Greetings,

I'm looking to pick up a Empire Swarm style squad. I've heard 8 basic Ties is an option but I was wondering about going primarily Interceptors (w/ auto-thrusters?) or possibly swapping out a few basic Ties for a Defender. Also, as someone new should I avoid Advanced Ties? I've been having trouble seeing their use.

Potential Lists (All with the cheapest pilots)

8 Ties (4 points for upgrades, should I go two target locks or an engine upgrade?)

4 Ties 1 Interceptor with autothrusters and a Defender

5 Interceptors with autothrusters

Thanks

4 Interceptors with Autothrusters
Howlrunner

There are lots of ways to run a swarm. The eight TIE swarm with 4 APs and 4 Obsidians is pretty solid. I favor a seven TIE swarm with Howlrunner, Backstabber, and Dark Curse. But I also like to run the All Stars list of just the named pilots. It's only six TIEs, but all their unique abilities add to the list. You can also run themed lists of just Black Squadron ( Mauler, Backstabber, and 4 BSPs) or Obsidian Squadron ( Howlrunner, Gundark, Beast and 4 Obsidians).

The TIE advanced suffered for a long time, but the TIE x1 title lets them take a system upgrade essentially for free dramatically increasing their capability. The two systems you'll see are Accuracy Corrector and Advanced Targeting Computer. Vader with Engine Upgrade, Title, and ATC is potent.

I favor a seven TIE swarm with Howlrunner, Backstabber, and Dark Curse.

I agree in a lot of ways with this statement. I've found Howlrunner to be extremely beneficial to swarms and "Dark Curse" is a very survivable TIE fighter. However, assuming you have Stealth Devices, using them to increase the odds that Howlrunner and Curse dodge has proven to be beneficial in my games.

That works too.

I've largely given up on stealth devices for my TIEs except for Dark Curse. It meshes with his ability well. Night Beast gets a TIE Engine MKII when I can spare the point.

I am escorting Deathrain with a mini-swarm of Ties and making an upgrade from Academies to Obsidians improved their chances against the infamous TLTs, especially since they can better BR inside their range 1.

I run the following for my swarm,

Black Squadron

-Draw Their Fire

Black Squadron

-Draw Their Fire

Dark Curse

Backstabber

Mauler Mithel

Howlrunner

-Stealth Device

99 points

It's a solid list that works well. The Black Squadron ties pull crits off their named companions and allow everyone to last just a bit longer.

Of course stealth device can be replaced with Hull Upgrade and some folks prefer that. There are a lot of things you can do with that 1 point initiative bid as well. But I've found that this is a good solid swarm with a nice mix of PS and pilot ability.

Sweet! Thanks for the advice. Does Howlrunner's ability effect all ships within 1 range band? That is quite awesome if so, and I can see why it is a popular choice. TLT looks like a really killer; I haven't faced it yet fortunately. Is there any other builds/items I need to worry about with a swarm list?

the hardest ting about starting off with a swarm is learning to fly it..... there are some great tutorial videos on youtube

If you want more firepower, at the cost of PS.

"Howlrunner" — TIE Fighter 18
Crack Shot 1
Hull Upgrade 3
Ship Total: 22

Academy Pilot — TIE Fighter 12
Ship Total: 12

Academy Pilot — TIE Fighter 12
Ship Total: 12

Alpha Squadron Pilot — TIE Interceptor 18
Ship Total: 18

Alpha Squadron Pilot — TIE Interceptor 18
Ship Total: 18

Alpha Squadron Pilot — TIE Interceptor 18
Ship Total: 18

Yeah, Howlrunner is so good with swarms because that ability affects all ships in Range 1. Learning how to formation fly is very helpful with this type of setup. As for TLTs, I haven't faced them myself either, but here are my personal thoughts and what I've seen around here. Yes, they are dangerous and very popular with those Rebel scum. However, they are no match for the might of the Empire when your TIEs get in close (TLTs don't shoot at Range 1). Additionally, remember that they only roll three dice, and a stealth-deviced TIE, particularly Dark Curse, has a decent chance to avoid that. Finally, each TLT maxes out at 2 damage, not enough to kill a single TIE in one turn. Thus, it should be possible to overwhelm a TLT-based team with a swarm.

