After getting my imperialist hands on 3 bombers i started toying with some lists.

4x Gamma? Nah. 3x Gamma? sh*tty points left - 19, thats Mauler naaahhh, then it struck me: 3 bombers and Lambda! But how to get points for that? Easy - downgrade one to Scimitar and thats how bombing squadron was born:

Omicron Flight /System Officer (23)

Gamma Squadron Veteran /Crack Shot,EM, Homing Missle, Long Range Scanners (27)

Gamma Squadron Veteran /Crack Shot,EM, Homing Missle, Long Range Scanners (27)

Scimitar Squadron /EM, Homing Missle, Long Range Scanners (23)

Maaaaan it works like charm, Firepower is awesome as anything with agi <3 wont be able to defend against this firepower and 3+ agi will be crackshoted and prevented from using evades and usually is fragile enough that one missle can cripple it at least if not kill outright. And Lambda...ech lambda man....with systems officer i can fly in formation for the opening salvo and then still fire missles after a kturn(lambda moves first>gives tl>bomber kturns)! After few games im in love with that list. Aces are a little of an issue due to mobility but there is so much arc coverage in it that is really tricky to get out of all. One may ask why not 4 bombers? Few reasons: half people will chase lambda for an easy kill and out of habit Its more durable. It can be blocker for the bombers to stay out of R1. And it packs a punch.

Don't forget, though, that your Bombers can't pick up TL's (even free ones) at Range 1-2 due to LRS.

What about this, Jonus acts as target lock lite. And if you swap one bomber for deathfire you can connor, or tracer to assist.

TIE Bomber: · Captain Jonus (22)

Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

TIE Shuttle (0)

Fleet Officer (3)

Systems officer (2)

TIE Bomber: Gamma Squadron Pilot (18)

Extra Munitions (2)

Proton Torpedoes (4)

Guidance Chips (0)

TIE Bomber: Gamma Squadron Pilot (18)

Extra Munitions (2)

Proton Torpedoes (4)

Guidance Chips (0)

TIE Bomber: Gamma Squadron Pilot (18)

Extra Munitions (2)

Proton Torpedoes (4)

Guidance Chips (0)

OR

TIE Bomber: · "Deathfire" (17)

Extra Munitions (2)

XX-23 S-Thread Tracers (1)

Conner Net (4)

-- TOTAL ------- 100/100p. --

Personally, I like this list:

I just started flying this list which has been working well so far, we totally smashed a Ghost + Dash and Ghost + Chewbacca list last night:

Gamma Veteran + Deadeye + Extra Munitions + Plasma Torps + Guidance Chips

Gamma Veteran + Deadeye + Extra Munitions + Proton Torps + Guidance Chips

I have a list I've been toying with bringing to UK Nationals this weekend (I say toying, I really want to bring it, but I'm not fully convinced by it. But hell, it'd be fun).

2x Gamma Vet - Deadeye, EM, Homing Missiles, Chips.

2x Scimitar - EM, Homing Missiles, LRS

Testing has had mixed results... Against a Ryad/Vess/Inquisitor list, it splashed both Defenders in the first round of shooting. Facing a 2xVCX list, it took one out in the first round of shooting again, eventually repositioning to take down the other (they're sort of fat when you're trying to get around them).

That said, I've also had Defenders entirely shrug off full salvos of missiles, and late game issues in general once the ordnance is shot on tanky ace lists (bad rolls didn't help). Once one bomber falls after the initial alpha, it tends to quickly lose pace.

I really want to be convinced to bring this list - or a minor variation on it. It's just that moment where it runs out of steam is so noticeable.

Usually with 4-Bomber lists I've seen one of them be Jonus. Have you tried a variant like that?

I've usually found Jonus to be dead weight in a bomber list, especially with Homing Missiles. I'd rather have the extra ordnance option. Between LRS and Chips with Deadeye mixed between the two, they have no problems getting 3-4 damage on the dice. The problem is often with Defenders simply swatting it away with a good roll, or soaking 3 whole missiles and surviving with a hull or two.

I've been considering Deathfire in place of a Scimitar, but I'm not sure that's the right route to go.

You don't need Jonus anymore with LRS. Frankly he's an Epic pilot now.

I ran this last night:

Gamma Squadron Veteran (19)
Crack Shot (1)
Homing Missiles (5)
Long-Range Scanners (0)

x 4

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

You don't have to use your crackshot with the Homing missile, but its there if need be. Usually you can save it for a primary attack which makes just two dice sting a bit more. 4 Bombers are surprisingly tanky if your opponent can't focus one down. If you can manage to get all your missiles away (not too difficult with LRS), something will die.

Alternatively I think I might drop Homing for Plasma torps and Extra munitions. I think the extra shots will be worth it. I really don't know what is better the LRS/Crackshot combo or Deadeye/Guidance.