Newer player here looking to try out some imperial ships. What do you guys think of the following list?

(100pts)

“Howlrunner” (21)
Stealth Device (3)
“Epsilon Leader” (19)
Epsilon Squadron Pilot (15) x4

I know it may not pack the punch the Academy swarm might, but just looking for some feedback.

Howl will still be the #1 target. I'd give her Push the Limit rather than Stealth, so she can Focus/Evade. Then Epsilon Leader can clear her stress. Otherwise it seems solid.

Newer player here looking to try out some imperial ships. What do you guys think of the following list?

(100pts)

“Howlrunner” (21)

Stealth Device (3) <--- critical error detected

“Epsilon Leader” (19)

Epsilon Squadron Pilot (15) x4

I know it may not pack the punch the Academy swarm might, but just looking for some feedback.

never trust green dice

also, Tie/fos just aren't terribly efficient ships. Swarming is probably not the optimal way to run them, especially not when you have access to vanilla ties.

the might of the FO seems packed in its characters, especially Omega Leader (dude is ridiculous for his modest 24 point asking cost). Would definitely try running him over 2 ties in a conventional swarm, or a doom shuttle. Remember, according to the rule's reference under "modifying dice", his ability affects everything except adding dice (so yes range bonus, but no c3po, no auto-thrusters, no focus, no evade, no sensor jammers, no r7 astro...)

he puts out an incredible amount of hurt, easily the most out of any 2-die primary. The only problem is he can't re-roll his blank dice without spending his lock and losing his ability. Weapon's Guidance takes care of that problem...or Howlrunner

Hull upgrade has outperformed Stealth Device or PTL on Howlrunner in my experience.

An evade token every turn out performs hull upgrade, when you can Evade and Focus. I'd do the PTL especially if you pair her with a stress remover. I do agree though that FO TIE's are not great swarmers. You're going to be focusing with them most of the time, so you are losing a ship (15 points to upgrade 5 TIE's to FO TIE's) in order to gain a single shield and maybe a target lock sometime during the game. The added maneuverability might be good, but I doubt it is better than an extra ship when you are trying to formation fly to use Howlrunner.

PTL on Howlrunner is the right choice with leader around me thinks.

I've tried

Howl

Zeta x2

Obsidian x2

AP x2

maintains 7 ships, just to see how the new FO in a swarm feels. I like it as a 1 or 2 of but it certainly blows that EVERYONE IS NAKED. I love it besides that: Blocking with the APs, PS to PS kill generics, 2 more HP on a swarm...but can you win with a NAKED Howlrunner?

I think back of all the times 1 more HP on a tie would have mattered or having 1 more tie around 1 more turn would have sealed a game. The FO can do that but can it do that and make up for what probably means a 6 ship swarm? Dropping a single tie allows you to get some firepower and FUN;

Howlrunner+ PTL

Omega Ace+ PTL

Leader

AP x3

Gives you defense and punch but you lose PS kills and I think that kills in the upcoming meta.

Another way of keeping Howlrunner alive is to have bodyguards with Draw Their Fire to take some heat. Omegas are good in this role due to the Shield that can absorb a crit. m Don't go too nuts on Howlrunner upgrades because I don't think I have ever played a game with her where she did not eventually die.