I am possibly going to a tournament this weekend. My last tourney I had abysmal dice with a jonus scimatars and howl swarm tactics build. So... This time I am thinking of trotting out another bomber build, if at once you fail... Slam your head harder into the desk...

3x Gamma squadron proton bombs

Shuttle gunner vader FCS

100, I don't want .

Has anyone tried something similar? Suicide shuttle is expensive but I feel like it will be a good trading piece against squints and eye balls. B wing squads are dominant locally, all of my squads can't beat 4 Bs with sub standard dice, and I expect to roll badly. Triple firespray is probably death.

When running bombers, I still think Jendon/Scimitar is the best build. I've never taken to Gamma pilots!

My last build looked something like this:

Colonel Jendon (26)

ST-131 (3)

Rebel Captive (3)

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (16)

Assault Missiles (5)

Seismic Charges (2)

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (16)

Assault Missiles (5)

Seismic Charges (2)

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (16)

Cluster Missiles (4)

Seismic Charges (2)

I am certain that build is good vs ties and x wings but I don't understand how it pretends to stand up to B wings. Maybe I have been traumatized by dice but the lack of maneuvering and fragile alpha strike does not impress victory on me.

I am certain that build is good vs ties and x wings but I don't understand how it pretends to stand up to B wings. Maybe I have been traumatized by dice but the lack of maneuvering and fragile alpha strike does not impress victory on me.

One Bomber has been intentionally loaded with cluster missles to hit the low agi ships. In addition, particularly on the subject of B-Wings, the TIE bomber is excellent versus it in a dogfight when flown correctly - it's 5k and seismic charges let it make short work of large hull foes.

In flying against a BBYY list, I also daringly fly the shuttle in to range1, it's surprisingly effective when used at the right time.

Having used this for a total of six matches, I have lost only one versus a 4x lambda build (and even then I attribute this to a culmination of my own flying and poor judgement)

Bombers are highly underrated!

When running bombers, I still think Jendon/Scimitar is the best build. I've never taken to Gamma pilots!

My last build looked something like this:

Colonel Jendon (26)

ST-131 (3)

Rebel Captive (3)

What are your experiences with trying Weapons Engineer instead of Rebel Captive? Is the RC really that much of a deterrent?

When running bombers, I still think Jendon/Scimitar is the best build. I've never taken to Gamma pilots!

My last build looked something like this:

Colonel Jendon (26)

ST-131 (3)

Rebel Captive (3)

What are your experiences with trying Weapons Engineer instead of Rebel Captive? Is the RC really that much of a deterrent?

I have played with WE in the past; the curious thing is that I've always found myself wishing I had the one when I ran the other.

Thus far though, I have found that as only one lock can be passed per turn, and the initially reserved nature I take in the early turns with the lambda, that WE was less than satisfactory for the points it cost. When I actually saw combat, and wanted to keep my action for the lambda, I found I've little to no need for the second lock.

Stress adds another dynamic, however. When facing ships such as B-Wing's, which will often attempt to abuse the brilliant 2k, they will need to consider the effects that lasting stress can cause. It's a wonderful mindgame.

I often switch back and forth between these two, but for the moment I am convinced that RC works everso slightly better! :L

I tend to find the fact that taking two locks for the price of one keeps the opponent guessing which lock exactly I'll pass on and that influences the actions on two ships instead of one.

Maybe it's just because I'm more of an opportunist at heart, I like to keep my options open. .

I tend to find the fact that taking two locks for the price of one keeps the opponent guessing which lock exactly I'll pass on and that influences the actions on two ships instead of one.

Maybe it's just because I'm more of an opportunist at heart, I like to keep my options open. .

I agree, and depending on what you are facing you get additional options as to where to pass the lock before bringing the hurt!

If only I could put both on, then I'd be a happy man - but I would much rather load all the bombers with charges. I managed to wipe a 4x high PS interceptor list on turn 4 with lots of splash damage, and I never look back on my decision to take charges <3

I loooove bombers, but I have serious problems flying scimitars without someone with swarm tactics because if you're shooting last and get focused once you're in range, you stand a very real chance of getting blown up with all your ordinance unfired. This can definitely happen with a two firespray build, a Biggs Walks the Dog, Han shoots first, or even some swarms. That's a lot of points to go unfired. It's extremely frustrating. Now you're down to 2 bombers and a heffer.

I know scimitars get decent love, but i prefer Gammas myself. That slight bump in PS has paid for itself in a few matches.

Does anyone have experience with 3 proton bombers?

I always go with Gamma's myself. Especially since daggers are so popular. Gamma's packing clusters backed up by Jonus. It's almost too good.

Cluster seem great but even with Jonus I am only getting one maybe 2 hits per salvo, that's just not significant enough when I lose a bomber every round from R3 and on.

It sucks that taking TL for the ordnance means you miss out on the possibility of focus for defense. That's one of my qualms.

That's my problem Phildo0 I get no payoff on my expensive alpha strike and then loose a bomber at range 3 vs 9-12 red dice.

That's why you take Jendon along, he's always got a lock to spare.

The original posts is about proton bombs. I see that Jendon is pretty popular. With bombs I was hoping to avoid the issue of being action and dice dependent.

Sorry to talk about other things!

I myself have not tried 3xGammas with Protons and a shuttle. I HAVE played 4xScimitar+Seismic and a shuttle with AdvSensor and engine upgrade. I only played it a couple of times though, it was fun.

I'd say, if you are worried about B Wings, the Vader Upgrade won't be quite as useful with all those shields. I'd find a way to fit engine upgrade instead. Maybe:

Shuttle + Gunner + Engine

or

Shuttle + Engine + Adv Sensors to get you a 98pt squad if you want.

Gunner loses a tidbit of effectiveness vs 1 agility, but really saves your hide when you roll all blanks.

Ohhhh, you should also try:

Howlrunner

3 x Gamma + Proton

Academy Pilot

99pts

Or

Howlrunner

2 x Gamma + Proton

3 x Academy Pilot

I think ill try both, actually.

Those Howl lists look really efficient. Yeah Vader vs Bs is not ideal at all! I think in the scope is a tournament squad it shores up some match ups.