I'm thinking of running a tooled up Vader and as many TIES as I can fit in the list.

Is it a bad idea to run just one ace?

eh

the problem is literally my name (just with spaces in appropriate spots etc.)

Whisper + Ties almost won worlds a few years back, so it has, at times, been viable. With Howlrunner, you might be able to make a 'mini-swarm' work with a late-game ace to clean-up. Just don't expect the 'mini-swarm' to live long.

I tried vader, howlrunner and 3 black cracks a couple times. if the swarm last two turns of firing it is a fun list.

eh

the problem is literally my name (just with spaces in appropriate spots etc.)

fick leg re end ice

The Ace + swarm (aka "mini-swarm") has always been a pretty solid thing. You'll want to practice blocking.

Don't let potential dice results be your crutch.

5 Obsidians plus Soontir used to be a thing. I guess crack-ties replaced vanilla ties at some point, but 5 ties give you a lot of blocking and a lot of shots against low agility lists.

I like 2 academy ties or epsilon ties plus two aces. Or one ace and a heavy hitter ordnance carrier.

Ordnance carrier is the clear first priority target for your opponent, which means you know where your opponent is going for, so you can both get the ace in behind on a flank, and use the tie fighters to block.

I've run quite a few lists based on this archetype, always fun.

For me it always boils down to one question.

Will the ace do as much or more work than three academy ties (or 2 crack omegas). If the miniswarm isn't at least howl+3 crack squads it just doesn't do enough work.

I've been messing around with Ace+2 tie bombers/soon sf ties+wampa

It's alright, but I prefer triple aces.

Mini swarm + /D Vessery with a Tractor Beam is quite nasty to be on the receiving end of since the agility drop will benefit quite a number of ships.

I won a small store championship back in February with Vader, Omega leader and 3 academies.

It was a pretty good all round list - beat palp-aces and 3 ace list by blocking the aces and using Vader and OL to finish them.

Managed to beat a Dash/Corran build, if memory serves the killer blow on that one was an Academy TIE rolling two crits and Dash blanking his roll.

Dunno how it'd fare in the current post-wave 8 meta though.

Its alright. There is better options, probably.