I'm playing in a small tourney in the coming days, and plan on flying the following:

Soontir Fel (push the limits, targeting computer): 32
Echo: (vet. instincts, adv cloaking device, rebel captive, fire control system): 40
Omicron Group Pilot (Vader): 24

Although it goes against my gut, i'm tempted to toss a sensor jammer on the lambda. I anticipate a sizeable amount of 2 attack ships, so it could come in handy. Although the doomshuttle is designed to die, potentially avoiding 1 damage or forcing the use of the focus token makes it more likely the shuttle dies on my terms, not my opponents.

On the other hand, those 4 points could get Soontir a hull upgrade for a 99 pt initiative build, or a shield upgrade to come in at 100.

I see pros and cons to each. Suggestions?

Waste of an upgrade. The Doom shuttle is called Doom for a reason. It is suppose to die. I don't see a reason to put a defensive buffing upgrade on a ship you want your opponent to focus on. The Doom Shuttle is like the Imperial Biggs. It doesn't force your opponent to shoot at it, but he also can't let you sit there and use Vader 5 times. You should just run the RG title on Soontir and give him a HU. You'll want initiative with Echo.

I would go with the hull upgrade/Royal Guard on Soontir. Doom Shuttles are meant to be as cheap as possible. At 99 points you at least get some kind of bid for Whisper.

How many times can you use doom shuttle ability per turn? Once per attack or once per turn?

Jo-Jo beat me to it

How many times can you use doom shuttle ability per turn? Once per attack or once per turn?

once per attack, only way you can get extra attacks per turn is with gunner, which adds a bunch of points

Also must the doom shuttle attack the target to use vader or can a tie fighter attack a target and then trigger vader?

Also must the doom shuttle attack the target to use vader or can a tie fighter attack a target and then trigger vader?

Vader can only cause damage after the Shuttle attacks. If the shuttle does not have a viable target, then Vader can't get mad and force crush things.

OGP, Vader, & Gunner I think would only really be useful against Phantom maybe(pretty expensive too, almost 1/3 of your list), but without Engine upgrade, good luck getting a phantom in your arc

Hull or shield on Soontir, DEFINITELY. This will often keep him alive, especially during those times when he gets blocked and eats those deadly 3 red shots to his 3 unmod green dice. Soontir can win you the game on 1 hull point. A Doom shuttle saving 1, maybe 2 points of damage won't help all that much.

I would throw a shield or stealth on soontir. Both should help vs crits. I personally fly him with stealth. Don't get blocked.

Does vaders crit go thru shields?

Does vaders crit go thru shields?

Nope.

Does anyone else facepalm everytime they see "the doomshuttle is ment to die" ?