There are a lot of new elite talents out, and I think they can really change how swarms work, which is necessary given all the fat and double Falcons. Sometimes, once Howlrunner goes down it can be really hard to get damage through and these new builds are going to make it even harder. I've not gotten to fly a lot against these yet, so would like to know what people are having luck with. We can just copy-paste the 7 Tie Obsidian swarm, but that feels like the easy way out.

The PS1 Academy Tie now seems like a huge liability, which also makes it hard to fit what I need into 5 Tie and 1 elite Interceptor lists. Have people done ok with 4 Ties and an Interceptor? Or what about 6 Tie lists? I'm going to try one of those in the TC Open, though no idea if it'll work. The goal is to shut down C3PO, or debuff YT-2400s, with Intimidation:

InTIEmidation:

Howlrunner + PtL

Black Squadron + Wingman

Black Squadron + Intimidation x2

Black Squadron + Draw their Fire

Backstabber

I know people are also saying that Phantoms are really bad for swarms, but I haven't had enough run-ins with them to know. The few times I've played against them I've held back a little bit, broken up formation to cover a few angles, and generally done ok, so they're not scaring me nearly as much. Is this list Phantom bait?

Howl, stabber, NB... Season to taste has been my go to 6 tie lost for a long time. Haven't flown swarm vs. phantom yet but I imagine overlapping fire and asteroid placement will go a long way.

Bomber swarm is fun with all those HP too.

And a doom shuttle in lieu of 2 academies also is fun.

How do you feel only having 6 Ties affects your matches? I briefly ran a Swarm Tactics chain and it often worked well but I was quite vulnerable to flanking. My hope is that Backstabber and potentially breaking off with intimidators helps here, but not really sure it's enough once ships start to drop.

I have found that adding a couple interceptors adds some serious punch to a swarm. Howlrunner and a focused 3 dice attack is darn near certain to roll 3 hits every time.