I've got the germ of a list I'd seriously consider taking to a Regionals event, and would like some help from the hive mind in building it out.

Here are the basics:

Manaroo (27)
Attanni Mindlink (1)
K4 Security Droid (3)
Unhinged Astromech (1)

Kavil (24)
Attanni Mindlink (1)
Dorsal Turret (3)
Unhinged Astromech (1)

Total: 61

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The idea is that Manaroo gets a focus and a target lock in the Activation phase. At the start of the Combat phase she hands off both tokens to another ship with Attanni Mindlink, and since she just assigned a focus token to a ship with Mindlink and no longer has one of her own, she gets another one. Presto! We just created a focus token from nothing, with no stress cost and no extra action required. When you add that to the portability of the lock provided by the K4 + Unhinged combo, and consider that neither her ability nor Mindlink have a range requirement, it's a nice little combo.

It's the rest of the list I'm not sure what to do with.

If Kavil is the recipient of the focus+TL combo, he can use it to improve his already potent attack. Past experience with him as a serious threat has pushed me to pencil him in here--but his PS7 is less than ideal, and I'm torn between Dorsal Turret or Autoblaster Turret, as well as whether to add an Engine Upgrade.

I'm seriously considering using a Mandalorian Mercenary + Attanni Mindlink to round out the list, with a few points left over for upgrades (another K4? Bossk?) What would you do with this list, and why?

Since Kavil is the beneficiary of extra Focus, I think I like Blaster Turret better than Dorsal. That's a whole extra damage die TIE Range 2 (your most important range).

For the rest of your list, maybe look at a HWK. Kavil is your damage dealer, and he isn't that tough. Mux could really help keep him alive, and built cheaply could still let you bring a Z-95 (although upgrades might be a better option).

I'm convinced it's not possible to break anything when you're flying a 30+ point tie fighter as an additional cost

not that I don't love manaroo, especially with feedback augmenting her otherwise crap offense without the need to spend the tokens she gives away (amazing for enabling torp scouts after they've done all manner of shenanigans), I just don't think it's possible to break anything with her (especially not a mere 3-dice turret ala Kavil)

for the list, I'd lean towards Palob personally. Gets you another dorsal (with cloak + zuckuss, zuckuss on unmodded dice is fun times), protects against torpscout paranoia and sets up your offense more effectively by stripping defensive tokens while manaroo provides the punch

also, and this may sound batshit insane (probably is), but I think Kavil would be better off with Blaster turret

yes, I said it

+1 die at range 2 when you're swimming in action-independent focus anyway...what could possibly go wrong?

It just so happens I was considering a Kavil+Manaroo+Palob list:

Kavil w/ Mindlink, blaster turret, unhinged & engine = 34

Palob w/ Mindlink, TLT, dengar & engine = 34

Manaroo w/ Mindlink, unhinged & K4 = 32

100

My only issue with it is Manaroo is basically just there for support (and mainly for Kavil). I also don't think it does well against triple torpedo scouts, although Palob gives you some game as long as you can keep him from eating a torpedo (he'll die quick if that happens).

I have another list with Manaroo and a pair of mindlinked Scyks that I think might work better, although it would be really nice if Manaroo was PS 5!

Since Kavil is the beneficiary of extra Focus, I think I like Blaster Turret better than Dorsal. That's a whole extra damage die TIE Range 2 (your most important range).

For the rest of your list, maybe look at a HWK. Kavil is your damage dealer, and he isn't that tough. Mux could really help keep him alive, and built cheaply could still let you bring a Z-95 (although upgrades might be a better option).

The reason I haven't already plugged Palob in is I decided he's too fragile to be part of a three-ship list. But stealing a focus token is actually pretty good in a Mindlink-focused list, and with TLT he leaves (just) enough room for the Punishing One title on Manaroo... I'll give the HWK some more thought.

