So we all know that Palp/ Vader/ Soonitr is a thing and is doing really well.

I was looing at different variations on this as I don't like to follow a "meta" list exactly and maybe take people with a slight surprise.

I was looking at possibly:

Omicron Group Pilot (21)
Emperor Palpatine (8)

Darth Vader (29)
Predator (3)
Advanced Targeting Computer (1)
Engine Upgrade (4)
TIE/x1 (0)

Epsilon Squadron Pilot (15)
Weapons Guidance (2)

Epsilon Squadron Pilot (15)
Weapons Guidance (2)

Total: 100

It gets a few more guns on the table and has some good blocking actions but not flown the new FO ties so no idea if they are any good.

Also been thinking about maybe a Vader and VI Juno list or maybe a Whisper and VI Juno. Any thoughts on Juno?

What have others aces have you been playing with old wrinkly?

I like this one:

Omicron Group Pilot (21)
Emperor Palpatine (8)

Darth Vader (29)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Proton Rockets (3)
Advanced Targeting Computer (1)
Engine Upgrade (4)
TIE/x1 (0)

Carnor Jax (26)
Lone Wolf (2)
Stealth Device (3)
Autothrusters (2)
Royal Guard TIE (0)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

2 Aces and a Palp Shuttle seems to be the meta lately.

I like this one:

Omicron Group Pilot (21)

Emperor Palpatine (8)

Darth Vader (29)

Veteran Instincts (1)

Proton Rockets (3)

Advanced Targeting Computer (1)

Engine Upgrade (4)

TIE/x1 (0)

Carnor Jax (26)

Lone Wolf (2)

Stealth Device (3)

Autothrusters (2)

Royal Guard TIE (0)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

I like this list and have flown Vader with prockets many times, packs a whallop to burn through those Soontir/Iggy tokens . I haven't flown Jax much and would be a bit cautious of him without PT to turtle when the going gets tuff!

2 Aces and a Palp Shuttle seems to be the meta lately.

It sure is, I was just looking at variations on this without going auto soontir/vader and still be effective

I have never tried this one, but it might work...

Commander Kenkirk (44)
Determination (1)
Emperor Palpatine (8)
Ysanne Isard (4)

Patrol Leader (40)
Rebel Captive (3)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

I like the first list you posted, but I think I’ll go with LW on Vader and use him like a flak ship, and let lambda bump the FOs instead.

I’ve been piloting this one with grate success.

Soontir Fel (34)

TIE Interceptor (27), Royal Guard TIE (0), Push the Limit (3), Autothrusters (2), Targeting Computer (2)

Darth Vader (33)
TIE Advanced (29), TIE/x1 (0), Predator (3), Advanced Targeting Computer (5)

Omicron Group Pilot (32)
Lambda-Class Shuttle (21), Advanced Sensors (3), Emperor Palpatine (8)

Since I bump a lot with Lambda in to Vader I really like Adv. Sensors. Have been playing with Accuracy Corrector as well and it’s a close call. But I think Adv. Sensors have a better use with Palp if you haven’t had used it by the point you get to PS2.

In a tournament, and I expect Rebel control list to make an appearance I’ll go with Yorr instead.

I was thinking:

Omicron Group Pilot (21)
Sensor Jammer (4)
Emperor Palpatine (8)

Carnor Jax (26)
Push the Limit (3)
Autothrusters (2)
Stealth Device (3)
Royal Guard TIE (0)

Juno Eclipse (28)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Advanced Targeting Computer (1)
Hull Upgrade (3)
TIE/x1 (0)

As sensor jammer and Carnor would work well together and PS10 manoeuvrable Juno to hunt some PS9s

Or the following because I have not played a Phantom in a long time:

Omicron Group Pilot (21)
Emperor Palpatine (8)

Juno Eclipse (28)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Advanced Targeting Computer (1)
TIE/x1 (0)

"Whisper" (32)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
Intelligence Agent (1)
Advanced Cloaking Device (4)

Total: 99

any other suggestions?

I like the SJ/Jax synergy better for the Phantom.

And I don’t know, correct me if I’m wrong here. But I feel that SJ is a little waste on a 1 AGI ship.

I like Vessery so lets replace Soontir:

Omicron Group Pilot (21)
Emperor Palpatine (8)

Colonel Vessery (35)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

Darth Vader (29)
Advanced Targeting Computer (1)
Engine Upgrade (4)
TIE/x1 (0)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

This will hit harder than a standard Soontir Build.

Or I really am starting to like Stele:

Omicron Group Pilot (21)
Emperor Palpatine (8)
Engine Upgrade (4)

Darth Vader (29)
Crack Shot (1)
Advanced Targeting Computer (1)
Engine Upgrade (4)
TIE/x1 (0)

Maarek Stele (27)
Predator (3)
Advanced Targeting Computer (1)
Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)
TIE/x1 (0)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Stele gives you a little more room for upgrades. I like the idea of the EU on the shuttle to make it a bit more useful. You could instead run Sensor Jammer on the shuttle for a little more tankiness.

