The most common miniswarm I have seen has been Howlrunner + 3x Academies, weighing in at 54 points if Howlrunner is naked.

For 9 more points, you can instead run 3x TIE/x1 Tempests with Accuracy Corrector.

This has the greater defensive potential of 15 HP vs 12 unshielded, no offensive reliance on Howlrunner, and a PS advantage (with initiative) vs the Rebel swarm filler.

It comes at the cost of 9 additional points and one fewer ship.

There's no question in my mind that it CAN fly, what I wonder is, will it? Or is it cost/number-prohibitive?

The miniswarm is best used when forcing the opponent to make a choice between them or the solo artist they fly complement to.

At 63 points, do 3x AC Tempests restrict your choices too much?

Do they not pose enough of a threat with 6 consistent damage vs a possible 8?

(E.g., a 4-ship miniswarm stands a reasonable chance of killing a B-Wing in one round. The Tempests cannot; but they are nearly guaranteed to do so in 2 rounds and 100% by the 2nd shot of the 3rd round if not at Range 3.)

Definitely a new option for Imperial squadrons. Four of those AC tempests only leaves 16 points, so the only option there is Backstabber, but with three you have 37 points, which can get you decent fourth unit or three Academy pilots if you want to make a larger swarm.

There are a lot of viable choices for the fourth unit (Vader, Fel, Delta with HLC, Bounty Hunter), so i don't think you are limited at all.

Whisper + ACD and VI is 37 as well. I think that's a rather beefy squad with consistent damage output.

If you wanted to make it more frustrating - swap Accuracy Corrector for Sensor Jammer. I prefer the AC though.

Sensor Jammer would be good on a Procket carrier, I think. AC isn't much use with five dice, and ATC doesn't work with secondary weapons anyway. Should be perfectly possible to grab a target lock one turn prior, and barrel towards the targeted ship the next, ensuring both focus, target lock and a defensive ability.

well, 9 more points and 1 less ship... doesnt that defeat the purpose of a miniswarm ? which is as many ships possible for a low price. Sure, it's a build, but a swarm, not really. Also, the 'disadvantage' of low PS is actually considered an advantage to act as blockers, so it wouldnt even fly the same. So.. is it a possibility for a build, but doesn't make a good replacement for a miniswarm

well, 9 more points and 1 less ship... doesnt that defeat the purpose of a miniswarm ? which is as many ships possible for a low price. Sure, it's a build, but a swarm, not really. Also, the 'disadvantage' of low PS is actually considered an advantage to act as blockers, so it wouldnt even fly the same. So.. is it a possibility for a build, but doesn't make a good replacement for a miniswarm

Rules? More like guidelines, really.

For instance, prior to the Z-95 and Refit, a Rebel swarm was 4-5 ships, tops.

A true Rebel swarm usually has Z-95s as its bulk, which are PS2, so your comment about a miniswarm needing blocking at PS1 is invalid.

Moreover, you haven't got a good point there. The Tempests at PS2 get a much better blocking deal than Academies with initiative: they move before Z-95s, and shoot first too.

Academies always move first and shoot last; they'd rather shoot first, which is why Howlrunner sometimes carries swarm tactics.

And, Howlrunner can't be used to block, so there's an equal amount of blocking ability between the typical mini and the Advanced mini.

Accuracy corrector is pretty bad at R1 though, surely it's worth the point for the ITC?

Those are not "only" 9 points. They are a 9% of your list, and normally they are crucial points to inflate a center piece.

Accuracy correct is not bad at range one, it's only slightly worse than R1 target lock, but of course, you can use another action (like barrel roll/evade/focus) instead.

The power of Accuracy Corrector is in helping you barrel roll/evade rather than focus/TL.

It isn't as noteworthy on other TIE Advanced pilots as it is on Lord Vader because you only get 1 action.

The net effect of AC is that you get the focus/TL results that you would have used those actions.

ATC is better on a named pilot that can take predator, or outmaneuver. I would try it on 3 Tempest mini swarms because it's extra hitting power.

You spend a TL, then focus or BR your way through the fight, at worst you reaquire a TL then at least you can bank on a sure crit, and possibly 2-3 hits if possible.

I know some are worried about blanks and focus on the die, but.. they're dice.. random is their battle cry..

I'm going to be testing out these ideas, as I want a TIEadvanced, heavy, tourney list for the future.. is it a pipe dream... maybe, but well see what happens, and maybe I go for a "Black squad" themed list for tourneys..

Accuracy corrector is pretty bad at R1 though, surely it's worth the point for the ITC?

At range 1, you're free to roll and take ac if it comes out botched. At all other ranges, you're free to never have to tl or focus so you can evade or roll or k-turn with impunity. The amount of a need on an ac tempest is very impressive for its cost

ATC will wreck with Vader, though