Hi All,

The tournament is today and I'm typing up my list this morning as I wait to go.

Ever since Wave 5 came out, I've seen so many BTS (Big Turreted Ships) at events that it drives me nuts. It's boring to play against so many big ships. I played a small event and came in 3rd, but want some variety when I play my games. I know it won't really happen until Scum and Villainy are out. I've started to think of going for 4 Tie Bombers with Jonus as a way to just smash the BTS. That's when I found this great article:

Darkhorse's Strange Love, Or how I stopped being afraid and learned to love the Tie Bomber.

http://miniwarroom.blogspot.com/2014/11/darkhorses-strange-love-or-how-i.html

It was perfect timing and I took it to heart. My list I'm going to take is:

MY NAME IS JONUS

Captain Jonus w/ Homing Missile, Seismic Charges, and Shield Upgrade

Scimitar Bomber w/ Assault Missile and Seismic Charges

Scimitar Bomber w/ Concussion Missile and Seismic Charges

Scimitar Bomber w/ Proton Torpedo and Seismic Charges

I have been testing using two Assault Missiles and it's good, but I don't have Imperial Aces and I don't have a Hull Upgrade. So, I am going with a Shield Upgrade and downgraded one to Concussion Missile (the most reliable missile ever).

Through part of my training, I found the video that teaches the Rule of 11.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX6SOM7HR0I

The Bombers are usually going first all the time and that hurts them. They need TL's and the approach is everything. I quickly learned that if I set up the approach wrong, I lose at least one bomber before I fire my missiles. At least one. That usually means I lose. I've found that if there are two formations moving at each other, it's best to move 1 for two turns, and then blast forward. Most people do not blast forward enough to get into range too much, so it's good.

Oh, I should report that I've been playing with the same 4 guys a lot and they know all my tricks. I find that if you know how to fight them, Bombers are easier to deal with. If my opponent has never faced my list, it can really kick their butt. People always forget about the bombs, too. I've once caught a HWK and Outrider in full blast of all 4 bombs.

If I am able to get a BTS in range with TL's on it, I can nail it. Rarely the dice do just roll bad, no matter how many re-rolls. It's frustrating, but it doesn't happen often. I find I lead with the Homing Missile as Jonus goes first. He usually hits things and you can't use an Evade for him, which is great vs. Fat Han. So, he only has C-3PO for defense, which helps out a lot. If the enemy still has shields, I'll go for the Concussion Missile or Assault Missile, depending on if there are enemy within Range 1. Once shields are down, I go for the Proton Torpedo for the critical hit.

The bane of what I fight against is arc dodgers. Coran Horn and Phantoms are a nightmare. I've found if they are in the list, I almost have to concentrate on them with all my ordnance. The problem with that, though, is what's left in the list? If it's a YT-1300 then I'm in trouble. A Decimator is something that I might be able to take out with just the main guns of the Bombers. I've been thinking lately, though, that the rounds are only 60 minutes. I might just go for the biggest and most expensive ship and blast it to pieces....then run for 60 minutes. It's not the most sporting, but it might be my best chance. I dunno. I'll have to see. Let's hop that the ignorance of bombs will help me out. I've gotten good at dropping them to hit things, but when your opponent is expecting them, it makes it hard. When they aren't, they tend to forget!

OK....wish me luck. Event starts in 3 hours.

As a new player, I really enjoy and get a lot from reading planning posts like this one - thanks a lot, and good luck!

Awesome, I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes.

Always nice to see the Bombers get some love! Such a wonderful little ship.

OK....my head hurts. Long day and I've got a mean headache. Must be dehydration, but I swear I drink as much water as I can. I'll go through with what I can recall.

Game 1 vs. Ryan and his list: "Option 3"

Biggs

Leebo w/ Determination, HLC, Weapons Eng., Outrider, and Tactical Jammer

Blue Squadron B-wing w/ FCS

For asteroid placement, I put a bunch of asteroids on his starting line to make him split up a bit. figured I can either force him all through one narrow spot or I can split him up. Here is the start of the game

His smaller ships crept up the side while the Outrider swerved between the asteroids in the middle. I went up and got a lot of target locks on him. Jonus fired his Homing Missile. I got 2 blanks and 2 eyeballs, but only my TL. So, I re-roll them and get the same! No hits on that. Jonus takes a pounding. I then drop my bombs and do my 5 K-turn. Here's a pick of him in range of all 3!

