I'm not too crazy about the inspriring recruit. I don't see where you would expect to get double stress from, unless you are facing a stress list. In that case though, you're PS 9 and 11 should be able to easily dodge the stress component and nuke it before it can do it's job. If you want the two point bid, go with Intel Agent. If you can deal without it, go with Systems Officer, as it allows Whisper to get that fully modded shot on any target, not just the target she shot last. Rebel captive is an option as well, just to discourage shots. Systems Officer or Tactician allow for you to fit Lightweight Frame on as well, in case that was an option you were considering.

So I tried out my list above, minus the bomber because I forgot it, so I went with Countdown + LWF instead.

I only used Kylo Once in the game, not because I couldnt, but because I didnt really have to. Played PS8 miranda with some TLT Y wings so PS0 didnt matter. Miranda Conner Netted Whisper one round. Then only a Ywing was within range the next round, so Whisper kylo's a blinded pilot and Vader got the crit through, so Whisper was safe from the TLT.

What I found out early in the game that I like, is since Phantoms dont have a TL action, Kylo can be your range finder! I moved Whisper and it looked barely range 3. So I said "Kylo on Miranda." I checked for range and it was barely outside range 3, so I cloaked instead. Where normally, without a TL, you have to decide if you take the risk and focus but without an attack you cannot cloak. Nice little benefit I wasn't even thinking about.

I only lost Whisper in the game. TLTs and Miranda are not Whispers friends. Gunner would have been wasted points here, Rebel captive would have triggered twice. And Kallus would have triggered once. It was a weird game where Whisper was out of the fight for a couple rounds thanks to the Conner. Vader did almost all the work and countdown was being a pest.

Will continue testing. Not bad. Didnt hate it. Has upside.

Thanks for the thoughts.

As you say Kylo isn't great in every match, but in others he's great and helps make the squad more rounded.

How was countdown?? I really like the adv prototype for the third ship, but striker is a good choice too.

Countdown is a good third ship. He can fly in peoples faces and cause chaos and just suffer 1 damage for his troubles. Can try and get blocks and not worry about landing range 1 of enemy. He worked decent with Whisper and Vader cause they are both fast ships and countdown can keep up and get from one side of the mat to the other real fast.

Similar reasons to why I like the Sinear pilot then. Manoeuvrable, hard to kill, with some damage output too.

OK... overall happy with the list above... but I just really enjoy "tinkering".

Current thought is:

Vader: Squad Leader, Title-ATC, Engine

whisper: Adaptability, FCS, Kylo Ren, ACD

Omega Ace: Swarm Leader

= 100

So Vader can pass an action to the others... lets Whisper double action to Kylo someone and still have defence, also means I can focus + lock on Omega Ace for 5 Crits!!!

Hurts vader a bit, and PS8 on Whisper really worries me as it means more ships become an issue for him... guess I just need to keep Kylo busy.

Thoughts?

It's boring but if you've got at least 26 points to spare it's hard to look past Omega Leader w/Juke and Comm Relay.

13 hours ago, J Viz said:

It's boring but if you've got at least 26 points to spare it's hard to look past Omega Leader w/Juke and Comm Relay.

For a more fun route, you could look at Zeta Leader. Wired was made for him, and that comes in at a cheap 21 points. If you have 1 to spare, Twin Ion is great at helping clear that stress, but I would look for 2 points for a tech of choice. Weapons Guidance makes him hit consistently hard, while Sensor Cluster helps him survive longer.

Thanks guys... continued plotting and scheming has brought me to the below.

Whisper: Swarm Leader, Kylo Ren, FCS, ACD

Vader: Squad Leader, ATC, Thread Tracers, Guidance Chips

Adv Protoype - Sienar: Title, Homing Missile, Guidance Chips

= 99

The general plan is:

Step 1: Whisper puts ISYTDS on anyone PS7+ to drop them to 0. He does this supported by vader (so he gets an action as well as using Kylo).

Step 2: Step 2 - Vader puts the crit on, dropping the PS (or go straight to step 3 if wanted)

Step 3: Alpha strike... all 3 ships move in together vs some lucky victim. Vader traces to get a TL for Whisper (if he doesn't have one). Sienar locks and gets evade to pass. Whisper gets 6 dice attack (7 if possible) followed by the homing missile. Both modified with TL's.

