Okay.... Had a random thought today for trying to do an escalation force (150 points) as a TIE fighter swarm, because in 150 points I should be able to get a big swarm. Buying in 30 and 60 point blocks messes up obsidian squadron pilots and (to a lesser extent) academy pilots, so I was wondering about black squadron pilots with a 1-point elite talent.

My first thought was veteran instincts, but PS6 isnt really all that much better than PS4, especially in a TIE swarm which can't boost and cant really barrel roll without blocking itself.

So I suddenly thought of Draw Their Fire.

Ten Black Squadron Pilots, all able to draw criticals off one another, spreading out damage around the swarm - and, crucially, not triggering jank like gunner or IG-88 in the process.

It may not work, but I figure it might be worth a try. I'm used to seeing the card used to protect a key pilot (howlrunner) but could it work en masse?

It works quite well, actually.

Personally, I still enjoy my 11 ship Howlrunner Swarm in Escalation, but have been finding that it has a difficult time vs Pancakes in the first round. (Howlrunner, 7 Academies, and 3 Scimitar Bombers)

Fortunately, this has improved now that you need 2 ships in Round 1, so the Pancake in question is, at most 48 points in that first round.

7 Tempests with accuracy corrector!

I think you are limited to 8 small ships of one kind for tournaments per FFG stuff. Your TO can change that though.

I have dreamed of a 12-ship Z-95 swarm.

It works quite well, actually.

Personally, I still enjoy my 11 ship Howlrunner swarm ...(Howlrunner, 7 Academies, and 3 Scimitar Bombers)...

I love the thought of this list!