Best way to use multiple Raiders in a list?

By exinfris, in Star Wars: Armada

So I've been playing Imperial from the get go, and so far I have racked up a large number of wins, with only a couple loses.

Played against my nephews 4 Neb B list last weekend and ate him alive. He said if it wasn't for my ISD's and VSD's I wouldn't win nearly as much.

So here is the question. As he complains about the Star Destroyers that are the meat and potatoes of Imperial lists, is it possible to run a strictly Imperial Raider list and not get your head kicked in?

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind losing if it is a good game and I had fun. But what I don't want to do is run a list that just gives him the game. Throwing a game doesn't teach, nor is it fun to play.

Any suggestions out there on a multiple Raider list with no Star Destroyers?

ClonTroper5 is currently smashing everyone (it seems) in the Armada Vassal Tournament Thread with 1 Glad + 4 Raiders.

Have seen high activation lists including raiders and gladiators do quite well.

The trick is to charge in and swarm with ACMs and rams.

against certain lists half of your little bastards will get cindered pretty quick so there is no time to mess about!

ClonTroper5 is currently smashing everyone (it seems) in the Armada Vassal Tournament Thread with 1 Glad + 4 Raiders.

Yeah he's been rolling folks pretty hard. I wish he played when I could watch.

ClonTroper5 is currently smashing everyone (it seems) in the Armada Vassal Tournament Thread with 1 Glad + 4 Raiders.

+++ Mean Raiders (387pts) +++

++ Imperial Navy (Standard) (387pts) ++

+ Gladiator Star Destroyer (98pts) +

Gladiator I-Class Star Destroyer (98pts) [Engine Techs (8pts), Expanded Launchers (13pts), Intel Officer (7pts), Ordnance Experts (4pts), •Demolisher (10pts)]

+ Raider Corvette (273pts) +

Raider I-Class Corvette (68pts) [Expanded Launchers (13pts), Intel Officer (7pts), Ordnance Experts (4pts)]

Raider I-Class Corvette (68pts) [Expanded Launchers (13pts), Intel Officer (7pts), Ordnance Experts (4pts)]

Raider I-Class Corvette (80pts) [Assault Proton Torpedoes (5pts), •Admiral Montferrat (5pts), •Admiral Screed (26pts)]

Raider I-Class Corvette (57pts) [Assault Proton Torpedoes (5pts), Ordnance Experts (4pts), •Instigator (4pts)]

+ Squadrons (16pts) +

TIE Fighter Squadron (8pts)

TIE Fighter Squadron (8pts)

+ Objectives +

Assault Objective [Precision Strike]

Defense Objective [Hyperspace Assault]

Navigation Objective [Minefields]

Created with BattleScribe (http://www.battlescribe.net)

Basically my plan is to use activation advantage to force shots. (1st and last activation, delay activation until they have to close the gap etc.) Then use overwhelming firepower to destroy the opponent before he can react effectively. The only problem is that if you opponent has 5+ activations they can potentially cause a lot of pain since my ships cannot take a hit

ClonTroper5 is currently smashing everyone (it seems) in the Armada Vassal Tournament Thread with 1 Glad + 4 Raiders.

Yeah he's been rolling folks pretty hard. I wish he played when I could watch.
Edited by clontroper5

I think Clontroper kind of hit the nail on the head here as to how to use a Raider-heavy list (ignoring the possibility of a raider-carrier list that exists to push a massive rhymerball around, which is a different idea entirely). I play a CR90 list that operates via a similar theory (activation advantage). I would really like my odds against his list but I think that's just a dumb matchup problem (many fast things at range vs. many fast things that need to get close) and not reflective of any skill (or lack thereof) on the part of the players. As in, if I played his list and he played mine, I'd expect him to obliterate me.

Some key points:

  1. In a short range list, demolisher is what makes it tick, as you need the ability to go last with demolisher, get close to double arc and fire once, then go first the next turn with demolisher to obliterate the guy you just did that to.
  2. Your worst matchup with this kind of list (outside a list with even more activations) is going to be a "sit back and punch" list that wants you to do the exact thing you are going to be trying to do. In other words, probably an Ackbar/Rieekan list with adequate activations (4+) and a bomber screen.
  3. You want to go first. Badly. Hence Clontroper's bid, I assume.
  4. Raw aggression is not the key; smart aggression is the key. You want to box ships (e.g. force them to ram you to lock them in place) and then punch the crap out of them. So it's not about getting in fast. It's about getting in fast at precisely the right scale, and then keeping it there. Basically, fight your opponent in a phone booth, not on a football field. Your worst nightmare will be if someone breaks your box and is either out the other side or wrecks it before you get there.

Clon, let me know if you disagree but that is how I read your list and would play it.

Edited by Reinholt

Like that list alot.

Unfortunately it still has a Star Destroyer in it, even if it is a Gladiator.

He seems to think that the only way Imps will lose is if they do not have any Star Destroyers. So looking for input on a pure Imperial Raider list with or without squadrons.

Like that list alot.

Unfortunately it still has a Star Destroyer in it, even if it is a Gladiator.

He seems to think that the only way Imps will lose is if they do not have any Star Destroyers. So looking for input on a pure Imperial Raider list with or without squadrons.

Let him know I tabled a 1 ISD + 2 Glad + Rhymer list last night, then. This is easily falsified. He needs to improve his own tactics.

