I've got a tournament at my FLGS coming up, and as I've been bitten by the First Order Bug due to the points changes, I'm going to take a fairly Fanatical list.

The question is, which list? I've got three ideas. None of them are particularly flashy.

Option One: FO Swarm.

Omega Squadron Expert (34)
Fanatical (2)
Fire-Control System (2)

Omega Squadron Expert (34)
Fanatical (2)
Fire-Control System (2)

Omega Squadron Ace (29)
Fanatical (2)

Omega Squadron Ace (29)
Fanatical (2)

Omega Squadron Ace (29)
Fanatical (2)

Omega Squadron Ace (29)
Fanatical (2)
Total: 200

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

Four TIE/fo, and two TIE/sf. All Fanatical, with the /sf glueing their mobile arc facing backwards. The TIEs do not fly as a block, instead forming a loose line and converging on the target.

Option Two: Tavson and /fo

Omega Squadron Ace (29)
Fanatical (2)

Omega Squadron Ace (29)
Fanatical (2)

Omega Squadron Ace (29)
Fanatical (2)

Omega Squadron Ace (29)
Fanatical (2)

Lieutenant Tavson (64)
Biohexacrypt Codes (1)
Tractor Beam (2)
Collision Detector (6)
Total: 197

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

Entering the ring, Tavson with a Tractor Beam! Collision Detector means he can crash over obstacles when needed, and the Tractor Beam can drag ships out of position/make the TIE/fo fire more effective. The Biohexacrypt Codes are there so I can fulfil my dream of jamming someone at long range.

Option Three: As above, just with TIE/sf

Lieutenant Tavson (64)
Biohexacrypt Codes (1)
Tractor Beam (2)
Collision Detector (6)

Omega Squadron Expert (34)
Fanatical (2)
Advanced Optics (4)
Fire-Control System (2)

Omega Squadron Expert (34)
Fanatical (2)
Advanced Optics (4)
Fire-Control System (2)

Omega Squadron Expert (34)
Fanatical (2)
Advanced Optics (4)
Fire-Control System (2)
Total: 199

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

Similar list, just with TIE/sf instead of TIE/fo. I've got fewer ships, but the /sf get Advanced Optics in addition to their FCS and Fanatical.

Help me decide, as I can't choose between the three.

4 minutes ago, AceDogbert said:

Option One: FO Swarm.

I'm hesitant about fanatical en masse. The problem is that as a rule, your opponent wants to murderise target A, then proceed to shooting target B, and so on. As a result, the odds are good that a ship may not get many uses - if any - out of Fanatical because it goes from 'shielded' to 'spontaneous existence failure' in a single spread of fire. If you have an ace with an empty slot, it's great value. If you plan on buying 6 copies to equip a swarm..... part of me thinks Crack Shot will do you more good (or at least the same good for less points).

Also, with low initiative, you're always guessing what's going to be where and therefore who you'll have a shot at, and massed fire from a swarm should be killing the people you fire at. Fire Control is probably less valuable than it is with a trio of aces.

8 minutes ago, AceDogbert said:

Option Two: Tavson and /fo

Comments about Fanatical aside, this looks good. Tractor beams turn a 2-dice attack into a serious threat, and avoiding a Linked Battery tractor beam - even an unmodified one - is no small feat. Tavson's free actions give you pretty good action economy and collision detector gives you freedom of movement.

12 minutes ago, AceDogbert said:

Option Three: As above, just with TIE/sf

I think worse than Option Two; the TIE/sf's durability shouldn't matter if Tavson is primary target, they're actually more fragile for the unshielded-to-dead range where Fanatical works, and less ships means less shots to exploit the lower agility of a tractored target.

If I had to pick, I'd say Number II.

If I'm picking one as-is, I'd go with #1.

