http://geordanr.github.io/xwing/?f=Galactic%20Empire&d=v3!s!37:98,110,137,61,14:1:25:U.126;188:-1,-1:-1:-1:;187:152,153:-1:-1:

I never saw much use for missiles or torpedoes on a Firespray before since they already had access to a cannon. However, with the new Guidance Chip coming out, I saw a unique opportunity with Imperial Kath Scarlet to unload a whopping 2-3 stress tokens in a single turn with respectable consistency with a brutal combo of her passive + Tactician + Guidance Chip + Cluster Missiles.

The idea with this list is to have Scarlet act as crowd control and tank to provide setup for Omega Leader. She's out in the front making full use of Lone Wolf for offense and defense while dishing out stress tokens relentlessly, and if they get behind her... ion tokens, too. Zeta Leader is filler ace.

Mangler Cannon gives me a good range 3 option, has great synergy, and provides good late game fall-back once my Cluster Missiles run out (if she survives that long), but if push came to shove I can see replacing it for Stealth Device on Omega Leader since Scarlet is leaning on the overloaded side.

What you guys think? Is my list any good? Any thoughts or suggestions welcome!

kath needs to go on a diet....and get EU

Indeed cubby09, i realized that Kath with Engine upgrade and Mangler does the job perfectly, but you can go with Calculation+Recon Specialist combo too, but there are better EPTs for her, like Predator, Lone Wolf or even Crack Shot . My favourite list is 2xSigma Phantoms (Stygium+Intelligence Agent) with Kath Scarlet equipped with Mangler and Engine Upgrade. I think you have 2 spare points, either for initiative or for adding a seismic bomb.

So in comparison, Kath w/ predator, 'mangler', gunner & engine = 54 points. Same as your build. I think yours has even greater stress potential, although its not as dodgy and it may do less damage overall, although those two cluster shots are going to hurt AND deal stress. I think its not bad.

My biggest concern is the support. 2 TIE/fos (even if they are 'elite') just doesn't offer much firepower. I would be tempted to suggest 3 zeta squad pilots instead, but then you'd have to drop the ion bombs, and it will be that much harder to keep lone wolf active on Kath, so not sure its better...

My biggest concern is the support. 2 TIE/fos (even if they are 'elite') just doesn't offer much firepower. I would be tempted to suggest 3 zeta squad pilots instead, but then you'd have to drop the ion bombs, and it will be that much harder to keep lone wolf active on Kath, so not sure its better...

Well, uh... do you have any suggestions for any other 1 or 2 ships to act as support? I was trying to look around for what could give me decent firepower. Quite frankly, aside from the space cow, the Imperials don't have any generic options for 3 attack dice generics in the 20-25pt range, and I wanted something that can clean up effectively. Everything I look for seems to be some combination of Zeta Leader (20) + something else since Zeta Leader is a cheap, good, consistent ace with 3 damage.

Assuming Scarlet combo is cheapest 48pt and Zeta Leader is 20-22pt, other options I see are:

Delta Squadron pilot with Tie/x7 title (when it comes out) at 28 points

Inquisitor (25) with title + PTL = 29

Vader + VI + ATC = 31

OR

ditch Zeta leader for some hardcore damage with Tempest Squadron Pilot (24) x2 with ACC + prockets + Chimps

Backstabber and Scourge are also great pilots for cheap 3dice attacks. You can fit Backstabber +Carnor Jax, or VI/Crackshot Scourge + The Inquisitor, depending on your Kath build.

Kath (38)

Slave 1(0)

EM (2)

Cluster Missiles (4)

Lone Wolf (2)

Rebel Captive (3)

Ion/Seismic (2)

Guidance Chips (0)

(51)

I think this is the Kath build I would go for to try to save points and still dish out stress and stay alive. Alternatively, you could drop rebel captive and bombs ffor Tactician, and and a mangler cannon and be at 52 points.

