So my store champs here in the DFW area in Texas are this Saturday. I am bringing two different lists I'm going to choose between when I get to the shop. One rebel build, one imperial. Both somewhat off-the-beaten-path, especially the Imperial list. Here they are:

Rebel:

Blue

Blue

Blue

Wild Space Fringer - Lando Crew

Simple. Chew through 34 hp. I have a 10hp turret hopefully getting an evade token a turn with Lando, or barrel rolling to block people that need to be blocked. I did find in my warm-up games that being all PS2 is sometimes not a good thing. Next list is not like that.

Imperial:

Shadow Sq Phantom - Stygium Particle Accelerator, Recon Spec, FCS

Whisper - ACD, FCS, Captive, VI

Scimitar Sq Bomber - Prox Mine, 2x Flechette Torps

Now, this list is off the wall crazy. I like the idea of 2 Phantoms. Probably my favorite Imperial ship. With just about 20 points left after the phantoms I needed a ship to draw some attention. I thought of a bomber with ordinance, not too much though. I have run bombers loaded out before and not even gotten off one missile. Being PS2, the prox mine should be decently easy to plop on someone unexpectedly -

and clear the way for Whisper/Shadow to finish off a now shieldless ship. I have beaten double aggressor builds twice with this list, so I'm not terribly worried about them - though hot shot blasters and bombs will be a challenge I will have to deal with.

Let me know what y'all think about these lists. Thanks for reading,

Fly casual

A quick disclaimer here: you're probably looking to be a bit unique with your squads, which is perfectly fine, but from a purely competitive point of view I can see flaws with both lists that might hold them back a little bit.

With the Rebel: yes, the Fringer is a 10 hp turret, but it's only got 2 attack dice and will struggle to lay out enough hurt to justify its existence. I wonder why you wouldn't just run BBBBZ and call it a day. That gives the opponent 36 HP to chew through and you gain an extra 3 dice attacker.

Similarly with the Imperial list, my first thought is to look at that Shadow and think, "Why aren't you running Soontir instead?" For the same price you get Soontir + Push the Limit + Autothrusters + Targeting Computer, who will likely prove harder to kill (especially for anything with a turret) and deal a lot more damage overall. Drop a Flechette and you can upgrade the Computer to a Hull Upgrade or Stealth Device and leave a 2 point initiative bid to make doubly sure you get it. Though at that point I'd also start to wonder why you wouldn't just go for a Soontir-Whisper-Shuttle build.

You are solid on all your points, and the reason for my choices, mostly is I don't have the ships/cards to achieve what you suggest. I will only have to borrow 1 card (captive) to run both lists I've put up. I only have 3 B-wings and I don't own and shuttle, plus my 2 interceptors are from Imp Aces, so unfortunately I don't have a soontir card (until the tournament of course ). I like the maneuverability of the 2400 over another B-wing + Z. I know it'd be more hp and red dice, but I just like it - call it "personal bias" if you will.

If I had to call it now, I'm going to run the 2 phantom list. It is loads of fun to fly, and rolling 4 red dice or more is just delightful. I had started this list with a Gamma bomber and Sigma Phantom, but thought the lower PS bomber for dropping a prox mine over the higher PS bomber dropping a seismic would be helpful. I'm just looking to have some fun. I am always astounded by how resilient the B's + 2400 perform so it will be a tough decision. I think I'll win more games and have more fun running that list.

I do appreciate your critiques. I might ask about the loadout on the 2400. I have had success with lando, but also thought about running Eadin w/nien numb or an intel agent. (99 pts is a must for me - which I would stay at).

I will say my first iteration of the 2 phantom list included a royal guard pilot with ptl as my third ship and when he died to one bad green dice roll I thought the 6hp bomb and torp carrying bomber might be a more resilient choice.

Ah. Yes, of course. Sometimes the problem with the squad building forum, you assume people have everything. Though if I'd read the signature... >.<

Do you have a second VI? If you do, I'd give serious thought to being "that guy" and going all in on a Whisper-Echo build. Though how that will go in the new Scum meta.

I actually came across that thought this afternoon, as I do have a 2nd VI card, but flying echo 4 games in a row - while flying whisper too just makes my head hurt...I feel like the bomber will take some of the heat off of the phantoms. The threat of the mine and 2 flechette torps can't be ignored. Now, just getting that clumsy bomber into arc to launch those torps is another story lol

I actually have a change I am making to my Imperial list:

Shadow - FCS, SPA, Mara Jade

Whisper - ACD, FCS, VI, Rebel Captive

Scimitar - Prox Mine, 2x flechette torps

So now all of my ships are dishing out stress. Little worried about not having double focus on the shadow, but I think I'll be fine with the free evades from cloaking/decloaking. I'll report back tomorrow and let you know how it goes! Thanks for taking the time to read and critique, seems most just skim over and move on.

Fly casual

Just curious to see what you fielded, and how you fared.

I did Store Championship at Madness last year, but couldn't make this year. Hope all went well with you.

Lol I got in 5 games, but sadly lost 4 of them. I think there is something to running 2 phantoms but I just haven't figured it out yet. I beat an oicunn, soontir, night beast list but lost to 4B's, whisper/oicunn, double aggressors and a low ps reb swarm. Got frustrated by the end and didn't have my head in the game. I will put this on the shelf for awhile, but it will make a comeback sometime in the future. For now I think rebels or scum will be making an appearance in my list designs. Came in 23/27 so I'm a little disappointed to say the least. I'm not thinking I am good enough to make the bit but at least more middle of the pack would have been nice.

It happens, man.

I've noticed that, for me, when it has happened, it's been when I have played something I'm not familiar with, or I've been influenced by the forums and the "meta". I usually get bummed after performing poorly in those situations, lol.

However, if I fly what I know and like, then regardless of the outcome, I'm not nearly as bummed, as I had fun flying a list I enjoy.

Just don't keep the ships on the shelf too long, amigo.