Is a non-Phoenix route now viable?

"YaeVizsla;c-1907393" wrote:
Non-Phoenix starts have been viable for a hot minute now. Just rockier and it sucks when you have to double back and build Phoenix anyways to get Palp, Thrawn, and Chimaera.

But it's mostly not by the means you list, OP. A lot of what you list requires you to reach the end of the table first. GBA is near the end of the cantina table. Same with Talzin and Zombie who make Nightsisters work. Hunters are not really a reliable go to team until you get Bossk and/or Jango. GR isn't really a solid team until Padme who is not a reasonable early game goal. Separatist droids require a very strong fleet and

Even a lot of the early access teams are available significantly later than Phoenix, to the point where there's little reason to not at least work on them first.

First Order is the main viable early game alternative.

This. There are multiple other options for early game, but the thing you have to consider for early game is farmability. That's why phoenix is #1, because you can show up to arena battles with 3/5 (Ezra, hera, chopper) already unlocked, unlock Kanaan very shortly afterward, and Zeb 2 days after you hit level 40. The main alternative is First Order, since KRU is easily farmable and gives you potential access to a geared and starred ship once you hit level 60 (the main advantage they have over phoenix). You can also start out with Jedi, if you're willing to purchase a bastila pack, by farming Old Ben, Ezra, Kanaan and Ahsoka. With her rework they're probably one of the best early-game teams available, though they don't give you as much for ships as either phoenix or FO. BH would be great, but unless you're willing to fork out big bucks for the fancy pack that comes during the Chewbacca legendary, they're very hard to access in the early game. So for a strictly FTP, I'd probably stick with either Phoenix or FO.