The Outrider blows up Jonus, but his crew get revenge and blast what's left after the bombs with two missiles.

With that positioning, I soon blow up Biggs, too. Here is a crappy picture of me trying to maneuver to get the B-wing.

I got the B-wing in the center with all my shots and hit it with my last ordnance. I then spent a turn or two finishing it off. Win to me!

ME: 100 pts. Ryan: 33

Game 2 vs. Mike and his list: "Alpha Squad"

Now, I've often thought that an all Alpha Squadron list w/ Autothrusters would rock. Well, without them, he was using:

5 x Alpha Squad Interceptor w/ Targeting Computer

That's a lot of shots and a lot of damage with good moves and I was a bit worried. Asteroids cluttered up the far right and some of the middle. He set up with some in the middle and some on my left. I set up all on my left. I slinked forward 1. Those straight ahead went just 2, but the rest boosted and zipped as fast as can be on the flanks.

I then went fast enough to get me to the mouth of the first asteroids. This would protect my flanks and get me in a good spot. What I didn't expect was that those in front then zoomed forward 4! There were a lot of shots coming at me and I was pretty worried. I will admit that his dice were sub par. Not horrible, but not good. I was actually rolling some evades, though. So, not much damage on me.

I looked at the map after this. Where was he going to go? There wasn't a lot of room. He was going to have to go past me on the far left as it was the only thing other than bumping. So, it would be perfect for bombs! The other guys....I wasn't sure what they would do. I had some TL's on some guys and just did a few K-turns and some moves to get away. One of my own bombers bumped and was stuck in the explosion. Still, it was worth it. I caught a lot of guys! One was straight up blown up and removed from this picture, but here is the rest of it:

So....I ended up killing 2 with bombs right there. One guy that K-turned (upper right in the picture) fired his Concussion Missile and blew away Alpha Leader in one shot. Another guy fired and took the last hit off a guy damaged from the bombs. Here is the start of the next turn with his last ship:

He couldn't move much and was boxed in. I finished him off quickly after this.

The secret was that he boxed himself in way too much. He wanted to get in and fire at short range, but it was a bad idea with the bombs. Everyone forgets the bombs. Win to me!

Me: 100 pts. Mike: 0

At this point, there are 3 of 12 that are undefeated. I'm feeling pretty happy.

Game 3 vs. AJ and his no names

The last two events I went with this guy and he won them. He's one of the best players in the area. I've tried to keep in my mind how I've done against him and it was tied 50-50, until he beat me in the last tournament. So, I wanted revenge, but wasn't sure how I'd do. Also wanted to say that he's a great guy. It would be easy to hate him if he had some flaws, but he's really just super nice.

Keyan Farlander w/ Stay On Target, Adv. Sensors, and HLC

Blue Squadron B-wing

Roark Garnet w/ Ion Turret and Nien Numb

Bandint Z-95

I knew I had to kill Keyan as fast as possible as he was the big threat. Asteroids were all over the far left with some in the middle again. He placed in the left corner and I did, too. He started off by all turning to my right and head towards the middle. I oozed forward 1.

I zipped up to the asteroid for cover again. I knew he was trying to lure me into the middle to get me in a killing zone.

I tried to go into the corner, but not race in all the way. I flubbed up my formation, though, and bumped.

Keyan put the hurt on my lead Bomber, but I shot two missiles in reply and destroyed him. Boom goes the dynamite!

After that, I tried to keep Jonus and the other guy with missiles back and go slow at the B-wing. The others went after the Z-95. I thought it went well.

Oh, crap! The HWK lets someone attack at 12? Well, that and the Ion Turret from the HWK kills the Bomber that Keyan put the hurt on. I forgot about that. I thought I would get to attack first. Shazbot. In retaliation, I fired my Homing Missile and stripped the shields off the B-wing from Jonus. The B-wing shot up my other bomber, but that bomber fired and managed to kill the B-wing with pea shooters. Pew pew!

Now, this gets a bit confusing. I tried to focus on the Z-95 and it was harder to kill than it should've been. Still, I got it. The HWK managed to fire at the wounded Bomber and managed to kill it. It was just two Bombers after the HWK.

It was just a matter of time and I got him. Win for me! I was happy to beat my nemesis, even if he is a great guy.

