Nothing leaked?!?!? No new cards? Bah.

Just the Black Eight Squadron Pilot (PS4, 23 points).

AC Cutlass vs AC Tempest - They're stronger vs different opponents.

High Agility is better against a lot of low dice attacks, high HP is better against a low number of high dice attacks. I don't think they compete in that they offer a different delivery platform for the same damage, and so playstyle will differ.

You could have the best of both worlds, and take 2x AC Tempest and 2x AC Cutlass giving you 10 points to spend on upgrades.

Punisher vs Bomber (generics)

Part of the issue with bombers is that they are squishy. Putting more than 1 or 2 upgrades on a bomber will usually mean wasted points. The Punisher has the survivability to reliably use 2 pieces of ordnance, and sometimes more.

If you want to drop a bomb, a Bomber is the vastly superior choice. 5 Bombers can take Seismic Charges and Extra Munitions, and that's pretty scary.

I'm not sure Ordnance effective enough to specialise in, but I intend to give it a go with the Punisher, because I think its the best Ordnance carrier in the game, the caveat being you need to carry 2 or more, otherwise use a Bomber instead.

Cutlass with FCS, IMP, APT, EM is 34 points, but I think has the resillience to land an APT reliably, and gives arc dodgers a bit of a no-fly-zone.

Deathrain is the Echo of dropping bombs or mines. His base ability doubles the number of places a bomb can end up, and if you give him advanced sensors, he can boost first, offering another 6 positions the bombs can end up. If you give him Advanced Sensors, Experimental Interface and mines (dropped as an action), he can drop the mine before he moves, (2 potential mine deployment positions), boost and EI to drop a mine (6 more positions), move and drop the mine (2 more positions for each possible maneuver you can choose at the time) or move -> boost -> (EI) drop the mine (another 6 more positions). If there is ever a pilot who can deliver a bomb or mine where you need it when you need it, it's this guy.

AND he gets to barrel roll after he drops the mine

And if you really want, you can take other munitions too.

Deathrain is the pilot I am most looking forward to.

I'll admit I haven't given Redline enough of a think (too busy drooling over Deathrain) . My immediate thought was to put FCS on him and load him up with ordnance. FCS + Flechette + Cluster + EM + Ion Bombs seems like it would make for some reasonably hard hitting. There doesn't seem to be anything subtle here, just Redline makes ordnance better (or nearly playable).

I think there will be plenty of uses for the Punisher and the "Just use a bomber" mentality is a bit short sighted.

These are the builds I would use

Cutlass w/ AccC, EM, Cluster Missiles, Connor Net/Prox Mines - 34 pts

While a bomber could do this as well, AccC makes is much more potent offensively, also the extra bulk will help get all of the ordnance off. I don't love 4 bombs because then you will have an expensive ship facing away from your target a lot of the time. In wave 7, 3 ship imperials will be pretty good; I expect to see a lot of Vader, Soontir, 3rd ship 9f choice - this can be that 3rd ship and works well because gunning after this ship at the start could really hurt long run.

To afford that ship alongside Soonts and Vader you"d have to run the Baron sans Stealth/Hull (ouch) AND Vader without Engine (double ouch). Is that worth it? I dunno.

Admittedly, a Soontir/Vader list is probably better with something cheaper like Colzet but i think the list could still work (and you can get Stealth or Engine but not both). Running the cutlass with either Soontir or Vader and downgrading the other to a cheaper pilot would also work.

Vader, Soontir, Deathrain is win.

Vader, Soontir, Deathrain is win.

Vader, Soontir, Turr will also be a strong list again.

Nothing leaked?!?!? No new cards? Bah.

The PS4 generic.

I'm more interested to try Carnor, Strom and Deathrain. Get in close and use the Conner Net to stay close.

Vader, Soontir, Deathrain is win.

Vader, Soontir, Turr will also be a strong list again.

Vader and Soonts are exactly why you'd bring Deathrain in the first place

I kind of like the following list:

* Punisher with Accuracy Corrector x 2

* Tie Bombers x 2

* Omicron Shuttle

Strangely enough, the Punisher with Accuracy Correctors and boost becomes your (sortof) interceptor. Yeah, your heavy bomber is racing around the board putting down consistent 2 hit attacks.

We are missing the most important thing here... Look at how beautiful and huge The Punisher is on that small base.