The TIE Bomber is an excellent ship, but one that has not garnered the attention it deserves. Solid and dependable, this ship is quite the brawler and fighter, but is overlooked because of the TIE Fighter being so much cheaper.

The common mistake many players run into when first attempting to use the TIE Bomber is that ordnance is generally terrible. As a natural carrier of ordnance, the ship itself is often disregarded because of this. That causes them miss the fact that the underlying ship, when not overloaded with points, is a bargain.

Now, with the announcement of an Aces pack that will include a TIE Bomber, the ship gets new love and a new title. The TIE Shuttle.

This title is zero points. It removes all ordnance slots and replaces them with two Crew slots. The caveat is that neither of those crew cards can be more than 4 points. Still, this gives a huge number of options to this versatile ship.

More interesting than the new title, the TIE Bomber is also getting a new ace. Tomax Bren.

As of yet, he has not been featured, but imagery analysis reveals all of the secrets of this ship. A PS8 TIE Bomber for 24 points with an EPT. That’s two points cheaper than the PS7 Major Rhymer. His ability is the interesting part:

‘Once per round, after you discard an EPT Upgrade card, flip that card faceup.’

Tomax may well see play without using his ability solely due to the bargain he represents, but his Pilot Talent is what will be explored in this treatise. There are currently four Discard EPTs, all of which can find a place on Tomax.

Cool Hand

Cool Hand is an upgrade that I’ve struggled to find a good home for. For one point, when you acquire a stress token, the upgrade can be discarded to give the ship a Focus or Evade token. Now, thanks to Tomax Bren, it finally has a home. Take, for instance, the following:

Tomax Bren (24)
Cool Hand (1)
Fleet Officer (3)
Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)
TIE Shuttle (0)

Total: 29

Tomax Bren takes a one-shot EPT and makes it usable once per turn. Fleet Officer allows Tomax to take an action that allows him to select two friendly ships at Range 1-2 and assign them each a focus token. He can select himself as one of those ships. However, Fleet officer gives Tomax a stress token. Tomax can then trigger Cool Hand to give himself a focus token, which he may already have from Fleet Officer, or an Evade Token, which the TIE Bomber cannot naturally get. The TIE MK2 turns 1 Bank and 3 Bank green, giving the ship 9 green maneuvers to clear the stress. With the generous greens on the TIE Bomber dial, it is quite capable of clearing stress. This build is 29 points.

When put all together, Tomax can move, then gain a Stress, a Focus, an Evade, and give a friendly ship a focus token as well. Tomax can then clear stress with any bank or forward maneuver of speed 1, 2, of 3. If you seek to make a ordnance list, he could easily give two other ships a focus token as well as give one to himself. The support options are quite potent, making Tomax in this configuration quite the support craft.

Lightning Reflexes

Lightning Reflexes is another card that has struggled to find a home. It’s a potent card, allowing a ship to turn any white or green maneuver into a K-Turn at the cost of a stress token. Lightning reflexes allows unprecedented adjustment of firing arc as this is chosen after executing the maneuver. That means Tomax can move at PS8, complete the move, then decide whether to rotate 180 degrees. Further, the maneuver does not have to complete in order to activate this ability. Tomax can move, bump into someone, then turn around to get a shot at something else or setup maneuvering for the following round.

Consider the following:

Tomax Bren (24)
Lightning Reflexes (1)
Agent Kallus (2)
Tactician (2)
Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)
TIE Shuttle (0)

Total: 30

This configuration, Tomax Bren becomes an excellent control threat. Moving at PS8, he moves after most other ships and can react with the Lightning Reflexes if necessary. Keep in mind he can use Lightning Reflexes even if he starts stressed. This may double stress him if the the maneuver is white. Against aces, he can move into areas that they are not prepared to counter. Even though he is stressed, against a particular ace Tomax will still get the benefit of Agent Kallus. Further, Tactician means that ships have to be very careful as it is difficult to predict where the Range 2 band will be for Tomax. The TIE MK2 turns his dial mostly green and allows him to clear the stress after his unusual positioning. Not a huge offensive threat, but a constant control threat.