Me: 100 pts AJ: 45

Wow! I'm undefeated so far? I was expecting to face off vs. wave after wave of BTS, but there were only 2 lists that had them out of 12. I also thought there would be more than 12 people, too. Still, it was a good event and great lists. Other lists that I saw were 3 Lambda Shuttles and a Black Squad Tie. There was a Corran Horn and 2 HWK list. Corran Horn, Wedge, and 2 Z-95's. Oh, another 3 Lambda Shuttle with Soontir Fel? Crazy stuff! Well, my last game before finals was against the only other undefeated player.

Game 4 vs. David and his "B-wing Sweapers"

Nera B-wing w/ FCS, 2 x Flechette Torps, Munitions Failsafe, and Predator

Dagger Squadron w/ FCS, E2 crew, and Gunner

2 x Tala Z-95 w/ Proton Rockets

Now, I got to see this one as it was one of the last before the round ended last time. I looked at what he had and saw the immediate threat of the Proton Rockets. I knew they needed to die before being shot at my ships. I also saw the Dagger as a bigger threat than Nera as I didn't care that much about being stressed. We realized later, as well, that Bombers can't be stressed due to their hull size (by Flechette Torpedoes).

Now, this one is hard to remember, but asteroid placement was about the same. I set up in the middle and he went in one corner. Nera kind of hung back as the others moved up the left board edge. I zipped forward to get TL's as he moved all after me. I ended up in great spot!

What you don't see is one missile had hit the back Z-95 and hurt it a bit. It was a bit of a bad roll, but I did some damage. I killed it with another missile and then seriously hurt the other Z-95. I don't think I took much damage at all. Maybe a hit from Nera?

After that, he K-turned and got hit by a bomb. It blew his Z-95 up instantly. Nera ended up zipping past a couple of turns and fired torpedoes. She did little damage. My bombs had hurt the other B-wing, too. It had K-turned as well, but needed to clear the stress after that turn. I zipped in and surrounded it. I shot it down.

I then started the chase on the last B-wing.

She got to the end of the table and K-turned, but actually ended up off the board! Win for me! I was surprised at how easy this one was. He bunched up together and that really made my bombs effective. It made it easy to predict and allowed my pea shooters to fire in close.

Me: 100 pts David: 0

That puts me undefeated at the end of the seeding! Woohoo! I only faced one BTS (Big Turreted Ship)! I was sharp and flew well. I think it was mostly everyone never having flown against them before that messed with them. They never expected the bombs and the first strike ordnance hurts. I was proud at this point.

Now the last 4 people were myself, a store regular with 2 Decimators, someone that I can't recall.....and the one list I was dreading ever facing. It was 3 Tie Phantoms. My list does terrible against them. I don't have as much experience with them on my list. I was not looking forward to it.

Game 5 vs. Andrew's "Just Phantoms 3"

2 x Shadow Squadron w/ Recon Specialist, FCS, and Stygium Particle Accelerators

Sigma Squadron w/ Recon Specialist, FCS, and Stygium Particle Accelerators

I'm not sure how to describe the asteroid setup, but I didn't care for it. I tried to make one side too much bother. He set up all spread out and I went down the open side. Probably a bad idea on hind sight.

I tried to go after one, but probably went too slow at the beginning. I should've tried to hit one hard. I went through one pass and K-turned without getting a shot off on them. Jonus was hit hard and about to die in this photo as one just uncloaked and zipped in my flanks unexpected. Stupid Phantoms....

My head is hurting at this point, but I do recall that flying in formation wasn't doing me any favors. I needed to break off and try to get some shots off where I could.

I just couldn't fly against these things. I wasn't able to get them in fire range much. When I could, I just wasn't doing the damage. He would keep the ones with TL's away for most of it and my pea shooters were rolling like 1 hit at most, which he easily evaded.

I eventually got one ship in my firing arc. It was the turn Jonus was shot down hard. I ended up spending two missiles and blasted one bastard into 101 pieces.

At this point, I was down in the dumps, but not willing to give up. I had defeated myself mentally and was not having fun. I was in a funk. I tried the best I could and managed to get one Phantom down to zero shields. I was pretty sure I was dead as my last 2 bombers had almost no hull left. He had hunted down my other bomber without much issue. It was looking ugly. Time was almost out, too. There was one point when I had a shot at a Phantom that had no defense. I had a Focus. I fire.....and get a hit and a blank. ****! He rolls zero evades and takes the hit. If only I could've gotten an eyeball. Oh, well. Not long after that, I flip my dial, get my template, but say, "Wait! I want to drop a bomb!". It would've been perfect. The rules state that I have to do the bomb before the dial is flipped. He points it out. He's right. I don't drop it. I would've killed that Phantom. Instead I'm blasted. Poo.

