2 Variations I'm considering running on league night, mostly to show locals that post nerf phantom doesn't suck.

Whisper - FCS, Tactician, ACD, VI

3x Academy Pilots

Howlrunner - Determination, Stealth Device

Or

Whisper - FCD, Intelligence Agent, ACD, VI

3x Alpha Squadron Pilots - Autothrusters

while its not whisper I have here another possibility for a Phantom + Swarm

Echo with all the trimmings

Howlrunner with Swarm Tact and

a Tie 4PS with draw their fire

mainly for keeping Howl alive

and 2 tie scrubs

I think this is the best Whisper + TIE swarm:

Whisper w/ VI, FCS, gunner & ACD

Howlrunner

3 academies

98 pts.

With Interceptors often running stealth + autothrusters and IG2000's with autothrusters, you really need the gunner on Whisper. Her ability absolutely hates it when she misses, and Gunner + FCS makes sure that doesn't happen. Plus, post-FAQ, you are less able to arc-dodge with the phantom, so being able to take evade to tank return shots (plus focus after you hit) is invaluable.

If rebel captive is common in your area, it doesn't hurt to throw VI on howlie to protect whisper from it...

I think this is the best Whisper + TIE swarm:

Whisper w/ VI, FCS, gunner & ACD

Howlrunner

3 academies

98 pts.

With Interceptors often running stealth + autothrusters and IG2000's with autothrusters, you really need the gunner on Whisper. Her ability absolutely hates it when she misses, and Gunner + FCS makes sure that doesn't happen. Plus, post-FAQ, you are less able to arc-dodge with the phantom, so being able to take evade to tank return shots (plus focus after you hit) is invaluable.

My thoughts exactly

If rebel captive is common in your area, it doesn't hurt to throw VI on howlie to protect whisper from it...

I don't think you are any "less able" to arc dodge, it's the same movement as before, just in a different order; we just gotta think a little harder Plus a 2 point bid will get initiative over Soontir & Co. so with VI you will be doing your movement after the baron (assuming you give your opponent initiative) making it much harder for him to pre-emptively dodge you.

I don't think you are any "less able" to arc dodge, it's the same movement as before, just in a different order; we just gotta think a little harder Plus a 2 point bid will get initiative over Soontir & Co. so with VI you will be doing your movement after the baron (assuming you give your opponent initiative) making it much harder for him to pre-emptively dodge you.

You totally are less able to arc-dodge, because arc-dodging is accomplished with post dial reveal movement, and that occurs in Pilot Skill order. If Whisper decloaks before any dials are revealed, she has lost that movement as a 'surprise' factor. It also often gives a 'hint' about what manoeuvre you actually picked on your dial allowing enemies with BR/boost to adjust their final position to possibly compensate for any miscalculation on their dial choice (won't always help them, but sometimes it will).

And after playing Whisper vs Soontir a few times, I am now leaning more towards taking initiative with Whisper. FCS + Gunner gives Whisper a good chance to deal damage (breaking the stealth device) or if your opponent's dice fail, you might even kill Soontir outright. And with 'just' the barrel roll to adjust your final position its likely your opponent will plan for that and still get you in arc (assuming he's smart). Getting the 4 green + bonus focus token has never been more important for Whisper, especially against enemies of equal PS.

Plus, I have always found the easiest way to kill Soontir is by blocking. It doesn't matter what ship you use----having initiative gives you the flexibility of laying down that key block with any of your ships, including Whisper if it comes down to it. Obviously the rest of your list and your opponent's might sway the choice of whether to take or give up initiative, but if you've got Whisper and your opponent has Fel and there are no other PS 9 or higher ships, I think having initiative is generally more valuable for Whisper now.

Gunner stacks well with FCS, it also stacks well with Whisper's ability neccesitiating a hit. So Gunner ends up boosting your defense too.

It's not like the Phantom sucks now, it's still broken OP tier. Just not hyper broken OP tier.