So this is the core of my list:

Kihraxz Fighter: · Talonbane Cobra (28)

Crack Shot (1)

Glitterstim (2)

Z-95 Headhunter: Binayre Pirate (12)

Feedback Array (2)

Z-95 Headhunter: Binayre Pirate (12)

Feedback Array (2)

Z-95 Headhunter: Binayre Pirate (12)

Feedback Array (2)

73 points. Two options I've tried for the remainder:

Z-95 Headhunter: · N'dru Suhlak (17)

· Lone Wolf (2)

Cluster Missiles (4)

Munitions Failsafe (1)

Glitterstim (2)

An ok flanker, and the potential to do some serious damage.

OR:

Kihraxz Fighter: Black Sun Ace (23)

Crack Shot (1)

Glitterstim (2)

Either ship puts me at 99 points. I like that every ship on the list is a viable threat in it's own way. I lean towards N'dru mostly because of TLTs.

Thoughts?

I like the N'Dru option better too. The one drawback to N'Dru in a swarmy type list though is that there are more of your ships to stay away from!

Feedback Arrays are especially lethal if you can fly them in tight formation.

Would love to hear how you get on.

Either option can work fine for different reasons.

When guidance chimps are available, N'dru will really like those...

Another build for N'dru (for slightly better enemy ace hunting, but worse against generics and high hull targets) is:

Veteran instincts, homing missile, glitterstim and guidance chimps. Same cost, but works best with an initiative bid, because at PS9, you want enemy PS9ers moving first to make TL easier...

You could try Torkil + TLT + bossk for that last set of points, if you like hwks that is

I love N'dru, but his ability and Lone Wolf is very difficult to manage in a five ship list. Also - with his ability and Lone Wolf - it would be VERY unlikely he'd need Munitions Failsafe.

I'd probably be tempted to go with the Black Sun Ace.

As others have intimated, keeping N'Dru out of range of the other ships, at least until he gets the Cluster Missiles off, is the key. I've had mixed results thus far.

I hadn't considered a HWK, but that's because I have very little experience flying one. I do like the thought of my bugzappers (feedback Z-95s) hitting before an enemy ace though. I may have to try it, though I would almost prefer autoblaster turret, maybe with Greedo, so it would work almost like feedback array.

guidance chimps

But really, I like your VI alternative.