I played a small tournament yesterday flying a named Phantom list with an Alpha Squadron Pilot Interceptor to fill in the rest of the points and to have another highly maneuverable threat. The biggest problem I found in doing so was that, at PS1, he easily gets toasted by the higher PS ships.

Here is the list I ran yesterday:

Whisper (32)

Veteran Instincts (1)

FCS (2)

Tactician (2)

ACD (4)

Echo (30)

Veteran Instincts (1)

FCS (2)

Recon Specialist (3)

ACD (4)

Alpha Squadron Pilot (18)

Total = 99

My question is who would be a better pilot to accompany Whisper and Echo? So far, its either Backstabber or Mauler Mithel. Backstabber would put me at 97 points for super-initiative, but, for 1 point more, I can run Mauler with an additional pilot skill point and a somewhat similar effect. I feel like Backstabber's effect is more likely to go off than Muler's, but in the current meta now, is the extra PS worth the extra point? Which do you think is a more suitable pilot in a dual Phantom list? Or are there other options worth considering?

I would clear up 2 points and put them next to a Shuttle. Three fragile ships is possible but difficult, even when they are all hypermobile. You need to give them something to shoot at while the flankers do their thing.

I would clear up 2 points and put them next to a Shuttle. Three fragile ships is possible but difficult, even when they are all hypermobile. You need to give them something to shoot at while the flankers do their thing.

Yeah, that's a great idea, never thought of that. I think Whisper is fine without Tactician so throwing in an OGP would be easy. But then I'd have to sacrifice initiative for survivability, which I do feel like initiative is key to survivability in the first place.

I would clear up 2 points and put them next to a Shuttle. Three fragile ships is possible but difficult, even when they are all hypermobile. You need to give them something to shoot at while the flankers do their thing.

Yeah, that's a great idea, never thought of that. I think Whisper is fine without Tactician so throwing in an OGP would be easy. But then I'd have to sacrifice initiative for survivability, which I do feel like initiative is key to survivability in the first place.

The initiative bid is still relevant on Echo, but on Whisper I find it doesn't help as much as the most common PS9 pilot is currently Han Solo and then Soontir. You should have no issue avoiding Wedge even without initiative, and if they REALLY want to go first, they'll have a PS8+ with vet instincts, so your initiative becomes all but irrelevant. It certainly helps, but a PS9 Whisper can hold her own without initiative. You'll likely still get a chance to roll for initiative, and if not, your opponent might still have a reason they'd prefer to have it. If you were ONLY running Echo, my advice would be go for initiative or go home, and it will definitely be a huge boon in this squad as well. If you're confident, do it, just be careful!

Could also try Mauler Mithel? But still the problem of three fragile ships.

Could also try Mauler Mithel? But still the problem of three fragile ships.

Mauler Mithel + Lone Wolf for the lols.

I would clear up 2 points and put them next to a Shuttle. Three fragile ships is possible but difficult, even when they are all hypermobile. You need to give them something to shoot at while the flankers do their thing.

I've used shuttles along with phantoms to great sucess. Get the shuttles in the way of the opponent to mess up their formations and take actions, and use the phantom to snipe. The shuttles can take the damage and just frustrate your foe, leading to mistakes. Anti-pursuit lasers only make matters worse as they try to avoid the shuttles. What I'm really looking forward to is adding Mara Jade to the mix to hand out lots of stress. All this confusion at the center of the board means the phantom can just maneuver around and pick an opponent apart.

If you really want to play “Imperial Amigoes” you might have to strip the Phantoms back a bit to have points for the 3^rd Amigo.

“Naked” Whisper + VI + ACD 37

“Naked” Echo+ VI + ACD 35

This leaves 28 points to add your 3^rd amigo.

Soontir Fel without PTL is a stretch as PTL is as much a vital limb to Soontir as VI + ACD are to Echo & Whisper.

Tur Phennir + PTL is a nice round 28 points, he's mobile but you do max out on points and lose any chance of initiative bid.

Echo and Whisper are the stars though, and FCS is brutal when taking down high HP ships over multiple rounds, so it's a hard ask to drop them.

Decisions…decisions…

3 amigos is weak to Falcons at higher PS it gunner, so a lambda shuttle is perfect. You make some tradeoffs with having both Echo and Whisper in there though.

If you can get it up to 24-25pts then you've got shuttle options.

23 is + FCS

24 is Doom Shuttle with Vader or Stess em out when MJ comes out

25 is an Engine upgrade and GO!

Get 24 free points for a Lambda shuttle. Vader or Yorr.

You need the resilient threat.

If that just aint gonna work for you... take Backstabber or Dark Curse or Mauler Mithel with Lone Wolf.

Add Tactical Jammer to that shuttle as well for more fun hyjinx...