Hi there,

I'm just starting to experiment with TIE Bombers. Was keen to try an all Bomber list - this is what I've come up with:

Captain Jonus

- Squad Leader

- Cluster Missiles

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (x3), each with:

- Cluster Missiles

- Concussion Missiles

100 pts.

Haven't had a chance to try it yet, but seems a simple enough list to me.

Fly the Scimitars out front, use Jonus for the re-rolls and squad leader for adjustments as necessary. Unload with concussion missiles first, then cluster missiles and hope that there's not much left to mop up afterwards.

Is this any good?

the problem is, your bombers need TL to fire their missiles.

If your pilot skill is lower then the enemies', you won't be able to get a TL at range 3.

Welcome to the bomber-fiasko

Yea, I think I've tried an almost identical list and it runs into the above mentioned problem. Jonus can help you get one TL but then you still have two bombers shooting their useless pew pews almost every turn. Bomber needs love for sure.

The trick with lower PS bombers is to make sure that on the first round of combat you will be able to TL. It works well with cluster missiles, but if you're trying to fire a concussion missile it is harder because your targets may move into range 1.

I ran this yesterday. Got a victory, but I will not draw broad conclusions based on a single data point.

Stressor (100)

1x Captain Jonus + 2x Ion Pulse Missile

4x Scimitar Squadron Pilot + Flachette Torpedoes

This originated with an evil thought of massive stress stacking, but more importantly it gives the bombers a wave of 3-dice attacks at Range 3 if things work out. Even if your target survives, it has probably taken its last action for the game. Jonus can ion a particularly annoying target, hopefully either getting a large base to trip over itself or putting something in a known position the next turn for a follow up salvo (if the other dupes did not get TLs) or a Range 1 fusillade with primaries. It brings 30 hit points behind 2 agility, and individual bombers are generally sturdy enough to weather incoming fire for a turn. Even if you lose one, it was only carrying 2 points of ordnance (minus high PS Jonus).

Disclaimer: I haven't managed to get a game yet, so the following is newbie speculation from reading around the game.

If the bombers have a problem with not getting target locks soon enough, would they pair up well with the ST-321 shuttle piloted by Colonel Jendon? This way, Jendon can pick up the target locks whilst the enemy are out of range, and pass them on to the bombers. If there's also an effective way to delay the enemy getting into range, would it then be possible to set up target locks for several bombers ready for a range 3 alpha strike?

Disclaimer: I haven't managed to get a game yet, so the following is newbie speculation from reading around the game.

If the bombers have a problem with not getting target locks soon enough, would they pair up well with the ST-321 shuttle piloted by Colonel Jendon? This way, Jendon can pick up the target locks whilst the enemy are out of range, and pass them on to the bombers. If there's also an effective way to delay the enemy getting into range, would it then be possible to set up target locks for several bombers ready for a range 3 alpha strike?

That's the thought behind Jendon + ST321. But now you've devoted 29 points to getting target locks. You can now only fit 3 TIE/sa (with ordnance) in the same list... with 11 points for flavor. But now you don't have a great alpha strike, and you don't have a good post-alpha strike list either. Plus, since Jendon can only hand off 1 TL at a time, he's unlikely to be able to give all 3 of them TLs... likely only 2. Plus, if you don't want Jendon to lose his action, he'll need at least a FCS or a Weapons Engineer. So now you've put even more points into the shuttle... So now you kinda need EU on it so it can continue to fight. And before you know it, you don't have points to spend on the bombers that was the main point of taking Jendon to begin with.

Here's a bomber build that I've had some success with, but it's a tricky list.

Mauler + Swarm Tactics

Jonus + Squad Leader + Proton Bomb

Scimitar(A) + Assault Missile + Cluster Missile

Scimitar(B) + Homing Missile + Advanced Proton Torpedo

The tricky part to this list is that the scimitars are different. It's easy to forget which one has which missiles, but on the flip side it's also harder for your opponent to remember them too. Scimitar B is setting up the big APT hit. You grab a lock and fire your Missile but you don't spend you lock. Instead use Jonus's re roll ability to help the attack. Next turn you can set up the APT. In the future I would switch the Homing for a Ion missile as it will make things easier to set up the next attack. Use Jonus to help Scimitar A get a Lock and a focus for their attack. The Assault Missile needs the extra help. Mauler helps your bombers shot earlier, this ups the odds that your will get your attack off. Fire first with who ever you think will get attacked more.

I tried out last night to decent success and will test out further:

Jonus + Squad Leader

Gamma + Cluster x 2

Gamma + Cluster + Assault Missles

Howlrunner + SD + Swarm Tactics

I've dubbed it Jonus howls with Gamma radiation

It's based off of the same premise as mrfroggies list where Jonus sets up the first gamma at range three with the TL and then at closer ranges helps out either of the two gammas with Howlrunner doing her thing and allowing the supported gamma to shoot earlier

The bombers do need love, but I think they will inevitably get it. Every new missile and torpedo is a boost to a bomber built.

Minor tweak suggestion: Proton Torpedoes are better than Concussion Missiles IF you don't have a focus when you fire.

I like the combination of Proton Torps and Clusters. You have range 1-3 covered.

I think you need Gammas to make sure you get those locks.

I fly

Jendon: ST321 Gunner

Jonus: proton torp

2x Scimitar: proton torp

Fly along back line until everyone's target locked, then Jendon hopefully strips off enemies tokens before the proton storm. Endgame is still off a bit but Jendon certainly helps with that.