Adrenaline Rush

Adrenaline Rush has been with us since the original TIE Bomber was released and is the original discard EPT. The TIE Bomber is a decent platform for the EPT, as the 2 Hard and 5 K-Turn maneuvers are red natively. Turning these key maneuvers white allows the ship to be far more maneuverable and a much higher threat than currently exists. Further, this allows Tomax to perform these maneuvers while already stressed, though at the cost of still being unable to act. Consider the following:

Tomax Bren (24)
Adrenaline Rush (1)
Extra Munitions (2)
Homing Missiles (5)
Advanced Homing Missiles (3)
Guidance Chips (0)

Total: 35

A slightly more expensive build at 35, and one that dips into munitions which are already questionable, Tomax brings something that isn’t usually seen to this realm. The Homing Missiles of both stripes require a Target Lock to fire but do not consume that target lock, allowing it to be used to modify the attack. The 5 K-Turn and 2 Hard Turn being white, thanks to infinite Adrenaline Rush, allows Tomax to setup excellent opportunities to attack, as the opponent must worry about both a 1 Forward and a 5 K-Turn as possible moves. If a Target Lock is preserved between turns, a focus can then be taken to increase the damage or likelihood of a hit. The threat of the Advanced Homing Missiles will make life very difficult for ships with low hull but many shields, such as the E-Wing or B-Wing. Guidance chips helps ensure that all ordnance are heavily modified. Coupled with other high priority threats and Tomax will likely survive long enough to cripple the enemy list.

Crack Shot

The pinnacle of all discard EPTs, Tomax does not mess around when it comes to Crack Shot. Tomax’s 2 dice attack suddenly becomes vicious and a huge threat. Ships with 1 Agility are now effectively 0 Agility. Other ships must constantly worry about the ability of Tomax to punch through damage at the least opportune time. A huge threat to everything on the board, Tomax may quickly find himself public enemy number 1, so it is advised that he be kept light on points. Consider:

Tomax Bren (24)
Crack Shot (1)
Tactician (2)
TIE Shuttle (0)

Total: 27

For 27 points, Tomax is a dirty, ruthless fighter with no regard for his enemies. Tomax can cancel one evade on every attack. Tactician means that any ship that falls into Range 2 risks Tomax adding a stress to their collection of tokens, which can ensure that even Soontir must fear the wrath of a TIE Bomber. At 27 point, Tomax is a steal, allowing 73 points to accompany him. That is easily 6 Academy TIEs, or two Aces, or any number of other threats.

If his compatriots are sufficiently threatening, Tomax with munitions actually becomes rather terrifying. Take, for instance:

Tomax Bren (24)
Crack Shot (1)
Extra Munitions (2)
Homing Missiles (5)
Ion Pulse Missiles (3)
Guidance Chips (0)

Total: 35

At 35 points, Tomax becomes a force of nature. Homing Missiles already shut down evade tokens, meaning that the enemy is relying on dice alone to evade a 4 dice attack with TL. Then, Tomax instantly removes one successful evade result, which is better than even Wedge’s famous pilot ability. Soontir Fel with Focus and Evade and Stealth Device is now effectively a 3 evade dice ship with focus against 4 attack dice with TL. Further, against large ships, Tomax can ensure he punches through with Ion Pulse Missile two turns in a row, meaning that the enemy ship is under serious threat of being walked off the board. Tomax is a much higher threat level though, so ensure that this seriously considered when choosing allies with the remaining 65 points.

Sample Lists

So, how does Tomax Bren fight into squads? Different configurations fly best with different compatriots. These lists may not be Tier 1 lists, but they will certainly be interesting to explore in league nights or in local tournaments.

Tomax Bren — TIE Bomber 24
Cool Hand 1
Fleet Officer 3
Rebel Captive 3
Twin Ion Engine Mk. II 1
TIE Shuttle 0
Ship Total: 32

“Omega Leader” — TIE/fo Fighter 21
Predator 3
Ship Total: 24

Omicron Group Pilot — Lambda-Class Shuttle 21
Emperor Palpatine 8
Ship Total: 29

“Wampa” — TIE Fighter 14
Ship Total: 14

A list with deceptively few attack dice, this list punches way outside its weight class. As discussed earlier, Tomax Bren can ensure that he has a focus and evade every turn due to Cool Hand and Fleet Officer, making the TIE Bomber surprisingly survivable. He is able to further hand out a focus token to a nearby friend. Rebel Captive punishes anyone who attacks Tomax, discouraging such foolishness. The Albino Space Cow acts as a huge buff to the list due to Emperor Palpatine fixing any dice that may have gone astray.