I'm convinced it's not possible to break anything when you're flying a 30+ point tie fighter as an additional cost

not that I don't love manaroo, especially with feedback augmenting her otherwise crap offense without the need to spend the tokens she gives away (amazing for enabling torp scouts after they've done all manner of shenanigans), I just don't think it's possible to break anything with her (especially not a mere 3-dice turret ala Kavil)

for the list, I'd lean towards Palob personally. Gets you another dorsal (with cloak + zuckuss, zuckuss on unmodded dice is fun times), protects against torpscout paranoia and sets up your offense more effectively by stripping defensive tokens while manaroo provides the punch

also, and this may sound batshit insane (probably is), but I think Kavil would be better off with Blaster turret

yes, I said it

+1 die at range 2 when you're swimming in action-independent focus anyway...what could possibly go wrong?

It's a 32-point TIE fighter with an amazing dial, much better blocking thanks to the larger base, a PWT, and about twice the hit points. Oh, and it generates 2-3 free actions for the rest of the group. I feel like it's a Scum equivalent of a Palpatine shuttle--not quite as good in terms of support, but better coverage and a much better dial. The trick, just like Omicron + Palpatine, is in picking the right aces to go with her.

I don't think either you or Biophysical are crazy for suggesting Blaster Turret, but here's my reasoning: if Kavil is blocked, stressed, or otherwise unable to take actions, he's likely to end up with focus + TL for the round. Spending focus to fire the Blaster Turret, then modifying with the TL, gets you to an average of 3 successes at Range 1-2. If he had a Dorsal Turret instead, he gets both mods for an average of 3.75 hits at Range 1 and 2.8 successes at Range 2.

Basically, the action dependence of the BT means it's only worth taking over the DT if I can consistently expect to see focus + focus + TL. (And even then, I'd rather have DT if/when I'm able to make it to Range 1.) The list has a lot of synergy built in, but I'm not sure I want to rely on it to that extent--especially since Manaroo is the obvious priority target.

Okay, here's one possible way to complete the list (thanks to Biophysical's suggestions):

And here's what you get if I give into my unrequited crush on Firesprays:

The reason I haven't already plugged Palob in is I decided he's too fragile to be part of a three-ship list. But stealing a focus token is actually pretty good in a Mindlink-focused list, and with TLT he leaves (just) enough room for the Punishing One title on Manaroo... I'll give the HWK some more thought.

Having flown against Palob, I can tell you that he can serisouly mess with some lists. Poe, Fel and Kanan hate him and ordnance ships using Deadeye will also struggle when he is around. The nuisance factor he can cause your opponents is worth almost as much as the extra tokens you gain yourself. Add a TLT for some offensive output and you are good to go.

Funnily enough I was just working on a similar list. I really like the Palob version, being able to get the Punishing One title in there to make Manaroo a threat on her own.

My direction I called, "Bad Droids" (Bad Droids, Whatcha Gonna Do?):

Manaroo (27)

+ K4 Security Droid (3)

+ R4 Agromech (2)

+ Attanni Mindlink (1)

Kavil (24)

+ Blaster Turret (4)

+ Engine Upgrade (4)

+ R5-P8 (3)

+ Attanni Mindlink (1)

Drea Renthal (22)

+ Twin Laser Turret (6)

+ R4-B11 (3)

Because who doesn't love astromechs with blasters stapled to them, right? With Mindlink and Manaroo, Kavil is free to Boost as often as needed and still get off 4 dice with Focus + TL. Drea can take as much stress as she needs, using the precise 1 damage of TLT to time when to switch her TL to a new target. Manaroo is also an emergency reset button for her stress-laden self. R4 Agro helps Manaroo maintain some kind of offense, and completes the angry droid trio (Aggro-mech).

As time goes by, I'm finding it harder not to pair Attanni Manaroo with Talonbane.

You could give Kavil EU and still have a potent TBC as the ace. Although Palob is also a great choice for anti-meta.