I played this game about 3 years ago, but haven't really played since. I got back into it this week with a buddy. I was just wondering if the TIE swarm was still a valid (and effective) tactic? That or the Vader plus five.

Thanks!

I played this game about 3 years ago, but haven't really played since. I got back into it this week with a buddy. I was just wondering if the TIE swarm was still a valid (and effective) tactic? That or the Vader plus five.

Thanks!

Tie Swarm is still very effective although it has evolved slightly. The current favoured version is Howlrunner, 3 Black Squadron Ties with Crackshot to help push through damage and 3 Accademy Ties to act as chaff/blockers.

Vader is a little lackluster. Most Imperial players looking for an Ace favour Soontir, the Inquisitor or possibly a Defender pilot.

The TIE swarm hasn't changed much. You can run 8 TIEs, 7 TIEs, or even 6 TIEs quite effectively. Other lists have changed and factions have access to new stuff, but the TIE swarm remains mostly the same as it always has been. The only reason you don't see it used a lot is its not easy to use...

TIE swarms still do pretty well. Honestly, though, I generally have more luck with Vader + 5, or even better Vader + 4.

Edit: also, welcome back!

There are several evolutions of it - the Academies + Howlrunner still works, but the other versions are interesting.

Youngster as of yet isn't broken, but his ability to give ANY TIE Fighter within range 1-3 an EPT Action is actually quite good with Rage. Yes, it's two rounds of clearing stress, but for that one peak round each fighter can reroll 3 dice AND gets a Focus. It also perfectly fits 7 Academies in the list with him, letting you move in two waves of 4.

Black Squadron Pilots with Crack Shot can push through a LOT of damage at peak moments, and you can fit 6 of them in a list with 10 points to spare - letting you upgrade some of them to, say, Zeta Leader, Howlrunner, Youngster with Rage, Mauler Mithel, Scourge...

Mini-BlackCrack swarms are also quite feasible, letting you add some serious and cheap punch to a list with one big ship like a Decimator.

The full roster of Black Squadron uniques is actually quite good fun to fly.

- Darth Vader: TIE/x1, Veteran Instincts, Advanced Targeting Computer, Engine Upgrade

- Mauler Mithel: Snap Shot

- Backstabber

- Dark Curse

- Chaser

I played this game about 3 years ago, but haven't really played since. I got back into it this week with a buddy. I was just wondering if the TIE swarm was still a valid (and effective) tactic? That or the Vader plus five.

Thanks!

I faced a swarm of seven TIES, they kept han on the exact. Same. Rock. For six turns in a row, leaving my pre-HOTR poe to do his best as a fighter (and i didn't have regen on poe)

You won that game, though.

The full roster of Black Squadron uniques is actually quite good fun to fly.

- Darth Vader: TIE/x1, Veteran Instincts, Advanced Targeting Computer, Engine Upgrade

- Mauler Mithel: Snap Shot

- Backstabber

- Dark Curse

- Chaser

Veey thematic, and quite good as well. A combo i like. I've actually done a school project (a writing assignment) in wnglish on Backstabber. I really like that list.

Indeed. Snap Shot works extremely well on Mauler Mithel - I've had him 'catch' a Ghost in the one game I've played with him so far, and unloading 7 dice in one turn from a TIE fighter is disconcerting in the extreme.

Granted he took an autoblaster turret to the face in the process and came away lightly on fire, but that's a pretty good trade.

Chaser and Dark Curse are probably the best 'up the centre' pairing - Chaser can evade, and yoink Dark Curse's focus token.

Vader and Backstabber are natural flankers, whilst Mithel goes wherever he's needed.

I played this game about 3 years ago, but haven't really played since. I got back into it this week with a buddy. I was just wondering if the TIE swarm was still a valid (and effective) tactic? That or the Vader plus five.

Thanks!

I faced a swarm of seven TIES, they kept han on the exact. Same. Rock. For six turns in a row, leaving my pre-HOTR poe to do his best as a fighter (and i didn't have regen on poe)

You won that game, though.