This question is directed to Mr Punisher Extraordinaire, @ficklegreendice !

I'd say he is the punisher pilot to benefit most from Lightweight Frame. At 2 evade dice everytime, it makes sense for FFG to introduce a proper bomber archetype that is not as fast as the K-wings but a lot more durable. A simple setup with Colission detector + EM + Cluster + L.Frame costs 34 pts, and if you think that you can maneuver him to survive 4 rounds of shooting add another set of cluster for 38 pts!

Redline on the other hand benefits most from LRS. the ability to paint target from far away is much better for him than the light frame as he can proceed to focus/boost in during the first encounter. the generic punishers are not worthed unless you want to run a slow but very tanky missile boats.

Thoughts?

This question is directed to Mr Punisher Extraordinaire, @ficklegreendice !

I'd say he is the punisher pilot to benefit most from Lightweight Frame. At 2 evade dice everytime, it makes sense for FFG to introduce a proper bomber archetype that is not as fast as the K-wings but a lot more durable. A simple setup with Colission detector + EM + Cluster + L.Frame costs 34 pts, and if you think that you can maneuver him to survive 4 rounds of shooting add another set of cluster for 38 pts!

Redline on the other hand benefits most from LRS. the ability to paint target from far away is much better for him than the light frame as he can proceed to focus/boost in during the first encounter. the generic punishers are not worthed unless you want to run a slow but very tanky missile boats.

Thoughts?

The last thing the Punisher needs is to be more expensive. LF adds a tiny bit of durability, at the cost of your precious mod slot and 2 (!!!) points. Also LRS is terrible on Redline, as you really destroy his ability to fight at anything but exactly range three.

Perhaps I'm short-sighted, but I can't see any other mod that is better than LF for deathrain . EDIT ok I forgot EI completely . Also I don't understand why Redline is terrible with LRS? paired with FCS I see no problem since you will be firing missiles/torps anyway. just make sure that you are out of range two when you want to change targets before the initial engagement and It should be fine.

you've already stated the problem with the mod with my name

not to mention, 2 points buys you:

1. extra munitions

2. a seismic

3. half a conners

in all honestly, a cheaper deathrain is probably far superior than a more expensive and basically just as dead deathrain

I usually run experimental interface on deathrain, but I also usually run a heinously expensive deathrain.

I'll be playing it next chance I get. I prefer Prox mines so I'm "saving" a point anyway. I'm also usually in for 2 sets of bombs. I usually get 3 off...seldom 4.

Deathrain

AC

Lightened Fram

prox x2

EM

39pts of bombing fun that can also always get 2 hits. If only LF was 1pt and the punisher 2pts less... All would be well in the world...for the empire...

you've already stated the problem with the mod with my name

not to mention, 2 points buys you:

1. extra munitions

2. a seismic

3. half a conners

in all honestly, a cheaper deathrain is probably far superior than a more expensive and basically just as dead deathrain

My lord, how could I miss that pun?? I have committed heresy!

I guess you're right. escaping the shot to begin with (SLAM) is much better idea than getting shot at with 2 eva dice.

I'll be playing it next chance I get. I prefer Prox mines so I'm "saving" a point anyway. I'm also usually in for 2 sets of bombs. I usually get 3 off...seldom 4.

Deathrain

AC

Lightened Fram

prox x2

EM

39pts of bombing fun that can also always get 2 hits. If only LF was 1pt and the punisher 2pts less... All would be well in the world...for the empire...

I agree. a pt reduction or EPT slot would make punishers great. though I'd prefer clusters with its high damage potential.

Perhaps I'm short-sighted, but I can't see any other mod that is better than LF for deathrain . EDIT ok I forgot EI completely . Also I don't understand why Redline is terrible with LRS? paired with FCS I see no problem since you will be firing missiles/torps anyway. just make sure that you are out of range two when you want to change targets before the initial engagement and It should be fine.

The TIE Punisher isn't exactly known for its speed when disengaging.

Indeed.

Yes, Lightweight Frame and Accuracy Corrector, for example, makes you a nice, tough ship which doesn't need its action for shooting, meaning you can spend it on defence.

You could, for example, pack in three cluster cutlasses:

• Cutlass Squadron Pilot - Accuracy Corrector, Cluster Missiles, Extra Munitions, Lightweight Frame
• Cutlass Squadron Pilot - Accuracy Corrector, Cluster Missiles, Extra Munitions, Lightweight Frame
• Cutlass Squadron Pilot - Accuracy Corrector, Cluster Missiles, Extra Munitions, Lightweight Frame

The problem is, what you end up with is what seems like an inferior version of the Cluster**** squadron:

• Tempest Squadron Pilot - TIE/x1, Accuracy Corrector, Cluster Missiles, Guidance Chips
• Tempest Squadron Pilot - TIE/x1, Accuracy Corrector, Cluster Missiles, Guidance Chips
• Tempest Squadron Pilot - TIE/x1, Accuracy Corrector, Cluster Missiles, Guidance Chips
• Tempest Squadron Pilot - TIE/x1, Accuracy Corrector, Cluster Missiles, Guidance Chips

Yes, you have a second missile spread (which is nice), but the TIE advanced can put out 8 missile spreads in one turn. I'm not convinced that even with a second green die, a TIE Punisher will live long enough to empty the magazines.

