I can get wordy so TL; DR: Flying RAC(Adapt/Kylo/Palp/EU)+Whisper(VI/FCS/ACD) for Store Champs. Wondering if Kylo is the best crew/option. Thoughts?

I am planning on running a RAC+Whisper list for my upcoming Store Champs season. Here are the current 'bones' (ie - all but immovable):

RAC + WHISPER STORE CHAMP LIST BONES @ 97 points

Rear Admiral Chiraneau (58)
VT-49 Decimator (46), Adaptability (0), Emperor Palpatine (8), Engine Upgrade (4)

“Whisper” (39)
TIE Phantom (32), Fire-Control System (2), Veteran Instincts (1), Advanced Cloaking Device (4)

Currently I have been running the Kylo Crew in the third RAC crew slot with success.

I am wanting to consider different options in order to be as finely tuned as possible for the upcoming gauntlet. Here are some thoughts, at least crew-wise, thus far...
Other 3pt
- Darth Vader
- Mara Jade (EOC Stress to R1 unstressed)
- Rebel Captive
2 pt Crew + 1 pt Bid
- Agent Kallus (RAC or Whisper)
- Moff Jerjerrod (Eject Crew to flip over face-up damage when received)
- Tactician
1 pt Crew + 2pt Bid
- Inspiring Recruit (Whisper) {Reduce impact of StressHog/StressStramm}
- Intelligence Agent (RAC or Whisper)

Questions I am asking:

1) Has anyone tried any of these crew options in the context of this, or similar, list?

2) What weaknesses do the current bones have that could be addressed with the available points?

3) So far I have only really begun playing around with crew options. What else should I consider/test?

4) I know it made Top 16 at Worlds, but has anyone else taken or seen it taken to a store champs with success?

5) What should be my strategy for certain match-ups I can expect? (ie: Mindlink, Kanan/Biggs, Imp 'Aces', AlphaStrike, etc) Preferably from those who have experience with similar lists.

I've been running a similar list for some good success:

VT-49 Decimator: · Rear Admiral Chiraneau (46)
Adaptability (Increase) (0)
Engine Upgrade (4)
· Kylo Ren (3)
· Darth Vader (3)
· Rebel Captive (3)
TIE Phantom: · "Whisper" (32)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Fire Control System (2)
Advanced Cloaking Device (4)
· Agent Kallus (2)
-- TOTAL ------- 100p. --

For the cost of Palp you can get three crew. On RAC I've used all three crew in most games. Kylo has gotten off some clutch blinded pilot crits to protect Whisper, Vader is good to use sparingly and is always on the opponents mind and Rebel Captive shuts down expertise, PTL users and slows down attani lists.

Kallus is primarily used for other PS 9's if they shoot first, if none then the scariest opponents ship.

I've considered swapping Kallus to try and get an initiative bid but still not convinced.

Yesterday I made top 4 at store champs with the list. I decided to go for ps10 RAC, and Kallus on Whisper, because the meta is full of ps9 hard-hitters, and as expected, having RAC move last and shoot first was making the difference. I only had Palpatine on RAC as a crew member, but I'm not convinced he is the best option to defend Whisper.

20 hours ago, Deffly said:

For the cost of Palp you can get three crew. On RAC I've used all three crew in most games. Kylo has gotten off some clutch blinded pilot crits to protect Whisper, Vader is good to use sparingly and is always on the opponents mind and Rebel Captive shuts down expertise, PTL users and slows down attani lists.

Kallus is primarily used for other PS 9's if they shoot first, if none then the scariest opponents ship.

I've considered swapping Kallus to try and get an initiative bid but still not convinced.

The way I view Palp is as a guaranteed damage evaded each turn. If I have positioned myself to not take any fire, then he can add crits to my attack rolls. I don't know how keen I am on Vader. I used to run him pre-Kylo, but feel like Kylo fits better overall IMO. Please convince me otherwise. I have enough trouble keeping RAC on the board without dealing two to myself for a random crit. RC intrigues me, and is the 3pt crew next in line to take Kylo's place if removed.

20 hours ago, Shtchepahn said:

Yesterday I made top 4 at store champs with the list. I decided to go for ps10 RAC, and Kallus on Whisper, because the meta is full of ps9 hard-hitters, and as expected, having RAC move last and shoot first was making the difference. I only had Palpatine on RAC as a crew member, but I'm not convinced he is the best option to defend Whisper.

PS10 RAC is tempting, but I wonder if the bid would end up being more valuable? I really like being able to have the flexibility of RAC and Whisper at PS9 together. How many other PS10 did you see? Locally, we have a couple PS10 running around, so it might make more sense for the kit tournaments, but I wonder how critical for Store Champs.

Both of you chose to field Agent Kallus.

Deffly, do you feel like choosing to take Agent Kallus reduced your need to essentially lock Whisper into a focus action every turn? Also, what does the meta you play in look-like?

Shtchepahn, why did you choose to run Agent Kallus over some of your other available options? From your SC run, how/when did he prove his worth? Also, same question as above, do you feel like choosing to take Agent Kallus reduced your need to essentially lock Whisper into a focus action every turn?

I've not played Whisper/RAC specifically before, but I do always put Kallus on Whisper and yeah, my strategy then is usually to take evades every turn. You Kallus anyone that shoots before you, which means you have a very good chance of dodging two hits a round, and a decent shot at three. Then you hit something and the focus + cloak protects you from any other shots.

