That's.... A really cool idea. I suppose my main issue is that Vader can't spend his Dice for mods and also really probably wants to keep tokens for defence and doesn't have autothrusters.

Don't really know what the answer there is I guess! You need to fly Vader very conservatively, but that might lead to Ties getting picked off before he can get into the fight properly.

However, I love the idea of not flying in formation to support Vader. It's a fantastic way to mess up your opponents. I'd be really interested to see how you get on. Sorry I want much use...

If you can stay out of firing arc with only 1 action, you can get the modification for your dice. Also, if you can use your Ties as blockers, then your opponent won't get actions, which will help.

I haven't played it in today's level of filth, but I thought it worth a try.

I like the mini-swarm list, plus I hope that EPT brings swarms back a little. I was tooling around with the list and looked for a way to add in Countdown as a way to protect Vader a bit by either giving another target, or provide a late game 3 dice ship. The title works here IMO because you want to use them as blockers, and not necessarily in formation. The bad part is it dropped a whole ship. Good part was it added another named ship.

Darth Vader (29)
Swarm Leader (3)
Fire-Control System (0)
Engine Upgrade (4)
TIE/x1 (0)

"Countdown" (20)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Adaptive Ailerons (0)

"Night Beast" (15)
Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

"Wampa" (14)

Academy Pilot (12)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Put the engines on Night Curse for more greens. Switched the system on Vader as well. I know it is sacrilegious to drop ATC, but as @Goseki1 stated, he needs some dice mod, this was my attempt. Thoughts? Too much change?

Another idea would be to give Vader Sensor Jammer. He might not need ATC for offensive power. It might be just enough to help him out. Maybe.

If you can stay out of firing arc with only 1 action, you can get the modification for your dice. Also, if you can use your Ties as blockers, then your opponent won't get actions, which will help.

I haven't played it in today's level of filth, but I thought it worth a try.

I think the list is solid. However, I would keep ATC on Vader. FCS for example is decidedly worse although Sensor Jammer has some merit. The reason I would be hesitant to drop the ATC is because it can be such a game-changer against high hull ships and also gives you the oomph you need to close out close games.

Imagine Vader, even with a single TIE left against a Defender or other high agility token-stacking monster. Without ATC, you have zero chance of killing that.

In the early stages, the nice thing about having Swarm Leader is that Vader doesn't necessarily need to grab a TL. If your opponent is gunning for Vader, then you can either Focus + Evade or use your mobility to escape the danger while getting your TIE's into ideal positions and laying on the hurt.

So personally, I think I'd stick with the original list

Potential 4 primary via Swarm Leader with a crit being added on top? Yes please.

I will try the original list and keep in mind that I'll throw in the Sensor Jammer if I find Vader dying too fast. I have no idea when I will be able to actually try it, though. My game night this week is daughter's band concert and next week might be too close to the holidays. I shall have to see. It might be tabled till next year.

I do appreciate the help, though. If you are good at flying low PS ships to screen your opponent's approach, it can be quite satisfying. Part of the strength of this list is to really be a pain with the cheap Tie fighters. The 1 hard turn also means that some guys that don't block can get into a good spot at R1 and fire in with 3 red dice. If it's just one or two Tie Fighters, it's not impressive, but if you can get a few of them firing in, it can be pretty nasty.

Oh, one more thing about ATC...I can grab the TL, but if I need it to re-roll some dice, I can do that. That's what I like about it. Depending on my dice results, I can choose to either definitely add in a free Crit result...or re-roll all the dice I need to. I think it's pretty solid.

Another question I had was about MK 2 engines on Night Beast. It allows 3 banks to be green and that's it (as 2 bank already is). Is that worth it for a point? Would it be better to get a 1 pt initiative bid?

If anyone else tries this, I'd love to hear about it.

Oh, one more thing about ATC...I can grab the TL, but if I need it to re-roll some dice, I can do that. That's what I like about it. Depending on my dice results, I can choose to either definitely add in a free Crit result...or re-roll all the dice I need to. I think it's pretty solid.

Another question I had was about MK 2 engines on Night Beast. It allows 3 banks to be green and that's it (as 2 bank already is). Is that worth it for a point? Would it be better to get a 1 pt initiative bid?

If anyone else tries this, I'd love to hear about it.

Absolutely right about having options with ATC!

