SO I am thoroughly obsessed with making Swarm leader work. Though stay with me, this is not a "swarm leader" post. I feel I have my RAC set up the way I like him. One thing that I am not sure about is even with his neutered firepower on the first round I don't always trigger gunner. But hey, having too much offense is an ok problem. My concern is what are the 38 points to run with him. Here is the first thought:

Rear Admiral Chiraneau (46)
Swarm Leader (3)
Gunner (5)
Hotshot Co-pilot (4)
Engine Upgrade (4)

Sienar Test Pilot (16)
Autothrusters (2)
TIE/v1 (1)

Sienar Test Pilot (16)
Autothrusters (2)
TIE/v1 (1)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

The "TAP"s help with their low PS and title to ensure evade fuel for RAC's strong second shot. Previous comments said they are too inconsequential and RAC will be burned down. So what's better? Anything? I wanted to keep it to two support ships to make them the best possible and because it is the cap on SL. Here are some other ideas, feel free to add yours:

Black Squadron Pilot (14)
Crack Shot (1)
Stealth Device (3)

Black Squadron Pilot (14)
Crack Shot (1)
Stealth Device (3)

____________________________________

Alpha Squadron Pilot (18)

Alpha Squadron Pilot (18)

____________________________________

Imperial Trainee (17)
Lightweight Frame (2)

Imperial Trainee (17)
Lightweight Frame (2)

____________________________________

Zeta Squadron Pilot (16)
Comm Relay (3)

Zeta Squadron Pilot (16)
Comm Relay (3)

Outside of the TAPS I think the next best might be the Zetas. Having Comm Relay allows you to bank that evade for when you really need it. Or first turn save and use re-positioning later. The Strikers/Inteceptors are nice with their third die.

Trouble with Comms Relay is that it caps you at one Evade token and you cannot save them if you spend them on RAC. I would be tempted to go with Omega Squadron pilots with Crackshot. IMHO they are better than Black Cracks with SD due to the better dial and TL.

IMHO they are better than Black Cracks with SD due to the better dial and TL.

Instead of Gunner, have you thought about some of the cheaper options available? For instance, Ops Specialist gives the possibility of free focus if anyone close-by misses. Kylo Ren is new and very nice to have with RAC to push through that crit result. Systems Officer is a great free TL. Fleet Officer is great for dishing tokens to your otherwise tokenless buddies, but does involve stress.

You could look at General Hux as well for the same points. RAC may be powerful, but he probably won't be able to take on an entire list himself, so helping your buddies out with unblockable hits can help them be more than just fodder.

Just some other ideas. I think the HCSP Gunner combo has its place, but it isn't in this list.

IMHO they are better than Black Cracks with SD due to the better dial and TL.

1 extra HP is nice too.

Instead of Gunner, have you thought about some of the cheaper options available? For instance, Ops Specialist gives the possibility of free focus if anyone close-by misses. Kylo Ren is new and very nice to have with RAC to push through that crit result. Systems Officer is a great free TL. Fleet Officer is great for dishing tokens to your otherwise tokenless buddies, but does involve stress.

You could look at General Hux as well for the same points. RAC may be powerful, but he probably won't be able to take on an entire list himself, so helping your buddies out with unblockable hits can help them be more than just fodder.

Just some other ideas. I think the HCSP Gunner combo has its place, but it isn't in this list.

I do like the Kylo/Fleet Officer combo to replace the 5 points of gunner. I agree, gunner probably isn't needed here. RAC seems to put out enough damage, in testing I rarely got gunner to trigger. I do want a vehicle for Kylo, but that Hux does slip in nicely at 5 points. And as you say, makes those forgettable wingmen more "teethy", but then you still just need to melt down RAC and they go back to toothless. Nonetheless, I will try both changes Hux instead of gunner and Kylo/Fleet Officer, though there aren't a whole bunch of greens there to be honest.