There was a list that I want to try that recently won a regionals tournament, using the following list:

Tie Silencer "Kylo Ren", PTL, Advanced Sensors, First Order Vanguard, Advanced Optics, Autothrusters

Alpha Class Star Wing "Rho Squadron Veteran", Deadeye, Harpoon Missiles, Guidance Chips

Alpha Class Star Wing "Rho Squadron Veteran", Deadeye, Harpoon Missiles, Guidance Chips

99 points

My question is, eventho the list won, would it be better to have VI on Kylo instead of PTL, and have a 3-Point bid? With all of the PS11 ships in recent tournaments, I feel it would be better to have a PS11 ship in the list.

I'm thinking about participating in more local tournaments, and this seems like the best build that includes the Tie Silencer (which is my favorite ship).

What are your thoughts? And, thanks in advance.

I would probably fly both versions and see what you like better. You'll probably find situations where each one works better. The PTL version has such great action economy, and if you can boost/barrel before moving, Kylo is basically unblockable and unpredictable. The VI version would be as well, but not as unpredictable because your getting one less action each turn.

Im just wondering if PS11 is THAT important, and having a 3-point bid can be VERY good. It may not be an issue against some lists, but I would imagine it would come up at some point. The VI version still has the option of doing red manuevers after performing actions with AS, so there still is a great deal of unpredictability.

I am going to try both out.

VI is most definitely not better than PTL for that Kylo loadout. The Rho's make excellent blockers with access to slam mechanic if you are facing are higher PS (nym/Vader/QD-alpha) ship. Kylo's ability isn't bad here because when someone of higher PS gets a damage on kylo, you can just PS0 them for the rest of the game. Once the big threats are PS0, Kylo reverts back to super-fel that never gets blocked. Kylo is okay taking a few damage to accomplish that.

I actually prefer Primed Thrusters over Advanced Optics, but its a playstyle call I think.

My Kylo list:
Kylo/PTL/AT/Title/Advanced Sensors/Primed Thrusters (46)
Soontir Fel/PTL/AT/Title/Targeting Computer (34)
Dark Curse (16)

I use Dark Curse and Kylo/Fel for setting blocks up for the one that didn't get blocked. Dark Curse is pretty good vs non-guidance chipped Harpoons and basically anything else as you can use him as 16 points of "bait". At 96 points, you definitely get initiative. 14 total hit points is pretty fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants-and-don't-make-mistakes though.

It might be fun to try Proton Torpedos instead of Harpoon Missiles sometime. They're a hair less accurate, but they'll have an easier time of triggering ISYTDS from Kylo. Plus, flying non-Harpoons is a way to demonstrate you're a hoopy frood.

Kylo is a personal style thing, I think. Kinda like Poe.

PTL/AdvS goes crazy places, but you've got to guess better against some ships. Primed Thrusters lets you get even crazier with your dial. However, Advanced Optics allows you to save focus, which means you can often get by without taking an extra action with PTL, leaving open the non-green moves on your dial. Does that mean you shouldn't use PTL? Not necessarily, since you'd be able to double-action when you need to. There will just be situations where you might not need it. If you do go VI, should you stick with Advanced Sensors? Maybe since it gives great flexibility, and you'll be able to take actions before red moves. However, perhaps the raw action efficiency of FCS would be better in that case. It'd also be interesting to go PTL/FCS/Pattern Analyzer, which has you performing actions after you move, but you'd be able to PTL and then removes stress with a green move, or pull a red and still take an action. You'd be far more blockable, however.

I'll say: a friend of mine flies PTL/AdvS/AdvO on Test Pilot Blackout at PS 7, and has mostly been doing well with it. Being lower PS but having options still can do great in the right hands.

I believe that VI + Advanced Sensors allows for crazier moves than PTL + Advanced Sensors at PS11, because you can't use red manuevers after PTL. PTL + Advanced Sensors allows for stress clearing after free actions, but if you don't know where the PS10 or PS11 ships are going, what is the advantage?

If you want VI, I'd go with FCS. The action economy is very valuable. However, I would sooner fly the PTL version.

The Rhos are nice. Nothing really to be "improved" upon, per se.

So I played the PTL version last night, and holy heck, this list is amazing. I managed to take down an ARC 170 in the first alpha strike, thanks to help from Kylo. After that, it became apparent that PTL Kylo was the way to go, since the pilot skills were lower than his, so VI would have been wasted points. I also thought about what jonnyd said about the PS0 crit. If the opposing PS11 decides to shoot at Kylo, I could always try to PS0 them, and since Kylo has enough HP to withstand an early 1v1, it makes a lot of sense. There's nothing to change about the original list. I guess there's a reason everyone who plays this list plays it this way.