Seeing as how I was able to answer the "Swarm" question first ( as seen here ), My next thought was for an Anti-Swarm/Alpha-Strike fleet.

To that end, here's a draft of my 150 point list

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Bounty Hunter

+ Heavy Laser Cannon

+ Rebel Captive

+ Seismic Charges

[45]

Captain Jonus

+ Determination

+ Assault Missiles

+ Seismic Charges

[30]

Gamma Squadron Bomber

+ Assault Missiles

+ Seismic Charges

[25]

Gamma Squadron Bomber

+ Assault Missiles

+ Seismic Charges

[25]

Gamma Squadron Bomber

+ Assault Missiles

+ Seismic Charges

[25]

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I am more than willing to consider suggestions as to altering that list, but my main question is this: Which of these two roll-outs is better?

Option 1:

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Phase 1

Bounty Hunter + HLC

Gamma Squadron + Seismic Charges

[60]

Phase 2

[ Gamma Squadron + Seismic Charges] + Assault Missiles

Gamma Squadron + Seismic Charges + Assault Missiles

[90]

Phase 3

[ Bounty Hunter + HLC ] + Rebel Captive + Seismic Charges

Captain Jonus + Determination + Seismic Charges

[120]

Phase 4

[ Captain Jonus + Determination + Seismic Charges ] + Assault Missiles

Gamma Squadron + Seismic Charges + Assault Missiles

[150]

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Vs

Option 2:

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Phase 1

Bounty Hunter + HLC

Gamma Squadron + Seismic Charges

[60]

Phase 2

[ Gamma Squadron + Seismic Charges] + Assault Missiles

Gamma Squadron + Seismic Charges + Assault Missiles

[90]

Phase 3

[ Bounty Hunter + HLC ] + Rebel Captive + Seismic Charges

Gamma Squadron + Seismic Charges + Assault Missiles

[120]

Phase 4

Captain Jonus + Determination + Assault Missiles + Seismic Charges

[150]

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My initial reaction is that 5 ships at 150 points is too low (and it may still be), but the Assault Missiles should be very good against 150 point squads. I'm a little worried however that a couple of your Assault Missiles might not land without TL+F stacking. Thankfully Jonus helps here, but unfortunately action stacking on the Imperial side is very lacking.

I'm also not a huge fan of HLC, even on the Firespray, but it does combo better with Jonus. I can't really comment on bombs since I have little experience using them. Firesprays however are great.

If you wanted to go absolutely banannas at 150 point with Assault Missiles, then I guess the baseline would be:

145 points

Jonus + PtL + Assault Missiles

Gamma + Assault Missiles x5

There's really no way to scale that well though, through the lower point limits.

Anyway, I'm not sure if that's all very helpful. The new Escalation rules make it quite difficult to craft a well balanced list at all the point values.

Personally, I prefer Option 1 as you're able to get Captain Jonus out sooner rather than later. As you're only adding 1 ship per escalation level, this seems the best option.

If the choice was Captain Jonus in Phase 3 versus, say 2 schmattie TIEs, then I'd have pause for concern and might actually choose the 2 ships over 1. But based on these 2 options, and it only being 1 ship per phase, I much prefer option 1 for getting Jonus out sooner. My 2 cents anyway.

My initial reaction is that 5 ships at 150 points is too low (and it may still be)

The only way to get more than 1 ship per phase (aside from phase 1) is to use Tie Fighters, or float a substantial number of points between rounds. Bombers are sufficiently tanky for me not to be too worried about survivability, and I count the Firespray as 2 ships in my reckoning. Moreover, all of the splash damage from my Missiles and my Bombs should make up for the reduced damage from my main guns.

but the Assault Missiles should be very good against 150 point squads.

That's my inspiration. Seismics/Protons are similarly superb as well, as they deal the same form of Splash Damage, but don't spend an attack to do so.

I'm a little worried however that a couple of your Assault Missiles might not land without TL+F stacking. Thankfully Jonus helps here, but unfortunately action stacking on the Imperial side is very lacking.

Exactly why I included Jonus.

I'm also not a huge fan of HLC, even on the Firespray, but it does combo better with Jonus. [...]. Firesprays however are great.

I use the HLC to cover a potential problem that my fleet otherwise has: Although my damage figures vs a swarm are huge, my single-target damage is lacking. The HLC Firespray plugs that hole nicely.

I gave it a Rebel Captive because I'd much rather have it in the end-game than any specific bombers, and that reduces his chances of getting shot down early, or at least punishes their high-pilot-skill aces with stress for focusing him down while I've still got follow-ups.

If you wanted to go absolutely banannas at 150 point with Assault Missiles, then I guess the baseline would be:

145 points

Jonus + PtL + Assault Missiles

Gamma + Assault Missiles x5

I wanted to use Bombs as well, as that gives a great secondary-punch, and protects my aft from focused-fire.

At that point, trading out two Bombers for one Firespray seemed like a good fit as well.

I don't like PTL on Jonus, though. He doesn't have that many green maneuvers, nor does a double-action do that much from him after the first round of fire. Squad Leader would theoretically be better for you overall, or having 8 points left over for, say, 4 Seismic Charges.

Anyway, I'm not sure if that's all very helpful. The new Escalation rules make it quite difficult to craft a well balanced list at all the point values.

I know, right? Upgrades like Ordnances are actually great for it, as you can slot them in later on, but figuring out the Phases is an interestingly complex necessity.

I can't really comment on bombs since I have little experience using them.

I seriously cannot recommend them enough. Bombs are unique methods of throwing guaranteed damage outside of combat. They aren't an attack modifier, they're simply extra damage, thrown out when you move (or when you perform your action in the case of the one that can hit for up to 3 damage on a single ship).

Try out a list of 5x Gamma Squadron Pilots, each with a Seismic Charge, at your next 100 point league night. You will NOT be disappointed!