i like the look of it and i do seem to have a big crush on vader. any help would be great. thanks.
Vader +Cluster+ adrenaline rush
Howl
AP*4

Very few people are fans of the TIE Advanced, and there may be reason for it. Other than that, it's a TIE swarm and you can't really go wrong with that.
Only thing is, Vader's what, 32 points? For 33 you get a Firespray?
Correct me if I'm wrong, as I've been away from the game lately. College break so I'm away from the playerbase, so I may be wrong on the points.

All valid points. and thanks for helping me out. Vader with that set up is 34 points, so the Firespray does look a bit more tempting. my desire for vader to be good clouds my vision it appears.

you could drop the missiles and go with...

vader + swarm tactics

howlrunner + swarm tactics

4x academy pilot

OPTION #1 setup (practice a bit b4 the tourney on ur own so u have this formation down):

AP AP

H> AP AP <V

two inside APs move forward 3 or 4 on turn 1. Howlrunner and Vader angle back to the middle of the formation with 2 or 3 turn (depending on ur spacing between ships at 1-2 base lengths).

on turn 2 ur ships will look like this:

AP AP

AP AP

H V

or OPTION#2 split into two wings:

AP AP AP AP

V H

oo i like that. i liked the idea of adrenaline rush because stressing Vader is always a bad call, and that way you could k turn, focus/lock, then pop someone in the back of the head with the missiles (cluster or concussion). though the swarm tactics list has you at 98 and probably initiative right?

The main complaint usually levelled at the TIE advanced is a lack of firepower (for its price, anyway) - and the primary antidote to this is using the missile slot it comes with.

I dunno. I've not used swarm tactics to date, but I've seen Vader do very well with Squad Leader - following up behind a wingman, providing focus+evade which makes a TIE disturbingly hard to hit, or else barrel roll+focus if it'll let you shoot but take you out of your opponent's arc...

To be honest, I can't see why it wouldn't work. I'm no expert who can say it'll win tournaments (or not) but you have a decent bulk of units, a fair amount of (light) firepower and you're very manouvrable. Should be good.

heres a 5 ship variation.

100pts

Vader + Swarm Tactics + Engine Upgrade (35)

Howlrunner + Swarm Tactics + Stealth Device (23)

Dark Curse (16)

Obsidian Squadron Pilot (13)

Obsidian Squadron Pilot (13)

Why I think this squad is good:

1) There are two primary targets (vader and howlrunner) - in a tournament Vader is harder to kill than you might think. imo they should go for Howlrunner first - keep him back a little, that stealth device might buy you a turn or two before he takes any damage.

2) Obsidian Squadron Pilots shoot before other rookies and with Swarm Tactics they r Pilot Skill 8 or 9 in this squad. U r trading off with the Academies blocking abilities a bit (at PS 1 Academy Pilots move BEFORE anything else - so you need to consider this as ur Obsidians are more likely going to move second but fire first, especially with Swarm Tactics on Howlrunner and Vader).

3) Boost on Vader is insane (in a crazy good way) - being able to boost at the end of ur move, after everything else has moved and taken actions is great - u should be able to place him outside of enemy firing arcs and avoid many potential problems).

4) Dark Curse is a royal pain in the butt - he is often the last ship standing as his evasion tends to scare other players away from targeting him early leaving him free to chip away with consistent damage.

i do love a list with backstabber, dark curse, or both. the only problem being that i'm not a proud owner of a yt-1300 and thus engine upgrade. cannot pull the trigger and buy it for some reason.

Definitely agree on Vader. He is a bugger to bring down; he's in a TIE fighter with 3 evade dice, but he can pull Evade+Focus simultaneously if he needs to and he has shields on top. Added to the fact that his own firepower isn't devastating, people often turn him into a squad leader and pottle around the back of formations, passing that free action to whoever needs it...

By comparison, Howlrunner is a much more tempting target - she (OS-72-1 is a 'she') lacks shields and can't turtle up behind 'double token' defences without Push The Limit - so that stealth device is a good call.

Engine upgrade is nice but if you don't have it, you don't have it.

Ok heres a different take for you to consider...

100pts

Vader + Squad Leader (31)

Howlrunner (18)

Dark Curse (16)

Black Squadron Pilot + Veteran Instincts (15)

Black Squadron Pilot + Veteran Instincts (15)

Pilots Skills 9, 8, 6, 6, 6. Fly Vader and Howlrunner in a box formation with ur 2 BSP at the front. Vader gives Howlrunner a free evade so she gets to evade/focus on defense. Ur Pilot Skill 6 Black Squadron Pilots should cause problems firing before all non-named rebel pilots (as well as Biggs and Dutch). Dark Curse is ur flanker. Let him go out fast on his own down the side of the play area separate from your main formation.

If you dont have Veteran Instincts then try...

100pts

Vader + Swarm Tactics/Swarm Tactics [choose one] (31)

Howlrunner + Swarm tactics + Stealth Device (23)

Dark Curse (16)

Backstabber (15)

Black Squadron Pilot (14)

Try this

Vader with swarm tactics and concussion missiles

Mauler mithel

Backstabber

Dark curse

Black squadron pilot with draw their fire

It may not be the best list but it is who vader flew with during the attack on the first Death Star. Also there is more damage output if you can get up close and your damage is not limited on proximity with each other.

I actually like your list and haven't tried Vader + howl. Be sure to report back.