I've used mk 2 engines on Night Beast and its certainly nice to have, but only in very situational cases. Its certainly not essential because many times a 2 bank is just as good as a 3 bank. I would say go ahead and throw it on if you really don't care about a bid (or feel its not helping). If you feel more comfortable with a bid though, don't bother---its not gonna be a game-changer or anything...

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/236221-swarm-leader-builds/#entry2527163

Bunch of similar builds there. One i have been cooking up is yhe following.

Vader

Swarm Leader

EU

Title

ATC (or FCS)

Howlrunner

X3 Black Sq Pilot

Crackshot

99 or 100 points

Now your swarm can pack a little more punch.

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/236221-swarm-leader-builds/#entry2527163

Bunch of similar builds there. One i have been cooking up is yhe following.

Vader

Swarm Leader

EU

Title

ATC (or FCS)

Howlrunner

X3 Black Sq Pilot

Crackshot

99 or 100 points

Now your swarm can pack a little more punch.

Thanks for the link. I'll have to check it out.

I admit that I don't like this. For one, it's one less Tie Fighter, which is important. Next, you will have to fly within R1 of Howlrunner to be effective. Then again, you do draw almost all the attention on to Howlrunner for the beginning of the fight. This way, Howlrunner dies in the first turn and the rest of the Black Squadron can fire. Still....I'm not sure if I like it.

Personally, I've found that Academy Pilots that swarm out and cause all sorts of blocking fun are not so bad when your opponent has no actions. I prefer the PS 1 to cause the blocking and set up how I want the field before anyone else moves.

I was thinking for that spare point you could buy Thread Tracers for Vader. If you think you've set up a good opening joust, you can Focus/Evade to keep Vader safe, and fire off a Tracer, giving locks to all your TIE fighters (and Vader). 5 close range re-rolling TIEs is a lot scarier agaisnt a lot of targets than 4 dice from Vader.

If you want to go totally canonical, how about this?

• Darth Vader - TIE/x1, Swarm Leader, Advanced Targeting Computer, Engine Upgrade
• "Mauler" Mithel - Trick Shot
• "Backstabber"
• "Dark Curse"
• "Chaser"

Chaser does the same job as Night Beast - evade, hand your evade to Vader, then snag a focus token out of the air from someone else. Dark Curse can also probably give up his evade safely if needed, whilst Mithel and Backstabber generate extra dice of their own.

Plus, it's the full named roster of Black Squadron. They have you now.

The problem with Tracers and Chaser is that they require you to be within R1 of Vader. What I'm thinking is have the Tie Fighters in formation starting off....but Vader off to the side as a flanker. If you put Vader with the other guys, he's just going to get chewed to pieces. I say set up the anvil of the Tie Formation to start and then have Vader flanking. If they go for Vader, he can slow down and have the Tie's come in on the flanks.

Chaser doesn't have to take Vader's focus token, though. Any TIE fighter's will do. Fly him wing to Mauler Mithel or Backstabber - if they want to shoot the 14 point evade caddy, that's okay - any TIE can provide vader with an evade token, he just does it cheaper.

So...I got to try this for the first time the other night. I LOVED IT! It was a blast to play. I played against a local guy who is very fun and very tournament savvy. His list was with a U-wing and a bunch of bomb laden K-wings. He was able to destroy a Tie Fighter with a single bomb many times. It was a tough list, but Vader and one last Tie Fighter pulled it off in the end. Vader with the boost is a real beast! I was very happy with this list.

There was one point I was trying to trap a K-wing with the blocking. He made it past by a mm! It cost me a Tie Fighter due to bombs, but if I had gotten it, I would have lite that ship up. Instead, I turned towards the U-wing and blasted that sucker to pieces. Two turns of firing and it was dead.

I'm very happy with the one game I tried. I want to do more.

Oh, and I found a great title for it: I have you now

I flew Vader and a mini-swarm quite a bit back in the day and did very well with him. I hated flying Tie Fighters in formation and refused to use Howlrunner. I still won quite a bit in my local area. With Swarm Leader, I am thinking I can revive the list idea.

Darth Vader (29)

Swarm Leader (3)

Advanced Targeting Computer (1)

Engine Upgrade (4)

TIE/x1 (0)

"Night Beast" (15)

Academy Pilot (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

Total: 100

Vader is the killer while the Tie Fighters swarm around your opponents. They don't fly in formation. They set up blocking fields. They get to fire at R1 a lot.

