Is there any way of making the falcon matchup better?

Assuming e doesn't use veteran instincts? It seems like having 4 green dice would help quite a bit. And being able to shoot first.

Would you upgrade the ties to howl or back stabber and get a few points initiative?

Init bid is always nice, especially if he doesn't run VI on Han, but not required for the Falcon matchup specifically (and if he has VI, not even worth trying).

I have recently seen an interesting Whisper build geared towards the falcon matchup: Whisper with Gunner. Gunner frees your action so that you can Evade while not sacrificing too much firepower. Fill the other slots with VI and ACD and your favorite sensor upgrade.

I would probably downgrade to 4 ties and get Gunner and a small init bid. Also, consider Dark Curse instead of Backstabber in this meta full of Att4 ships

Tough call on numbers vs upgrades but I prefer 4 Ties (including Howl) to afford a better load out on Whisper.

I find Whisper squads generally win on loose on her back so the upgrades (and initiative bid) are crucial. I think Echo may be better suited to a 5 Tie support because Initiative is not as important.

In regards to Howl vs Backstabber - I have always run with Howl as she acts as an Imperial Biggs on top of her standard ability. If you went with Backstabber instead then it may dilute the minni swarm threat (assuming you throw Backstabber on a flank by herself). That leaves you (generically speaking) with 3 separate elements - Whisper - 3 Ties (micro swarm?) - Backstabber.

I haven't actually tried Backstabber in this setup but you have piqued my curiosity so I'll give it a go.

Friend of mine has been running the following to great effect

Whisper-recon specialist, fire control system, advanced cloaking, vet instincts
Howlrunner
3x obsidian squadron

I have the same question! I've put together a list of list variations. I'm thinking I need an initiative bid but maybe maybe not. I like what 5 TIEs and the lack of howlrunner offers, but at the same time I want that extra durability on Whisper. I'm thinking sensor jammer isn't necessary however. it hasn't come into play as much for me.

I'm also thinking about running a somewhat ridiculous list for a local tourney Sunday in which I would really like to deal with some Falcons, since the swarms have been failing to deliver the necessary firepower.

Right now it's this:
Whisper + VI + FCS + Advanced Cloaking + Weapons Engineer

Vessery + PtL + Engine Upgrade

Academy + Targeting Computer

I did lose in a test game, but I was also surprised by a brilliant procket maneuver. Vessery with PtL seems anathema until you realize that with all those target locks he doesn't need his actions as often as you think and I threaded some needles with him and plan on flying way the heck out of range and back in with the green 5 straight. Thoughts?

I'm pretty sure that in a Phantom vs Phantom matchup, excluding the Yorr Worst Nightmare (Nationals List), that you will require Rebel Captive and some way of dealing around that. Otherwise you will be predictable and shot down.

Vs Fat Han of the PS9 kind and other Phantoms, having initiative bid I think is crucial. you NEEED to shoot first in Fat Han vs Whisper.

So I think that does rule out 5ties for me.

I thought about going Buzzsaw for a while, but I think that getting stressed by the Rebel Captive will hurt too much for that build if you don't also have a Rebel Captive to equalize it.

So that leads me to using the typical 40pt build: ACD VI RC.

My two choices have been:

Backstabber + Howl 98

or Backstabber + NightBeast + (Sensor Jammer or FCS)

FCS has been godly vs Falcon, increasing damage output by about 1.5 it seems.

Question: Does Sensor Jammer stop you from rerolling with Han? I don't think so. Just the one dice you decide to change can't be.

I'm also thinking about running a somewhat ridiculous list for a local tourney Sunday in which I would really like to deal with some Falcons, since the swarms have been failing to deliver the necessary firepower.

Right now it's this:

Whisper + VI + FCS + Advanced Cloaking + Weapons Engineer

Vessery + PtL + Engine Upgrade

Academy + Targeting Computer

I did lose in a test game, but I was also surprised by a brilliant procket maneuver. Vessery with PtL seems anathema until you realize that with all those target locks he doesn't need his actions as often as you think and I threaded some needles with him and plan on flying way the heck out of range and back in with the green 5 straight. Thoughts?

You might want to consider the following:

Whisper-Recon Specialist, Sensor Jammer, vet instincts, advanced cloaking

Carnor Jax-Push the Limit, royal guard title, shield upgrade, stealth device

Dark Curse-Stealth device

It's got pretty much the same firepower as your above list, but it really messes with people.

Question: Does Sensor Jammer stop you from rerolling with Han? I don't think so. Just the one dice you decide to change can't be.

Han can reroll all the other dice and has to do all of them if he chooses to, so no it doesn't jam his ability.

The 5 tie list won the dutch nationals.

I think it is the most solid all-round list, having an extra tie let's you do so much more and gets you get out of the formation flying so you can box in phantoms for example.

I have not yet beaten this list, and I've tried. I would very much prefer to play against a bit more predictable list with a tie less.

The 5 tie list won the dutch nationals.

I think it is the most solid all-round list, having an extra tie let's you do so much more and gets you get out of the formation flying so you can box in phantoms for example.

I have not yet beaten this list, and I've tried. I would very much prefer to play against a bit more predictable list with a tie less.

Pray, may I ask, what was your build?