The remaining two seem questionable at first, given that they are just two attack dice each and yet must act as the bulk of the offense. Omega Leader, however, can ensure that he lands damage by preventing any modification to defense dice if he has a target lock on the victim. Tomax can ensure that he has a focus token to modify attacks, with the emperor nearby in case he needs a bit more of a push. However, the Sith Lord’s true goal is to modify Wampa’s attacks.

Wampa is a new TIE Fighter, but quite the potent one. If he has a CRIT result when attacking, he may choose to cancel all his dice and deal a facedown damage card. Now, no timing window is specified, which means the default timing window for cancellation is during the Compare Results step. As such, here’s how this works.

Wampa attacks. Emperor Palpatine changes one die to a CRIT result. Wampa finishes modification of dice if necessary with the focus token. The defender rolls defense dice and modifies those as necessary. If the defender has enough evades to cancel all of Wampa’s attack dice,Wampa cancels his attack dice and deal one facedown damage card. Similarly, if Wampa would be hitting shields, especially against a regenerating opponent, he may cancel anyway to ensure the damage sticks.

Tomax Bren — TIE Bomber 24
Lightning Reflexes 1
Agent Kallus 2
Tactician 2
TIE Shuttle 0
Ship Total: 29

Tempest Squadron Pilot — TIE Advanced 21
Accuracy Corrector 0
TIE/x1 0
Ship Total: 21

Tempest Squadron Pilot — TIE Advanced 21
Accuracy Corrector 0
TIE/x1 0
Ship Total: 21

Maarek Stele — TIE Advanced 27
Veteran Instincts 1
Advanced Targeting Computer 1
TIE/x1 0
Ship Total: 29

Here, Tomax Bren acts as an Interceptor. With unprecedented mobility for a TIE Bomber due to Lightning Reflexes. Tactician allows him to threaten other aces. If he can get behind an ace, with his dial and Tactician, he can hamper the ability of that ship to turn around. Agent Kallus both protects Tomax and allows him to be a notable threat against one particular ship each game.

Twin Tempest Pilots act as the base of the list. These solid ships constantly threaten low to mid agility ships with two guaranteed hits on each attack from Accuracy Corrector, allowing them to use actions for defense or mobility.

Maarek acts as the ace in this list, though on a budget. VI puts him at PS9 and ATC allows him to add a crit to every attack if he has a target locked. His ability can ensure that his crits are truly devastating against unshielded targets. However, firing first, he is likely attacking a shielded and fully defended target. This encourages the target to spend tokens on defense against this initial attack, leaving them vulnerable to subsequent attacks in the turn.

Tomax Bren — TIE Bomber 24
Adrenaline Rush 1
Extra Munitions 2
Homing Missiles 5
Advanced Homing Missiles 3
Munitions Failsafe 1
Ship Total: 36

Omicron Group Pilot — Lambda-Class Shuttle 21
Emperor Palpatine 8
Ship Total: 29

Carnor Jax — TIE Interceptor 26
Veteran Instincts 1
Autothrusters 2
Stealth Device 3
Royal Guard TIE 0
Ship Total: 32

Sometimes a Bomber needs to play with ordnance. Here, the trick is that Tomax can do a 5-K Turn, make this maneuver white, and still take the Target Lock. This allows him unprecedented ability to open up arcs and still launch ordnance. Both homing missiles allow him to use the Target Lock for the attack. Extra munitions means he has four missiles on board and Munitions Failsafe ensure that all of them will hit. Ordnance still has the risk of rolling poorly, which is where Emperor Palpatine comes in.

Now, the Alabaster Void Manatee is becoming a known quantity. Able to support any ship on the board, this craft adds considerable survivability to otherwise vulnerable craft.

Carnor Jax is one such vulnerable craft, especially lacking Push the Limit. However Veteran Instincts makes him a terrifying threat to Soontir Fel. Against many enemy ships, shutting down focus and evade tokens can be fatal. Standard survival gear adorns this Interceptor. Taken together, Carnor shuts down enemy aces quite effectively. Tomax becomes unpredictable in the extreme. Both are able to punch well above their weight class, especially when Palpatine is fixing mistaken dice.

