In the Empire, there are now 3 ships that fill the roll of "Hard as hell to hit Flanker", in around the same point-cost: the TIE Interceptor, the TIE Advanced, and the TIE Phantom.

I am currently working on a list that uses one of each.

Sadly, this means that I cannot use The Ace of each, as the optimal Ace builds are 35, 36, and 44 points respectively (though variation of build can have Vader at 35, or Whisper at as few as 37.)

So what remains? Do I sacrifice Acehood across the board to attempt to court the Crazy 8s or the Lucky 7s? Do I choose to keep two aces, and run a Generic? Should I abandon the idea, knowing that Twin Laser Turrets and whatnot exist purely to stymie these kinds of shenanigans?

These are things I need to know, people!

If you're going to sacrifice a capital-A Ace, I'd make it the Advanced. Assuming you're running Accuracy Corrector it's the tankiest ship of the three and so the least attractive target if your opponent can't/won't catch your two big guns. Plus the same quirky, bit-too-quick dial that makes range control with the Advanced such a pain in the fundament makes it a lovely blocker, especially since it's got Barrel Roll for those really hard-to-reach spots. You can get Fel, a good Whisper and a Tempest for 98 points with no real pain.

I second the above, a PS2 Adv will do more than it's Phantom or Interceptor equivalent.

And putting my money where my mouth is:

NO STRESS PLEASE WE'RE ACES

98 points

PILOTS

Soontir Fel (35)

TIE Interceptor (27), Royal Guard TIE (0), Push the Limit (3), Stealth Device (3), Autothrusters (2)

“Whisper” (42)

TIE Phantom (32), Rebel Captive (3), Fire-Control System (2), Veteran Instincts (1), Advanced Cloaking Device (4)

Tempest Squadron Pilot (21)

TIE Advanced (21), TIE/x1 (0), Accuracy Corrector (3)

I'm still tinkering with this list. Last time out I dropped the FCS and Rebel Captive on Whisper for Sensor Jammer and Intelligence Agent, but that really puts a premium on your red dice not letting you down. I wouldn't mind the Tempest being a Storm or Colzet for further TLT insurance, but that would either give up the initiative bid or force me into a bit of a suboptimal Whisper build.

With twin lasers being so popular, sensor jammer + Carnor Jax has its chance to shine.

A difficult list to fly, but one that could do well in this meta:

Carnor w/ PtL, title, AT + stealth/hull = 34

Sigma w/ SJ, recon & SPA = 34

Sigma, w/ SJ, intel & SPA = 32

You could trade the intel sigma for any 32 advanced. Strom /w x-1, SJ, predator and ion pulse mssiles, for example (making the list quite comfy at range 1, even against swarms).

Im glad someone shares my love of Phantom/Tie ADv Lists.

if you want all three of the jouster/assassins in a list and still have an optimal ACE i'd go with Whisper

"Standard" 44 point Buzzsaw Whisper

VI FCS Gunner ACD

Turr Phennir

VI(or PTL for after firing or before firing shinanigans)

RGP

AT

SD

Your choice of

Tempest AC for 21

Colzet AC for 23

Storm AC for 23.

only the tempest leaving you with init bid. Once wave 8 hits I think we'll see a new Whisper build with Agent Kallus (assuming the meta doesnt go too far from 2-3 ship builds)

Once wave 8 hits I think we'll see a new Whisper build with Agent Kallus (assuming the meta doesnt go too far from 2-3 ship builds)

With twin lasers being so popular, sensor jammer + Carnor Jax has its chance to shine.

A difficult list to fly, but one that could do well in this meta:

Carnor w/ PtL, title, AT + stealth/hull = 34

Sigma w/ SJ, recon & SPA = 34

Sigma, w/ SJ, intel & SPA = 32

That being said, once the tournament is over I'll be trying out a crazy 8 list with the three ships the OP mentioned, specifically:

Carnor Jax with PtL and AT

Zertik Strom with X1, SJ and VI

Echo with VI, ACD, SJ and RS

It's a list that loves to be up close and personal and is very difficult to hit.

Once wave 8 hits I think we'll see a new Whisper build with Agent Kallus (assuming the meta doesnt go too far from 2-3 ship builds)

Agent Kallus is sweeeeeeeeeet on a Phantom. I definitely want to try Epsilon Leader in place of the Tempest as Rebel Captive / Tactician insurance, too, especially since she's got a good enough dial to potentially stick with Soonts.

for 23 points you can also do

Omega Ace with PTL.... for 23

All the crit goodness in such a small frame.

Edit: Once kallus comes out you can put that on Whisper (or also drop whisper to Echo freeing up 3-5 points depending how brave you are [echo takes a brave pilot]) and that would allow you to make OA Omega Leader with that 3 point evade tech box and give OL Juke... Making him/her the most annoying tie this side of the Alderon debris.

EDIT EDIT: just did the math, theres also room for a SD on OL 4 dice, unmodifiable and turning evades to eyes.

Editx3: or drop juke for PTL. to assure your main assailant gets the TL, and you're always stocked on evades.

I have been running these three ships for a while as well, but with a unique flavor:

Sigma: FCS, Intel, Sygium (30)

Carnor: PtL, RGT, AT, Stealth (34)

Vader: Lone Wolf, x1, ATC, EU (36)

I love it, so much so, that I even ran it Pre-Raider and gave Vader predator instead. I've found that the sigma draws fire first, but with SPA it flies more like Corran than Whisper, preferring hit and run attacks, and then running away with a cloak 4straight or 3 bank. Carnor is my favorite interceptor, and the IA on the Sigma helps me pin down PS 8+ ships. Vader force chokes his enemies and destroys their ships with delicious crit goodness. Also, he is usually one of the last ones to live, which is great for Lone Wolf.