A friend is considering a 3-ship PS10 rebel list, and I got to thinking about trying something similar for Empire (specifically for the anti-whisper PS bid). I was finding it difficult to come up with pilots that it made sense for, and was wondering if the community here had any insights that I might be missing.

Here's the list of PS8 pilots we have, grouped into arbitrary categories:

Pilot abilities that are anti-synergistic with VI and repositioning (EU, native boost/BR, etc.):

Defender - Brath (wants to use action for focus, not boost)

Interceptor - Fel (VI means it's much, much harder to get that stress+focus)

Pilot abilities that aren't relevant:

Fighter - Howlrunner (phantom-hunting isn't why you take HR)

Shuttle - Kagi (oh, right, no EPT)

Pilot abilities that make sense:

Interceptor - Jax (not sure if the ship is durable enough without the PTL double-action, but the ability is good for getting damage on Whisper)

Advanced - Vader (going to be relevant again Soon)

Firespray - Boba (assuming rocks don't get in the way, there is potential)

VT - Chiraneau (doesn't count, since the whole point is to beat Whisper+RAC, not play it)

Am I missing something? Seems like rebels have roughly double the options for something like this, and that surprises me.

You think people are happy putting vi on Luke, etc. Trust me, people would prefer putting predator on him, too. Everyone has to sacrifice something to get their PS up to 10, not just imperials.

# Of Rebel Pilots that can hit PS 10+ (with VI): Tycho, Ten, Corran, Luke, Wes, Wedge, Airen, Jan & Han = 9

# of Imps that can hit PS 10+ (with VI): Howlrunner, Vader, Brath, Jax, Soontir, Boba & Chiraneau = 7.

# of Scum that can hit PS 10+ (with VI): Boba & Serissu = 2.

So yeah, its not exactly even, but you can hardly argue that its double (well, more than double compared to scum)

But if you know your opponent is going all PS10, you could not make any PS bids at all, and go swarmy at PS1/2. That would give a 3 ship build a really rough time!

Higher Pilot skill on average seems to be part of the rebel's faction identity- Of the Rebel Starfighters, only the A-wing and E-wing have PS 1/3 for generic pilots. The imperials, on the other hand, have the PS 1 Academy, Alpha Squadron, and Delta Squadron Pilots, the PS 2 Scimitar and Tempest Squadron Pilots, and the PS 3 Sigma Squadron Pilot (Who's a bit of an oddity. Presumably because, well, Phantoms).

Also, the Raider hasn't hit yet, and it's quite possible we'll see two more PS7+ pilots in that (I believe Juno Eclipse is PS 8, assuming people aren't just guessing there). Also, Jan getting an EPT while Kagi didn't is another reason for the discrepancy.

Simply put, almost every Rebel pilot named in fiction is an ace, so that puts their PS up higher on average. For the mid-range pilots 5-7 category, Imps *should* have more (not sure if that's true or not).

Numbers. Math. I'm bad at them.

Am I missing something? Seems like rebels have roughly double the options for something like this, and that surprises me.

Well, the alternative would be the Empire being better at dealing with the Phantom than the Rebels.

Another option is something like a Double Defender list:

Rexlar with VI.

Vessary with Decoy.

You have one ship shooting at PS10, but you get to choose which ship that is. With essentiall two firing arcs that can shoot at PS10, it's not too difficult for them to cover the Phantom's line of approach. I realize this may not seem synergistic with Rexlar's ability, but frankly Rexlar's ability only has a spotty chance of being relevant against a 2-hull Phantom. You have to deal just enough damage to deal a single face-down damage card without spending your focus token, yet not enough damage to deal a second damage card for the kill.

Numbers. Math. I'm bad at them.

Numbers, heh. Math. A Jedi craves not these things.

A side point on this: ps10 rebels are only a thing because ps9 imperials are completelly killer.

Rebels also have Roark and and scum get Torkil...

You want pilot skill 10? You got it.

Am I missing something? Seems like rebels have roughly double the options for something like this, and that surprises me.

Well, the alternative would be the Empire being better at dealing with the Phantom than the Rebels.

That's a very good point. Thanks!

Am I missing something? Seems like rebels have roughly double the options for something like this, and that surprises me.

Well, the alternative would be the Empire being better at dealing with the Phantom than the Rebels.

PS10 Chiraneau with a certain Sith Lord and prisoner in the back seat is already pretty good at that

Don't forget poor Horton Salm with R2-D6, Veteran Instincts, and your choice of (Ion Cannon Turret +BTL-A4) or (Torpedo/Bomb Loadout of choice).

Am I missing something? Seems like rebels have roughly double the options for something like this, and that surprises me.

Well, the alternative would be the New FAQ being better at dealing with the Phantom than the Rebels.

there. that's better.