Tomax Bren — TIE Bomber 24
Crack Shot 1
Ship Total: 25

Rexler Brath — TIE Defender 37
Predator 3
Twin Ion Engine Mk. II 1
TIE/x7 -2
Ship Total: 39

Darth Vader — TIE Advanced 29
Veteran Instincts 1
Advanced Targeting Computer 1
Engine Upgrade 4
TIE/x1 0
Ship Total: 35

One of the best ways to get the most out of Tomax Bren with Crack Shot is to ensure he is the lowest priority threat. Thus, pairing him with a pair of dangerous aces while keeping him cheap is an excellent way to do this. Weighing in at 25 points, Tomax can punch through damage at will, but if he is targeted first he is acting as Biggs for the same cost while possessing more hit points, better PS, and an arguably better dial.
Joining him at PS 8 is Rexler Brath. The TIE/x7 title gives Rex a new lease on life. A rebate of 2 points is nice enough, but now if the ship performs a 3, 4, or 5 speed maneuver, he gets an evade token to add to his 6 HP protected by 3 Agility. Predator allows him to reroll at least one die every attack, increasing his offensive threat. The TIE Mk. II gives him one of the most green dials in the game, preventing him from succumbing to stress mechanics.

The Sith Lord Darth Vader rounds out this list. At PS 11 thanks to VI, it is almost certain that he will be moving last and shooting first. ATC makes this TIE Advanced an existential threat to nearly all ships in the game. Engine gives him extremely high maneuverability.

The list weighs in at 99 points. This can be maintained for an initiative bid against any rival PS 8 or 11 lists, or Tomax can be equipped with a TIE Mk. II or even an Intel Agent to for help against high PS aces. Rexlar’s ability is in prime place to be used as the Defender can shoot after both Vader and Tomax soften up the enemy ships.

Tomax Bren — TIE Bomber 24
Crack Shot 1
Extra Munitions 2
Ion Pulse Missiles 3
Homing Missiles 5
Guidance Chips 0
Ship Total: 35

Omicron Group Pilot — Lambda-Class Shuttle 21
Sensor Jammer 4
Emperor Palpatine 8
Ship Total: 33

Carnor Jax — TIE Interceptor 26
Veteran Instincts 1
Autothrusters 2
Stealth Device 3
Royal Guard TIE 0
Ship Total: 32

Ordnance is getting a bit of a boost here with Tomax Bren. Tomax is PS8 and is relatively decent at acquiring target locks. Both missiles he is equipped with do not require him to spend a Target Lock to perform the attack, allowing him to modify dice. Guidance Chips then allows him to fix one errant die, as does the Emperor, letting him get very close to ensuring max damage. Crack Shot then allows him to punch an extra hit through. Soontir Fel does not enjoy the idea of 4 dice with TL, two guaranteed hits, not being able to spend focus, and one of his defense dice cancelled. Nor does any large base ship want to risk two turns of Ion Pulse Missiles. However, Tomax is expensive.

The Notorious OGP acts as a potent carrier for Palpatine. However, with the Sensor Jammer, it becomes surprisingly capable against TLT lists. Indeed, any enemy wishing to hunt the shuttle must have a focus token or other such ability to be reasonably assured of victory.

Carnor Jax makes that proposition very difficult. At PS10, while he can only take one action, he can threaten a great number of ships by shutting down their primary form of offense and defense. Autothrusters, Stealth Device, and the Emperor can ensure that his survival for far longer than expected. His positional advantage fills ships like Soontir or Corran Horn with existential dread.
The list clocks in at 99 points with a modest initiative bid, but one that isn’t quite as necessary not having a PS9.

Conclusion

Tomax Bren is a force to be reckoned with, one which will grow with each new discardable EPT. Coupled with a durable ship and a high PS, this TIE Bomber will find a home in many lists of those players who take a chance on this pilot. The amount of customization is huge on Tomax, especially with the TIE Shuttle title. While Crack Shot may be the best of the discard EPTs, Tomax can find a use for them all.

The options for Tomax will only become more numerous with each new wave. New EPTs and new crew will allow this ship to be tailored to many lists and Tomax will be the foundation of many a potent build. Tomax can fulfill a support role, an aces role, or as the backbone of a swarm. This is a pilot to study and understand, for to disregard Tomax is to court disaster.

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