Me: 34 pts Andrew: 100

My list just can't deal with Phantoms. Maybe one, but three? Bleh. He flew well. He had a good list. I defeated myself. Maybe if my dice were a little better, but everyone says that. Oh, well. I did great with 4 Tie Bombers! I would've flown against the 2 Decimators in the last round if I had won. I think I could've creamed him with my list. I was looking forward to a Store Championship. It would've been glorious, but I have to say that Top 4 is great.

Hope you guys enjoyed reading this!

Good report. I really hate I missed the tourney.

And he took down double Decimators with the Phantoms for the store championship. 10 damage in the first round of shooting versus losing 2 shields.

Nice report...I have a very similar list that I had planned on flying at a SC today, but weather kept me home. Good to know someone else likes Tie Bombers and that they can do well.

Oh, well. Not long after that, I flip my dial, get my template, but say, "Wait! I want to drop a bomb!". It would've been perfect. The rules state that I have to do the bomb before the dial is flipped. He points it out. He's right. I don't drop it.

Wrong. Read the card. "When you reveal your maneuver dial..."

I don't understand how you were convinced otherwise. You do own the upgrade card? The FAQ make no changes to this either. I want to know how you were duped into believing something other than the card.

Because I had defeated myself before hand.

Also, there was a good chance after that that I would've just lost to the last Phantom anyways.

Oh, well. Not long after that, I flip my dial, get my template, but say, "Wait! I want to drop a bomb!". It would've been perfect. The rules state that I have to do the bomb before the dial is flipped. He points it out. He's right. I don't drop it.

Wrong. Read the card. "When you reveal your maneuver dial..."

I don't understand how you were convinced otherwise. You do own the upgrade card? The FAQ make no changes to this either. I want to know how you were duped into believing something other than the card.

Well, I hadn't played against bombs before, I thought they worked along the lines of decloaking or advanced sensors where you've got to announce before you move. I didn't have the cards handy in front of me.

Side note for those with S&V: is this still the text on "Genius"? Because if the seismic charges and proton bomb both say "when you reveal your maneuver dial" and the proximity mine is dropped as an action, then none of the Y-wings are going to be equipped with a bomb that can be dropped before you reveal your maneuver.

Thanks for the report!

Nice work! I too share a strange love of the TIE bomber, so it's good to see them doing well. Thanks for sharing

Side note for those with S&V: is this still the text on "Genius"? Because if the seismic charges and proton bomb both say "when you reveal your maneuver dial" and the proximity mine is dropped as an action, then none of the Y-wings are going to be equipped with a bomb that can be dropped before you reveal your maneuver.

That is pretty crazy. I wonder what they are going to do? FAQ?

Awesome report. Thanks for providing pix!

Excellent narrative! I applauded when you won, and cried during the last act. It was like a Greek tragedy. Good job with your bombers! I am impressed. It's stories like these that get me excited to try new things. It also underscores why the developers keep coming out with new ships that use ordnance even though most folks think they're garbage. They can win big! But I guess it wasn't all ordnance - the Seismic Charges served you well! Again, congratulations!

Here is placement at end of 4 rounds. I was the only undefeated at the top.

1st – Jim w/ “My Name is Jonus”

Captain Jonus w/ Homing Missile, Seismic Charge, and Shield Upgrade

Scimitar Pilot w/ Assault Missile and Seismic Charge

Scimitar Pilot w/ Concussion Missile and Seismic Charge

Scimitar Pilot w/ Proton Torpedo and Seismic Charge

2^nd – Andrew w/ “Just Phantoms 3”

2 x Shadow Squadron Pilot w/ Recon Specialist, FCS, and Stygium Particle Accelerator

Sigma Squadron Pilot w/ Recon Specialist, FCS, and Stygium Particle Accelerator

3^rd – Jeff w/ “Two Decimators”

Kenkirk w/ Expose and Mara Jade

Oicum w/ Expose and Rebel Captive

4^th – David w/ “B-wing Sweapers”

Nera Dantels w/ FCS, 2 x Flechettte Torpedoes, Predator, and Munitions Failsafe

Dagger Squadron w/ FCS, B-wing/E2, and Gunner

2 x Tala Squadron w/ Proton Rockets

5^th – Jaccob w/ “Fel’s Herd”

