I'm not usually too keen on what-ifs, but I was thinking about Ackbar the other day, and how I'm finding it hard to fit in enough ships to make good use of his ability AND have enough squadrons.
Then I began thinking about Tarkin and Vader.
And I began wondering:
Would some of the more expensive admirals, like Vader, Tarking, and Ackbar come into their own at 450 points?
Or would it not matter?
Tarkin, probably, since his main problem is his cost. Vader, probably not, as he is overcosted as well as having an ability that is mirrored by other upgrade cards, as well as a significant drawback to it. I can't comment on Ackbar, as I haven't played Rebels ever.
I think it would help a little but you will still have more ships the other player can now deploy or add upgrades that midigate the benefit of those Admirals. You will also have 17 points more of squads you could have to deal with.
Tarkin, probably, since his main problem is his cost. Vader, probably not, as he is overcosted as well as having an ability that is mirrored by other upgrade cards, as well as a significant drawback to it. I can't comment on Ackbar, as I haven't played Rebels ever.
Vader still gets a boost, as paying for those upgrades gets more and more expensive the more ships in the fleet there are that need to have them.
But yeah, Cards like Tarkin, Snackbar and Sato probably would like a higher total.
Vader would shine at 450 when you can take him, 3 ISD Is with HTT, a gozanti with comms net, 4 TIEs, and have a bid.
I can say from experience that your intuition is correct so far as it applies to Vader, Tarkin, and Ackbar. I can't make a fun Ackbar list I care to run at 400 points but at 500 it's no problem.
600 points is a good, balanced point level for the likes of Tarkin and Ackbar. The latter obviously gets significantly more benefit the more ships you have in your fleet, and with your opponent also having a bigger fleet, a combo of gunnery teams and slashing makes for a fascinating fleet dynamic. You'd think fleet maneuvers would matter less at higher points levels, but they end up mattering more as ships start operating in squadrons to defeat the enemy.
Gotta say this.
The one fleet I've really wanted to run Vader in is a 5 VSD1 fleet.
ONE POINT! ONE MEASLEY POINT!!!!! 
So.......anyone want to play a 401 point game against me? 
I'm not usually too keen on what-ifs, but I was thinking about Ackbar the other day, and how I'm finding it hard to fit in enough ships to make good use of his ability AND have enough squadrons.
Faction: Rebel Alliance
Points: 399/400
Commander: Admiral Ackbar
Assault Objective: Most Wanted
Defense Objective: Fire Lanes
Navigation Objective: Intel Sweep
Assault Frigate Mark II B (72 points)
- Gunnery Team ( 7 points)
- X17 Turbolasers ( 6 points)
= 85 total ship cost
Assault Frigate Mark II B (72 points)
- Gunnery Team ( 7 points)
- X17 Turbolasers ( 6 points)
= 85 total ship cost
Assault Frigate Mark II B (72 points)
- Gunnery Team ( 7 points)
- X17 Turbolasers ( 6 points)
= 85 total ship cost
[ flagship ] GR-75 Medium Transports (18 points)
- Admiral Ackbar ( 38 points)
- Bright Hope ( 2 points)
- Lando Calrissian ( 4 points)
- Comms Net ( 2 points)
= 64 total ship cost
5 YT-2400s ( 80 points)
boom 3 ships that can Akbar one to hide him on 5 YT's problem solved.
Don't forget Special K, who really wants to be able to fit some more ships on the board since by taking him you need at least two medium base ships to even use his command ability.
And VSDs are kind of slow, and can't turn.