I had some fun with this squadron the other day:

Deathrain (26) + Connor Net, Extra Munitions.

Vader (30) + Predator.

Soontir (32) + Stealth Device.

100 Points.

Slow-roll Deathrain towards the Aces.

Hang Soontir out as Range 3 bait on the edge of the enemy approach.

Leave Vader lagging well behind Deathrain.

Unless you're in an absolutely terrible position, you will almost be guaranteed to move Deathrain (at PS 6) towards an enemy Ace and then forward dump the Connor Net on top of them.

Vader then sweeps in to fire on the limp target, hopefully at Range 1.

It's absolutely deadly when it works.

Dropping a Connor Net on top of an enemy Ace is so debilitating to them. They have no actions and two lovely ion tokens by their side.

Deathrain has the toughness to withstand a couple of hits, which gives him a chance to K-turn for the second bombing run.

The key skill is timing Vader's lag to coincide with the Range 1 shot on the listless Ace (which I am yet to perfect!!!)

While I like that you've squeezed deathrain in with 2 powerful aces I feel all 3 have been built too thin. Your paying a premium for a ship that specializes as just an 'answer' unit. Vader is outclassed by plenty of ships in a 3 ship build without EU let alone his usual kit of ATC + EU. Fel is also not himself. Idk man I don't think DR fits with them honestly.

While I like that you've squeezed deathrain in with 2 powerful aces I feel all 3 have been built too thin. Your paying a premium for a ship that specializes as just an 'answer' unit. Vader is outclassed by plenty of ships in a 3 ship build without EU let alone his usual kit of ATC + EU. Fel is also not himself. Idk man I don't think DR fits with them honestly.

I have a feeling he has more upgrades than he actually listed. However I agree with your assessment on Deathrain.

Conner net is excellent at taking out an ace, and it doesn't matter what ships you back it up with. In this case, Vader, but you could just as easily kill that actionless ace with a bunch of academy pilots, for example.

_{My original post was asking about a plan to handle TLT lists (my own personal bane), but it looks like you are going for ACEs specifically. The only concern would be the dial on Punisher - if you can make it hit where you need to hit. I only used that ship once and the recollection that I have has to do with the way this ship turns...}

_{I also second the concern about the other two ships being very bare-bones.}

While I like that you've squeezed deathrain in with 2 powerful aces I feel all 3 have been built too thin. Your paying a premium for a ship that specializes as just an 'answer' unit. Vader is outclassed by plenty of ships in a 3 ship build without EU let alone his usual kit of ATC + EU. Fel is also not himself. Idk man I don't think DR fits with them honestly.

I have a feeling he has more upgrades than he actually listed. However I agree with your assessment on Deathrain.

Conner net is excellent at taking out an ace, and it doesn't matter what ships you back it up with. In this case, Vader, but you could just as easily kill that actionless ace with a bunch of academy pilots, for example.

Hey, I just bought the Punisher recently and have been trying Deathrain a lot. Here is a build im thinking of bringing to a tourney this sunday.

Soontir Fel: (34) Royal Guard TIE (0), Push the Limit (3), Autothrusters (2), Targeting Computer (2)
“Deathrain”: (41) Advanced Sensors (3), Extra Munitions (2), Proton Torpedoes (4), Ion Bombs (2), Cluster Mines (4)
“Zeta Leader”: (25) Weapons Guidance (2), Outmaneuver (3)
100pts

I like Deathrain but the Proton torps are kinda weird to the build. dont know what else to put.

Also Zeta is pretty good with Wired, but im thinking of trying outmaneuver against all the TLT Y's out there, trying to deal as much damage as i can to them.

Yeah, sorry for the initial post confusion.

I thought it was obvious that Vader is a 30 point pilot before you include upgrades. Similarly, Soontir is a 32 point pilot before upgrades.

Vader doesn't need Engine when he's chasing lame-duck aces tangled up in Connor Nets.

It's not an easy squadron to fly but I like it.

You could make things easier using a 37 + 37 + 26 style list

37 is enough for DR packing conners, munis, seismics and ACC (gotta contribute)

37 is a two point bid after a healthy soontir or Vader

26 points is omega Leader juke + relay

Do you guys find that three ships with roughly 10 red dice a turn are solid? Especially if one of them is a slow bomber?