Do people still consider Cluster Mines at all these days seeing as they don't do a lot of damage and critical hits don't count?

Yeah, cluster mines are not popular.

I would say, in general, that proximities are best vs small base ships and cluster mines are best vs large-based ships, but when in doubt, might as well save a point and run proximities.

Conner nets are arguably even better than both!

How come noone mentioned Experimental Interface on Deathrain.

Boost drop bomb and barrel roll for one stress is quite awsome

I think Deathrain needs to get some more ordnance to make her more consistent. She still needs enough bombs to make good on her Pilot Ability, but I wouldn't use Protom Bombs (too expensive for what they do.)

Deathrain 26

Conc. Msls. 4

Cluster Mines 4

Ion Bombs 2

Enhcd Scopes 1

Guide Chips 0

Just add some Aces to the list to round off the squad.

Omega Squad Leader 21

Juke 2

Comm Relay 3

Stealth Device 3

Darth Vadar 29

TIE/x1 + ATC 1

EU 4

Lone Wolf 2

This rounds off at 97 points, you can throw some Prockets on Vadar if you want but whatevs, do what you want.

Just fly it like Trip Aces but pay attention to where your ships end up before and after bomb placement (don't want to inflict any collateral dmg now do we?)