So me and some buddies are playing are 2 vs 2, 200 point person Epic game next week. We're all planning on running Imperials. I am torn on what to run. So for purposes of this list, lets assume I have any and all ships available, except the Decimator(due to lack of availability) and Phantoms(since my partner is planning on running Whisper and Echo). What do I run?

My first thought was Swarm. Howlrunner and 11 Academies weighs in at 150 points, which is more than enough to upgrade to named pilots, add any needed EPTs or modifications, or even throw in a decent Interceptor or Firespray. Imagine a 12 TIE Xerox swarm, all with stealth devices...lol

My next thought was to run Jonus next to a bunch of Bounty Hunters with HLCs, but trying to fly 1 bomber and 4x Firesprays in formation while dodging asteroids would be a little tough. So after a bit of thought, this evolved into Jonas flying in formation with 4 Onyx Defenders, sacrificing hitpoints for slightly easier formation flying and better agility.

These maybe arent the best combos to run, however there is they sound fun. 200 points is a lot to play around with

Always could try classy classics

Four Saber Squad TIE Interceptors with Push the limit act as a wave two hunter killer group or a flank unit to strike an ill placed light capital ship supported by Howlrunner and seven academy ties as your battering ram assault unit. Good starter list anyway. Simple too.

Defenders always prove to be really good for strange reasons and Kagi with enhanced scope is good for drawing away assault missiles. So working that into the Jonus list might be fun.

I really like using Captain Kagi in my epic games. He is just so disruptive, especially if they're packing ordinance. In my games my opponents will often have a wing of bombers or headhunters loaded up with ordinance, especially assault missiles to deal with the larger number of ships on the board and what-not. Kagi really messes with their strategy. They can't get that initial whallap on your ships so easily and if they wait to fire the missiles they risk losing the ships before they even fire thier first salvo. Since rebel aces came out I've been running Kagi with enhanced scopes. I like to move him first and charge forward into their formation to break it up and deny them actions. Since he's PS8 still you can deploy him after you see where they deploy their bombers or headhunters.

I also prefer shuttles with HLC. They're cheaper platforms for HLC than firesprays or defenders. I also like that they can move slower (or not move at all) and stay at range 3 longer while taking pop shots off at the enemy. They kinda remind me of artillary pieces or snipers. They don't even need an engine upgrade, in epic with so many ships flying around there is always something to shoot at.

I do enjoy using firesprays too but I prefer them with Gunner. I like to charge them right into the thick of things. The PS3 bounty hunters are really nice for moving first and denying actions. Since the base is larger you can move them across the board really fast and even overshoot the enemy and start using that auxillary arc to shoot them in the butt. Recon Specialist is pretty nice on firesprays too.

Kagi with enhanced scope is good for drawing away assault missiles.

Ninja'd

do you know if the opposing team is brining a corvette? If so, I would avoid shuttles, as a turbolaser can tear them up. Also consider ion weapons if facing a big ship, as it deprives them of energy. HLC is a good idea, as the quads on a CR-90 max out at a range of two.

I like your idea of defenders or tie swarm, I also like a bomber wing with jendon and st-321, but then I am a fan of fluff, and this fits well, but bombers are also tough and effective, and big ships REALLY hate crits. (proton bomb)

Low agility ships like the decimator and shuttle will get hurt by the CR-90, especially if it's packing a turbo.

At this point, we're are all planning on playing Imperial, so no CR-90s or GR-75s...

Imagine if all of us ran swarms....48-56 TIE fighters flying around a 3x6 board. Movement nightmare lol

At this point, we're are all planning on playing Imperial, so no CR-90s or GR-75s...

Imagine if all of us ran swarms....48-56 TIE fighters flying around a 3x6 board. Movement nightmare lol

Epic only allows 12 of a single species (or 8, if you're in Team Epic).

I knew it was 8 small, 4 big normal play and 12 small, 6 big for epic. Didnt catch that team epic had its own restictions per team. Good to know. I'll have to skim back through the rules and look at Team Epic to see if there anything else i missed