Whisper?

(to me)

I find Stygian Sigmas really useful in rounding out many lists that have one big target and needs another threat to relieve some of that pressure. People will generally gun for a Phantom even when it's not the best decision to do so and that psychological compulsion is a very powerful tool when playing with Phantoms.

Convince me that I am wrong, and that the weirdest of the Empire's ships is still a viable powerhouse.

Bonus points if your convincement is in the form of a squad-list, particularly in a 3-ship list with the other two in the archetype.

I've been running Carnor Jam (Jax and two sigmas with sensor jammer) with some success for several months now (see my latest batrep here: https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/188131-carnor-jamming-at-the-french-national/ ), and the arrival of TLTs seems to have made the list more viable than ever.

The Empire now has 3 ships in the super-fighter-flanker range, and 3 awesome PS 9 Aces in that 35-37 range.

But, when given the options of Baron Fel and Lord Vader, does Whisper still stack up, even up to her former 40+ squadpoints? If so, what build?

Moreover, does the Sigma Squadron pilot have any builds that are superior to a Royal Guard or Tempest in its price-range?

Now, I don't believe that the Phantom Nerf brought it to this lowly place (although Decloak being used as the ultimate in arc-dodging technology is overpowered); I just simply think that the introduction of the Autothrusters and the TIE x/1 titles have caused these other builds to outclass it.

And so, the prompt.

Convince me that I am wrong, and that the weirdest of the Empire's ships is still a viable powerhouse.

Bonus points if your convincement is in the form of a squad-list, particularly in a 3-ship list with the other two in the archetype.

6 Atk dice are possible.

There look i got really greedy and even got all the important upgrades on the ships...

Darth Vader (29)

Determination (1)

Advanced Targeting Computer (1)

TIE/x1 (0)

Soontir Fel (27)

Push the Limit (3)

Autothrusters (2)

"Whisper" (32)

Veteran Instincts (1)

Advanced Cloaking Device (4)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

The Four attack dice, and mobility make whisper, echo and even the generics still a significant threat, the generics especially so in epic. Against the TLT threat i'd argue that 4sigma will nicely tear apart y-wings faster than the TLT will get to them. Echosigmasigma with a few upgrades doubly so. The fact that the Phantom is a small based imperial fighter with a crew slot also needs mention.

“Echo” (34) with Expose (4)

Whisper” (36) with Expose (4)

12 atk dice range 1 with 30 points left.

Why settle for 12 when you can get 17 by throwing Mauler Mithel with Expose in there along with ACDs for the phantoms?

there is a flaw in your thinking , Whisper is not a PS9 ace but a PS7 aces with VI, the fact that the EPT slot is pre-determined for her does not help her case.

“Echo” (34) with Expose (4)

Whisper” (36) with Expose (4)

12 atk dice range 1 with 30 points left.

Why settle for 12 when you can get 17 by throwing Mauler Mithel with Expose in there along with ACDs for the phantoms?

At one less dice Shuttle with a Tact Jammer might be better then Mauler just food for thought.

4 Atk Dice.

Because Soontir and Vader are easy.

You want a fun challenge? Give Six Sigma a spin.

Whisper with Sensor Jammer will give TLT lists fits. You'll lose out on offense, but you are throwing 4-5 dice to their normally 1 agility. The de-cloak and movement should be pretty good at getting into the donut hole as well. I think you'll see Phantoms work their way back into the meta.

4 Atk Dice.

also four defense dice... And since your playing the only competitive pilot, PS 9. And solid 2/2 body. Behind aforementioned four greens with aforementioned pilots ability to give you a focus token. Because three action economy is cool.

We're not in the PS 9 fat han meta any more, Echo is fantastic for what she does. VI is not critical on a phantom anymore.

The last tournament I played (with 3-guy teams using the same faction and a "can't repeat unique cards on a team" rule) was with this list, and I loved it. I also had pretty good results, winning all five games (BB-Dash, Dash-Corran, Chiri-Soontir, Whisper-Howlrunner-3x Academy, Brobots), although we lost the final 1-2

Soontir Fel (27)

Push the Limit (3)

Autothrusters (2)

Stealth Device (3)

Royal Guard TIE (0)

"Whisper" (32)

Veteran Instincts (1)

Fire-Control System (2)

Rebel Captive (3)

Advanced Cloaking Device (4)

Lieutenant Colzet (23)

Fire-Control System (0)

TIE/x1 (0)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Vader can be fitted instead Soontir by switching Rebel Captive for Intelligence Agent on Whisper.

Whisper performance was really, really good. She may be not as infuriating as he once was, but she still attracts *a lot* of attention, something Soontir loves, and her damage output is still on another level. You just need to be more careful moving her, as any error is paid in blood.

Trollzet was the true MVP in my hearth, tho.

there is a flaw in your thinking , Whisper is not a PS9 ace but a PS7 aces with VI, the fact that the EPT slot is pre-determined for her does not help her case.

