So I just got the imperial shuttle the other day and wanted to make a decent squad with it. I don't have all the upgrade cards I need to make it solid but I just wanted to play around and try things some people might not.

Omnicron Group Pilot + Engine Upgrade + HLC (32)

ASP+ Shield Upgrade (22)

ASP+ Shield Upgrade (22)

Academy Pilot (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

So I was thinking making a small formation with the two APs on either side of the shuttle and the I interceptors in another small formation on the other side to use as sort of a decoy. The plan is to use the highly maneuverable interceptors to try engage the enemy while the shuttle can hit with the hlc from a distance and if any enemy ships get too close I have two regular fighters to protect the shuttle. And with boost the shuttle can get out of a tricky spot more easily. I put shields on the interceptors to keep them alive longer.

So what does everyone think? Good idea or bad?

Note: ASP can stand for Alpha squadron, and ALSO Avenger Squadron.
I think Stealth Devices aid Interceptros better than Engine Upgrades do.

I'd consider dropping the HLC in favor of a Gunner and Fire Control Systems. That combo goes thusly:

1. Attack
2. Gain a Target Lock on the defender. If step 1 dealt no damage, continue to step 3
3. Attack again.
4. Use your Target Lock from step 2, even if you're only re-rolling 1 die.
5. Gain a Target Lock on the defender from your second attack.

Significantly better damage output than just an HLC in my experience.

If you get an extra 2 points from swapping out Shields to Stealths on your Interceptors, I'd consider adding a second crew member to your Shuttle (Intelligence Agent, Mercenary Co-Pilot, and Saboteur all are useful on it, for different reasons).

I agree with the alternate shuttle setup. I have had great luck with the OGP + FCS + Gunner + Engine Upgrade combo. It really is brutal and you're very likely to get a least one damage through.

Since you want to use the TIE Fighters as escorts instead of blockers, if you free up the points as per the above, you might also consider giving them a slight upgrade to Obsidian Squadron. They'll shoot before the cheapest rebel ships and they'll move after the shuttle, so they won't get in the way.

I forgot about avenger squadron lol. I did mean alpha by the way. And I get why I need FCS and gunner. I just don't have those upgrades yet cuz I need to buy the b-wing and the firespray to get it. I just wanted to see what I could do with what I had but now I may wait until I buy those to run that setup. And stealth device would be better with the interceptors. I didnt even think of that tbh. Thanks for the input guys. I will also do what I can to upgrade my fighters to obsidian also. I see what you are saying in that regard. They move after lower pilot skilled rebel ships so I will have a better idea on what to do and I will be able to attack before them giving me the advantage. After I get the udgrades I need I will try it out with a buddy of mine to see how it fares.

It is very hard to get TIE Interceptors to work, especially the lower PS ones.

Getting a couple of PS1 Interceptors is probably a very bad way to spend points. In all likelihood, they will simply get focus fired first before your other ships, and die a horrible death before even firing. Net result: you spent 18 points on your first dead TIE instead of 12. You can increase its lifespan a little by adding shields / hull / stealth device, but upgrades are generally an inefficient use of points and only result in a bigger point dump.

With Interceptors, you are either forced to get a whole ton of them so that some of them will still be left alive to shoot their wonderful 3 attack dice, or play defensively with Push the Limit and higher pilot skill.

Interceptors are also probably over costed by about 1 point across the board, but that's another issue.

They are more dependent on dice than any other ship, so you'll have some amazing games, and some really terrible games.