I have a quick question about swarm tactics.

If Vader (really any 8/9 pilot) has swarm tactics and the rest of your squad are cheap pilots with the elite pilot upgrade (black squad ties) also with swarm tactics. can you choose the order to trigger the "Start of combat phase"?

Essentially Vader turns one Black from 4 to 9, then that one changes the next from 4 to 9, ect until your entire squad is pilot skill 9 for combat.

Yes.

This is addressed directly in the FAQ.

You could also bring Howlrunner or Vader down to the BSP's PS4 if you wanted to. For all of those times it would, you know, be strategically wise to do that.

Loving the sarcasm

Jest aside I see a rare opportunity a black might swarm tactics vader.

Vader gets dmg cockpit and is facing a rookie x so you make him a lv4 and shoot first.

Feel bit like I want to achieve this once, bit like an xwing bucket list.

And kill whatever vader is shooting at of course otherwise pointless

A better option would be to use Vader with his assault missile after Turr and other mook Tie pilots take off a stealth device off of some HVT, increasing Vader's chances of success.