Plus, once missiles are out, 3 green dice with an evade token seriously outclasses 2 with a focus token, especially since the TIE advanced benefits from an extra green at range 3 and the Punisher doesn't .

If Lightweight Frame had been 1 point, you could have had 4 Cutlasses with Accuracy Corrector and Lightweight Frame in 100 points. Still far from devastating, but certainly not bad given their reliable attack (even on red moves or boosting) and fairly beefy defence.

I still think it's a good card for TIE/sf fighters - especially Backdraft.

I'll be playing it next chance I get. I prefer Prox mines so I'm "saving" a point anyway. I'm also usually in for 2 sets of bombs. I usually get 3 off...seldom 4.

Deathrain

AC

Lightened Fram

prox x2

EM

39pts of bombing fun that can also always get 2 hits. If only LF was 1pt and the punisher 2pts less... All would be well in the world...for the empire...

This could be a lot of fun but 39 points is still a lot of points.

The last thing the Punisher needs is to be more expensive. LF adds a tiny bit of durability, at the cost of your precious mod slot and 2 (!!!) points. Also LRS is terrible on Redline, as you really destroy his ability to fight at anything but exactly range three.

It doubles his agility. I'd say that's worth two points.

Wait, You are asking someone who's online persona is 'fickle-green-dice' how good would an additional green die be? Answer might be a little...fickle.

Well back on topic, the real question would be how does it compare to autothrusters. Autothrusters is a 2 point modification based upon certain conditions. It was made to help arc-dodgers like TIE Interceptors deal with PWTs and HLCs. Well since a lot of them are not in the meta there still is TLT. However it still is easy enough to get a TIE Punisher in arc at range 1-2 to negate autothrusters.

Now with the other modification is it really a big jump from 1 to 2 green dice as it is from 3 to 4 green dice? I haven't been able to run the numbers but I think the easiest way to answer this is how much better would a TIE punisher be at 2 agility for +2 points. I think if you plug that into the jousting computer the TIE punisher will still come up short.

Ok so I'm going to do some quick and dirty math:

Punisher has 9 health (3s/6h)

ON AVERAGE SHOTS TO KILL

3 Attack vs 1 Defense averages 1.17 hits. It would take 8 shots to kill

3 Attack vs 2 Defense averages 0.89 hits. That would take 11 shots to kill.

3 Attack w/ Focus vs 1 Defense w/Focus averages 1.63 hits. 6 shots to kill.

3 Attack w/ Focus vs 2 Defense w/ Focus averages 1.07 hits. 9 shots to kill.

The probability is that LF will let a Punisher survive a couple of extra shots. In the above cases an extra three shots; that is easily worth 2 points on Deathrain. That is more time for him to drop bombs.

Wait, You are asking someone who's online persona is 'fickle-green-dice' how good would an additional green die be? Answer might be a little...fickle.

oh no, my answer is consistent as hell

the dice are fickle

Indeed.

Yes, Lightweight Frame and Accuracy Corrector, for example, makes you a nice, tough ship which doesn't need its action for shooting, meaning you can spend it on defence.

You could, for example, pack in three cluster cutlasses:

• Cutlass Squadron Pilot - Accuracy Corrector, Cluster Missiles, Extra Munitions, Lightweight Frame
• Cutlass Squadron Pilot - Accuracy Corrector, Cluster Missiles, Extra Munitions, Lightweight Frame
• Cutlass Squadron Pilot - Accuracy Corrector, Cluster Missiles, Extra Munitions, Lightweight Frame

The problem is, what you end up with is what seems like an inferior version of the Cluster**** squadron:

• Tempest Squadron Pilot - TIE/x1, Accuracy Corrector, Cluster Missiles, Guidance Chips
• Tempest Squadron Pilot - TIE/x1, Accuracy Corrector, Cluster Missiles, Guidance Chips
• Tempest Squadron Pilot - TIE/x1, Accuracy Corrector, Cluster Missiles, Guidance Chips
• Tempest Squadron Pilot - TIE/x1, Accuracy Corrector, Cluster Missiles, Guidance Chips

Yes, you have a second missile spread (which is nice), but the TIE advanced can put out 8 missile spreads in one turn. I'm not convinced that even with a second green die, a TIE Punisher will live long enough to empty the magazines.

