Is the phantom competitive anymore? It seems like even with collision detector the ship is just a glass canon. With so many rebel ships throwing 3-4 red dice, Connor nets and twin laser turrets are there any credible builds with this ship?
If so, let me know. It's my favorite imperial fighter but I am having no luck with it.
It's theoretically viable, but the current meta emphasises the glass end of the cannon. There's a lot out there that can mess it up (RAC/Kylo is pretty much an insta-loss).
Honestly, it's an uphill battle in any meta to take Whisper right now, unless you have a serious heavyweight backup to go with it, and even then it's going to struggle in a lot of patch ups.
It's a shame, I loved Echo, but she's dead and buried at this stage. I'd rather not see Whisper go the same route.
I've had so-so success with generic Phantoms. FCS + SPA + IntAgent on Sigmas is 30 points even. In my experience, either they get focused down immediately, or they maul the face off of something that likes having it's face. It is, unfortunately, very feast and famine... not exactly something that lends itself credibility to being competitive.
Whisper is Great. Std build still works (VI, FCS, ACD). My preferred crew is Kylo, but a lot of choices there.
I think what's most important is the rest of the list. Whisper works best as a flanker, so the other ships need to be a real threat, and hopefully take focus from her.
I recently used Swarm Leader Vader + 2 Academy ties, which worked pretty well, but lots of other options I think.
There are some things that are scary... but there always will be
Has anyone had any luck with using Sensor Jammer and Hotshot Co-pilot? I've been struggling recently with Whisper myself, I thought maybe the defensive upgrades might help save her from near auto-death in certain match ups.
17 hours ago, Dave Grant said:Whisper is Great. Std build still works (VI, FCS, ACD). My preferred crew is Kylo, but a lot of choices there.
I think what's most important is the rest of the list. Whisper works best as a flanker, so the other ships need to be a real threat, and hopefully take focus from her.
I recently used Swarm Leader Vader + 2 Academy ties, which worked pretty well, but lots of other options I think.
There are some things that are scary... but there always will be
This.
You can't look at the phantom in isolation. To make it work, you need a list built around it (or them if you take more than one).
Here's two lists that I've used phantoms in recently that work decently well in today's meta:
#1
Starkillerbase Pilot w/ FCS & engine = 36
Sigma Pilot w/ FCS, SPA & rebel captive = 32
Inquisitor w/ PTL, V-1 & thrusters = 31
99
In this list, Inquisitor is the flanker and the Upsilon is a blocker. The Sigma trails or flies near the side of the SBP. Upsilon isn't just a blocker though. He can hit hard and make fly-by attacks thanks to engine + FCS. He can dive in for a surprise block, or hang back as needed. Most importantly, he can coordinate the Sigma, giving an extra action---a really nice tactical boon sometimes.
#2
Whisper w/ VI, FCS, ACD & kallus = 41
Vader w/ lone wolf, X-1, ATC & engine = 36
Scimitar w/ title, Kylo Ren & rebel captive = 22
99
This is a simple list. Vader flanks. Whisper follows or flies somewhat close to the Scimitar (like maybe a range band a part or so----you don't want whisper too close because you need to keep all 3 of your decloak options open for maximum unpredictability). Scimitar tries to kylo something and Vader/Whisper supply the crits.
Sigma Squadron Pilot (25 Points)
Collision Detector (Free)
Lightweight Frame (2 Points)
Rebel Captive (3 Points)
You're now running a 30 point A-Wing with four attack dice and stressing the first guy who shoots at you every time. Unless you're fighting TIEs, Sycks, Miranda, Z-95s, or a bare HWK. Then you only have two dice.
I have had success running Palp-RAC (different variations, but I think I have settled on Kylo crew [see below]) w/ Whisper doing the clean-up. It doesn't have a bid, but the only 'wiggle' is in the Kylo slot, and nothing at 2 pts justifies the bid to me. This same list also made Top 16 at Worlds.
RAC - Adaptability (+1), Kylo, Palp, EU
Whisper - VI, FCS, ACD