I had a great time last night, but it was a tough night for the Empire! I was running a variation of last weeks list, and trying to get a feel for the other Phantom Pilots. How big of a difference is there between Whisper and Echo? A lot it turns out!
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Echo, Soontir, Vader
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98 points
Pilots
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Soontir Fel (32)
TIE Interceptor (27), Push the Limit (3), Targeting Computer (2)
"Echo” (42)
TIE Phantom (30), Gunner (5), Fire-Control System (2), Veteran Instincts (1), Advanced Cloaking Device (4)
Omicron Group Pilot (24)
Lambda-Class Shuttle (21), Darth Vader (3)
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-Game 1 vs Paul - Loss
Paul is running an X-Wing build with a companion HWK. It's Wedge, Garven and Kyle Katarn in the HWK. After some poor flying on my part, Both Soontir and Echo are down to 1 Hull each and the Lambda is still advancing into the mix from the opposite side of the board. I was eventually able to get Wedge and Kyle Katarn off the board, but this just wasn't pretty for me.
I learn the very hard way that Echo flys very differently than Whisper and the other Phantoms - I land on a rock on the second turn and this does the ship in fairly well.
-Game 2 vs Chris - Win
Chris is running an EBZZ list - Corran Horn, Keyan Farlander from Rebel Aces, and two Bandit Z-95's. Chris ran into some stress trouble and had a heck of a time maneuvering trying to get in good position. The speedy Phantom and Interceptor were able to get beside, and then behind his force and dodged arcs very well.
-Game 3 vs Ron - Loss
Ron is running a BAAA Rebel Aces build. Keyan Farlander, Tycho, Jake, and a Prototype Pilot. This list was very fast and it was particularly hard to get behind these guys to make things happen. Add to this the very high pilot skill - Soontir and Echo both had a very hard time separating from the pack to get some shots off.
-Major takeaways -
I like the Phantom, but I feel as though Whisper is the better pilot for me in the current meta - Pilot skills are averaging much higher nowadays, with 8 really being in the middle of the pack. This makes it tough to get those early shots off and keep your cloak up. Add to this that flying Echo has a very high learning curve.
Every time I feel that the Doomshuttle isn't doing enough, I have to remind myself that it is only 24 points. That being said, I feel that a pair of Ties might have been the right answer several times over the night.
Soontir is a beast, but he has gotten some stiff competition the last few weeks! I think that the Targeting Computer is going to head out to pasture, as I certainly could have used the extra shield or hull, but I only used a target lock once!
I think I'll be moving on from the Phantom for now and looking into fleshing out the Defender. I have a few lists in mind, and I'll be looking to practice with them soon.
Great games all, see you next time!
