IF you were going for ECM/AP + Cluster Bombs, then yes, switching to a command and ECM/AP + Quad Lasers is a valid choice... Most of the time.

You save a few points, but your Dice change in the Arcs, and you now no longer have the capability of taking ECM+AP...

All are valid options.

I just feel that one or two of those are perhaps more readily useful, and perhaps more importantly, repeatedly useful.

In all fairness, the reason this can get contentious is there is only a sliver of points left over to make up for the mediocrity of the MC80. It is an exercise in opinion and conjecture and like any min/max list the minimal flexibility leaves the list extremely vulnerable to the fortune of the draw in what your opponent brings.

I bought my third MC80 because I was bored and just finished painting my third and last ISD. Now I have a chance to try a wonky list, I will come back and report once I get a chance to do so.

Basic squadrons will try to soak up your Cluster Bombs before opening fire with any Unique Squadrons... For Example, Cluster Bombs will seriously impact a damaged Luke or Rhymer, but it will any X-Wing or Bomber... So you shoot the regulars first, hoping the enemy will use their Cluster Bombs on them... If they don't... Well, you just got shots at the enemy and they didn't use Cluster Bombs on them...

AND Rhymer etc did NOT shoot the MC80's. Is that not the ultimate defence?

Is it time to discuss the merits of nuclear armanent and deterents? I am sure there are enough Americans here to carry this argument for me. Prevention is better than a cure.

Other than the range buff, Rhymer is just your average TIE bomber when it comes to actually bombing things. So your cluster bombs effectively avoided one black die attack, provided all other targets have cluster bombs equipped as well.

I still have a super low opinion of cluster bombs

It's one roll of the dice, 3 average damage for FIVE POINTS

Sure, its an aces deterrent because they cant brace or scatter, but frankly when I run a fireball my aces (rhymer and dengar) virtually NEVER shoot at ships

It cannot be made to work. Need 20-30 more points.

It cannot be made to work. Need 20-30 more points.

Thats a bit defeatist Admiral. Every list I make needs 20-30 more points!

Personally, I'd almost always have more ships than have christmas-tree'd ships. Three cigars, Garm, and 6 a-wings might be a downright annoying opponent to fight! You could cut it down to 3 a-wings for e-techs on everything if that floats your boat, but I'd rather keep them close to nekkid.

But then again, it would probably make a lot more sense to switch out at least one of them for a pair of CR90's or more sensible fighters...

I've run it with some moderate success:

MC80 Cmd: Engine Techs, Overload Pulse

MC80 Cmd: Engine Techs, Overload Pulse

MC80 Assault : Ackbar, Engine Techs, Overload Pulse

Objectives: Advanced Gunnery, Fleet Ambush, Minefields

"You haven't arc dodged until you've parked an MC80 in a Neb's rear arc!"

-me

Seriously though, nav spam, take the long way round, get them to jump forward with their small, faster ships. Don't go out to far, nor swing back in too late, but if you do it right you either get behind their fleet or break up their flight plan. There's no bid to his list, but you can drop an OP or two if you want.

I've run it with some moderate success:

MC80 Cmd: Engine Techs, Overload Pulse

MC80 Cmd: Engine Techs, Overload Pulse

MC80 Assault : Ackbar, Engine Techs, Overload Pulse

Objectives: Advanced Gunnery, Fleet Ambush, Minefields

"You haven't arc dodged until you've parked an MC80 in a Neb's rear arc!"

-me

Seriously though, nav spam, take the long way round, get them to jump forward with their small, faster ships. Don't go out to far, nor swing back in too late, but if you do it right you either get behind their fleet or break up their flight plan. There's no bid to his list, but you can drop an OP or two if you want.

Is there a reason you're using OP instead of intel officer? I'd imagine you'd get more mileage out of them, but what do I know..

I played and tried several builds for 20 mins on the generator. It just can't be done...period. What I mean is it will just not hang with 80% or tournament fleets. It just has too many weaknesses. I usually will attempt just about anything in my mind and find a way to kit it out in a why that might work. The limitations are just too great. Can't afford the necessary upgraded to get the most out of the initial points. You can go with certain common upgrades, but then can't afford the other less popular ones. No ET is big when you have three. Slow lumbering ships need overwhelming firepower, but there isn't enough even with ECM, X-17s on two and Leading shot with Ackbar on the third. The weakness are glaring to this optimal build.

Better is all thre having ET and ECM. Two with X-17s. One wih Garm bel. However, this is still weak.

Sometimes builds just can't work unless you play it against another less than optimal list.

It cannot be made to work. Need 20-30 more points.

Thats a bit defeatist Admiral. Every list I make needs 20-30 more points!

I've run it with some moderate success:

MC80 Cmd: Engine Techs, Overload Pulse

MC80 Cmd: Engine Techs, Overload Pulse

MC80 Assault : Ackbar, Engine Techs, Overload Pulse

Objectives: Advanced Gunnery, Fleet Ambush, Minefields

"You haven't arc dodged until you've parked an MC80 in a Neb's rear arc!"

