So, what do people think of this? I mean, I assume some variation of this has been done before, but still I'd like to know if anyone knows how well it plays.
100 pts
Howlrunner + Swarm Tactics + Shield Upgrade
Black Squadron Pilot + Swarm Tactics x 4
Academy Pilot
Edited by That One Guy6 tie swarms are usually named ties but you get similar effect here. I don't usually see sheild upgrade on howlrunner.
6 tie swarms are usually named ties but you get similar effect here. I don't usually see sheild upgrade on howlrunner.
Personally I would drop shield upgrade for stealth device. Makes Howlrunner more survivable if you ask me.
6 tie swarms are usually named ties but you get similar effect here. I don't usually see sheild upgrade on howlrunner.
Yes but many of the named pilots are still in the 5-6 range. This way (assuming you have initiative), you get to fire before many of the good rebel pilots. Tycho, Luke, and many of the B-Wings and Y-Wings. The only ones who beat you are Wedge and Han and maybe a few others.
The problems with chaining Swarm Tactics like you want are that all the ships need to stay relatively close and that if/when Howlrunner goes down you've basically lost that advantage.
I see six TIE Fighters there and if the goal is getting them a high PS someone had posted a squad with Howlrunner and everything else at PS 6. I think this is a close approximation:
Howlrunner + Stealth Device, Backstabber, Dark Curse, BSP + VI x3 (98 points)
There are only a few ships that will shoot before all of these go and rarely do you ever see more that 2 in a squadron. If you really NEED that Academy TIE in there as a blocker you can cut a BSP to put it in and give swarm tactics to Howlrunner although that leaves the total at 97 points.
Yes but 6 is not high enough for my needs. The people I play with tend to use nothing but named pilots between 6-9.
Then let them. Fly APs and use the points you save to bring more of them. If they are flying the high-end named pilots, they probably only have 3, or MAYBE 4 of them, so drown them in Academy TIEs and steal their actions with blocking.
If they are flying all 6-9 then go all 1-3 on your side. Make them really pay for nothing. PS 4 and PS 9 mean the exact same thing if you're all PS 3 below. The difference is that they paid 3-6 more points PER Ship to get it.
Vader shuttle + swarm escort would be very strong here if flown well.
If you want to be a real pain, just watch your Rebel opponent tear his hair out.
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Howlrunner
Determination, Stealth Device - 22pts
Black Squadron Pilot
Draw Their Fire, Stealth Device - 18pts
Academy Pilot #1
Stealth Device - 15pts
Academy Pilot #2
Stealth Device - 15pts
Academy Pilot #3
Stealth Device - 15pts
Academy Pilot #4
Stealth Device - 15pts
BTW I totally agree, if your opponents always run PS7-9 pilots don't even bother trying to beat them, go low PS and funnel the saved points into awesome upgrades.
So, what do people think of this? I mean, I assume some variation of this has been done before, but still I'd like to know if anyone knows how well it plays.
100 pts
Howlrunner + Swarm Tactics + Shield Upgrade
Black Squadron Pilot + Swarm Tactics x 4
Academy Pilot
Not bad, but my one concern is that you're putting an awful big cross-hairs on Rashon - even more than she normally carries - because she's also passing around your pilot skill. The other concern is that 6 TIE fighters is an awfully large block to fly in close formation. I don't know if you're confident enough to do so but I'd certainly be a little nervy.