Wingmen options:

Carnor Jax: PtL, AT, SD (34)

Black squadron: Crackshot (15)

The Inquisitor: v1, AT, PtL (31)

Scourge: VI or Crackshot (18)

Omega Leader: Juke, Comm Relay (26)

Zeta Leader: Predator (23)

Other honorable mentions:

Sigma: FCS, Stygium, Intel Agent (30)

Scimitar bomber: EM, Homing missiles, long range scanners (23)

Delta: Tie x7 (28)

Backstabber: (16)

I'd prefer Tactician over Rebel Captive for role and synergy. Rebel Captive is a deterrent, and I WANT my opponent to focus my tank while keeping it alive for as long as possible. Second, the Firespray is unique in the sense that the Tactician works with its rear firing arc (from what I've heard). Third, Tactician has special synergy with Cluster Missiles for 2 stress tokens not including any applied from Scarlet's passive (which can be up to an overwhelming 4 stress tokens in one turn, but that requires the stars to align).

Jax is not bad, but I think I want more than a regular crack tie.

I completely forgot about the generic Phantom being able to fit! In my mind I keep thinking it's a lot more points. Now, I've never played with the generic Phantoms before. Do you guys cloak every other turn to keep the Evade up? I ask because it seems to me that keeping them out of arc when I have so few ships to play sounds raaaaather difficult, forcing me to only attack 1/2 turns because I can't attack while cloaked. Depending on how careful you need to fly it, I can see the overall damage output being lower.

How about Omega Ace for one of your "aces"? With your crowd control it should be easier than usual to line up the perfect shot more often. Then give him O.Leader's Relay and Juke to potentially turn down target's defense.

Possible wingmen for a 54 pt Kath:

Sigma w/ FCS, SPA & recon spec = 32

'Wampa' = 14

(or, go with tactician on the sigma to fit in a BSP w/ crack shot)

Zeta Leader w/ wired/crack shot/VI = 21

2 academy pilots = 24

(or replace the academies with a doom shuttle)

3 Epsilon pilots = 15 x 3

I've flown generic phantoms quite a bit. They are very opportunistic ships. In fact, they fly a lot like Corran. The key is knowing when to run, and when to maneuver tightly and ignore recloaking. I once had a 0-0 tournament game with a sigma, Vader (pre raider), and Carnor Jax against Echo and Chiraneau. Echo and Chiraneau hit the sigma pretty hard early on, so I just ran it away. Each turn I did a decloak straight, and then either a 4 straight or a 3 bank. Echo missed range once and wasn't able to recloak, so the sigma got away. Vader chased Echo and couldn't get any meaningful damage, and Jax struggled with Rebel Captive Chiraneau, but didn't die. Crazy game, but the Sigma draws a lot of aggro, I tend to hit hard with it and run away, opening up my opponent if they chase, or setting up for another attack+blocks. I only run it with intel agent to help block more.

Love the concept. I enjoy running fat firesprays so I've been using clusters with guidance lately and they are nasty. That said lose the mango cannon so you can get some better support ships.

You'll find it difficult to properly set up the missiles twice at times but I can imagine the stress potential could be crippling.

Yeah, with this build I'm starting to think Mangler Cannon may see little use do to priority of missiles at range 1-2 and Scarlet's likely death. She's going to be 48-50pts

As far as generic Phantoms go, I'd had to fly them first, but they sound fun.

http://geordanr.github.io/xwing/?f=Galactic%20Empire&d=v3!s!37:98,-1,-1,61,14:1:25:U.126;188:57,-1:-1:-1:;163:18,-1:27:-1:

I'm leaning towards this list now. Thanks guys for all the ideas! In general I'm trying to make sure I have enough firepower and a method to either duel aces in the late-game or blow them up early with missiles. Do you guys think Tempests with Concussion/Homing Missiles would be acceptable, or does the Bomber with LRS do that niche just way better? I don't have a Bomber, yet, so I can't attest to their effectiveness.

Long Range Scanners are amazing. The freedom of setting up your TL on the first turn is great. It also ensures you can fire with TL+F.

Stupid laggy Chinese internet... double post.