So! I have a big team game planned for thursday with 3v3 or 4v4, 100pts per player and I decided that given the fact I am a much more experienced player than everyone I'll be playing, I decided that I'll fly something totally out of my specialization and which I don't even know how it works or how to fly it... so bombers! Today TIE Punisher arrived at my store along with other releases from the wave so I bought it along with K-Wing.

I was thinking about fielding Deathrain with two bombers, presumably Jonus, but I really don't know how to make a good bomber list. Can anyone suggest any good squad based on the Punisher and up to two bombers? I have pretty much every single Empire and Rebel ship, often in several copies, so I can add anything you can come up with that could work in the squad and I should own all the necessary upgrades for it.

The lists that are likely to appear on the Empire side will be dual decimators (oicunn + patrol leader) or Chirpy+Fel along with interceptors + Sheev in Lambda and/or 7 TIE swarm.

Any ideas? I'm sorry for asking you guys about that, but I really, really don't know how it all works when it comes to bombers and I would really want to give them a try, especially that I don't want to play something I am okay at against some people whose it will be like... third or fourth game in their lives. I have no joy in roflstomping new players and I care about their joy more than winning.

Makes sense to me - why bring your a game against new players?

Jonus is a good idea, and he's best played light, as his ability doesn't work on himself. I'd go with Deathrain, Jonus, Scimitar, and maybe an academy tie for blocking duty, if you can afford it...

“Deathrain” (38) TIE Punisher (26), Enhanced Scopes (1), Extra Munitions (2), Flechette Torpedoes (2), Proximity Mines (3), Conner Net (4)

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (25) TIE Bomber (16), Extra Munitions (2), Plasma Torpedoes (3), Conner Net (4)

Captain Jonus (25) TIE Bomber (22), Proximity Mines (3)

Academy Pilot (12)

Really, it would be nice to run Deathrain with experimental interface, so you can boost into range, then trigger your bomb action. Its a great combination!

Here is my Bomber Wing list:

Jonus with Determination and a Seismic Charge for 25

Scimitar Squad with Assault Missiles, Seismic Charge, and Extra Munitions x3 for 25 each

100 points

Your Alpha Strike will be absolutely brutal when you hit the lowest Agility opponent with 3 Assault Missiles and watch the splash damage hit everyone nearby. Then you can drop the bombs as you pass each other for more splash damage fun. Then rinse and repeat.

I like both of those lists and given the fact that I can't field more than two bombers and really want to field the Punisher, I came up with something like this:

"Deathrain" — TIE Punisher 26 Enhanced Scopes 1 Extra Munitions 2 Assault Missiles 5 Seismic Charges 2 Conner Net 4 Munitions Failsafe 1 Ship Total: 41

Captain Jonus — TIE Bomber 22 Crack Shot 1 Extra Munitions 2 Assault Missiles 5 Seismic Charges 2 Munitions Failsafe 1 Ship Total: 33

Scimitar Squadron Pilot — TIE Bomber 16 Extra Munitions 2 Assault Missiles 5 Seismic Charges 2 Munitions Failsafe 1 Ship Total: 26

I know that's a lot of points sunk into three ships that I don't know how to fly, but I liked the idea of two-step alpha strike with assault missiles going in first, then popping Conner Net in front of Deathrain on whatever is silly enough to fly straight at my flying fridges and then finish it off with seismic charges. And with munition failsafes and extra munitions I am unlikely to run out of stuff to drop/shoot at people even during prolonged matches.

My main reasoning here is that my ships will be the least threatening ones on the Empire side, so they're less likely to get that much flak, and even if, that means Chiraneau, Fel and autoceptors will be free to run rampant on the enemies that focus on clumsy bombers.

Any opinions?

I like both of those lists and given the fact that I can't field more than two bombers and really want to field the Punisher, I came up with something like this:

"Deathrain" — TIE Punisher 26 Enhanced Scopes 1 Extra Munitions 2 Assault Missiles 5 Seismic Charges 2 Conner Net 4 Munitions Failsafe 1 Ship Total: 41

Captain Jonus — TIE Bomber 22 Crack Shot 1 Extra Munitions 2 Assault Missiles 5 Seismic Charges 2 Munitions Failsafe 1 Ship Total: 33

Scimitar Squadron Pilot — TIE Bomber 16 Extra Munitions 2 Assault Missiles 5 Seismic Charges 2 Munitions Failsafe 1 Ship Total: 26

I know that's a lot of points sunk into three ships that I don't know how to fly, but I liked the idea of two-step alpha strike with assault missiles going in first, then popping Conner Net in front of Deathrain on whatever is silly enough to fly straight at my flying fridges and then finish it off with seismic charges. And with munition failsafes and extra munitions I am unlikely to run out of stuff to drop/shoot at people even during prolonged matches.

My main reasoning here is that my ships will be the least threatening ones on the Empire side, so they're less likely to get that much flak, and even if, that means Chiraneau, Fel and autoceptors will be free to run rampant on the enemies that focus on clumsy bombers.

Any opinions?

I may be able to help more if I knew what Imperial ships you had and in what quantities. I do like your list. Just remember that Jonus' ability does not work on himself. Maybe he should take Proton Bombs instead of missiles. Those are NASTY.

Hmm... I can't go check my collection out as it's already packed and prepared for tomorrow's game, but let's see what I remember:

2x Decimator
2x TIE Advanced
7x TIE Fighter
5x TIE Interceptor
2x TIE Bomber
1x TIE Defender
1x TIE Punisher
1x TIE Phantom
1x Lambda

I have pretty much all the Rebel ships aside from E-Wing and Headhunter, and most of the S&V expansions, so cards shouldn't be an issue.

If you have just bombers and a punisher, I would run:

Jonus: Determination, Flechette Torps, EM, MFS (28)

Rhymer: VI, Advanced Homing Missiles, Cluster Missiles, EM (36)

Deathrain: EM, Connor Nets, Prox Mines, Enhanced Scopes (36)

Alternatively, you could replace Jonus (since his rerolls aren't really needed with this squad) for:

Scimitar: Homing Missiles, Seismic, Extra Munitions (25)

add Ion Pulse Missiles on Deathrain so you know exactly where the enemy will be!

Really, it would be nice to run Deathrain with experimental interface, so you can boost into range, then trigger your bomb action. Its a great combination!

Not sure your experimental interface would allow you to barrel roll after placing your bomb (post boost) as you'd be stressed. Nothing like dropping a curtain of mines just in front of you without being able to get away.

Anyone know if you receive the stress from EI immediately after dropping your bomb or can you get the barrel roll in before taking the stress?

I've had a lot of success with using enhanced scopes, just love knowing where your target will be and that you won't be blocked getting there.

I must say, that was my worst game ever, haha!

I rolled terribly and failed to get off assault missiles five times (thank God for munition failsafes) while my opponent rolled all hits repeatedly! But I am going to try the build once more at some point as it seems to have big potential that just got trampled over by repeated blanks!