What does a decent TIE swarm look like these days if I have a crap-ton of TIES but only 2 or 3 crackshot card?
I saw ...
youngster/expose or marksmanship
wampa
howlrunner
and a few of `somethings` recently up a thread or two.
Is this basically what a swarm looks like when it can say "no" to crack?
If you don't have the crack shots I think the generic howl and 6 academies (flavor to taste) is still the best option.
I ran this the past weekend and ended up winning my SC.
Omega leader - juke, comm relay, stealth device
Howlrunner
Zeta leader - wired
Omega squad - crack shot
Wampa
It was effective, howl runner and Wampa were target first most times but that left OL and Zeta leader to do work. Had stealth device to make sure OL made it to the end game.
I know it's not a true swarm with 5 ships, more of an ace + mini swarm but it worked and was fun to fly.
No one else is gonna say it?
Youngster.
Rage.
7 Academies.
The dual focus tokens gives you defensive and offensive utility, and moving in waves means that you can fire with the first set of four, move in with the second set, and even if Youngster buys a piece you've been doing greens with the first set and turn three they've turned around and can act just like a regular swarm.
I kinda prefer it with 5 TIE/FOs, as their greens are better. One of which is Epsilon Leader for more stress-reducing goodness, (or three of them being Omegas with Crackshot to really put the hurt on enemies), but as far as a raw swarm goes, even if Youngster dies on his attack run, getting the benefit from it for the first two turns is pretty good.
I've been considering a stepped V formation for the first wave, as it maximizes arc coverage.
But that's theory, as I've only played it once against brobots and, well, ate brobots alive. Hilarious.
Once it comes out, the Angry TIE Fighters are definitely a good idea.
If you want an elite swarm, then a couple of Crack Shot black squadrons are nice. Howlrunner works well with Juke instead, which can keep her alive longer and peel focus tokens off people.
The other three ships - I'd say Wampa and Scourge are good. Youngster......Marksmanship is one of those things that's good in theory rather than practice, I think. A Third Black Squadron pilot with Draw Their Fire might help keep your named pilots alive.
give a try to 'Chaser', he/she is cheap and can k-turn and still get multiple Focus tokens. Better against TLT than most ties and right PS to combine with Obsidians. An autoinclude for me in any swarm (fyi: my swarms get black cracks and NO Howlrunner)
Fly two blacks with crack, howlie, back stabber and three academies? I think that adds up...
No one else is gonna say it?
Youngster.
Rage.
7 Academies.
The dual focus tokens gives you defensive and offensive utility, and moving in waves means that you can fire with the first set of four, move in with the second set, and even if Youngster buys a piece you've been doing greens with the first set and turn three they've turned around and can act just like a regular swarm.
I kinda prefer it with 5 TIE/FOs, as their greens are better. One of which is Epsilon Leader for more stress-reducing goodness, (or three of them being Omegas with Crackshot to really put the hurt on enemies), but as far as a raw swarm goes, even if Youngster dies on his attack run, getting the benefit from it for the first two turns is pretty good.
I've been considering a stepped V formation for the first wave, as it maximizes arc coverage.
But that's theory, as I've only played it once against brobots and, well, ate brobots alive. Hilarious.
Dual focus? You mean dual stress tokens hehe. I too am waiting for that card to cross my way