When I got my Outrider and E-Wing I wanted to try out a bunch of different ideas but didn't have time to get to the game store to play test, so I ran some quick skirmishes against myself to get a feel for how the new ships moved and the combos and what-not. I decided to test my Rebel lists against this Imperial list (I didn't yet have a Decimator):

(100 points)

Whisper + Recon + VI + ACD

Vessery + HLC

Dark Curse

Either my Rebel ideas were bad or the above list was good, because I couldn't keep up with the damage output of Whisper + Vessery (I was testing 2 ship Rebel builds or an Outrider + 2 Z's). Also, with such high PS Rebel ships, Dark Curse was an effective blocker.

I have since played around with the list and am thinking of running this at a store championship:

(100 points)

Whisper + Captive + VI + ACD

Vessery + HLC

Scimitar

or

(98 points)

Whisper + Captive + VI + ACD

Vessery + HLC

AP + TC

I could also drop the Rebel Captive in the second squad for a Gunner and be at 100 points. Anyway, I'm in the same situation where I don't have time to playtest against other people before the tournament, but I now have a Decimator. I like the above ideas but is it strictly worse than Decimator + Phantom? What do you think about some version of the above against the current meta? (I know Decimators and Phantoms are common at my store, some Outriders, not too many Fat Hans).

If you're running Vessery, you really should try to get an FCS on Whisper.

Vessery will feel a bit sad if his buddies aren't getting target locks. Since you're not putting any EPTs on him you could just bump him down to an Onyx or Delta to free up some more points.

Agree, if there is nobody providing TLs for him and you also don't use his EPT, you are better served with another Defender, Brath or Delta.

As it is, you're only taking him for his PS and PS6 is one of the worst place to be for a Defender: You are easier to block by lower PS and still being outmaneuvered by higher one. In that case, a Delta will fare better since at least you won't get blocked.

So, the one that I think could work is the last one, but I would also give a FCS to Whisper. Remove the TC on the Academy if you really want to stay at 98 pts. My worry though is that since it will be Whisper providing the TLs for Vessery with FCS, I fear it makes it more predictable by looking where Vessery look at after moving at PS6.

But, if you don't have a lot of time to practice, I don't think I would suggest this kind of team, unless you're already familiar with how the Phantom and Defender fly.

I love defenders but don't think they are workable in the current tournament meta.

If you're running Vessery, you really should try to get an FCS on Whisper.

This is the way to do it. If you can get dark curse or backstabber along with those two, with a targeting computer even better that'd give you an ideal redundancy for vessery along with not giving your opponent a good target to shoot at.

All 3 of the OP's lists have 2 points more than they should, going on what he's written. Have you made them with FCS in mind and forgotten to write it in, or? Because, in reality, all three of your lists have space for an FCS on Whisper, which is what most people seem to be suggesting. (Me included.)

I love defenders but don't think they are workable in the current tournament meta.

It's probably more because of the turret than the Defender, but someone finished first at a Store tournament with 29 players with Brath and Oicunn so there's that.

They are workable, they just need a little more commitment than most are willing to make these days and doesn't fit everybody's playstyle. Vessery seems to get a lot of love lately in the Squad List forum, I can't wait to see how it will fare during the store tournament season that just began if people will stick with him or if they'll decide to go back to a turret.

All 3 of the OP's lists have 2 points more than they should, going on what he's written. Have you made them with FCS in mind and forgotten to write it in, or? Because, in reality, all three of your lists have space for an FCS on Whisper, which is what most people seem to be suggesting. (Me included.)

I did exactly that. Sorry. Whisper should have FCS there.

Pretty sure I'm going to take the following list (corrected to show FCS on Whisper). It's fun and different and if I'm going to be there all day, I want my list to be fun. Plus, the pilot skills are 6-1-9 so I can call it the Rey Mysterio list.

(98 points)

Whisper + Captive + VI + ACD + FCS

Vessery + HLC

AP + TC

I got 8th out of 26, went 3-2 and both of my losses were to the eventual store champion (once in Swiss and again in the first round of Top 8). He was running Opportunist Keyan, Biggs, and Jan Ors w/Swarm Tactics so that Keyan was regularly attacking with 5-6 stress-focused dice.

I did beat:

Chiraneau + Oicunn

Chewie + Leebo (this list made the semis)

Bounty Hunter + 2x Sigmas

The two other Top 4 lists:

Chiraneau + Brath (came in second)

Chewie + Keyan + 2x Bandits