I think Clontroper kind of hit the nail on the head here as to how to use a Raider-heavy list (ignoring the possibility of a raider-carrier list that exists to push a massive rhymerball around, which is a different idea entirely). I play a CR90 list that operates via a similar theory (activation advantage). I would really like my odds against his list but I think that's just a dumb matchup problem (many fast things at range vs. many fast things that need to get close) and not reflective of any skill (or lack thereof) on the part of the players. As in, if I played his list and he played mine, I'd expect him to obliterate me.

Some key points:

  • In a short range list, demolisher is what makes it tick, as you need the ability to go last with demolisher, get close to double arc and fire once, then go first the next turn with demolisher to obliterate the guy you just did that to.
  • Your worst matchup with this kind of list (outside a list with even more activations) is going to be a "sit back and punch" list that wants you to do the exact thing you are going to be trying to do. In other words, probably an Ackbar/Rieekan list with adequate activations (4+) and a bomber screen.
  • You want to go first. Badly. Hence Clontroper's bid, I assume.
  • Raw aggression is not the key; smart aggression is the key. You want to box ships (e.g. force them to ram you to lock them in place) and then punch the crap out of them. So it's not about getting in fast. It's about getting in fast at precisely the right scale, and then keeping it there. Basically, fight your opponent in a phone booth, not on a football field. Your worst nightmare will be if someone breaks your box and is either out the other side or wrecks it before you get there.

Clon, let me know if you disagree but that is how I read your list and would play it.

Like that list alot.

Unfortunately it still has a Star Destroyer in it, even if it is a Gladiator.

He seems to think that the only way Imps will lose is if they do not have any Star Destroyers. So looking for input on a pure Imperial Raider list with or without squadrons.

Your friend is sort of right, in that the imperials do get a lot weaker if you remove 3/4 of their ship choices.

Use them like like piranha or wolfs and attack in a pack from the rear or the front and ram ;)

I've used them with glad's, give a GSD engine techs, and you have an entire force that could go speed 4, meaning you can rush in pretty quickly, combine that with the demonlisher title and your throwing dice turn 1 potentially.

4 Neb B list

... I think I may have found your nephew's actual issue.

A raider with assault proton torpedoes and screed can deal out face-up damage cards through shields with black dice, they can really cripple ships. The other option is Motti, but you would only be getting +1 health so it is not all that great.

Like that list alot.

Unfortunately it still has a Star Destroyer in it, even if it is a Gladiator.

He seems to think that the only way Imps will lose is if they do not have any Star Destroyers. So looking for input on a pure Imperial Raider list with or without squadrons.

Sounds less than ideal, seeing as Demolisher brings so much to the table.

ClonTroper5 is currently smashing everyone (it seems) in the Armada Vassal Tournament Thread with 1 Glad + 4 Raiders.

Yeah he's been rolling folks pretty hard. I wish he played when I could watch.
There are a few vlog replays floating around you can watch and I am happy to answer any questions

A casual Google search doesn't turn anything up... I'd be interested to see some of those replays too. I'd like to know what your thoughts are on how to set up your forces and what the best way to react to certain lists is. Like how do you take on the typical Ackbar conga line or massed fighters?

A casual Google search doesn't turn anything up... I'd be interested to see some of those replays too. I'd like to know what your thoughts are on how to set up your forces and what the best way to react to certain lists is. Like how do you take on the typical Ackbar conga line or massed fighters?

There is a replay files thread.

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/198792-armada-world-cup-vassal-replay-files/

ClonTroper5 is currently smashing everyone (it seems) in the Armada Vassal Tournament Thread with 1 Glad + 4 Raiders.

Yeah he's been rolling folks pretty hard. I wish he played when I could watch.
There are a few vlog replays floating around you can watch and I am happy to answer any questions

A casual Google search doesn't turn anything up... I'd be interested to see some of those replays too. I'd like to know what your thoughts are on how to set up your forces and what the best way to react to certain lists is. Like how do you take on the typical Ackbar conga line or massed fighters?

vs miedomeda

vs Truthiness

vs Captian ICt

edir:btw Vs Miedomea is probably the best to watch since the other 2 we were using mikes to talk

Edited by clontroper5

I recall clon doing some excellent guides for the wave one ships, maybe he should do one for the raider? Hint hint?

I recall clon doing some excellent guides for the wave one ships, maybe he should do one for the raider? Hint hint?

hey A supporter!!

Yea i will try and do one sometime...

i stopped because i use to do them during a free period at school but don't have that anymore and, my computer has a tendency to delete the Articles i just spent 2-3 hours writing

My nephew has tried a lot of different combinations. His biggest problem is not sticking to a list and hammering out the kinks in the list before throwing it away.

I mainly want to show him that it's not the Empire, but his unwillingness to work on his tactics.

Like I said, I don't mind losing as long as it is a fun game.

I did a Google search for pure Raider lists or tactics and came up with ziltch.

That's because there aren't any.

My nephew has tried a lot of different combinations. His biggest problem is not sticking to a list and hammering out the kinks in the list before throwing it away.

I mainly want to show him that it's not the Empire, but his unwillingness to work on his tactics.

Like I said, I don't mind losing as long as it is a fun game.

I did a Google search for pure Raider lists or tactics and came up with ziltch.

So, the successful way that I have seen raiders run so far, is as squadron support. My friend runs them right behind his four firesprays, rhymer, dengar, and Vader. Any squadron threats that the firesprays and Vader are unable to deal with are severly hamppered by the double re-rolling black dice from those guys its pretty brutal. They pretty much never engage ships. The isd2 avenger and the firesprays do that work.

Doesn't the Info on the gladiator state that it was designed as a supporting ship and not a stand alone Star Destroyer? Show that to your nephew and then spank him with clontrooper's list.