There is an upcoming tournament that I'm participating in and I have some squad lists that I have come up that I could use some opinion on.

(1st choice)

"A Mini-Swarm"

Howlrunner (18)

-Swarm Tactics (2)

-Hull Upgrade (3)

Obsidian Squadron Pilot (13)

Obsidian Squadron Pilot (13)

Academy Pilot (12)

Echo (30)

-Outmaneuver (3)

-Tactician (2)

-Advanced Cloaking Device (4)

*Keep in mind, I do not have the Veteran Instincts Upgrade card. Also, may swap Obsidian for an Academy to get +1 pt. for a Shield Upgrade on Howlrunner.

(2nd choice)

"Mini-Swarm with Flank on the Side"

Howlrunner (18)

-Swarm Tactics (2)

Academy Pilot (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

Kir Kanos (24)

Soontir Fel (27)

-Push the Limit (3)

-Targeting Computer (2)

(3rd choice)

"Close Doom"

Darth Vader (29)

-Swarm Tactics (2)

-Shield Upgrade (4)

Delta Squadron Pilot (30)

-Proton Rockets (3)

-Munitions Failsafe (1)

Carnor Jax (26)

-Royal Guard TIE (0)

-Hull Upgrade (3)

-Targeting Computer (2)

*With this one, it is my intention of flying Vader and the Defender together, using ST to bring up the Defender to PS 9. I may swap the Interceptor for several TIEs to get better numbers but not completely sure. Also, I may swap Shield on Vader for another missile.

Honest but polite input is appreciated. Thanks!

1st choice best. but i really hope you think youre hot sit, trying to go against 10 major international tournaments and 500 highly experienced players including all the national champions where Phantoms had VI. Borrow it from a friend, or buy the card from someone.

Other than that, if you actually can keep out of arc at PS6, dont run into well flown Falcons (or take them down fast, which you only do if your opponent isnt that great). You'll be just fine.

Drop Swarm and obsidians for black with draw their fire. Its incredibly good.

Well on the first list apart from nit having VI, not much else to recommend besides that i'd also prefer Black squadron with DTF

On the third, i would definitely lose The SU on Vader for more Prockets, as it gives you another Credible threat. On top of that, take Soontir as a flanker instead of Carnor. He is more survivable and you gain the one point you need for it from dropping Shield upgrade for Prockets. Carnors effect is nice but people are probably gonna ignore Soontir before Carnor for exactly that reason, and Prockets will probably hit pretty hard even without stripping Tokens!

With just those three, I'll go with the first. I hate to say that as I hate Howlrunner. She just dies way to fast to be worth it. Also, she encourages Tie Fighters to fly in a giant formation when they work best not in formation (in my opinion).

I would change the third list and go with something there. I think Vader needs to be more effective with his firepower when he shoots. I'd go with something like Predator or Outmaneuver. I could even see Expose being worth it for Vader. I would not go for anything that gives stress, though, or Lone Wolf, as you will probably be all tangled.

(1st choice)

"A Mini-Swarm"

Howlrunner (18)

-Swarm Tactics (2)

-Hull Upgrade (3)

Obsidian Squadron Pilot (13)

Obsidian Squadron Pilot (13)

Academy Pilot (12)

Echo (30)

-Outmaneuver (3)

-Tactician (2)

-Advanced Cloaking Device (4)

I'd go with List 1.

If you are interested in trying out a slight modification, the below is quite destructive in the hands of a skilled player (had ~33% higher MoV than 2nd place at a 40 player tournament).

"Echo" — TIE Phantom 30

Veteran Instincts 1

Fire-Control System 2

Recon Specialist 3

Advanced Cloaking Device 4

"Howlrunner" — TIE Fighter 18

Swarm Tactics 2

Hull Upgrade 3

Academy Pilot — TIE Fighter 12

Academy Pilot — TIE Fighter 12

Academy Pilot — TIE Fighter 12

I'd go with the first list as well. If you can find VI I would use that instead and add a FCS to the Phantom.

The 2nd list isn't bad but I would drop Kanos for two Academies. More often than not you'll be spending the evade token on him to keep him alive rather than on offense.

The 3rd list needs some work, but isn't awful. I would drop the FCS and MF for PTL on Carnor. Then put the Proton Rockets on Vader. He needs the most help to buff his offensive potential. The Defender is only getting one die extra at range 1 while the Advanced is getting 2 more. You don't need munitions failsafe with PR. You shouldn't have a problem landing at least 1 hit with 5 die + focus. Unless you shoot a Phantom or something. I just think the 3rd list would struggle against most now in the meta though.

This has all been really helpful. Thanks everyone!