Imperial Kath Scarlet + guests

By JudgeDeath, in X-Wing Squad Lists

I have been having a lot of fun on and off with a stress/ion Imperial Kath Scarlet build I came up with a while back and I'm thinking of taking it to my local regional next month. However, I've been having difficulty on deciding which ships to pair her up with. Originally she was paired with Kylo Ren (Upsilon) for a heavy stress-focussed list. Whilst I achieved a respectable 50% win rate, I found the combination rather clunky and most of my wins were by very small margins.

Currently I have 4 potential options. Kath stays the same in every list except for her EPT, which I'm fairly flexible on.

List 1 - Kath & Rexlar

Rexler Brath – Expertise, Ion Cannon, Twin Ion Engine Mk. II, TIE/D

Kath Scarlet – Calculation, Mangler Cannon, Ion Bombs, Rebel Captive, Ion Pulse Missiles, Guidance Chips, Slave 1, Extra Munitions

Total = 98pts

This list has the most ion control of the four, and probably hits the hardest by a small margin, but is also the least survivable. Until recently it was my favourite but I'm worried the lack of health and defensive mods across the two ships could prove crippling.

List 2 - Kath, Gamma, Nu

Kath Scarlet – Adaptability, Mangler Cannon, Ion Bombs, Rebel Captive, Ion Pulse Missiles, Guidance Chips, Slave 1, Extra Munitions

Gamma Squadron Veteran – TIE Shuttle, Adaptability, Kylo Ren, Tactician, Lightweight Frame

Nu Squadron Pilot – XG-1 Assault Configuration, Flechette Cannon, Jamming Beam, Long-Range Scanners

Total = 100pts

This list swaps some of the ion control for more stress, plus the additional threat of Kylo Ren's condition. The Jamming Beam is there purely to use when I do a slam action but my target is already stressed making the Flechette Cannon less useful. It's a lot healthier than list 1 but has it's own issues with the low-strength attacks from the supporting ships. The TIE Shuttle with Kylo will hopefully distract opponents from shooting at Kath, keeping her alive a bit longer.

List 3 - Kath & Boba

Kath Scarlet – Adaptability, Mangler Cannon, Ion Bombs, Rebel Captive, Ion Pulse Missiles, Guidance Chips, Slave 1, Extra Munitions

Boba Fett - Predator, Tactician, Engine Upgrade

Total = 100pts

Not tried this one out yet and not convinced the Boba build is right. In terms of hitting power and survivability it probably falls somewhere between lists 1 & 2 on both counts.

List 4 - Kath & Kylo Mk.II

Kath Scarlet – Veteran Instincts, Mangler Cannon, Ion Bombs, Rebel Captive, Ion Pulse Missiles, Guidance Chips, Slave 1, Extra Munitions

Kylo Ren (TIE Silencer) – Push the Limit, Advanced Sensors, Advanced Optics, First Order Vanguard, Autothrusters

Total = 100pts

I've not put my Silencer on the table yet but it is a decent-looking ship. This has the least control elements of the 4 lists but might turn out to be the best option as I should still have Kylo as a late game ace if (or when) Kath is destroyed.

Any other good partners for Kath? (I have at least one of everything apart from the Decimator and TIE Agressor) Better choice of EPT for her? Potential pitfalls to watch out for?