From the dawn of Wave IV and the Phantom/Falcon meta, nearly all of the Phantom builds that I've seen have been aggressive Whisper or Echo builds with Advanced Cloaking Device and Veteran Instincts. Well, I'm a little bit tired of that. Don't get me wrong, I've got nothing against the Phantom. I just hate to see a ship run only one way, especially one with as much potential versatility as the Phantom. So I started to brainstorm some different ways that a Phantom could be played.

The Endgame Saboteur

The first idea that occurred to me was a relatively quiet version of the Phantom- a Phantom which largely stays cloaked throughout the game, allowing other ships to wear down a large portion of its opponent's list, and then emerging during the endgame, guns blazing, to finish off the opposition. The four defense dice and the inability of the Phantom to attack while cloaked means that this type of Phantom is a natural pair with Saboteur, which allows the Phantom to potentially do some damage without shooting. While this works alright, it's undeniable that this ship is significantly weaker than a fancy Whisper or Echo. So why is this option even worth considering? The cost. This type of Phantom tends to be relatively cheap, so it leaves the rest of the list wide open. As an example, let's examine this list:

A Phantom Saboteur

100 Points

Sigma Squadron Pilot (27)

TIE Phantom (25)

Saboteur (2)

"Howlrunner" (19)

TIE Fighter (18)

Veteran Instincts (1)

Black Squadron Pilot (15)

TIE Fighter (14)

Draw Their Fire (1)

Black Squadron Pilot (15)

TIE Fighter (14)

Draw Their Fire (1)

Academy Pilot (12)

TIE Fighter (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

TIE Fighter (12)

This is essentially Dallas Parker's TIE Swarm from Worlds this year, but with two Academy Pilots and a Hull Upgrade on Howl dropped in favor of the Phantom. While most other Phantom builds only have the capacity for, at best, a five Academy Pilot swarm, this one allows for a significantly better five TIE Swarm to accompany the Phantom. The Draw Their Fire Black Squadron Pilots also offer the Phantom a greater chance at surviving until the endgame. In general, this list should be flown with the intention to take out higher PS targets first (unless it is unreasonable to do so) so that the Phantom can react to any ships in the endgame. Obvious weaknesses in this list include the fact that the Phantom can't shoot for most of the game, that Saboteur only works (statistically) half of the time, and that the Phantom could still potentially be one shot, completely foiling the endgame plan. So while this strategy certainly has some strengths and seems fun to play, it's far from perfect.

The Un-Phantom

Veteran Instincts has pretty much become an auto-include on most Echo or Whisper lists because it, for one point, allows the Phantom to react to enemy moves and shoot first and then use Advanced Cloaking Device to cloak right after shooting, which gives a huge combat advantage to the Phantom. So this next type of Phantom I propose is going to seem really weird, but bear with me.

It's fairly common knowledge that the Phantom is massively maneuverable, especially "Echo". While in most lists, this is used for arc-dodging, I'd like to look at another potential use- blocking. Here's why. First, arc-dodging just doesn't work against Fat Falcon lists. Second, ships can't attack the Phantom while they are touching it. Third, Intimidation provides a serious boost to strategic blocking, and, against Falcons, any agility reduction is absolutely devastating- if they can't roll any dice, they can't use C-3PO.

In order to make this strategy work, the Phantom basically needs to fly with essentially the opposite strategy of a regular Phantom. For example:

A Truly Intimidating Echo

100 Points

"Echo" (38)

TIE Phantom (30)

Intimidation (2)

Enhanced Scopes (1)

Intelligence Agent (1)

Advanced Cloaking Device (4)

Obsidian Squadron Pilot (13)

TIE Fighter (13)

Obsidian Squadron Pilot (13)

TIE Fighter (13)

Academy Pilot (12)

TIE Fighter (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

TIE Fighter (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

TIE Fighter (12)

