There is a local shop having a small tourny next weekend that I am interested in playing in and I'm torn between these 2 lists.

Echo + ACD + Navigator + FCS + VI

Howlrunner + SD + Swarm Tactics

Academy Pilot x3

99pts

or

Echo + ACD + Navigator + FCS + VI

Bounty Hunter + Rebel Captive

Academy Pilot x2

100pts

I've had good results with the latter playing against strong X-wing builds. Have not used it against Imps though. Which of the 2 builds would you take and what tweaks might you make if any?

All opinions welcome!

I like Whisper for more PS versus Echo. Also, I tend to like Rebel Captive or Gunner versus Navigator. With good planning, you already have plenty of movement options for the Phantom.

Both are good. I'd prefer to have Rebel Captive on the Phantom, as thats what people will want to focus. And recon spec on the Firespray for some added durability.

I like Whisper for more PS versus Echo. Also, I tend to like Rebel Captive or Gunner versus Navigator. With good planning, you already have plenty of movement options for the Phantom.

Both are good. I'd prefer to have Rebel Captive on the Phantom, as thats what people will want to focus. And recon spec on the Firespray for some added durability.

Some good points. The Phantom does tend to be the popular choice of targets. Recon Spec would probably be a good play on the Phantom as well seeing as your usually rolling at least 4 attack and defense dice and getting a lot of eyes.

Thanks for the points. Appreciate it!

when i play with/agianst Phantoms and BH I find they die quicker when they dont have Recon

Love Recon when i have it, hate it when others have it

when i play with/agianst Phantoms and BH I find they die quicker when they dont have Recon

Love Recon when i have it, hate it when others have it

Yeah I think I'm going to play Recon Spec on both. I do like the idea of using Rebel Captive, but would probably get more benefit out of Recon. Plus I like that Recon can be used offensively as well.

Thank you!

Whisper gives you the critical boost to PS9 and a pseudo recon specialist ability, making him a much better choice in my opinion. I'm also an advocate of Rebel Captive on Phantoms. Recon specialist is ultimately a defensive upgrade, but so is Rebel Captive. I've had opponents opt not to shoot at all because it wasn't a good shot and they didn't want stress. It also shuts down other Phantoms' ACD.

Whisper gives you the critical boost to PS9 and a pseudo recon specialist ability, making him a much better choice in my opinion. I'm also an advocate of Rebel Captive on Phantoms. Recon specialist is ultimately a defensive upgrade, but so is Rebel Captive. I've had opponents opt not to shoot at all because it wasn't a good shot and they didn't want stress. It also shuts down other Phantoms' ACD.

Excellent info. Thank you! I'm still quite green when playing Phantoms (have only used one a few times and have never played against one) so all this is sounding very helpful. To be honest I haven't even tried Whisper yet because I figured Echo' many more placement options do to his ability would be a more valuable then Whispers extra one PS and ability at an extra 2 points. But I have also been lucky in the games I have used Echo as that I haven't had the misfortune of anyone playing a higher rated PS then Echo and I have always had the initiative. In competitive play however, I can see how Whispers 1 extra skill point could be critical, especially if I didn't get the initiative. That's a good point about Rebel Captive shutting down ACD. I probably never would have thought of that until I saw it happen. With all these good strategies, i'm really going to have a hard time building my list now.

This is all very helpful insight. Keep it coming!

Whisper gives you the critical boost to PS9 and a pseudo recon specialist ability, making him a much better choice in my opinion. I'm also an advocate of Rebel Captive on Phantoms. Recon specialist is ultimately a defensive upgrade, but so is Rebel Captive. I've had opponents opt not to shoot at all because it wasn't a good shot and they didn't want stress. It also shuts down other Phantoms' ACD.

Excellent info. Thank you! I'm still quite green when playing Phantoms (have only used one a few times and have never played against one) so all this is sounding very helpful. To be honest I haven't even tried Whisper yet because I figured Echo' many more placement options do to his ability would be a more valuable then Whispers extra one PS and ability at an extra 2 points. But I have also been lucky in the games I have used Echo as that I haven't had the misfortune of anyone playing a higher rated PS then Echo and I have always had the initiative. In competitive play however, I can see how Whispers 1 extra skill point could be critical, especially if I didn't get the initiative. That's a good point about Rebel Captive shutting down ACD. I probably never would have thought of that until I saw it happen. With all these good strategies, i'm really going to have a hard time building my list now.

This is all very helpful insight. Keep it coming!

That's really the end all of it:

In PS9 fights, you want your Whisper to nullify the other ship. another stress stops ACD, also stops PTL on Soontir. In general it also messes with other ships, not letting them get into a good position to hit the Phantom again. This means likely one ship that can't really attack your Phantom. If you can arc dodge two more, you'll probably only have to contend with one ship, and one on one, the Phantom is REALLY good. If you shoot first at PS9, Whisper will give you your defensive focus, 4 defense dice, and what not.

