I like to see if I can make what most folks say is poor into a viable list. I like the Raider model so I thought "how can I make Raiders work for me"

I came up with the following list. The Raiders form the mainstay of anti-squadron runs, the ISD is the grinder for ship to ship combat and the Firesprays (no Rhymer, I've never found the need for him with the Firespray) are there for selecting a ship and bombing it to death. The list also feels very 'Imperial' to me.

Points: 397/400

Commander: Admiral Ozzel

Assault Objective: Precision Strike
Defense Objective: Fleet Ambush
Navigation Objective: Minefields

[ flagship ] Imperial II-Class Star Destroyer (120 points)
- Admiral Ozzel ( 20 points)
- Relentless ( 3 points)
- Intel Officer ( 7 points)
- Gunnery Team ( 7 points)
- Electronic Countermeasures ( 7 points)
- XI7 Turbolasers ( 6 points)
- SW 7 Ion Batteries ( 5 points)

Raider-I Class Corvette (44 points)
- Impetuous ( 4 points)
- Ordnance Experts ( 4 points)
- Quad Laser Turrets ( 5 points)

Raider-I Class Corvette (44 points)
- Instigator ( 4 points)
- Ordnance Experts ( 4 points)
- Quad Laser Turrets ( 5 points)

6 Firespray-31s ( 108 points)

I would try to find some points for Dengar and a tie advanced to keep those firesprays alive and mobile.

I love the Raider for antisquadron. But they are extremely weak versus bombers and other ships at close range.

I'd use those firesprays close to the Raiders so the can tangle up enemy bombing runs against them.

I think I'd drop two of those firesprays and pick up 2-3 TIE Advanced or 1 advanced and 3 fighters.

Instigator screams the need for escorting fighters to keep bombers from destroying it. And Impetuous benefits from having a round or two of squadrons being engaged with each other.

Force the squadron engagement to commence where your Raiders are within close range and at speed 1 so you can turn around the engagement zone.

I could sub out a couple of Firesprays for some Aggressors I guess.

Try it out with different combinations. Everyone flies thier ships a little differently. I like low cost fodder to fuel the Raiders fire.

MY question is, what happens when the squadrons you are killing with your Raider are escorting OR being escorted by an ISD or MC80 with Ackbar? Seems like high priced cannon fodder to me.... They both eat little ships for breakfast.... especially if they are flown in such a way that they get 2-3 shots in on you with red dice before you can get behind them.... and if your opponent is smart he will keep his squadrons right where the aforementioned ships get maximum firepower on you...

Just a thought.... I was toying with running a Raider too because they are super cool, but they aren't very resilient and are often 1-2 shotted off the board (even at long range, especially vs MC80 Assault Cruisers with Ackbar throwing 6 natural reds at long range) in my experience...

The same could be said about any ship attacking ackbar. What I've done is skirt ackbar's side arcs and plant the Raider in front of him stopped the Mc80s and gave another turn for another ship to close on akbar in the safe front or rear arcs. I'm not the best in maneuvering ships but it is pretty easy to get the small ships where you want in an MC80s path.