This list has the potential to absolutely devastate a Falcon, if flown correctly. As I said before, Intimidation is devastating for Falcons, and, on top of that, Intelligence Agent means that you can know exactly where the Falcon is going before moving. Then, Echo's insane maneuverability means that he can move wherever the falcon is going to end up, as you can see here:

The ghosted ship is Echo's starting position, just outside of the Falcon's arc. All of these end positions are possible with a 2 hard right turn maneuver set on the dial, when all barrel roll possibilities are added in (You can sort of hear the Falcon screaming with terror, if you listen close enough). Echo is also accompanied by a fairly strong five TIE Swarm, which is killer on Falcons. Obvious weaknesses include that maneuverable, higher pilot skill ships can react to where Echo ends up, and that Echo is only PS 6, which means he's going to be shooting and cloaking in the middle of the order, which isn't ideal.

So, what do you think? Would any of these concepts work? How would you tweak these lists? What sorts of strategies would you use to fly the Phantom (not including the classic Whisper/Echo with ACD and VI)?

P.S.- I recognize that these lists might be absolutely horrible. I just want to start the conversation on how we can run the Phantom differently.

Not taking it to your extreme level of changing the role of the Phantom, I have been running Shadow Squad Pilots with Stygiun Particle Accelerators to reasonable effect. Moving to stay of of arc and giving turrets a fatter target to shoot at tends to work pretty good. And if they are shot after a cloak or decloak, they have an evade token to spend.

I like the bump idea, but not for the cost. You leave yourself far less likely to shoot and for those points, I need the gun on target. A BSP could be use similarly for cheaper.

I really like the Un-Phantom you have there. First saw this concept with the Sigma 6 but is nice to see it got people thinking. The only tweak I would apply is getting rid of the ACD, as your primary role is to block and there is a decent chance you will not have targets.

With the points I would demote one of the Obsidian pilots and upgrade the other to Howlrunner.

But it's just flavour at this point.

Stygian Sigma isn't bad you just have to get it out of your head that you are flying a phantom. You're not. You're flying an xwing that occasionally bugs out and does crazy moves and throws an extra red but costs 6 more. Not awful by any means.

With how auto thrusters turned out I'm kinda sad the phantom can't upgrade with them. They would have been a welcome option in the very small phantom toolkit.

I've been running a single naked sigma lately. It's fun, and at 25 points is basically an imperial biggs as most people want to kill it first. I don't think the rest of my list supports it enough though, so I might try it with a different squad.

a 27 pt sigma with stygian, or add a point for enhanced scopes could be pretty nice too.

First saw this concept with the Sigma 6

I had no idea that this list was out there! It looks incredible. Are there any good videos or battle reports out there with this list? How does it fly?

I've been running a single naked sigma lately. It's fun, and at 25 points is basically an imperial biggs as most people want to kill it first. I don't think the rest of my list supports it enough though, so I might try it with a different squad.

This is true. In one of the games I played last night, my opponent went straight for Echo and ignored my 2 BH as they went into his flank. Echo got Ioned and subsequently trashed, but the BH wrecked house. Sacrifices must be made to keep the peace.

First saw this concept with the Sigma 6

I had no idea that this list was out there! It looks incredible. Are there any good videos or battle reports out there with this list? How does it fly?

I don't know! I looked around for some videos when the thread first popped up and couldn't find any. Someone else asked about it as well, so if anyone finds it, please share

By extension, how about a Sigma Phantom with Mara Jade and a Stealth Device?

At 31 points this can be a really annoying support ship, flying around blocking and stressing everyone within range 1. It's also survivable as long as you keep it cloaked.

By extension, how about a Sigma Phantom with Mara Jade and a Stealth Device?

At 31 points this can be a really annoying support ship, flying around blocking and stressing everyone within range 1. It's also survivable as long as you keep it cloaked.

