Hello all,

As a new player, I'm still trying to find that one, core thing on which to base a list.

Do I build to maximize mobility?

Do I build to maximize Range 1 dominance?

Do I build to stay out of Range 1 at all times?

Do I build to maximize Pilot Skill?

Do I build to have varying/low pilot skills to take advantage of blocking and/or bombs?

I've worked up a few different lists for some of those, but this is one sticks out to me as possibly the better of the few I've put together.

For this one, I definitely focused on maximizing pilot skill. The result is four ships, all with PS9 (if you count swarm tactics).

The list goes as such:

Darth Vader, TIE/x1, Swarm Tactics, Advanced Targeting Computer

Whisper, Enhanced Scopes, Veteran Instincts, Advanced Cloaking Device

Mauler Mithel, Veteran Instincts

Academy Pilot (no upgrades).

Darth will get to be his super-dodgy self as usual, but now gets to auto-crit every round with a TL. No more whining about having only two shots.

Whisper will go first in the movement phase, which helps with the decloaking movement planning. The opponent won't move in the way before Whisper would normally get a chance to move. He's also at PS9.

Mauler Mithel's pilot ability puts him at 4 attacks in range 1. Also at PS9

The Academy Pilot is just there to look pretty, really. But with PS9, she's not doing too bad of a job with it. She'll still move very early in the activation phase to do any necessary blocking, but she'll swing right alongside the rest of them.

I feel this list can cover a lot of the fundamental challenges, but I don't have enough in-game experience to back it up. For you veterans, how does this list stack up?

Thanks!

You have a huge leap ahead of new players in just seeing all of this. I would advise you not let people tell you what the best thing to base a list on is. It is yours to decide and that comes from playing. What you like to use will grab you and you'll want to play it. I strive for a balance, fellow ships that offset the weakness of others. My buddy wants high pilot skill. My brother wants to minimize the luck needed from his rolls.

The list you have sounds fun but fragile. Stay out of arcs and it will do well for you. The biggest thing about doing well other than blind luck on dice is your ability to fly the ships you choose. Play them. A lot. Know what they can do movement-wise to the point that you are always thinking of the next round. Turrets will be your nemesis but not unbeatable if you stay out of range of all but one at a time. Know enemy ships and what moves they can do to better anticipate your opponent.

A good example that your ability to fly to your squad being important is the 2015 Worlds Final. Youtube it. The guy that lost made a piloting error in getting his top dog singled out.

The meta is always changing. Today someone may tell you to get TLT turrets on everything. Soon, they'll announce the next shiny new toy and everyone will flock to it. Nothing makes or breaks a list more than the player behind it. Play with the squads you've made, pick the one that feels like your style, and you'll be able to "fly casual".

Try few games and then you yourself see what you like. The more games i play (as started now long ago), the more i see what kind of list i want. What i want to try, what play style i want.

I now focusing on Rebels, but already started to look into Vader +Whisper/Soontir list as it looks fun for my playstyle