I was playing a bit with Vulture Swarms. It seems that for now the most efficient way of running it, is using ESC on as many Vultures as possible to present a formidable alpha strike and then to use numbers and network calculations to win attrition game. Originaly I used Wat Tambor with Kraken as an anchor:

Wat Tambor (43)
Treacherous (3)
Kraken (10)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Energy-Shell Charges (4)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Energy-Shell Charges (4)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Energy-Shell Charges (4)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Energy-Shell Charges (4)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Energy-Shell Charges (4)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Energy-Shell Charges (4)
Total: 200

It is simple and efficient. Wat gives a bit of additional punch in the late game. Kraken is really useful and supports this kind of philosophy better than any other relay (or relay less approach). However the list looks a bit dull and after first ESC volley sometimes lacks punch. This made me thinking about trying something a bit different:

Captain Sear (39)
Kraken (10)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Energy-Shell Charges (4)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Energy-Shell Charges (4)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Energy-Shell Charges (4)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Energy-Shell Charges (4)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Energy-Shell Charges (4)

DFS-311 (24)
Energy-Shell Charges (4)
Grappling Struts (3)
Total: 200

Sear does not give Wat's punch, but it gives crack shots after ESC have been launched. The option adds more punch to those 2-3 die attacks (depending on range) for 6 droids. It seems quite nifty. Additionally it is cheaper than the first list, which allows me to put inside DFS-311 to help with Calculate distribution. I'm yet to playtest it, but I'd like to hear Your opinions about it.

P.S.

Going fully nuts there is an option to field 7 TFD wit ESC and DFS-311 with struts and ESC. I don't know if it is good (it lacks Kraken), but sheer number of missiles can be intimidating.

Im still yet to try out a bellyrub with kracken and 6 vultures, as Ive been having way too much fun with 8 vultures with esc's. 4 ps 3 and 4 ps 1 is 200 on the nose.

8 esc's on the opening engagement (or rather the threat of if) is great. It also helps force target priority issues, as they are all the same.

I have exactly that second list built and ready to try once I’m finished with my current list (Kylo/Quickdraw) after UK Nationals. Might even run it in the team event on the Sunday. Obviously not tried it yet, but it looks like a great list for all the reasons you’ve outlined. Butterbot passing a calculate to whichever droid (if any) has bullseye means you can always power a Crack Shot. Butterbot parked on a rock in the middle of the board has proven difficult to take down for my opponents in other lists I’ve flown!

While ESC's are absolutely amazing, has anyone had luck with something like this? I like the look of it and wonder if it has legs. (You know, the kind of legs that walk on rocks.)

On 5/29/2019 at 1:06 PM, FriendofYoda said:

While ESC's are absolutely amazing, has anyone had luck with something like this? I like the look of it and wonder if it has legs. (You know, the kind of legs that walk on rocks.)

Darth Maul — Sith Infiltrator	65
Hate	3
General Grievous	3
Count Dooku	9
DRK-1 Probe Droids	6
Ship Total: 86
Half Points: 43 Threshold: 5
Separatist Drone — Vulture-class Droid Fighter	22
Cluster Missiles	5
Grappling Struts	3
Ship Total: 30
Half Points: 15 Threshold: 2
Separatist Drone — Vulture-class Droid Fighter	22
Cluster Missiles	5
Grappling Struts	3
Ship Total: 30
Half Points: 15 Threshold: 2
Trade Federation Drone — Vulture-class Droid Fighter	20
Energy-Shell Charges	4
Ship Total: 24
Half Points: 12 Threshold: 2
Separatist Drone — Vulture-class Droid Fighter	22
Cluster Missiles	5
Grappling Struts	3
Ship Total: 30
Half Points: 15 Threshold: 2

I tend to favor mixed squads like this (maybe not exactly like this) - Vultures are disposable to an extent, but you also need some better anchor material to be effective with Separatists, I find. I haven't bought into the swarminess of the faction since I just can't afford to field eight Vultures, so it's a squad type I fly by both choice and necessity.

On 5/29/2019 at 10:36 AM, FriendofYoda said:

While ESC's are absolutely amazing, has anyone had luck with something like this? I like the look of it and wonder if it has legs. (You know, the kind of legs that walk on rocks.)

Darth Maul — Sith Infiltrator	65
Hate	3
General Grievous	3
Count Dooku	9
DRK-1 Probe Droids	6
Ship Total: 86
Half Points: 43 Threshold: 5
Separatist Drone — Vulture-class Droid Fighter	22
Cluster Missiles	5
Grappling Struts	3
Ship Total: 30
Half Points: 15 Threshold: 2
Separatist Drone — Vulture-class Droid Fighter	22
Cluster Missiles	5
Grappling Struts	3
Ship Total: 30
Half Points: 15 Threshold: 2
Trade Federation Drone — Vulture-class Droid Fighter	20
Energy-Shell Charges	4
Ship Total: 24
Half Points: 12 Threshold: 2
Separatist Drone — Vulture-class Droid Fighter	22
Cluster Missiles	5
Grappling Struts	3
Ship Total: 30
Half Points: 15 Threshold: 2

I have been trying out something similar to this.

Darth Maul

Perceptive Copilot

General Grievous

DRK 1 Probe droids

Hull Upgrade

Scimitar

Hate

Separatists Drone x4

Energy-shell Charges

196 pts.

Grievous and the hull upgrade make Maul tankier while the perceptive copilot gives a second focus for the second primary attack or defense. Haven't tried Dooku b/c my force charges are rarely full. Grievous is hit or miss depending on what your opponent targets first/what you present your opponent to target first. I have been finding the Sep Drones could be dropped to lower initiative to add Krakken or struts. Been only facing higher initiative named pilots so far so my having I3 vs I1 vultures makes no difference in play order. Probe droids have been fun to use gaining locks w/ the vultures while disengaging.