I would like to build a list that has 4 Academy fighter and one of two other ships. What would be the hardest hitting vessel to use as a sledge hammer.

I would go with the Slave-one.

I love using Rexler Brath with HLC and Predator as my 47 point sledgehammer of choice, but it's not very popular to use defenders.

I love using Rexler Brath with HLC and Predator as my 47 point sledgehammer of choice, but it's not very popular to use defenders.

Our time will come brother the unbelievers will be purged!

Phantom has 4 attack dice.

Phantoms hit hard, but they need to not be the biggest target on the map. I agree with running a Firespray, maybe with a Heavy Laser Cannon and some other upgrades to taste.

Firespray - Kath Scarlet (50)

- Marksmanship

- Mangler cannon

- Gunner

- Marksmanship synergises well with Gunner, as it allows you to create a crit for every attack that turn.

- Anyone who successfully defends against Kath's first attack will receive a stress token, and then she gets to attack again, with the chance of either double-stressing the target, or causing a crit. Alternatively gunner lets you hit another target.

- The mangler is icing on the cake - when firing forward your target could well get a stress and a crit from one shot. Alternatively you can save Marksmanship for when firing rearward, and focus or evade for defence when your target's ahead of you.

Firespray - Kath Scarlet (50)

- Marksmanship

- Mangler cannon

- Gunner

- Marksmanship synergises well with Gunner, as it allows you to create a crit for every attack that turn.

- Anyone who successfully defends against Kath's first attack will receive a stress token, and then she gets to attack again, with the chance of either double-stressing the target, or causing a crit. Alternatively gunner lets you hit another target.

- The mangler is icing on the cake - when firing forward your target could well get a stress and a crit from one shot. Alternatively you can save Marksmanship for when firing rearward, and focus or evade for defence when your target's ahead of you.

I'm liking it!:-)

Phantom has 4 attack dice.

Another one would be a HLC shuttle with Vader and perhaps EU or FCS. Well under 50 too and hits really hard too.

Major Rhymer with the right ordnance and PTL also hurts a lot if you get to use him...

Phantom has 4 attack dice.

He said hardest hitting ship, and i got to agree with the Phantom in that case. He said nothing about survivability because this is a glass cannon, but FCS or Buzzsaw Whisper usually hits like a truck!

Please explain what is "FCS" or "Buzz-saw Whisper" is please?

Defender or firespray would probably be able to be a good hard hitter in support of a miniswarm. Interceptor and phantom are good, too, but will more often shy away from the fray if caught in a bad spot, possibly leaving behind the swarm to avoid getting gibbed in a slugfest.

If you do go with firespray or defender, a cannon might help them keep up damage as you stay further back so that your swarm takes the punishment instead of your spendy ships.

Rexler Brath 37

Predator 3

HLC 7

Shield Upgrade 4

At 51 points he is over half your list and (as lore dictated) is better than all four of the academy pilots combined. I have seen this particular version of Rexler kill 4 academy pilots by himself, despite having already killed a Decimator and missing all of his shields and having the stunned pilot Crit. I witnessed it in person. I'm also fairly certain there is video evidence.

To the YouTube!!!

Rexler Brath 37

Predator 3

HLC 7

Shield Upgrade 4

At 51 points he is over half your list and (as lore dictated) is better than all four of the academy pilots combined. I have seen this particular version of Rexler kill 4 academy pilots by himself, despite having already killed a Decimator and missing all of his shields and having the stunned pilot Crit. I witnessed it in person. I'm also fairly certain there is video evidence.

To the YouTube!!!

Why choose Shield Upgrade over Stealth Device?

Phantom has 4 attack dice.

He said hardest hitting ship, and i got to agree with the Phantom in that case. He said nothing about survivability because this is a glass cannon, but FCS or Buzzsaw Whisper usually hits like a truck!

Please explain what is "FCS" or "Buzz-saw Whisper" is please?

Buzzsaw Whisper build is essentially her with a Gunner plus her usual upgrades, often paired with an FCS (Fire Control System).

