heres a list im considering for competitive play.

Kath Scarlet/VI/Rebel Captive (42)

Howlrunner (18)

Backstabber (16)

Academy Pilot (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

Total: 100pts

thoughts/suggestions?

Why VI on Kath?

Why VI on Kath?

ps9 is way better than ps7, esp with all the higher ps stuff about.

This is something that gets left off a lot of lists. How do you fly it? What's the core?

Your list here has Kath and Rebel Captive, so you're going for the stress effect, and Howlrunner gives you a better chance to get that crit.

I'd go further with this and drop VI on Kath, and give her Marskmenship. Give Howlrunner Squad Leader so Kath can take a second action if necessary, then demote Backstabber to Academy Tie.

I'm toying with Firespray + Howl Miniswarm myself, so I'd be interested to see what other lists and ideas people come up with.

Yes but you have rebel captive on her which negates your need to PS bid (ie. the only PS bid that matters atm is vs phantoms).

Once the phantom has shot at her its game over for it, so a savvy opponent will not shoot her until all the other better choices are dead because the risk is far greater than the reward since Kath wont die to 1 volley. More than likely stuff other than the phantom will be shooting at Kath but its not as crucial to outbid them.

So theres no real need for you to play the VI bid.

Yes but you have rebel captive on her which negates your need to PS bid (ie. the only PS bid that matters atm is vs phantoms).

Once the phantom has shot at her its game over for it, so a savvy opponent will not shoot her until all the other better choices are dead because the risk is far greater than the reward since Kath wont die to 1 volley. More than likely stuff other than the phantom will be shooting at Kath but its not as crucial to outbid them.

So theres no real need for you to play the VI bid.

there r still many threats out there that ps9 helps with, echo, whisper, rexler, howlrunner. vi is still useful, its more as insurance.

I took 2nd place at the Nordics with:

Kath

Predator

Captive

Howlrunner

Obsidian Sq. Pilot x2

Academy Pilot

In one of those matches, over the course of that very long day; VI would have made a difference.

Whereas Predator was handy in all games & rounds.

You don't need VI, Predator is a much better option, imho.

I took 2nd place at the Nordics with:

Kath

Predator

Captive

Howlrunner

Obsidian Sq. Pilot x2

Academy Pilot

In one of those matches, over the course of that very long day; VI would have made a difference.

Whereas Predator was handy in all games & rounds.

You don't need VI, Predator is a much better option, imho.

+1

If you PS bid you need to go all in on the bid or its fairly pointless. There are better cards is all we are saying.

I took 2nd place at the Nordics with:

Kath

Predator

Captive

Howlrunner

Obsidian Sq. Pilot x2

Academy Pilot

In one of those matches, over the course of that very long day; VI would have made a difference.

Whereas Predator was handy in all games & rounds.

You don't need VI, Predator is a much better option, imho.

thats gr8 intel. do u remember the list u had the most trouble with? did u face falcon and/or phantom lists?

From what I can remember, I faced:

Fat Chewie

4 Bwings, 3 with adv. sensors, 1 with FCS. I lost to that one.

Soontir + howlrunner + mini swarm

1 Phantom list (Echo + mini swarm and also the closest game I've had in a long time).

Two Fat Han lists

It was the second cruise control/auto-pilot enabled, self-bumping Fat Han - flown by a (nice) guy who rolled nothing but crit, crit/hit, hit in the finals; that did me in.

heres a list im considering for competitive play.

Kath Scarlet/VI/Rebel Captive (42)

Howlrunner (18)

Backstabber (16)

Academy Pilot (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

Total: 100pts

thoughts/suggestions?

This is almost the exact list I've been running recently and currently in the Team Covenant Open.

The difference is that I run Kath with EU and I've downgraded Backstabber to a third Academy Pilot.

Through previous playthroughs of similar builds, I've found that Kath without any significant defensive upgrades makes her a juicy target - and if someone wants to bring her down, Captive unfortunately won't be much of a deterrent. It's great against Phantoms, but the Swarms and Defenders I've faced will go after her with or without Captive.

For that reason, I highly suggest finding room for EU on her, otherwise just go a standard BH with RC/RS.

I support all Kath Scarlet initiatives!

I've used VI on Kath and it works good. I used Outmaneuver this past weekend and on the Firespray is great.

latest variant:

Kath Scarlet/Predator/Intelligence Agent/Engine Upgrade (43)

Howlrunner (18)

Academy Pilot (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

Total: 100pts

intell agent can set up ur blockers and provide info as to whether u should barrel roll or not. could help chase down a phantom too but thats not going to be easy when it de-cloaks.

Give Kath Expert Handling. Love those barrel rolling Firesprays. (to bad YT-2400 had to ruin it for us)

Actually, even with the nerfed barrel roll rules that will come into effect with the YT-2400's release that barrel roll is awesome.

Give Kath Expert Handling. Love those barrel rolling Firesprays. (to bad YT-2400 had to ruin it for us)

Actually, even with the nerfed barrel roll rules that will come into effect with the YT-2400's release that barrel roll is awesome.

yeah i love barrel rolling a firespray. its about the best movement advantage in the game - ok a decloaking phantom is better but its still game breaking to be able to get into and out of arcs with ease. the thing with barrel is although u are positioning ur ship into a great spot you are spending an action which could be used to focus or target lock which somewhat hampers your damage output when u use it. its situational but when u pull it off its great. im just after something that ups my firepower such as predator. for 2 pts more boost with engine upgrade performs a similar function and u dont get stressed - great for hitting them with ur rear arc as you zoom away with a reroll every attack from predator. not bad.

I agree with Bomber 100% about EU vs EH. Expert Handling is a great budget option, but the stress is a deal breaker for me.

And your new list looks good to me, bias aside. The Intelligence Agent is a nice touch and definitely adds to the mini-swarm's potential.