so ive been running:

rexler+pred+EU

howlrunner+swarm tactics

3xAP

but do u guys think its worth dropping the EU and upgrading an AP to backstabber

cheers.

Looking at the topic I was worried this was going to be something crazy with the EU on the ship you wanted to replace Backstabber with.

In this squadron I think you're better off with the EU on the Defender and leaving the trio of Academies for the uniformity. If you were to drop the EU then I'm not sure Dark Curse might not be a better upgrade in the mini-swarm. DC makes the swarm a little tougher but BS does make it a bit more threatening to keep your opponent pointed at it and letting the Defender flank more easily.

I guess you can say there may not be a 'right' answer for this as the three variations (one using DC) may use the same ships but would fly just a little bit differently.

I would drop the EU for Backstabber for sure. In my experience you want to have a focus on Brath 100% of the time and having the EU on him just tempts you to boost. Fly stabber with the mini swarm, 1 he might pull agro off of Howl, and 2 once the swarm breaks up stabber is much better than Curse also Curse will never draw agro off of Howl

I love having backstabber chasing a decimator plinking away.

Backstabber is my preference almost all the time. Having another 3-4 dice threat in your list for as long as it lives is probably better than the 1 actual time you needed EU to do the thing your really wanted to do. He's a threat and you can do a lot with another flanker. He also makes your opponent make an extra choice and gives you an extra move to respond to.