I have a tournament tomorrow and I'm down to the following two swarmy First Order lists:

https://raithos.github.io/?f=First Order&d=v8ZhZ200Z384XWWWY384XWWWY262X181WWY269XWY269XWY269XW&sn=Some FO boys&obs=

https://raithos.github.io/?f=First Order&d=v8ZhZ200Z382X319WWWY381X117WWWY262X181WWY269XWY269XW&sn=F.O.E.&obs=

Both lists are two Baron interceptors, Fanatical Scorch, and 2 or 3 FOs. The big difference is list one uses generic barons and fits one more Tie whereas the other upgrades to Holo and Vonreg but only 5 ships total. Obviously, the interceptors benefit greatly from higher initiative, but the 6 ship list can just joust and block better.

Needless to say, I'm torn. What's everyone experience with the Baron so far?

My son has just had modest success with the following list at the UK System Open.

Fee-FO-Fly Fun

(57) Major Vonreg [TIE/ba Interceptor]
(2) Daredevil
(9) Deuterium Power Cells
Points: 68

(54) "Holo" [TIE/ba Interceptor]
(2) Daredevil
Points: 56

(25) Epsilon Squadron Cadet [TIE/fo Fighter]
Points: 25

(25) Epsilon Squadron Cadet [TIE/fo Fighter]
Points: 25

(25) Epsilon Squadron Cadet [TIE/fo Fighter]
Points: 25

Total points: 199

3 hours ago, hargleblarg said:

I have a tournament tomorrow and I'm down to the following two swarmy First Order lists:

https://raithos.github.io/?f=First Order&d=v8ZhZ200Z384XWWWY384XWWWY262X181WWY269XWY269XWY269XW&sn=Some FO boys&obs=

https://raithos.github.io/?f=First Order&d=v8ZhZ200Z382X319WWWY381X117WWWY262X181WWY269XWY269XW&sn=F.O.E.&obs=

Both lists are two Baron interceptors, Fanatical Scorch, and 2 or 3 FOs. The big difference is list one uses generic barons and fits one more Tie whereas the other upgrades to Holo and Vonreg but only 5 ships total. Obviously, the interceptors benefit greatly from higher initiative, but the 6 ship list can just joust and block better.

Needless to say, I'm torn. What's everyone experience with the Baron so far?

Second list looks better, if you want a bid then maybe drop Scorch down.

What about this?

TIE/ba Interceptor - •“Holo” - 56
•“Holo” - Trick of the Light (54)
Proud Tradition (2)

TIE/sf Fighter - •Lieutenant LeHuse - 53
•Lieutenant LeHuse - Unflinching Executioner (39)
Fanatical (2)
Fire-Control System (2)
Special Forces Gunner (10)

TIE/fo Fighter - Omega Squadron Ace - 30
Omega Squadron Ace - (28)
Fanatical (2)

TIE/fo Fighter - Omega Squadron Ace - 30
Omega Squadron Ace - (28)
Fanatical (2)

TIE/fo Fighter - Omega Squadron Ace - 30
Omega Squadron Ace - (28)
Fanatical (2)

Total: 199/200

View in the X-Wing Squad Builder

17 hours ago, KingmanHighborn said:

What about this?

TIE/ba Interceptor - •“Holo” - 56
•“Holo” - Trick of the Light (54)
Proud Tradition (2)

TIE/sf Fighter - •Lieutenant LeHuse - 53
•Lieutenant LeHuse - Unflinching Executioner (39)
Fanatical (2)
Fire-Control System (2)
Special Forces Gunner (10)

TIE/fo Fighter - Omega Squadron Ace - 30
Omega Squadron Ace - (28)
Fanatical (2)

TIE/fo Fighter - Omega Squadron Ace - 30
Omega Squadron Ace - (28)
Fanatical (2)

TIE/fo Fighter - Omega Squadron Ace - 30
Omega Squadron Ace - (28)
Fanatical (2)

Total: 199/200

View in the X-Wing Squad Builder

It would be far better for LeHuse to have Rivas here.

18 hours ago, KingmanHighborn said:

What about this?

24 minutes ago, JBFancourt said:

It would be far better for LeHuse to have Rivas here.

Agreed.

On the other hand, Fanatical Omegas probably don't mind just sliding in and taking Locks. If they take a hit, Fanatical goes on-line. If they don't, eh, still mods.

Also, I'm not sure I love LeHuse's build. The strength of LeHuse is that he doesn't really need Fanatical/FCS, since he ideally focuses, and can lock each round (also note, FCS doesn't interact with his ability). There aren't a lot of great options in Hyperspace, however. If Extended, slap Pattern Analyzer on there and it'd be sweet. Fanatical might be worth keeping, just because it's cheap and why not. FCS... I'd probably cut either way.

I'd also consider switching one Omega to Longshot or Scorch. With less points from LeHuse, there'd be as much as 8 points of bid, which I'd guess is either too much (depends on the local scene), or too little (since it's not really enough to beat most Bobas).

Thanks everyone for your insights!

However, despite everyone voting towards the Vonreg Holo 5-ship acier list, I ended up taking the 6-ship swarm. Overall, I went 2-2 to come in 6th out of 12. I thought I would miss the arc-dodging potential of Vonreg and Holo, but it turns out that these baron interceptors are maybe best as hammers. This functioned well in conjunction with the extra epsilon helping garner blocks. If anything, the list is comparable to the Soontir Vader and 3 Academies, only with an extra Vader worth of offense ( Focus Lock each turn built into the baron chassis is insane ).

I'll give the 5-ship list a go at our league night, but I would encourage anyone who has only explored with the named barons to try flying the generics.

For reference, here's the list:

I3 First Order Provocateur (45) [TIE/ba Interceptor]

I3 First Order Provocateur (45) [TIE/ba Interceptor]

I4 "Scorch" (35) [TIE/fo Fighter ]
Fanatical (2)

I1 Epsilon Squadron Cadet (25) [TIE/fo Fighter ]

I1 Epsilon Squadron Cadet (25) [TIE/fo Fighter ]

I1 Epsilon Squadron Cadet (25) [TIE/fo Fighter ]

Total: 200

15 hours ago, hargleblarg said:

( Focus Lock each turn built into the baron chassis is insane ).

I think there may be some potential with this on the generics. A list I'm trying swaps out Scorch and one Epsilon for Avenger.

I've also tried Holo with three Provacteurs, all running Proud Tradition. I think it's too squishy to be real good but it can hit really hard on that first engage, especially against lower initiative swarms.