I love this idea, especially because it means you're not losing your action, as opposed to the Saboteur Phantom. I'd probably drop the stealth device though, it seems overkill on a ship that already has 4 agility whenever it feels like it. Here's what that would look like if we trade the Saboteur Phantom for a Mara Jade Phantom in the first list:

Come and Get Your Stress

100 Points

Sigma Squadron Pilot (28)

TIE Phantom (25)

Mara Jade (3)

"Howlrunner" (18)

TIE Fighter (18)

Black Squadron Pilot (15)

TIE Fighter (14)

Draw Their Fire (1)

Black Squadron Pilot (15)

TIE Fighter (14)

Draw Their Fire (1)

Academy Pilot (12)

TIE Fighter (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

TIE Fighter (12)

This is a solid-looking list, but I feel like there's a better way to close out this list. Maybe some interceptors?

First saw this concept with the Sigma 6

I had no idea that this list was out there! It looks incredible. Are there any good videos or battle reports out there with this list? How does it fly?

I don't know! I looked around for some videos when the thread first popped up and couldn't find any. Someone else asked about it as well, so if anyone finds it, please share

Yeah, I just found that thread from about two weeks ago talking about it. KineticOperator himself said there was no videos of it that he knew of. He does have a pretty good description of how he flies it though...

I like the idea of using saboteur but adding in stealth device giving the ship 5 evade dice. Puts you at 30 pts. but sound annoying to get rid of. If it gets ignored in a close game you have a ship that is very hard to finish off. Maybe running it as the 3rd ship in an interceptor list?

By extension, how about a Sigma Phantom with Mara Jade and a Stealth Device?

At 31 points this can be a really annoying support ship, flying around blocking and stressing everyone within range 1. It's also survivable as long as you keep it cloaked.

I love this idea, especially because it means you're not losing your action, as opposed to the Saboteur Phantom. I'd probably drop the stealth device though, it seems overkill on a ship that already has 4 agility whenever it feels like it. Here's what that would look like if we trade the Saboteur Phantom for a Mara Jade Phantom in the first list:

Come and Get Your Stress

100 Points

Sigma Squadron Pilot (28)

TIE Phantom (25)

Mara Jade (3)

"Howlrunner" (18)

TIE Fighter (18)

Black Squadron Pilot (15)

TIE Fighter (14)

Draw Their Fire (1)

Black Squadron Pilot (15)

TIE Fighter (14)

Draw Their Fire (1)

Academy Pilot (12)

TIE Fighter (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

TIE Fighter (12)

This is a solid-looking list, but I feel like there's a better way to close out this list. Maybe some interceptors?

For even more in-your-face annoyance, where everything you have wants to be in collision with the enemy:

Sigma Squadron Pilot — TIE Phantom 25 (32)

• Enhanced Scopes 1
• Mara Jade 3
• Stealth Device 3

Carnor Jax — TIE Interceptor 26

Captain Oicunn — VT-49 Decimator 42

The Decimator can be swapped out for a couple of Tie Bombers with Seismic Charges

The Phantom's stealth device can be swapped out for an Engine Upgrade to improve its blocking

I like the idea of using saboteur but adding in stealth device giving the ship 5 evade dice. Puts you at 30 pts. but sound annoying to get rid of. If it gets ignored in a close game you have a ship that is very hard to finish off. Maybe running it as the 3rd ship in an interceptor list?

I like that idea. I'm not confident, however, that two interceptors would do enough damage on their own if the Sigma is staying cloaked the whole time. Maybe a couple of Heavy Laser Cannons or two other Phantoms?

Isn't the Stygian Particle Accelerator pretty good on a Mara Jade Phantom? Decloak, move, cloak again, have four green dice and two evade tokens, block what you can, stress everything. No need to attack unless you've lined up the perfect shot. Maybe combined with Soontir and a Buzzsaw Bovine?

Stygium gives you a free evade action, so you cannot do it twice.

Soon enough, I'll be very interested to see how this fares:

3 x Sigma, Accuracy Correctors, Intelligence Agent, ACD.

You'll know where to go, the correctors relieve you from the need to focus leaving you free to barrel roll or take an evade.

You could also drop to Stygiums and upgrade to Shadows.