to be one, until the new focus droid came along...

And lately for me, predator on EVERYTHING

Luke with R2.

Definitely agree with the OP on Soontir. I haven't gotten to play in a few weeks due to travel but for a while I was running wedge with engine upgrade which may change to wedge with stay on target as a way to deal with echo.

There are a few for me.

Phantom with Advanced Cloaking.

Kyle with Moldy Crow and Ion cannon (and, realistically, probably a recon specialist as well)

Luke with R2 and engine upgrade used to be one, until the new focus droid came along...

And lately for me, predator on EVERYTHING

Ya Kyle with Recon and Moldy crow.

Segnor's Corran-44 Pts

Ptl, AS, R7-T1

Corran Fel-44 Pts

Ptl, FCS, R2-D2

Mauler and Howlrunner both with Swarm.

Bounty Hunter and Recon Spec (unless I'm running trip Hunters), any A-wing with an EPT gets Push, same for squints, either named Phantom gets VI and ACD, Y-wings always cost 5 extra points for the Ion Turret and Lando with Nunb.

hmm.....

Soontir 30 (PTL) / 33 (PTL / Stealth)
Saber 24 (PTL)
Royal 25 (PTL royal)
Carnor 29 (PTL)

Vader 33++ (Engine Upgrade)

Rhymer 40~~ (PTL, missiles torps bombs etc)

Krassis 43 (HLC)

Jendon 29 (ST321)

Rexler 40 (Predator)

Whisper 39 (FCS ACD VI)
Echo 37 (ACD Recon)

Gold Ywing 23 (ion)
Grey Ywing 25 (ion)
Dutch 28 (ion)

Luke 32 (R2D2)
Tarn 25 (R7 astro)
Wedge 37 (PTL / R2 astro / engine)

Green Awing 22 (PTL, soon to be 20)

Han Solo 51 (gunner)

Ibtisam 30 (elusiveness)

Rebel HWK 21 (ion) / 23 (blaster / recon)
Roark 24 (ion)
Kyle Katarn 31 (recon / blaster / crow)

Corran 37 (FCS)

Fel with Ptl and TC

Hobbie with R3A2

Tarn with R7

Any HWK with RecSpec and a blaster turret

Gold squads with ion turrets

Royal Guard with PTL

Phantom with ACD

Soontir ok with only ptl. 30

Whisper vi acd rc 40. Rc is awesome.

Whisper buzz saw 44

Doomshuttle 24

Tacgunner shuttle no eu cuz I don't play that way 28

16 back stabber!

36 3 ties

20 gamma with seismic or flèchette

Hwk ict 21

Rookie 21

Howl + ptl and hull 24 or two ties.

Luke with r2d2 32pts

Dash with PTL,EU,Kyle,HLC,Outrider tilte 58pts

Turr + PTL is much the same. I tried VI and it just lacks so many options.

I'm rather surprised to see this, since if Turr PTLs, his ability can't be used. Or can you PTL when using his ability?

You can PTL after using his ability.

Any Tie Interceptor is +3 in my book ( PtL FTW ).

Tarn is 25pts( if you're not using R7 then you are really missing out )

Y-wings with R2 astros, so much better then stock.

This one may be shouted down but I can't take my Firespray without a HLC.

And last but not least Phantoms without ACD are looking for trouble.

Named Phantoms with ACD and VI. And slowly, FCS is making its way in there as well.

Intys and PTL or Daredevil.