So you don't like the idea of dropping the engine to upgrade the Academies? Not worth losing it on Vader? I'm sure two TIEs can keep up with a boosting Vader, just thought the PS3 would be better.5x Academy Pilots = 60
Vader, x1, ATC, Engine Upgrade, Swarm Leader = 37
You have 3 options at this point:
Ion Pulse Missiles, to have a bit of control at just the right time.
Prockets, for end game punch when you need it.
Thread Tracers, because sometimes you just want to joust the hell out of something. This leaves you woth a 2 point bid, which is desirable, but maybe not necessary. You've got a lot of blockers.
I'm not sure Vader is tough enough to get away without Engine Upgrade. I'm okay with PS1, and you really can't afford to let Vader die.
I agree that Vader is the best option and that Academy Pilots are his best crew. I know people are looking at /x7, but I don't rate it. It's going to be pretty situational that you won't want to use your free Evade for defense on the Tie Defender. I mean, what makes them great is that they get the free Evade. So...you want to make that person vulnerable to boost another attack? Or, if you wait for a right moment, you are pretty much only getting to use Swarm Leader how often? There are also only 2 Tie Defenders. So....if they die first (without that free Evade), then you are pretty much removing the boost to the attack.
Academy Pilots are great because they are PS 1. You don't want to set up in formation. You want to literally swarm your opponent. If you have 5 pilots, you can set up a field of Tie Fighters that will block a lot of movement for your opponent. It sets up a bump train that forces your opponent to bounce back to the front of the Tie Swarm. This will remove their action and put them in a spot that they didn't want. Not only will Vader be able to boost his shot on people who use the Evade, but you will have a string of Tie Fighters firing at R1 (some 2) at someone with no actions. That's a good thing there.
Vader will want the Engine Upgrade because he might have to spent some time not adjusting his dice. It's quite possible you will have to Boost and BR to get him out of arc. You don't really want him taking hits. It's probably better to fire unmodified dice than get shot at. Vader is your key to the list. He can't die. 4 dice with no modifier is not so bad...sometimes.
Another idea for the spare 3 pts is to upgrade one Academy Pilot to Night Beast. If he does a green then he gets a free Focus and can then Evade. His PS is mid. So, there is at least some action economy on one guy. He only costs 2 pts more and you can save the last point for initiative bid...or give him Mk II engines for 1 pt. That makes the 3 bank green. Not necessary, but might be worth it if you don't think a 1 pt bid is worth it.
I also really like the Night Beast idea. Gets some use from a rarely seen TIE Pilot.
