Four versions here (I only have one Phantom atm, not entirely sure if I can/should buy a second before the tourney date).

[36] Darth Vader, Predator, EU

[32] Sigma Sq Pilot, Rebel Captive, FCS, Stygium

[32] Carnor Jax, PTL, SD

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[36] Darth Vader, Predator, EU

[32] Sigma Sq Pilot, Rebel Captive, FCS, Stygium

[32] Turr Phennir, VI, HU, SD, Royal Guard title

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[36] Darth Vader, Predator, EU

[31] Sigma Sq Pilot, Tactician, FCS, Stygium

[33] Soontir Fel, PTL, HU

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[36] Darth Vader, Predator, EU

[32] Sigma Sq Pilot, Rebel Captive, FCS, Stygium

[31] Sigma Sq Pilot, Tactician, FCS, Stygium

I don't like the Phantom a whole lot, or rather I don't like the named pilots a whole lot. Sigmas are really fun to fly, though.

This was originally built with the x1 title and whatnot but of course there's no way that'll be out in time. I think Vader can work without it, though. Local meta isn't super meta, so to speak.

Thoughts?

needs more intelligence agent

seriously, I don't think generic phantoms bearing that crew card are far above and beyond those without (unless you're fighting nothing but sub PS 3)

Considering you actually have to choose between cloaking and shooting, and that you're essentially piloting a very expensive Z-95, knowing exactly when you can afford to take specific actions and how exactly to move to block shots that would otherwise murder you...it's all paramount to the survivability of the little guy.

I would say, bar none, the Sigma Squadron is the pilot that benefits the most from Intelligence Agent in the game.

That does sort of put it at odds with higher PS pilots in the same squad, though.

I expect swarms, actually. Not going to be a lot of players and at least two of them have historically been heavy swarm users.

The basic idea behind the Sigmas is that they don't NEED cloak every turn like other phantom variants. They're a pair of 4-dice attacks that have TL, focus, and evade basically every turn, plus punishing high-PS attackers. I don't really fly them like Phantoms.

They shred large ships remarkably well with that setup, and having a free evade token PLUS focus combines really well with low-PS (since I know if I need to spend it on defense first) to mitigate a lot of the threat from Han/Dash/Chirpy lists that have limited total attacks, not to mention RebCap shuts most of those builds down.

IA is a card I really want to like but ALWAYS forget to use in practice. In a timed environment with relatively strict opportunity policing, I don't think it'd be any better.

Vader is a little bit iffy without ATC, but I've made it work before, he's still fantastic at arc-dodging and I've noticed a lot of people try to focus him instead of the Phantoms because of PS, he's just as tanky most of the time and can still output a remarkable number of r1 shots with EU+Pred.

/could/ swap Vader out for Fel but I have minimal practice with squints and am honestly not a big fan of the ship.

/could/ swap Vader out for Fel but I have minimal practice with squints and am honestly not a big fan of the ship.

If that's the case, then why have you included a squint in all but the last list?

If you really don't like them, perhaps go with a defender or Bounty Hunter instead?

If you really like vader and you have had success with him, then you should probably keep him.

I'm not sure Intel Agent is 'auto-include' for a sigma - tactician & rebel captive are also good choices for different reasons. I'd say not bother with rebel captive if you expect to see mostly swarms, though. It doesn't bother them much.

Sounds to me like your 3rd list is your best bet (possibly trading soontir for bounty hunter or delta w/ ion cannon if you don't like squints?)

/could/ swap Vader out for Fel but I have minimal practice with squints and am honestly not a big fan of the ship.

If that's the case, then why have you included a squint in all but the last list?

If you really don't like them, perhaps go with a defender or Bounty Hunter instead?

If you really like vader and you have had success with him, then you should probably keep him.

I'm not sure Intel Agent is 'auto-include' for a sigma - tactician & rebel captive are also good choices for different reasons. I'd say not bother with rebel captive if you expect to see mostly swarms, though. It doesn't bother them much.

Sounds to me like your 3rd list is your best bet (possibly trading soontir for bounty hunter or delta w/ ion cannon if you don't like squints?)

Because I have to buy a second Phantom for the dual list, and I'm not sure I'll have time/disposable cash/etc

I think the rebel captive on the sigma works. It's added deterrence to shooting it first, preserving your 4 attack dice.

Generic phantoms are actually very similar to x-wings. 4 pts more, 1 less hull, 1 more attack die, same agi, lacks the 1 str/bank, but has the 1 turn, and has the ability to cloak in those situations where you know you don't need to attack.

At the end of it though, your sigma is still the most disposable of the group. I almost feel like you have too much invested in it. Almost, I'm just not sure.

I think the rebel captive on the sigma works. It's added deterrence to shooting it first, preserving your 4 attack dice.

Generic phantoms are actually very similar to x-wings. 4 pts more, 1 less hull, 1 more attack die, same agi, lacks the 1 str/bank, but has the 1 turn, and has the ability to cloak in those situations where you know you don't need to attack.

At the end of it though, your sigma is still the most disposable of the group. I almost feel like you have too much invested in it. Almost, I'm just not sure.

Yeah, RC tends to be worth it in most matches. Either it shuts down an action-heavy ship, or it forces suboptimal targeting.

I actually considered HU Sigmas at one point, though the free evade is pretty much always better.

tbh I may run a different list entirely if I don't pick up a second phantom, I /really/ don't have much squint practice. As far as points sunk, this entire list gets nearly 3 actions per ship per turn (counting Predator as .5 of a TL for Vader), which I really like.