Both lists are very good. The first one wins out on the PS bid though for Echo, making it that little bit better. The second list however can get to there by dropping Navigator and bumping both Academies up to Obsidians, leaving you with three PS3 pilots as support. Alternatively Whisper would be a better choice.

Both lists are very good. The first one wins out on the PS bid though for Echo, making it that little bit better. The second list however can get to there by dropping Navigator and bumping both Academies up to Obsidians, leaving you with three PS3 pilots as support. Alternatively Whisper would be a better choice.

Im convinced, Whisper for the win! I imagine that there are quite a few Rookie Pilots, Bandits, Blue Sqd Pilots, and Academy Pilots seeing competitive play? If thats the case then I could see how running Obsidians for support instead could have a good chance of paying off.

A list along these lines that I find works quite well is

Whisper w/ veteran instincts, recon specialist, advanced cloaking devise

Bounty Hunter w/ tactician

2 Academy Pilots

This comes in at 99 points for a light initiative bid, lets you throw around stress (remember the rear firing arc for the bounty hunter still works with the tactician) and give whisper plenty of focus for offence and defense.

A list along these lines that I find works quite well is

Whisper w/ veteran instincts, recon specialist, advanced cloaking devise

Bounty Hunter w/ tactician

2 Academy Pilots

This comes in at 99 points for a light initiative bid, lets you throw around stress (remember the rear firing arc for the bounty hunter still works with the tactician) and give whisper plenty of focus for offence and defense.

I played a list similar to that when last I played, but used Echo and Rebel Captive on the Hunter instead. Played against a few X-Wings and Headhunters. He was rolling better then I most of the game. But in the end my maneuverability still won me the game quite handsomely. Wasn't aware that Tactician worked out the rear fire arc. Thats awsome! Probably makes it a lot easier to stress then relying on Rebel Captive and gets you a lot more bang for your buck out of that upgrade. I will have to remember that.

So, with all the much appreciated advice, I think I'v rendered it down to this...

Whisper + ACD + VI + Rebel Captive

Bounty Hunter + Tactician

Academy Pilot x2

99 Pts

I like the maneuverability this list affords coupled with the ability to really hinder the opponents with two ships that can stress. The Academy pilots I can use to run interference and block (since they will probably be moving first), or flank if they are ignored or not moving first. Plus the list comes in at 99 Pts to help secure initiative. I know the list lacks heavy firepower, but I think with carefully planned maneuvers and strategically placed attacks, it could succeed well through attrition against most lists. I also really like the idea of running Rebel Captive on the Phantom, especially if I were to face any Fat Han lists.

Sound pretty competitive to you guys?

Gold Squadron 100

"Dutch" Vander — Y-Wing 23

Ion Cannon Turret 5

R5 Astromech 1

Gold Squadron Pilot — Y-Wing 18

Ion Cannon Turret 5

R5 Astromech 1

Gold Squadron Pilot — Y-Wing 18

Ion Cannon Turret 5

R5 Astromech 1

Gold Squadron Pilot — Y-Wing 18

Ion Cannon Turret 5

What? Oh you meant between those 2 lists? OH.

Looks like a good one. Have a good time at the tournament, and fly casual.

That would most definitely be an annoying list to play against, YwingAce. Being my first tournament, hopefully I will be able to draw on some beginners luck and not have to face such a list!

Thanks, DFocke.

Best of luck in the tournament! Ultimately pick the phantom you're more comfortable playing. Most people recommend Whisper because of her inherent advantages such as the PS and the free focus token. But nothing beats Echo's unpredictability. I've flown both phantoms extensively now, and decided that Whisper is just too predictable and that many people are already figuring out how to block Whisper's decloak lanes. That's why on would recommend practicing Echo since it still takes people by surprise.

To combat the PS9+ pilots with Echo, I'd recommend Rebel Captive, as much as I love recon specialist. Also, with the 2 extra points you get from going to Echo, you can add Intel Agent on a Omicron shuttle to help see where the PS9 Ships are going.

Good luck!

Your list seems very good. Has a strong Phantom. Has a decent chance against the Fat Han. Not weak to anything: Swarms, Phantoms, maybe a little hard to play vs Fat Han. But you have at least a tanky BH with Tactician.

I like your chances. Play hard, play well, have fun!

Your list seems very good. Has a strong Phantom. Has a decent chance against the Fat Han. Not weak to anything: Swarms, Phantoms, maybe a little hard to play vs Fat Han. But you have at least a tanky BH with Tactician.

I like your chances. Play hard, play well, have fun!

Will do! Thanks for all the help guys!