Try to have Vader come in on the flanks. Most Tie Fighters will grab an Evade for either survival or boosting Vader. Night Beast is there to try to get a Focus, as well.

I can see Wampa, but I like Night Beast. I like the action economy. Wampa might get the free crit through at times, but Night Beast can work defensive on his own at times. He can get the Focus and Evade to be used on his own. Or...he can Barrel Roll and get the Focus for a shot...or out of a shot. I think it's more versatile for different situations.

I can see Wampa, but I like Night Beast. I like the action economy. Wampa might get the free crit through at times, but Night Beast can work defensive on his own at times. He can get the Focus and Evade to be used on his own. Or...he can Barrel Roll and get the Focus for a shot...or out of a shot. I think it's more versatile for different situations.

What are people's thoughts on Swarm Leader now that it's been out for a while?

Was considering running the below, though appreciate its not the most competitive it looks fun. I'll utilise Ryads TL and steal the Ties Evade Tokens. Night beast hopefully lasts longer with his free focus.

TIE Defender: · Countess Ryad (34)

Push The Limit (3)

Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

TIE/x7 (-2)

TIE Defender: · Colonel Vessery (35)

· Swarm Leader (3)

TIE/x7 (-2)

TIE Fighter: · "Night Beast" (15)

TIE Fighter: Obsidian Squadron Pilot (13)

-- TOTAL ------- 100/100p. --⁣

This seems fun too:

ECHO CRACK SWARM

100 points

PILOTS

Black Squadron Pilot (15) x 4
TIE Fighter (14), Crack Shot (1)

“Echo” (40)
TIE Phantom (30), Agent Kallus (2), Advanced Sensors (3), Swarm Leader (3), Stygium Particle Accelerator (2)

What are people's thoughts on Swarm Leader now that it's been out for a while?

Was considering running the below, though appreciate its not the most competitive it looks fun. I'll utilise Ryads TL and steal the Ties Evade Tokens. Night beast hopefully lasts longer with his free focus.

TIE Defender: · Countess Ryad (34)

Push The Limit (3)

Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

TIE/x7 (-2)

TIE Defender: · Colonel Vessery (35)

· Swarm Leader (3)

TIE/x7 (-2)

TIE Fighter: · "Night Beast" (15)

TIE Fighter: Obsidian Squadron Pilot (13)

-- TOTAL ------- 100/100p. --⁣

This might work. It might be light on the number of ships that can provide Evade tokens, but can't you use the Evade token from the ship firing? It does say "any friendly ship".

This seems fun too:

ECHO CRACK SWARM

100 points

PILOTS

Black Squadron Pilot (15) x 4

TIE Fighter (14), Crack Shot (1)

“Echo” (40)

TIE Phantom (30), Agent Kallus (2), Advanced Sensors (3), Swarm Leader (3), Stygium Particle Accelerator (2)

This could work, but I'd never try it. I have a personal repulsion to Tie Phantoms.

What are people's thoughts on Swarm Leader now that it's been out for a while?

Was considering running the below, though appreciate its not the most competitive it looks fun. I'll utilise Ryads TL and steal the Ties Evade Tokens. Night beast hopefully lasts longer with his free focus.

TIE Defender: · Countess Ryad (34)

Push The Limit (3)

Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

TIE/x7 (-2)

TIE Defender: · Colonel Vessery (35)

· Swarm Leader (3)

TIE/x7 (-2)

TIE Fighter: · "Night Beast" (15)

TIE Fighter: Obsidian Squadron Pilot (13)

-- TOTAL ------- 100/100p. --⁣

This might work. It might be light on the number of ships that can provide Evade tokens, but can't you use the Evade token from the ship firing? It does say "any friendly ship".

This seems fun too:

ECHO CRACK SWARM

100 points

PILOTS

Black Squadron Pilot (15) x 4

TIE Fighter (14), Crack Shot (1)

“Echo” (40)

TIE Phantom (30), Agent Kallus (2), Advanced Sensors (3), Swarm Leader (3), Stygium Particle Accelerator (2)

This could work, but I'd never try it. I have a personal repulsion to Tie Phantoms.

Tried the list, it was fine I suppose, but not something I'd probably play often