If you haven't tried Crack shot on Vader you should. It can be really clutch by letting you pass that crit on the opponent when he thinks he evaded your attack.

I like the SJ/Jax synergy better for the Phantom.

And I don’t know, correct me if I’m wrong here. But I feel that SJ is a little waste on a 1 AGI ship.

Yeah I agree SJ is great on phantoms, but any less damage you can get on the shuttle is worth it imo.

Its generally a tactic to crush the shuttle and then burn the aces. The longer the shuttle is around more palp works, more time the aces have to clean up

The double Advance list has me intrigued, was thinking VI Juno and trying to get that Whisper squeezed in. Think I will try it but do I keep SJ on Whisper? or go for FCS for that hit focus token?

I was thinking: Omicron Group Pilot (21)Sensor Jammer (4)Emperor Palpatine (8)Carnor Jax (26)Push the Limit (3)Autothrusters (2)Stealth Device (3)Royal Guard TIE (0)Juno Eclipse (28)Veteran Instincts (1)Advanced Targeting Computer (1)Hull Upgrade (3)TIE/x1 (0) As sensor jammer and Carnor would work well together and PS10 manoeuvrable Juno to hunt some PS9s

Or the following because I have not played a Phantom in a long time:

Omicron Group Pilot (21)Emperor Palpatine (8)Juno Eclipse (28)Veteran Instincts (1)Advanced Targeting Computer (1)TIE/x1 (0)"Whisper" (32)Veteran Instincts (1)Fire-Control System (2)Intelligence Agent (1)Advanced Cloaking Device (4)Total: 99 any other suggestions?

Having two PS nines with one being Whisper is great. Whisper decimates shields, Maarek can then pick the deadliest crit. Or if you run into a Rebel Captive, Maarek can shoot first to take the stress.

Has anyone tried

Captain Yorr (24)
Emperor Palpatine (8)

Electronic Baffle (1)

Darth Vader (29)
Veteran Instinct I (1)
Advanced Targeting Computer (1)
Engine Upgrade (4)
TIE/x1 (0)

The Inquisitor (25)
Push the Limit (3)
Autothrusters (2)
TIE/v1 (1)

Total 99 Pts

Has anyone tried

Captain Yorr (24)

Emperor Palpatine (8)

Electronic Baffle (1)

Darth Vader (29)

Veteran Instinct I (1)

Advanced Targeting Computer (1)

Engine Upgrade (4)

TIE/x1 (0)

The Inquisitor (25)

Push the Limit (3)

Autothrusters (2)

TIE/v1 (1)

Total 99 Pts

No. But I am hoping to fly this soon:

Captain Yorr (24)

• Emperor Palpatine (8)
• Ion Projector (2)

Darth Vader (29)

• Adaptability [increase] (0)
• Engine Upgrade (4)
• TIEx/1 (0)
• Advanced Targeting Computer (1)

The Inquisitor (25)

• Push the Limit (3)
• Autothrusters (2)
• TIE/v1 (1)

99 points

This allows for Initiative bid .

The two 3-ship variants that I've flown are;

Darth Vader + Veteran Instincts + TIE/x1 + Advanced Targeting Computer + Engine Upgrade (35)

Carnor Jax + Push The Limit + Royal Guard TIE + Autothrusters + Stealth Device (34)

Omicron Group Pilot + Emperor Palpatine (29)

98pts total

"Whisper" + Veteran Instincts + Fire Control System + Advanced Cloaking Device (39)

"Omega Leader" + Juke + Comm Relay + Stealth Device (29)

Captain Yorr + Emperor Palpatine (32)

100pts total

Both are incredibly good at what they do. I have seen success with a 4-ship variant that looks like this;

The Inquisitor + Push The Limit + TIE/v1 + Autothrusters (31)

"Omega Leader" + Juke + Comm Relay (26)

"Wampa" (14)

Omicron Group Pilot + Emperor Palpatine (29)

100pts total

There truly are a wide variety of options with this list, any combination of aces with arc dodging capabilities, defensive action economy and decent damage output can work as long as you cover the weakness to enemy aces and are confident in your abilities to outfly ships carrying R3-A2.

I like the SJ/Jax synergy better for the Phantom.

And I don’t know, correct me if I’m wrong here. But I feel that SJ is a little waste on a 1 AGI ship.

SJ is particularly good against the Empire's other archetypal list, the Tie swarm. It can really cut down the damage taken by multiple small attacks. Against big hits like torpedoes, the new Reinforced Deflectors might be a useful option.

I agree if you are running Jax though that SJ is probably the way to go. Maybe chuck Omega Leader in there just for extra irritation.