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This is my first attempt at writing a list for this game. My opponents will be Algoryn and Concord.

Vardanari Leader + 5 Guards, HL Booster Drone
2x Domari Leader + 5 Troopers, Spotter Drone, Micro X-Launcher, SlingNet Ammo
Support Team (Mag Light), Spotter Drone
Feral (Mhagris) Leader + 5 Fighters, Micro X-Launcher

498 points

How's it look?

I'd say it looks good, 5 activations at 500 points is not bad. Seeing as you didn't give Soma grafts to the Feral Squad and they're more or less equipped as the Domari, if you don't have a specific role for them you could swap them for another support team, probably with an X-Launcher, or maybe a plasma light support. Add some special munitions and spend the rest on a Probe shard, for example.

Or you could also add batter drones to both support teams. That will allow you to have your very own portable cover.

I used the 2/2016 Errata for points but apparently it overcosts Vardanari by 11 points. So with that to play with, I was thinking of swapping the Mag Light to an X-Launcher w/ Spotter and giving it Scramble and Net ammo. Thoughts?

The Ferals are there mostly to add another order die ... but they are not bad for their price. I guess I could keep the Mag Light and give them the grafts? I also like the idea of swapping them for a Mag Light because Freeborn can take 2 Support options at 500pts, which is an advantage they have over everyone except Boromites. And I also like your suggestion of spending the rest on Batter drones. So:

Vardanari Leader + 5 Guards, X-Sling, HL Booster Drone
2x Domari Leader + 5 Troopers, Spotter Drone, Batter Drone, Micro X-Launcher, SlingNet Ammo
Support Team (X-Launcher), Spotter Drone, Net Ammo, Scramble Ammo
Support Team (Mag Light)

501 points

I'm leery about Targeting Probes - a Res 5 unit just walks straight up to the enemy?

 Manchu wrote:
I'm leery about Targeting Probes - a Res 5 unit just walks straight up to the enemy?

Take into account that each probe move individually (and moves a whole lot), and each one counts as an individual unit for shooting at it. So hey, if the opponent wants to waste at least 5 activations to kill the little pests, let them be your guests

EDIT: Also, only Command, Support and Heavy Weapons Squads can get Batter Drones, so you'll need to move them to the support ones.

Did seem a little too good to be true.

How about

- 2x Domari Leader + 5 Troopers, Spotter Drone, Micro X-Launcher, SlingNet Ammo
- 2x Feral (Mhagris) Leader + 5 Fighters, Micro X-Launcher, Soma Grafts
- Support Team (X-Launcher), Spotter Drone, Net Ammo, Scramble Ammo
- Support Team (Mag Light)
- 5x Targeter Probes

501 points

7 order dice ...

The list looks solid. The only thing I'd be concerned about is the Feral's res, 5 seems very squishy to me. Luckily it's the kind of upgrade that is easy to change if you need to.

Yeah - could swap out their grafts for Reflex Armour. What do you think? Squishy and reliable or semi-squishy?

Vardanari + HL Booster are a solid assault unit (Res 8 in CC). But four 6-man squads at 500 points seems like it could be overwhelming.

 Manchu wrote:
Did seem a little too good to be true.

How about

- 2x Domari Leader + 5 Troopers, Spotter Drone, Micro X-Launcher, SlingNet Ammo
- 2x Feral (Mhagris) Leader + 5 Fighters, Micro X-Launcher, Soma Grafts
- Support Team (X-Launcher), Spotter Drone, Net Ammo, Scramble Ammo
- Support Team (Mag Light)
- 5x Targeter Probes

501 points

7 order dice ...

Lots of activations, 4 Micro-Xs, targeter probes to allow you to hide the x-launcher... looks really solid. You can counter somewhat the Ferals' Res putting them into cover (with the Grafts they probably won't budge unless they go berserk). Out in the open they'll die real fast.

The only real problem I see is that losing the plasma carbines of the Vardanari leaves you with very few options against Ghar and other extra tought stuff (and the SlingNet ammo is not effective against them). Gun drones have plasma carbines, so attaching them to a unit and having them shoot on single shot mode would allow you to put pins on them, but it's an expensive proposition.

Graft is probably the better option due to reliability. I get the feeling they'd go down a lot without it. Could be something to reconsider once you get more points and add a HQ.

I like the 4 squads and think going with numbers over toys is often a good idea at low point cost games.

Fortunately, my opponents (at least at first) will be Concord and Algoryn rather than Ghar. But this force is designed to pin rather than kill in any case. (Freeborn motto - dead customers buy nothing.) My full Vardanari squad in the first draft was supposed to be the lethal assault element. HL Booster + Reflex/Impact gives them Res 8 in CC. But it is so expensive.

Regarding Ferals - my guess is these guys are meant to be played aggressively to draw fire away from more expensive troops. Then, when they are pinned, you activate the grafts and they keep going until they die or are out of control. And in the later case, there is a good chance they will still be making problems for the enemy.

How have those units been working out?
I have put together a 600 point force using a couple of different units, and will see how they do.
Command, Dom, Van and 2 X-launcher squads. So, no ferals or targeters, as you have.

I'm still assembling my forces ... will post AARs as/when!

Oh yeah. It's only been a week

I haven't even bought the second pack of Ferals yet lol

For info, Freeborn are in Battlescribe now, with points and other nice stuff
I have yet to check it, looking for FAQ-points, options, etc.

As for the game at the weekend...
If you are up against heavy armour, look to take some SV2+.
The command squad has a great ability, in 'Follow'. It takes an order, and any friendly unit gets to take that order too, without having to wait to get their dice drawn.
Some of the special x-launcher ammo looks good. Nets for pinning, and grab (I think) to slow if an Ag roll is failed.