Is the theory, anyway,

6 hours ago, AT Leader said:

The way I view Palp is as a guaranteed damage evaded each turn. If I have positioned myself to not take any fire, then he can add crits to my attack rolls. I don't know how keen I am on Vader. I used to run him pre-Kylo, but feel like Kylo fits better overall IMO. Please convince me otherwise. I have enough trouble keeping RAC on the board without dealing two to myself for a random crit. RC intrigues me, and is the 3pt crew next in line to take Kylo's place if removed.

PS10 RAC is tempting, but I wonder if the bid would end up being more valuable? I really like being able to have the flexibility of RAC and Whisper at PS9 together. How many other PS10 did you see? Locally, we have a couple PS10 running around, so it might make more sense for the kit tournaments, but I wonder how critical for Store Champs.

Both of you chose to field Agent Kallus.

Deffly, do you feel like choosing to take Agent Kallus reduced your need to essentially lock Whisper into a focus action every turn? Also, what does the meta you play in look-like?

Shtchepahn, why did you choose to run Agent Kallus over some of your other available options? From your SC run, how/when did he prove his worth? Also, same question as above, do you feel like choosing to take Agent Kallus reduced your need to essentially lock Whisper into a focus action every turn?

The way I view Palp is yes it's one guaranteed result each round but to get him I'm giving up Vader, Rebel captive and Agent Kallus, all useful in their own right and combined IMO are worth more than Palp alone.

Regarding Kallus: I run down a priority of 'triggers' in my head, the main one being: Do I have a TL on my target and do I have them in arc? If not then i'll take a focus, if i do then i generally go for an Evade or BR for position. I have many others, but having that focus for the shot before having a TL is best to try and get at least one damage through (even against my Kallus'ed target) to get the focus after shooting.

I see Vader, not just as offensive, but also defensive as it causes your opponent to think about their own health and potentially spending more tokens to protect that last shield (so Vader doesn't pop the crit into the hull) or to try and ensure they have two or three hull left to try and stop that Vader direct hit. In one game I forgot to Vader to kill off a ship and got 4 hits back into me by a 1 hull ship....

Rebel captive is underrated, sure it's only one stress to one ship but it's often to your opponents highest PS pilot, often forcing them into greens the next turn, reducing their positioning (or modifications if they do a white). With the popularity of Attani, then all ships get stressed. Sure most often it's Fenn and he can just 2 hard turn, but it's a move you know he'll have to pull, he can't K-turn or T-roll. Against PTL users, say goodbye to next turn actions etc, etc.

The meta I play in is quite competitive, my usual store I'm often paired up against someone who was top 32 at worlds this year. Scum heavy and lots of 'meta' lists are used. Strange as it may seem, this list feels dirty to me. Kylo can cause such a NPE when used ruthlessly in a game.

Out of all the 4 crew I have I'd most likely swap out Kallus first, to try and get a bid.

4 hours ago, Deffly said:

The way I view Palp is yes it's one guaranteed result each round but to get him I'm giving up Vader, Rebel captive and Agent Kallus, all useful in their own right and combined IMO are worth more than Palp alone.

Regarding Kallus: I run down a priority of 'triggers' in my head, the main one being: Do I have a TL on my target and do I have them in arc? If not then i'll take a focus, if i do then i generally go for an Evade or BR for position. I have many others, but having that focus for the shot before having a TL is best to try and get at least one damage through (even against my Kallus'ed target) to get the focus after shooting.

I see Vader, not just as offensive, but also defensive as it causes your opponent to think about their own health and potentially spending more tokens to protect that last shield (so Vader doesn't pop the crit into the hull) or to try and ensure they have two or three hull left to try and stop that Vader direct hit. In one game I forgot to Vader to kill off a ship and got 4 hits back into me by a 1 hull ship....

Rebel captive is underrated, sure it's only one stress to one ship but it's often to your opponents highest PS pilot, often forcing them into greens the next turn, reducing their positioning (or modifications if they do a white). With the popularity of Attani, then all ships get stressed. Sure most often it's Fenn and he can just 2 hard turn, but it's a move you know he'll have to pull, he can't K-turn or T-roll. Against PTL users, say goodbye to next turn actions etc, etc.

The meta I play in is quite competitive, my usual store I'm often paired up against someone who was top 32 at worlds this year. Scum heavy and lots of 'meta' lists are used. Strange as it may seem, this list feels dirty to me. Kylo can cause such a NPE when used ruthlessly in a game.

Out of all the 4 crew I have I'd most likely swap out Kallus first, to try and get a bid.

Appreciate the comments! I can see your point regarding Palp and will at least try out the Palp-less RAC. Honestly, I have never run Palp before and I am still getting used to the odd trigger time anyway, so maybe it is a better call. I also see Palp being a bit of a crutch as I am still overcommitting Whisper sometimes. I like the idea of having Kallus and RC.

Two match-ups that on paper worry me are Alpha Strike and 'Fair-Ship' Rebel (Braylen/Jess/Biggs/Rex)? My local meta doesn't have either much, but I know that I will see them at some of the Store Champs I will be attending. Any advice?

I'm running Kylo RAC w/ Quickdraw (made top 4 cut in two tourneys, though no full wins yet), and I can say that I am constantly seeing PS9, and have only once so far encountered a PS10.

I wouldn't drop VI from RAC if you paid me.