Wave 7 Tournament: TIE swarm or 999?

By WarlockFiretopMountain, in X-Wing Squad Lists

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I have a tournament coming up on Halloween, and in light of the TLT meta, I need to retire my trusty Decivader + Obsidians tournament list.

So far I'm mulling over a TIE swarm and a 999 list, both with new Wave 7 additions.

TIE Swarm (100)

Epsilon Leader

Howlrunner

Zeta Ace

Mauler Mithel

Backstabber

Academy

999 (97)

Darth Vader, TIE/x1, ATC, EU, Prockets

Soontir Feb, AT, PTL

Turr Phennir, AT, VI

What do you reckon? Based on prior local experience, I think I'll be facing at least one TLT list, a couple of players who will be out to win, and a handful of just for fun lists.

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Personally i love the 999 build, although ive never flown Soontir Feb very well.

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I'm also a fan of the 999, though I drop prockets and buff Soontir a bit more (usually SD w/ title).

TLTs actually make SD less likely to last, and a procket could go a long way to putting a TLT down...

... So maybe I'm going to follow your lead :)

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Thanks for the thoughts guys. Prockets could be swapped out for something... I don't usually like ordnance, but I hear they're good on Vader.

Jan Ors

Soontir Feb

Imperial March

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Prockets on an Advanced with ATC feels like a waste of points. You're only gaining one dice under those circumstances, but losing the guaranteed crit. I'd use those 3 points on something else.

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Like another PTL?

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I like Predator or Lone Wolf because it gives you a reroll while your TL is tied up keeping ATC active.

In 999 Predator is probably better, with Soontir/Vader/Palpmobile Lone Wolf is easier to keep active.

Edited by Skargoth
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I don't have Lone Wolf (a pity), so Predator it is! Still leaves me with a 3pt initiative bid, which I think is important.

Another list I've been considering is this, but I think it lacks firepower.

  • I've got 99 Problems and an Omicron (99pts)
  • Omicron Group Pilot, Emperor Palpatine, Engine Upgrade
  • Soontir Fel, Royal Guard TIE, AT, SD, PTL
  • Turr Phennir, Royal Guard TIE, AT, SD, VI
Edited by WarlockFiretopMountain
Posted at

Another list I've been considering is this, but I think it lacks firepower.

  • I've got 99 Problems and an Omicron (99pts)
  • Omicron Group Pilot, Emperor Palpatine, Engine Upgrade
  • Soontir Fel, Royal Guard TIE, AT, SD, PTL
  • Turr Phennir, Royal Guard TIE, AT, SD, VI

That looks pretty solid to me honestly. I'd normally aim for Jax rather than Turr, but I think two PS 9 ships are very worthwhile and Palpatine can give Turr Phennir some of the durability I find he normally lacks.

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Hum hooom. Carnor does sound good. He'd be PS 8 or 10 though, which would mess up the name of the list. :D

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Hum hooom. Carnor does sound good. He'd be PS 8 or 10 though, which would mess up the name of the list. :D

Which would be a crime, it's such a good name. :D Also, I think PS 9 is worth a lot, particularly for Interceptors who really need to get their damage in first.

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That's ok: I had one spare point, so Carnor can have VI for PS10.

New name: 10, 9, Hate (leads to the dark side)

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Want to play 2 ints and lamba but no Palpatine. What can I build?

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Vader + Gunner!

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So it seems everyone is running aces: partly to counter TLTs and the ruling out of PWTs; but also because Ace lists are perceived as prestigious, taking skill to fly well.

I do not have skill. But I do have a list for killing aces.

I'm thinking of bringing back my Wave 6 tournament list after all:

Patrol Leader + Gunner + Vader

Obsidian Pilot x4

Obsidians strip shields, or block aces; Decimator deals crits. As a strictly average player, in the new Wave 7 meta my goal is not a good MoV, but just to win more games than I lose.

The big weakness is TLTs. Most players at my club favour either high-risk expert lists, or goofy fun lists. The only players I expect to see running TLT spam are players who know they're rookies, and want a fair chance at winning some games. My strategy against TLTs will be to rush them with the TIEs, focus-firing first; and hold back the Decimator for the endgame.

I feel that the TIE swarm may also be making a comeback, including a couple of FO aces. An option against that would be to swap the four Obsidians for two PS4 Saber Squadron interceptors, with PTL + AT. Less firepower and bodies against aces, but perhaps AT and boost would help against TLTs.

Thoughts?