Plus, once missiles are out, 3 green dice with an evade token seriously outclasses 2 with a focus token, especially since the TIE advanced benefits from an extra green at range 3 and the Punisher doesn't .

If Lightweight Frame had been 1 point, you could have had 4 Cutlasses with Accuracy Corrector and Lightweight Frame in 100 points. Still far from devastating, but certainly not bad given their reliable attack (even on red moves or boosting) and fairly beefy defence.

I still think it's a good card for TIE/sf fighters - especially Backdraft.

Ok so I'm going to do some quick and dirty math:

Punisher has 9 health (3s/6h)

ON AVERAGE SHOTS TO KILL

3 Attack vs 1 Defense averages 1.17 hits. It would take 8 shots to kill

3 Attack vs 2 Defense averages 0.89 hits. That would take 11 shots to kill.

3 Attack w/ Focus vs 1 Defense w/Focus averages 1.63 hits. 6 shots to kill.

3 Attack w/ Focus vs 2 Defense w/ Focus averages 1.07 hits. 9 shots to kill.

The probability is that LF will let a Punisher survive a couple of extra shots. In the above cases an extra three shots; that is easily worth 2 points on Deathrain. That is more time for him to drop bombs.

Totally worse than Hull Upgrade

Perhaps I'm short-sighted, but I can't see any other mod that is better than LF for deathrain . EDIT ok I forgot EI completely . Also I don't understand why Redline is terrible with LRS? paired with FCS I see no problem since you will be firing missiles/torps anyway. just make sure that you are out of range two when you want to change targets before the initial engagement and It should be fine.

FCS has to follow the restrictions of LRS, and therefore won't trigger unless you are at exactly range 3.

I'll be playing it next chance I get. I prefer Prox mines so I'm "saving" a point anyway. I'm also usually in for 2 sets of bombs. I usually get 3 off...seldom 4.

Deathrain

AC

Lightened Fram

prox x2

EM

39pts of bombing fun that can also always get 2 hits. If only LF was 1pt and the punisher 2pts less... All would be well in the world...for the empire...

This could be a lot of fun but 39 points is still a lot of points.

Deathrain is always fun...now he might be fun longer!

Deathrain w/o LRS might as well not even have ordnance.

Hes low PS, and wants to use bombs. Combined that means he almost never will get a TL and not end up too close to someone to fire.

Not to mention he's a cheap suicide bomber. Why would you put points into him anyway? Any bomber that gets that close is in trouble.

Deathrain w/o LRS might as well not even have ordnance.

Hes low PS, and wants to use bombs. Combined that means he almost never will get a TL and not end up too close to someone to fire.

Not to mention he's a cheap suicide bomber. Why would you put points into him anyway? Any bomber that gets that close is in trouble.

Deathrain w/o LRS might as well not even have ordnance.

There, fixed for you. Kidding, but honestly, if you are worried about missile or torps, you should be flying Redline, not Deathrain.

My Deathfire drops Prox mines directly on top of the heads of Aces and other ships. Last week in one turn he killed a Banana Pirate with a Prox drop and then finished off a half wounded Talonbane with a homing missile that I had been saving a lock on in the same turn.

I have no problems flying my bombers in "that close." Deathrain can do the same with Conners and other action bombs. I would not put a LRS on him, he's going to be within range to grab TL's as needed, but really you should be focusing on getting position to drop bombs on top of High PS ships. Missiles are a secondary concern at best, and honestly, you could probably just put a AC on him to take shots of opportunity while dropping bombs. Since you shoot almost last, tokens will likely be stripped by then and you may get those 2 hits to stick. Better system slot for him is Enhanced Scopes to ensure you get your choice of bomb target at PS 0. Lightened Frame mod for survival while up close.

Well I run the Cutlass with Sensor Jammer (Not much issues with TLT's), and EM, and clusters, and concussions. So for 2 points more I can add LWF, which makes him even more survivable and less likely to get tractor beamed. (I'm really liking the fact that it's hard to tractor me now.) I can dig that.

If I run Deathrain, I go no missiles. Bombs only, with SJ, and EM, Clusters and Conners, so adding LWF is 2 points. Not that bad when you have already spent so many points on him

Perhaps paired with upsilon shuttle and an Ace, Deathrain can still do well with LF and not exp interface. Upsilon coordinates Deathrain to boost and/or drop bombs, and the Aces finishes off the damaged ship.

I agree that EI is pretty good for deathrain, but really that many points just to strategically drop bombs two times and then die due to its poor defense is not worthed IMO. Upsilon can at least coordinate the ace when deathrain finally dies.