I know a guy who only flies 8 TIEs. Never changes his list and he seems to love it. I believe its 4 academies + 4 obsidians. Its actually an easy list to fly because you just go straight at the enemy as fast as you can and try to block up the opponent's move options so everything becomes a big clusterf@ck and you rely on weight of numbers to outlast your opponent.

If you want to try Defender + swarm, I would suggest:

2 Onyx pilots (defender) = 32 x 2

3 academy pilots (TIE/ln) = 12 x 3

100

I used to fly this except with Deltas carrying flechette cannons, but now that TLT are here, I think the PS3 helps the defender more. Keep the acadeemies in a nice little block with 2 in front, 1 in back (keep a base length a part so they don't bump when banking). Drop the Defenders close by, in back a bit. Send the academies hard and fast at the enemy with the Defenders bringing up the rear. Use one or maybe two academies as blockers and profit by shooting at actionless opponents. You should practice early turn moves with this list before playing a real opponent though, because its very easy to screw up placement of the defenders and get them either tangled up or limited movement options. You always want to move your fleet into open space away from asteroids to keep your movement options open.

As for a straight one TIE swarm, or one using TIE interceptors, I think Dracon and Keffisch posted good lists.

Another option that I haven't tried yet, but have considered:

2 sabre pilots w/ Push the limit & autothrusters = 26 x 2

4 academy pilots = 12 x 4

100

Fly the academies in a loose block or pinwheel formation so you have lots of space between them so they don't bump each other when banking. The sabres go close by or put one far away as a flanker depending on your opponent.

I have done a 6 ship formation with 3 academy pilots (TF) and 3 saber sqdrn. pilots (TI) for 99. You can add a 1pt ET or mod to one of the TI's for 100. It is reasonably successful if you fly it correctly.

This setup requires sacraficing the fighters for the interceptors. However, if the fighters are ignored by your opponent, they can do quite a bit of damage on their own en masse.

The trick to swarms is formation flying so that you are massing your fires on one or two targets. Once you split your formation, you run the risk of being divided and conquered. Pick one target (usually the one with the most points … usually) and kill it quickly with all of your ships. Then think about splitting the two formations to go after the others if it's wise to do so. Also, TIE swarms can be useful for pinning down a large ship via overlap to prevent movement and actions. Practice formation flying so you can get all the arcs pointed the right way. Otherwise you'll get a TIE traffic jam going.

INMO, if you want to deploy a "true" swarm you should field 7-8 Tie Fighters. I like the ultra simple 4 Academy + 4 Obsidian. Deploy them in two flights and have fun. It is like a true swarm, no Leader, no Names, simply a grimm mass of ships.

Even if you loose... Ties are like Goblins, they are on the loosing side.

If you deploy them in two groups, your life will be much simple. Basic Ties are very cheap if you buy them on ebay. You only need the Pilot cards. No upgrades, no need to think what to equip. You have no options.

Right now the most effective swarm is obsidians. They're so good in this meta, howlrunner plus six obsidians and your choice for four points of upgrades, be they backstabber/dark curse, or determination /hull for howl or whatever spices it up for you.

INMO, if you want to deploy a "true" swarm you should field 7-8 Tie Fighters. I like the ultra simple 4 Academy + 4 Obsidian. Deploy them in two flights and have fun.

I ran this in a small store tournament last weekend. I deployed in two groups for my first game and I lost because of that. I won all the games where I deployed them in one block, Academies in front.

That first game was against a Scum Kath and Bossk build. I was too spread out to focus down either Kath or Bossk and between Kath shooting 4 or 5 dice out her rear arc and Bossk's ability to change a crit to two hits I didn't last long. As luck would have it, I was rematched against that list after the cut. I deployed in one block and was able to focus done Bossk quickly for the loss of only two TIEs and then the remainder were able to take out Kath. I think I had 4 TIEs left at the end.

I am new to X-Wing but have been enjoying this list. With Swarm Tactics on both Howlie and Mauler you can get three ships firing at PS 8 (or two at 8 and two at 7) so long as you maintain formation. Can be extremely brutal.

"Howlrunner" (18)

Swarm Tactics (2)

Hull Upgrade (3)

"Mauler Mithel" (17)

Swarm Tactics (2)

Hull Upgrade (3)

"Backstabber" (16)

Hull Upgrade (3)

Academy Pilot (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Been using this squad recently with some success. It's also all of the Ties I own.

"Howlrunner" (18)