I was wondering if I could get some help with a swarm build. I know that many of the swarm lists mix in the FO TIE's but I was wondering if there are viable build with just the OT TIE's? I have all the pilot cards (core, expansion, assualt carrier) and would like some ideas for a competitive list, if that is at all possible.

The best two all-LN swarms are probably:

*1* Howlwrunner (Crack Shot), 3x Black Squadron (Crack Shot), 3x Academy Pilot

*2* Howlrunner (Crack Shot), 3x Black Squadron (Crack Shot), Scourge (Crack Shot), Mauler Mithel (Crack Shot).

The first has more ships, plus low PS blockers, but fewer Crack Shots. The second has more copies of Crack Shot, but trades off a ship. If you're willing to mix in a single TIE/FO, it's probably stronger to take #2 with 4x Black Squadron and Zeta Leader (all with Crack Shot). The reasoning is that Zeta Leader always gets his extra attack die, while Scourge and Mauler Mithel often won't. Plus, you do gain an extra shield in the list.

While these are probably the best two, they aren't necessarily the most competitive lists currently. The stronger options for dice modification as the game has progressed have left the plain TIE/LN quite vulnerable.

Also, this is a lot of copies of Crack Shot. That's a fairly large hurdle. Most folks won't mind if you proxy. If you don't have CS and are unwilling or unable to proxy, I'm not sure what the best option then becomes. Crack Shot is really that strong. TIEs, because of how fragile they've always been, do their best work when they can front-load their offense. Crack Shot is one of the best Elite upgrades for that, and one of the cheapest.

13 hours ago, impspy said:

I was wondering if I could get some help with a swarm build. I know that many of the swarm lists mix in the FO TIE's but I was wondering if there are viable build with just the OT TIE's? I have all the pilot cards (core, expansion, assualt carrier) and would like some ideas for a competitive list, if that is at all possible.

The most successful TIE swarm in 'proper' competitions:

• Howlrunner - Crack Shot
• Black Squadron Pilot - Crack Shot
• Black Squadron Pilot - Crack Shot
• Black Squadron Pilot - Crack Shot
• Academy Pilot
• Academy Pilot
• Academy Pilot

you get a nasty barrage of evade-ignoring fire (consider it a sort of 'missile attack') from the black squadrons, with the academy pilots either flying in formation too or flying as blockers to trap people in range 1 and/or without tokens whilst the rest of the swarm ganks them en masse.

My personal favourite:

• Youngster - Rage
• Academy Pilot
• Academy Pilot
• Academy Pilot
• Academy Pilot
• Academy Pilot
• Academy Pilot
• Academy Pilot

Academy pilots are less effective than crack shot black squadrons, but you do get that 8th warm body, which gives you a huge amount of board presence. Rage is something to be indulged sparingly rather than stressing large chunks of your squad, but if you get a range 1 shot, the fact that it's up to 3 rerolls rather than just 1 is something you will notice, as is the fact that it's 'locked in' by an action and sticks around even if youngster gets killed early on in the turn.

The other one I keep meaning to try is a snap shot swarm:

• Mauler Mithel - Snap Shot
• Black Squadron Pilot - Snap Shot
• Black Squadron Pilot - Snap Shot
• Black Squadron Pilot - Snap Shot
• Black Squadron Pilot - Snap Shot
• Black Squadron Pilot - Snap Shot

You're less effective than A-wings equipped for Snap shot work, but you get 6 guys and they only get 4.

Awesome, thanks for the suggestions! I picked up a Crack Shots from eBay so I'll give these squadrons a try when I meet up with my group.

Also, Crack Shot was recently promo'd for tourneys, so there could be a decent amount just sitting collecting dust at your FLGS (maybe not, but you can always hope).

3 hours ago, HanScottFirst said:

Also, Crack Shot was recently promo'd for tourneys, so there could be a decent amount just sitting collecting dust at your FLGS (maybe not, but you can always hope).

It was the participation card, so if not a lot of people should have copies you can blag off them for (comparatively) small change - because it's a card that doesn't see too much use outside of TIE fighters and TIE/fo

6 hours ago, HanScottFirst said:

Also, Crack Shot was recently promo'd for tourneys, so there could be a decent amount just sitting collecting dust at your FLGS (maybe not, but you can always hope).

3 hours ago, Magnus Grendel said:

It was the participation card, so if not a lot of people should have copies you can blag off them for (comparatively) small change - because it's a card that doesn't see too much use outside of TIE fighters and TIE/fo

Yes, the few I picked up were all the promo art so I saved money compared to buying the original.

You don't need crackshot to fly a 'proper' swarm.

This one works fine thanks to Operations Specialist. Its a little different than other swarms, because your default 'go-to' action is evade rather than focus. But once you get used to it, its a potent list:

Howlrunner w/ VI = 19

Scimitar Pilot w/ title, ops spec & intel agent = 20

5 academy pilots = 60

99

VI on howlrunner is important. Getting that bonus focus token at PS10 makes a big difference. The ideal engagement has howlrunner and the bomber just barely in range of 1 or 2 enemy ships at range 3 with your academies stretched out in front blocking off all avenues of approach for you opponent. You do want to leave an escape option for Howlrunner so you don't lose her on the 2nd turn of shooting.

No matter what swarm you decide to fly though, the BIGGEST problem for them right now is how stupid OP Harpoon missiles are. They just wreck TIE swarms. I hate how the game designers just don't understand how bad fully modified 4+ damage is for the game (and auto damage effects, such as bombs). Alas, the best you can do when facing these things is to spread your swarm out. You lose the howlrunner benefit, but usually you can still get the Ops Spec benefit...

While I know that Crack Shot swarms have proven very effective in the past, I personally like the above idea of Snap Shot a lot more. Some people say swarms are dead - I say, in this meta, its more likely their opponent will be.