I decided to try to mix elements of the Gozanti, Raider, Tantive, and Transport epic ships to try to create a combination that would slip through the defenses of highly shielded ships or rapidly damage low defense fighters. I came up with something like this.

My reasoning is that the fighters could use the Raider as cover, getting a huge bonus from the EM. Get the Raider into a broadside position so as to get maximum use of the warheads then start to +1 as soon as you can. Slow roll the TIEs in order to keep under cover. The Raider can pass range 4-5 Target Locks to Wampa and Colzet while keeping one for itself. By the time the enemy gets within range, hopefully the Raider has 2 locks as well. The Raider can then commence with Flechette Bombardments in order to stress and hopefully damage the enemy. Colzet can leave cover if desired in order to get some 2 damage rolls in if desired.

Wampa can use Youngster's action card to have a 62.5% chance of getting a crit. Any passed target locks will just increase the chances of you getting what you want. Colzet can kite the enemy forces on the edge of the play area while he starts turning over a face down card every turn. Without needing energy for weapons and getting 4 energy per turn, the Raider can focus energy solely on regaining shields. Raider actions would focus on maintaining TLs and putting out missile fire. Colzet could aid in this if he is able to get a successful S-Thread off (which given the AC, should be a good chance).

I realize it leaves the Raider somewhat unescorted, but how much point value would a B-Wing, A-Wing, or X-Wing get back if it was popped in 1-2 turns? How effective would a K-Wing be if it was either receiving stress or having to dodge multiple missile attacks? It would have been nice to add the Emperor in there for lulz and rage, but the points just weren’t there.

I also realize that most people wouldn't have the hundreds of dollars to buy all 4 of these epic ships to get the upgrades (not to mention the fighters required to get the other cards). But does anybody think there could be any play in being able to pull the rug out from under some low hull value fighters?

Perhaps, and only perhaps, the best way to fight this is simply purchasing a significant number or naked ships that can wipe you while under stress. 200 pts to buy Zs and Bs, and start crying "Hurraaaa...Hurraaaaa" like soviet militia workers...

Maybe.

Idk

Thing I find is huge ships are not good at taking focus fire

Having the cluster missles means your not using them until your opponent is in firing range as well.

Sure it still has his primary but even so one of those attacks will likely be unmodified.

I am thinking with huge ships it's best to go with things that will give you back shields and absorb more dmg and anything that helps energy management

The longer it lives the more. It will get to shoot

Optimize generators, the construction droid, the instigator to title and automated protocol.

I haven't tested it so I really don't know, but I think that is what huge ships need

In order to use the missles it requires a 5 pt upgrade, along with the missles, one cluster is 9 pts, and a second bring it up to 13

Having a quad and ion hard point is 12 for example, and with optimized generators you will be shooting them more, since you will gain two energy for using one

Costs the same roughly or less than going the missles route.

The quad lasers have the same range, but may do less dmg.

The raider really needs an escort.

Ties are good, but in my experience in epic, it's a tough battle if your opponent decides to field a bunch of bwings escorted by Biggs for example.

Bwings are not easy to kill, and Biggs takes a lot of that fire away from them

Get 3-4 ships close and focus fire will hurt.

Plus that's not including what ever else is in his squad

That's just an example though

Em emitter is probably not a good choice

If your opponent has an option attack a small ship that will get bonus dice, or a ship that will have 0, I'd think the latter is a better choice and in most cases the raider will just get focus fired anyway

Trying to keep your escort on the far side of a huge ship is also not easy.

If you have to get them to the other side you risk the potential to run into it, and when it moves possibly potential to run into one of your own.

I found even trying to keep Howlrunner or jonus at range 1 tough just because the way the ship turns if awfully close to running into your own.

It's not as easy as one may think