I'm currently flying a S&V Kath Scarlet list, and was debating between two options to complete it.

Here's what I have thus far:

Kath Scarlet (Firespray-31)

Veteran Instincts

K4 Security Droid

Engine Upgrade

Glitterstim

48pts

Black Sun Ace (Kihraxz Fighter)

Predator

26pts

These two are largely immutable elements, short of minor changes, as I'm comfortable with how they fly; however, the following are what I'm trying to choose between.

Binayre Pirate (Z-95 Headhunter) x2

24pts

or

Syndicate Thug (Y-Wing)

Twin Laser Turret

Unhinged Astromech

25pts

I've had more experience flying Z-95's, and the Pirates are great at blocking, spreading arcs, and mounting additional firepower onto a 'fat' target as well as being more expendable. However, the Y-Wing has a reliable source of damage and is a fair bit tougher to kill, individually.

Thoughts?

My Kath scum list is probably my most successful to date - I think it's 7-0 at the moment, yet to fly it in a tournament:

Kath Scarlet (Firespray-31)

Push the Limit

K4 Security Droid

Binayre Pirate (Z-95 Headhunter) x4

Feedback Array

You lose some maneuverability with Kath, but she becomes a whole lot tankier with focus/evade. Pirates try to engage near asteroids, and cause utter havoc, while Kath circles and snipes with high accuracy.

Quite a way from your list, I know. So to bring it back, how about you find four points to drop from Kath, and try out two bug zappers?

So to bring it back, how about you find four points to drop from Kath, and try out two bug zappers?

I was going to suggest the same. Unless you're intending to go for an initiative bid, Kath will inevitably be outmaneuvered by Soontir, so you might as well go for some Feedback Pirates.

While I appreciate you gentlemen taking the time to respond, I must reiterate one of the key points in the original post - my build for Kath herself is largely immutable, as I'm already comfortable flying her built that way - certainly I cannot drop enough of the upgrades to retrieve four points. I'd prefer to focus on the merits/faults of the two options I have for the last 24pts, or any alternative suggestions for them that don't require such drastic changes to Kath.

I appreciate that EU is an addictive upgrade! Well, your options grow thin if you're just asking for 24 points of filler. A sub-optimal tlt carrier, a second BSA with crackshot, or, as you say, 2 pirates.

I'd probably plump for the two pirates. Now ... if only they had an upgrade that turned them into the best blockers in the game, and also provided a hard counter to all those high-PS arc dodgers that might otherwise give your list real trouble...

Fair enough. I think the Z95's would do more for you than the TLT Y-wing partly because their dial is more synergistic with that of the BSA.

Now, I know you've stated how immutable that part of the list is, but if you dropped Predator on the BSA or the Glitterstim on Kath, you could fit 2 Feedback Arrays... *hides*

Apologies, I didn't meant to come off too defensive just there

I'd certainly consider dropping Glitterstim for Feedback Arrays on the Z's - my only concern then becomes losing the initiative bid that helps make Kath's PS9 a more worthwhile investment. I've also had trouble in the past getting Arrays in range to ever use them.

I assume the TLT Y-Wing is sub-optimal because there is only one, and TLT carriers tend to become force multipliers?

I'd probably plump for the two pirates. Now ... if only they had an upgrade that turned them into the best blockers in the game, and also provided a hard counter to all those high-PS arc dodgers that might otherwise give your list real trouble...

I think your trying too hard to 'sell' those FBA pirates. I mean, sure its a good upgrade, but it certainly does not make them into the 'best blockers in the game'. All it does is let you deal 1 damage and take 1 damage (+ion token) on something in base contact. But if you have Kath and a predator-equipped Khiraxz running behind those pirates, and one of them manages to block a high PS arc-dodger, that enemy won't die unless you shoot it with one of your big guns, so has the FBA really helped you out much? Depends, but I consider it a situational upgrade that is nice if you have the points for it, but not essential. YMMV of course, but if the OP likes his Kath as is, I think 2 naked z-95s work okay.

If I make it to the tournament happening Saturday at my FLGS, I am planning to take the same Kath build listed in the original post with 2 TLT-unhinged Ys.