hmm, I thought the targeting synchronizer (abbrev. TS) might make the punisher much better in comparison to the bomber, but the more I wrote about it, the less I was convinced.

But what I am sure about is that TS will solve the Punishers problem with getting a TL before the first round of shooting. You can use other Torps/Missiiles than Homing as well, as you can use the TS to shoot and the FCS to modify the attacks from round 2.

You could use the boost to get in range for Cluster Missiles (which would raise the point costs, but I guess using different ranged secondaries is the only concept that the Punisher is better at than the Bomber as the boost offers better range control) or modify both attacks (1 by a focus token and 1 by FCS in the second round of shooting).

Autothrusters: No change needed. There really isn't anything out of balance with them at all.

TLT: Again, no change really needed. At least, not now. Maybe before when it was extremely difficult to deal with, but they haven't been a problem lately at all.

Palpatine: I have to say I don't think a change is really needed here, either. He's eight points and takes 2 crew slots, and only affects one die each round. He can be extremely useful for sure, but I really don't think he's a need of a nerf. We all know he's out there, and he's pretty much always on a near-defenseless ship, so just build to deal with him.

The Punisher could use some help, though. I don't think it really needs errata, but if a really good upgrade was released that made them shine, it would go a long way. Long Range Scanners and Guidance Chips are a step in the right direction, but it still needs something more.

1 - Power creep - there is too much of it right now

2 - Arc-dodgers that can out-joust nearly anything (Palp discussion included)

3 - Older ships - re-assess prices, give EpTs to pilot that should have it but don't

4 - Limit PTW to range 1-2 ; 360° firing tends to be a little boring, but is fluff-wise correct, I think the range reduction allows small ship to try and dodge them while still firing at it

5 - Big ships having a way to arc-dodge AND fire PTW with modified dice - maybe limit PtL to small ships?

1) The role of cheap, generic pilots in 100pt death match