With 4 attack, FCS and a Crew slot, who needs an EPT?

Had a stroke of mad genius because of this thread

Had a redline + zeta ace + 3 obsidians ready to go when I thought "hey! I can get an int agent whisper in instead!"

That's vi + FCS + ACD + int

Zeta + ptl

3 academies

(97)

Need mah bid

Yeah she's still stupid

She only died my second game because I will never in my life roll more than one rlevade on 4+ dice

She ruined Poe the first game and then Poe murdered her (cloaked!) at range 3

I guess you can say it was...Poetic justice

My thought while at work:

Whisper might be the best anti-Fel ship in the game, if she has the choice of initiative. FCS with the choice of either Gunner or Rebel Captive ruin him.

Meanwhile, mobility-wise, he's very predictable, though reactive, while she's unpredictable, though has more difficulty reacting. Potency!

Moreover, she's the only one of the three Aces who maintains a 4 agility standard after getting hit, whereas Fel and Vader both lose their stealth devices (Yes, I prefer my Vader with SD and Lone Wolf over an Engine Upgrade and Predator. Cheaper, and far more survivable).

So, we've got a few variations in our Phantom builds.

With the Core build being VI + ACD, and 3 options for System (Null, FCS, and Sensor Jammer), and 5 options for Crew (Null, Intelligence Agent, Rebel Captive, Recon Specialist, and Gunner), there are 15 in potential, ranging from 37-46 points.

4 Atk Dice.

also four defense dice... And since your playing the only competitive pilot, PS 9. And solid 2/2 body. Behind aforementioned four greens with aforementioned pilots ability to give you a focus token. Because three action economy is cool.

We're not in the PS 9 fat han meta any more, Echo is fantastic for what she does. VI is not critical on a phantom anymore.

Whisper might be the best anti-Fel ship in the game,

that is a baffling way to spell "Warden Squadron Pilot"

Whisper might be the best anti-Fel ship in the game,

that is a baffling way to spell "Warden Squadron Pilot"

I just kinda start with the first letter, and let my fingers go on from there.

But seriously, I think we're overselling the TLT vs Fel match-up. It's 2, largely unmodified, attacks from the ship. Whoop de doo.

My thought while at work:

Whisper might be the best anti-Fel ship in the game, if she has the choice of initiative. FCS with the choice of either Gunner or Rebel Captive ruin him.

Meanwhile, mobility-wise, he's very predictable, though reactive, while she's unpredictable, though has more difficulty reacting. Potency!

Moreover, she's the only one of the three Aces who maintains a 4 agility standard after getting hit, whereas Fel and Vader both lose their stealth devices (Yes, I prefer my Vader with SD and Lone Wolf over an Engine Upgrade and Predator. Cheaper, and far more survivable).

So, we've got a few variations in our Phantom builds.

With the Core build being VI + ACD, and 3 options for System (Null, FCS, and Sensor Jammer), and 5 options for Crew (Null, Intelligence Agent, Rebel Captive, Recon Specialist, and Gunner), there are 15 in potential, ranging from 37-46 points.

wait for kallus!!!for FCS VI Kallus ACD echo

My thought while at work:

Whisper might be the best anti-Fel ship in the game, if she has the choice of initiative. FCS with the choice of either Gunner or Rebel Captive ruin him.

Meanwhile, mobility-wise, he's very predictable, though reactive, while she's unpredictable, though has more difficulty reacting. Potency!

Moreover, she's the only one of the three Aces who maintains a 4 agility standard after getting hit, whereas Fel and Vader both lose their stealth devices (Yes, I prefer my Vader with SD and Lone Wolf over an Engine Upgrade and Predator. Cheaper, and far more survivable).

So, we've got a few variations in our Phantom builds.

With the Core build being VI + ACD, and 3 options for System (Null, FCS, and Sensor Jammer), and 5 options for Crew (Null, Intelligence Agent, Rebel Captive, Recon Specialist, and Gunner), there are 15 in potential, ranging from 37-46 points.

wait for kallus!!!for FCS VI Kallus ACD echo

I mean, I'd rather not.

Yeah, he's a bloody great card, but that doesn't do much for me workshopping the ship NOW, right?

Whisper might be the best anti-Fel ship in the game,

that is a baffling way to spell "Warden Squadron Pilot"

I just kinda start with the first letter, and let my fingers go on from there.

But seriously, I think we're overselling the TLT vs Fel match-up. It's 2, largely unmodified, attacks from the ship. Whoop de doo.

TLT!?

Conner Nets!!!!!!!!!

although, Whisper does get half of the "make Soontir wish he was never born" tech, and that's int agent

there's just so much troll potential with academy pilots and zeta ace; hell you can even block soontir with whisper

(the other half is deathrain)

Horton tlt marksmanship is the best anti soontir ship in the game pls thanks.

Also I'm not sure that stealth device + lone wolf Vader actually is more tanky than the one with engine that can actually arc dodge. Not getting shot always better than rolling more greens.