Soontir Fel w/ PTL

Omnicron Group Pilot w/ Darth Vader

2 x Omnicron Group Pilot w/ FCS

6^th – AJ w/ “It’s won before”

Keyan Farlander w/ Stay On Target, Adv. Sensors, and HLC

Roark Garnet w/ Ion Turret and Nien Numb

Blue Squadron Pilot

Bandit Squadron Pilot

7^th – Mike w/ “Alpha Sqaudron”

5 x Alpha Squadron w/ Targeting Computer

8^th – Jonathain w/ “Hawks like Corn”

Coran Horn w/ R2-D2 and FCS

Roark Garnet w/ Ion Turret and Jan Ors

Kyle Katarn w/ Ion Turret, Recon Specialist, and Moldy Crow

9^th – Ryan w/ “Option 3”

Biggs Darklighter

“Leebo” w/ Determination, HLC, Weapons Eng., Outrider, and Tactical Jammer

Blue Squadron Pilot w/ FCS

10^th – Kirby w/ “Fortress Moo”

Black Squadron Pilot w/ Wingman

Omnicron Group Pilot w/ Gunner and Vader

Omnicron Group Pilot w/ Gunner

Omnicron Group Pilot w/ Rebel Captive and FCS

11^th – Bobby w/ “Thought you were stressed B4?”

4 X Blue Squadron B-wing/E2 w/ Tactician

12^th – Ben w/ “Wedgehorn”

Corran Horn w/ R2-D2, VI, and Shield Upgrade

Wedge Antilles w/ Outmaneuver

2 x Bandit Squadron

Final Four:

Andrew beats Jim

Jeff beats David

Last game:

Andrew beats Jeff

Final results:

1st – Andrew w/ “Just Phantoms 3”

2 x Shadow Squadron Pilot w/ Recon Specialist, FCS, and Stygium Particle Accelerator

Sigma Squadron Pilot w/ Recon Specialist, FCS, and Stygium Particle Accelerator

2^nd – Jeff w/ “Two Decimators”

Kenkirk w/ Expose and Mara Jade

Oicum w/ Expose and Rebel Captive

3^rd – Jim w/ “My Name is Jonus”

Captain Jonus w/ Homing Missile, Seismic Charge, and Shield Upgrade

Scimitar Pilot w/ Assault Missile and Seismic Charge

Scimitar Pilot w/ Concussion Missile and Seismic Charge

Scimitar Pilot w/ Proton Torpedo and Seismic Charge

4^th – David w/ “B-wing Sweapers”

Nera Dantels w/ FCS, 2 x Flechettte Torpedoes, Predator, and Munitions Failsafe

Dagger Squadron w/ FCS, B-wing/E2, and Gunner

2 x Tala Squadron w/ Proton Rockets

5^th – Jaccob w/ “Fel’s Herd”

Soontir Fel w/ PTL

Omnicron Group Pilot w/ Darth Vader

2 x Omnicron Group Pilot w/ FCS

6^th – AJ w/ “It’s won before”

Keyan Farlander w/ Stay On Target, Adv. Sensors, and HLC

Roark Garnet w/ Ion Turret and Nien Numb

Blue Squadron Pilot

Bandit Squadron Pilot

7^th – Mike w/ “Alpha Sqaudron”

5 x Alpha Squadron w/ Targeting Computer

8^th – Jonathain w/ “Hawks like Corn”

Coran Horn w/ R2-D2 and FCS

Roark Garnet w/ Ion Turret and Jan Ors

Kyle Katarn w/ Ion Turret, Recon Specialist, and Moldy Crow

9^th – Ryan w/ “Option 3”

Biggs Darklighter

“Leebo” w/ Determination, HLC, Weapons Eng., Outrider, and Tactical Jammer

Blue Squadron Pilot w/ FCS

10^th – Kirby w/ “Beef Fortress”

Black Squadron Pilot w/ Wingman

Omnicron Group Pilot w/ Gunner and Vader

Omnicron Group Pilot w/ Gunner

Omnicron Group Pilot w/ Rebel Captive and FCS

11^th – Bobby w/ “Wedgehorn”

Corran Horn w/ R2-D2, VI, and Shield Upgrade

Wedge Antilles w/ Outmaneuver

2 x Bandit Squadron

12^th – Ben w/ “Wedgehorn”

Corran Horn w/ R2-D2, VI, and Shield Upgrade

Wedge Antilles w/ Outmaneuver

2 x Bandit Squadron