-me

Seriously though, nav spam, take the long way round, get them to jump forward with their small, faster ships. Don't go out to far, nor swing back in too late, but if you do it right you either get behind their fleet or break up their flight plan. There's no bid to his list, but you can drop an OP or two if you want.

Is there a reason you're using OP instead of intel officer? I'd imagine you'd get more mileage out of them, but what do I know..

Points. I can kit out all three instead of one IO. This list is purely about navigation, and there's something about flying an 80 like a Neb that really tickles my fancy.

Also the overload pulse helps you have more reliable shots, and this list can't spare any shots not connecting

How about This?

how about this?

Faction: Rebel Alliance
Points: 398/400

Commander: Garm Bel Iblis

Assault Objective: Advanced Gunnery
Defense Objective: Fire Lanes
Navigation Objective: Minefields

[ flagship ] MC80 Assault Cruiser (114 points)
- Garm Bel Iblis ( 25 points)
- Intel Officer ( 7 points)
- Advanced Projectors ( 6 points)
- Redundant Shields ( 8 points)

MC80 Command Cruiser (106 points)
- Intel Officer ( 7 points)
- Redundant Shields ( 8 points)

MC80 Command Cruiser (106 points)
- Leia Organa ( 3 points)
- Redundant Shields ( 8 points)

Fleet created with Armada Warlords

How about This?

how about this?

Faction: Rebel Alliance

Points: 398/400

Commander: Garm Bel Iblis

Assault Objective: Advanced Gunnery

Defense Objective: Fire Lanes

Navigation Objective: Minefields

[ flagship ] MC80 Assault Cruiser (114 points)

- Garm Bel Iblis ( 25 points)

- Intel Officer ( 7 points)

- Advanced Projectors ( 6 points)

- Redundant Shields ( 8 points)

MC80 Command Cruiser (106 points)

- Intel Officer ( 7 points)

- Redundant Shields ( 8 points)

MC80 Command Cruiser (106 points)

- Leia Organa ( 3 points)

- Redundant Shields ( 8 points)

Fleet created with Armada Warlords

no to the redundant shields.

They are an 8 point brick unless in a niche build with shield projectors.

As I demonstrated to my final opponent as I tabled him, the 2 redundant shields he put on his ships resulted in a grand total of 3 shields recovered and did virtually nothing to stop his ships from vapourizing. In the meantime he could have had 16 points of better upgrades...

Also after playing against an MC80 again today I really would hesitate to fly one without engine techs. My Ozzel driven ISD and demolisher knew exactly when and where to pounce due to its ponderous, predictable course. He got shredded and did almost nothing.

I played and tried several builds for 20 mins on the generator. It just can't be done...period. What I mean is it will just not hang with 80% or tournament fleets. It just has too many weaknesses. I usually will attempt just about anything in my mind and find a way to kit it out in a why that might work. The limitations are just too great. Can't afford the necessary upgraded to get the most out of the initial points. You can go with certain common upgrades, but then can't afford the other less popular ones. No ET is big when you have three. Slow lumbering ships need overwhelming firepower, but there isn't enough even with ECM, X-17s on two and Leading shot with Ackbar on the third. The weakness are glaring to this optimal build.

Better is all thre having ET and ECM. Two with X-17s. One wih Garm bel. However, this is still weak.

Sometimes builds just can't work unless you play it against another less than optimal list.

It cannot be made to work. Need 20-30 more points.

Thats a bit defeatist Admiral. Every list I make needs 20-30 more points!

Oh there is no denying that any 3 turd fleet is going to be heaving, buck-fulls of crap. The point of this thread is to figure out what the BEST horrible fleet of these is so I can try it out! lol

And no, I would never ever ever take this to a tournament unless the meta was all no-bomber, no squadron big slow ship lists that i could tractor beam to speed 1 all day long while i ran away

Got it :-)

I've run it with some moderate success:

MC80 Cmd: Engine Techs, Overload Pulse

MC80 Cmd: Engine Techs, Overload Pulse

MC80 Assault : Ackbar, Engine Techs, Overload Pulse

Objectives: Advanced Gunnery, Fleet Ambush, Minefields

"You haven't arc dodged until you've parked an MC80 in a Neb's rear arc!"

-me

Seriously though, nav spam, take the long way round, get them to jump forward with their small, faster ships. Don't go out to far, nor swing back in too late, but if you do it right you either get behind their fleet or break up their flight plan. There's no bid to his list, but you can drop an OP or two if you want.

Is there a reason you're using OP instead of intel officer? I'd imagine you'd get more mileage out of them, but what do I know..

Points. I can kit out all three instead of one IO. This list is purely about navigation, and there's something about flying an 80 like a Neb that really tickles my fancy.