This allows you to focus on flying her and getting a shot. This means you can take Barrel Roll if you need to and don't have to fear to cause no damage because you can't modify your attack. This is possible since your first shot will be unmodified, but im case you miss you will benefit from the Gunner and you will have a target lock from your Fire control system. This is an expensive but very reliable Whisper build.

I have been using and having a lot of success with the following, despite needing to seriously work on my Soontir skills:

4 Academies

Howlrunner

Soontir +Royal Guard Title +PtL +Targeting Computer +Autothrusters

Split the list into 2 groups- the mini swarm and Soontir by himself. Both of them can be quite deadly, and can really punish the opponent for focusing on the other group.

Phantom has 4 attack dice.

He said hardest hitting ship, and i got to agree with the Phantom in that case. He said nothing about survivability because this is a glass cannon, but FCS or Buzzsaw Whisper usually hits like a truck!

Please explain what is "FCS" or "Buzz-saw Whisper" is please?

Yes of course.

Buzzsaw Whisper build is essentially her with a Gunner plus her usual upgrades, often paired with an FCS (Fire Control System).

This allows you to focus on flying her and getting a shot. This means you can take Barrel Roll if you need to and don't have to fear to cause no damage because you can't modify your attack. This is possible since your first shot will be unmodified, but im case you miss you will benefit from the Gunner and you will have a target lock from your Fire control system. This is an expensive but very reliable Whisper build.

This build means Whisper should almost always hit without taking an offensive action, and so Whisper enters the defensive phase with a focus, an evade and 4 agility. Pretty boss.

There is always a Decimator.

There is always a Decimator.

That did cross my mine. But has no agility.

Rexler Brath 37

Predator 3

HLC 7

Shield Upgrade 4

At 51 points he is over half your list and (as lore dictated) is better than all four of the academy pilots combined. I have seen this particular version of Rexler kill 4 academy pilots by himself, despite having already killed a Decimator and missing all of his shields and having the stunned pilot Crit. I witnessed it in person. I'm also fairly certain there is video evidence.

To the YouTube!!!

Why choose Shield Upgrade over Stealth Device?

The modifications slot is open to all of the 3-4 point awesomeness of the game but I feel that with the 3 natural agility, keeping the possibility of the odd Crit from getting through as long as possible is a fairly good buy especially when you know that the other 48 points are going to be academy pilots. I also rarely ever worry about initiative bids below 99 points. As the defender lacks the evade action, I find that preparing for the inevitable is easier than sacrificing 3 points to the whim of the dice. Alternatively you could just as easily take a Black Squadron pilot with DTF to perform the same function.

I would like to build a list that has 4 Academy fighter and one of two other ships. What would be the hardest hitting vessel to use as a sledge hammer.

Soontir Fel with Pusth the limit, royal guard title, auto thrusters and stealth device or Whisper with Veteran Instincts, Fire Control, Advance Cloacking, and gunner

OPs mother...

Though really a phantom.

Rexler Brath 37

Predator 3

HLC 7

Shield Upgrade 4

At 51 points he is over half your list and (as lore dictated) is better than all four of the academy pilots combined. I have seen this particular version of Rexler kill 4 academy pilots by himself, despite having already killed a Decimator and missing all of his shields and having the stunned pilot Crit. I witnessed it in person. I'm also fairly certain there is video evidence.

To the YouTube!!!

Why choose Shield Upgrade over Stealth Device?

Shield device is a sure thing, stealth is the chance to get an extra evade but you can't bank on it working even once.

I would like to build a list that has 4 Academy fighter and one of two other ships. What would be the hardest hitting vessel to use as a sledge hammer.

2 Sigma Squadron Phantoms.

Oicunn, 42

Dauntless 2

Vader 3

Determination 1

Issard 3(?)

Just plow through things.

Why choose Shield Upgrade over Stealth Device?

Shield device is a sure thing, stealth is the chance to get an extra evade but you can't bank on it working even once.

Plus I personally just always expect Rexler to take some pain, due to the nature of how much of a threat he is. Stealth Device works a bit better for people you are sure can avoid damage for a while, rather than ships you're planning on just being overall tanky with.