//

A few thoughts on the lists:

#3: I do love the TIE/sf, but I don't really think Omega Experts need all three of Fanatical, Optics, and Fire Control System. But there's not a tonne which can be added to the list by cutting either Optics or FCS. Upgrading one to Backdraft is an option, or cutting Tractor Beam from Tavson and giving every Fanatical/FCS ship a Hull Upgrade. But then again... if going for generic SFs that are at least 42 points, Zetas with Gunner seem like decent options. 3 red dice is just 3 red dice, and it's not too hard to flip the turret backwards in the middle game.

#2: seems fine. Tractor Beam is of course risky. Giving up a 4-dice shot is probably only going to be good if it denies an opponent a shot entirely, or pulls an enemy in a range band.

#1: Now, this is just because I've built and flown and enjoyed a somewhat similar list, what about swapping two TIE/fo for a Silencer? Fanatical Avenger fits (with 3 sf/1 fo, if you cut FCS), or Fanatical Blackout, if you cut the FCS from the Omegas. I flew the Blackout version, and Ace + Miniswarm feels good to me. I just like Silencers, and it diversifies the kind of threats in the list a little. Again, not that it's better, just that it suits me more.

@Magnus Grendel , I entirely see your point around Fanatical being a risky proposition on a swarm, due to the dangers of PS killing. From my recent experiments, however, I've found them oddly survivable, but that could just be some lucky defence dice talking.

@theBitterFig , good shout on Fanatical Blackout + miniswarm. Now I've got four ideas rattling around my head...

Would def cut down on Omega FOs to get named fanatical sf

Though I rank fanatical as one of the FO's greatest strengths, it's still not doing a heck of a lot with piddly 2-die primaries

New Squadron

(39) "Backdraft" [TIE/sf Fighter]
(2) Fanatical
(2) Fire-Control System
(10) Special Forces Gunner
Points: 53

(34) "Scorch" [TIE/fo Fighter]
(2) Fanatical
Points: 36

(32) "Longshot" [TIE/fo Fighter]
(1) Crack Shot
Points: 33

(26) Epsilon Squadron Cadet [TIE/fo Fighter]
Points: 26

(26) Epsilon Squadron Cadet [TIE/fo Fighter]
Points: 26

(26) Epsilon Squadron Cadet [TIE/fo Fighter]
Points: 26

Total points: 200

Dropping an SF to get named pilots with effectively 3 dice primaries should dramatically improve the list's firepower

@ficklegreendice , I like that list! My decision looks to be a choice between it or a Blackout+2/fo+2/sf list. Difficult!

Probably not worth the currently required monetary cost (fingers crossed for card packs ) and doubtful that anyone would pick up the needed expansions in such a short time span to give it a go, but what if the /Fos had Fanatical already turned on in the first engagement. Only a 5 ship list but:

“Longshot” (32)
Fanatical (2)
Advanced Optics (4)
Angled Deflectors (3)

Omega Squadron Ace (29)
Fanatical (2)
Advanced Optics (4)
Angled Deflectors (3)

Omega Squadron Ace (29)
Fanatical (2)
Advanced Optics (4)
Angled Deflectors (3)

Omega Squadron Ace (29)
Fanatical (2)
Advanced Optics (4)
Angled Deflectors (3)

Omega Squadron Ace (29)
Fanatical (2)
Advanced Optics (4)
Angled Deflectors (3)
Total: 193

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

Don't bother reinforcing, just Focus as normal. Only time they aren't pumping out 1+ (usually 2+ on Long shot at range 3 or when at range 1 with any of them) is when they roll all blanks on the attack while stressed (barring having spent the focus token already, which is a tactical call).

47 minutes ago, AceDogbert said:

@ficklegreendice , I like that list! My decision looks to be a choice between it or a Blackout+2/fo+2/sf list. Difficult!

Personally, the list with blackout + 2f0 +2 sf seems really cool to play. I really like having a maneuverable ace to end game and to pounce on people from unexpected angles.

As for Fanatical not having time to trigger, that's why how you engage is crucial. Never just joust everything with a straight line of ships. Control the range and you'll be able to make sure each ship is not shot at by every other ship. Then the hurt ship can hang back or run away while the others switch place and take up space. If you do that, most FO ships have well enough life to survive a few engagement and still come back kicking with fanatical in tow.