I played X wing for awhile in 1.0 form, but just got back into the game....using imperials. I tried out a list wit Vader, Howlrunner, Gideon Hask and two academy Ties, but wanted to try another mini swarm list. is this list viable? Any ideas fir useful changes?

barkatthemoon

(40) Iden Versio [TIE/ln Fighter]
(3) Swarm Tactics
Points: 43

(23) Academy Pilot [TIE/ln Fighter]
Points: 23

(23) Academy Pilot [TIE/ln Fighter]
Points: 23

(40) "Howlrunner" [TIE/ln Fighter]
(3) Elusive
Points: 43

(42) "Duchess" [TIE/sk Striker]
(3) Seismic Charges
(9) Fifth Brother
(6) Afterburners
(7) Juke
Points: 67

Total points: 199

Juke is almost never worthwhile. It's very expensive with a small payback. I'd be more inclined to go with Predator, and consider changing the bomb. Proximity can be really nasty in the right cases, and Proton Bomb leaves up obstacles. If it's just Duchess, I think I prefer more obstacles to be on the board. However, maybe with a TIE Swarm in the list, Seismic Charges might be the right option. All of Seismic, Proton, and Proximity are decent.

Elusive is totally fine on Howlrunner, but it might be worth considering Swarm Tactics. Iden is probably enough protection, and having both Academy TIEs shoot at higher Init can work well. It really isn't mandatory. Worth noting: if both Howl/Iden have Swarm Tactics, Howl could pass Init to Iden who can pass to an Academy. You'd be able to shoot the TIEs at 5/5/5/1 or 5/5/4/4. Sometimes it might be better to get the extra shot at Init 5. Maybe you can kill an Init 4, or maybe you're worried about Howlrunner dying at Init 5.

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Another list worth considering, since you have the ships: Imperial Fives.

• Howlrunner (Crack Shot)
• Scourge Skutu (Crack Shot)
• Mauler Mithel (Crack Shot)
• Duchess (Crack Shot)
• Maarek Stele (Fire Control System, either Marksmanship or Crack Shot)

Should be some pretty decent damage at high Init from this.

A good starting point for a mini swarm is the Tie Fighter Inferno Squad. All have ini 4, which is easy to fly and this squad has nice synergies. 130 point is a good price for what you get. Add marksmanship to Seyna, and crack shot to the others.

The last 66 point are for any wing man of your choice : Marek,a tie striker, Lambda Shuttle or Reaper... The latter two have plenty crew options.

Find your own style...

I think that if your ace of election is Duchess, which is pretty cheap, you should go for the optimal selection of tie fighters.

"Duchess" (42)
Predator (2)
Proximity Mines (6)
Afterburners (6)

Ship total: 56 Half Points: 28 Threshold: 2

Iden Versio (40)
Ship total: 40 Half Points: 20 Threshold: 2

"Howlrunner" (40)
Swarm Tactics (4)

Ship total: 44 Half Points: 22 Threshold: 2

Gideon Hask (30)
Ship total: 30 Half Points: 15 Threshold: 2

"Wampa" (30)
Ship total: 30 Half Points: 15 Threshold: 2


Total: 200

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0: https://raithos.github.io/?f=Galactic Empire&d=v8ZsZ200Z211X127WW70W105Y218XWY217X132WY223XWY221X&sn=Unnamed Squadron&obs=

This kinda changes up the build for Duchess, buti think you want to make her pretty light. Like theBitterFig said, Duchess wants to keep obstacles around, and Proximity Mines tend to be the most threatening bomb in most cases

Duchess craves a bid.

47 minutes ago, JBFancourt said:

Duchess craves a bid.

I think this. Unless I have very heavy hitters and I'm only looking at her as a cheapish, acey filler....

If she's your endgame, ace insurance policy and biggest gun, you really want a decent bid for her or she'll get rinsed by all the other i5s around. 5 or 6pt bare minimum, depending on local meta and how much the rest of your squad cares about moving last.

For the OP list, I'd suggest dropping Juke down to Predator, losing Seismic and swapping Howls Elusive for another Swarm Tactics. Quick math gives me 192. Couple extra points to play with things, up to 194/5. Talent choices really.

Elsewise. Losing a Swarm for Proxies is a nice alt angle. Burners are great on Duchess but Outmanouevre+Targetting Computer+Fifth Bro is a nice combo here as well.

I think bidding in a swarm-type list is counter-intuitive, and i really think Duchess is there just to clean up the last few stragglers, she is barely a 4th of the list. But that is kind of besides the point, since the OP is the one who should decide where his focus lies. If you want to make sure the Swarm is top-notch, i suggest the ships i put in my build. If you want Duchess to shine, like the other guys mentioned, bid is top priority and the targeting computer + fifth brother combo is also pretty cool

Strip Duchess of everything, that is not Fifth Brother and Predator. Can use Targetng Computer if you are bad at aiming bullseye like I am. I flown a point heavy Duchess and I can assure you, she is getting focused hard. You want her to be cheap, not to be too tempting a target. I'd say the best Duchss flies with just Predator. She is too cheap to call for focused fire and can throw pain at the enemy quite well. Targeting Computer + Elusive is a good start. Although Fifth Brother is amazing on her. Force Charge is just too good on anything.

As for the rest, if you want to fly a mini swarm with an Ace, I'd go for Howlrunner, Scourge and Mauler with Stele and Duchess. All I5 and each can cause serious harm to the enemies. Slap a Predator on Ducess and FCS on Stele and oyu have 4 points to do with as you see fit. Crack Shots on Tie/LNs and maybe Marksmanship on Stele?