I am considering similar themes with Omega Ace, or Sabbacc (with Swarm leader, Whisper then gets adaptability) instead of Sinear. I am thinking Homing rather than Proton Rockets + autothrusters as I often struggled to get into a good R1 position to unleash the Prockets (will miss thrusters though)

Problem is Vader has gone from a great solo ace, to a team player and OK ace. Also PS7 Whisper seems to put a lot more pressure on getting Kylo to work, but doesn't make much difference vs common lists like Defenders and Parattini (just bad vs RAC, Ray, Miranda, Corran....)

I only would like to add that Whisper is "she", not "he" Just for the record.

9 hours ago, Dave Grant said:

The general plan is:

Step 1: Whisper puts ISYTDS on anyone PS7+ to drop them to 0. He does this supported by vader (so he gets an action as well as using Kylo).

Step 2: Step 2 - Vader puts the crit on, dropping the PS (or go straight to step 3 if wanted)

Step 3: Alpha strike... all 3 ships move in together vs some lucky victim. Vader traces to get a TL for Whisper (if he doesn't have one). Sienar locks and gets evade to pass. Whisper gets 6 dice attack (7 if possible) followed by the homing missile. Both modified with TL's.

I don't think this plan will survive contact with reality. You can't reasonably expect to set up an alpha strike on the 2nd turn of shooting. Not only would it more correctly be called a beta-strike, but its very unlikely to ever happen, since there are so many ways your opponent can throw a monkey wrench and foil such a plan...

Probably true... other people just refuse to stand still and get shot! So unsporting!

A little bit more testing and tweaking:

Vader: VI, ATC, Engine

Whisper: Swarm Leader, FCS, ACD, Kylo Ren

Sienar: Concussion Missile, GC, Title

= 100.

I am currently feeling happy with this. I don't like PS7 on Whisper, but with Kylo and the "meta" having a lot of Lower PS ships I think it will be fine, and threat of 6-7 dice attacks is just glorious.

Hopefully PS7 Whisper is offset by PS11 Vader being able to out-ace everyone else.

As you can probably tell, still a lot of "tuning" to do, but good news is lists are general variations on a similar theme.

Played a bit more, thought a bit more... more importantly watched "New Hope"

Vader: Swarm Leader, Title, ATC

Academy Pilot x2

Whisper: VI, ACD, FCS, Kylo Ren

=99

Makes me happy with Vader planked by 2 ties, and a 4-5 dice attack + ATC means those Kylo crits are going through. Also lots of blocking options.

58 minutes ago, Dave Grant said:

Played a bit more, thought a bit more... more importantly watched "New Hope"

Vader: Swarm Leader, Title, ATC

Academy Pilot x2

Whisper: VI, ACD, FCS, Kylo Ren

=99

Makes me happy with Vader planked by 2 ties, and a 4-5 dice attack + ATC means those Kylo crits are going through. Also lots of blocking options.

I am one who believes if you enjoy flying it you should take it. I hope you do well. I'll see you there

Yup... problem is I enjoy playing with everything.... Pew-pew!!

List is finalised. No more time for practice games.

I will be taking the last list, Swarm Vader, Whisper with Kylo and 2 Academy.

See some of you in Chicago.

List went 5-2 and made the cut to day 2 :-). Not bad for a first event.

The list is very capable, and losses were more due to my inexperience / bad flying (and opponents good flying) rather than the list itself.

The double threat of Swarm Leader Vader and Whisper is really nice, as are the 2 Ties for general annoyance. Kylo works well with careful use.

Swarm leader seems great with that kylo crew, gives Vader more dice, for more chance to drive his crit through. Were taking aces down PS0 often?

I never actually played a PS10 ace in 9 games at the event... I played some Ps9, but I had initiative - so Whisper still shot first. Used Blinded Pilot a few times though - it makes the list pretty sick when it jousts.

Kylo was great in practice for that though vs PL10 Boba and PS9 Dengar !

Did you finally play the epic format? W hich lists played?

No... I inadvertently qualified for the cut so played that instead. :-)