So I've never flown a Punisher in a squad since the weekend after I purchased it. I've wanted to, but I couldn't bring myself to as it burst into flames with ordinance still on board. But, I'm wanting to make it work pre-Punisher title card fix release (I'm an optimist at heart). I'm pretty good with Bombers; but I mainly fly them as missile boats.

So how to make it put in the work for the points? I'm sure it revolves around her squad and keeping her in LRS mode and distance in approach. But I've hit a wall....a little help??

When I fly punishers, I tend to use Redline as follows:

TIE Punisher: · "Redline" (27)
Extra Munitions (2)
Cluster Missiles (4)
Fire Control System (2)
Guidance Chips (0)
TIE Advanced: · Darth Vader (29)
Engine Upgrade (4)
TIE/x1 (0)
Advanced Targeting Computer (1)
TIE/fo Fighter: · "Omega Leader" (21)
Juke (2)
Comm Relay (3)
-- TOTAL ------- 95p. --

If you set up alongside two endgame aces, they won't want to kill Redline as cast as possible.

If they don't kill him, he hammers them hard. You have 5pts of ordinance or init bid, that I hope you can fill with what you like. While it doesn't give you a bomber Punisher, I believe that it does give you a dangerous list.

The only Punisher I really ever consider flying is Deathrain. Deathrain is the only punisher that does something that a bomber can't do. The only competition for Deathrain is Deathfire, but even he can't match the bombing flexibility. Plus Deathrain now has an effective 2 agillity if you want to use lightened frame (since Deathrain doesn't need guidance chips or LRS). Generic Punishers are a crap shoot, and Redline Just can't match a bomber as a missile/torpedo platform at least in my opinion.

Typical wingmen for Deathrain can be Defenders, a mini Swarm, an ace pair (which may include strikers now), or if you're a masochist a second punisher.

A List I have tried:

Deathrain (41)

-extra munitions

-conner net

-proximity mines

-experimental interface

-advanced sensors

Omega Leader (26)

-juke

-comm relay

The Inquisitor (31)

-ptl

-autothrusters

-title

98/100

Loaded out in such a way Deathrain can place bombs better than any ship without slam (and maybe better than ships with it). Before you maneuver you can boost for position, drop a mine front or back, barrel roll, and still perform your maneuver afterward. If you need to you can chain those actions after the maneuver. Is that worth 41 points? Probably not, but it is definitely a fun ride.

I think there are a ton of good Punisher builds that come in at the 40-45 point range, so you can either build around aces like mentioned or build around an alpha strike.

Something like this could work:

2x Gamma Squadron Veteran (19)

Crack Shot (1)

EM (2)

Homing Missiles (5)

LRS (0)

Or deadeye/proton with guidance chips. Whatever suits your fancy.

4 hours ago, BleakSquadron said:

[snip] or if you're a masochist a second punisher.

Eesh. I guess I'm a masochist. I have flown double TIE punishers on numerous occasions. Sometimes with a Lambda shuttle support, sometimes with Captain Jonus support. One thing I will say, I couldn't believe how much better they became with the Cluster Mines errata. I usually take the generics, and it's fun even though they don't win much. Some things in life are more important than winning. Like flying a TIE punisher.

Anyway, I usually kit mine out with Extra Munitions, Homing Missiles, Cluster Bombs, Fire-control System, and Guidance Chips for 36 points (34 points for the PS 2). It's definitely in the point cost range of an Imperial ace, but I LOVE Fire-Control System on an ordnance carrier.

9 hours ago, Parakitor said:

Eesh. I guess I'm a masochist. I have flown double TIE punishers on numerous occasions. Sometimes with a Lambda shuttle support, sometimes with Captain Jonus support. One thing I will say, I couldn't believe how much better they became with the Cluster Mines errata. I usually take the generics, and it's fun even though they don't win much. Some things in life are more important than winning. Like flying a TIE punisher.

Anyway, I usually kit mine out with Extra Munitions, Homing Missiles, Cluster Bombs, Fire-control System, and Guidance Chips for 36 points (34 points for the PS 2). It's definitely in the point cost range of an Imperial ace, but I LOVE Fire-Control System on an ordnance carrier.

Fair enough, maybe I should say "I feel like it would be masochistic for myself to fly more than one punisher in a squad". Mostly because I don't do well with bulky ships that aren't the decimator. My fun has been Tractor beam /D's, Tie SF's, and Strikers lately so I understand the joys of some of the less appreciated ships.

MDK

Destroy as much as possible. Echo cleans up?

"Redline" (27)
Collision Detector (0)
Extra Munitions (2)
Plasma Torpedoes (3)
Lightweight Frame (2)

"Pure Sabacc" (22)
Lone Wolf (2)
Lightweight Frame (2)

"Echo" (30)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
Agent Kallus (2)
Advanced Cloaking Device (4)

Total: 99

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

3 hours ago, BleakSquadron said:

Fair enough, maybe I should say "I feel like it would be masochistic for myself to fly more than one punisher in a squad". Mostly because I don't do well with bulky ships that aren't the decimator. My fun has been Tractor beam /D's, Tie SF's, and Strikers lately so I understand the joys of some of the less appreciated ships.

I feel like you and I are on the same page - those are my kind of ships! I should point out that your comment wasn't wrong: I do lose more with TIE punishers than conventional ships, but when I win it feels great! (P.S. I really dig the boost action on TIE punishers, as long as they have FCS to set up target locks.)

3 hours ago, wurms said:

MDK

Destroy as much as possible. Echo cleans up?

"Redline" (27)
Collision Detector (0)
Extra Munitions (2)
Plasma Torpedoes (3)
Lightweight Frame (2)

"Pure Sabacc" (22)
Lone Wolf (2)
Lightweight Frame (2)

"Echo" (30)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
Agent Kallus (2)
Advanced Cloaking Device (4)

Total: 99

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Thanks for the advice so-far, it is great and is giving me the mental boost I was needing to get the old bird on the mat again.

This, well, wurms, it looks brilliant on the face of it.......I just need to get a Striker; but man, it looks fun!!

On 1/26/2017 at 4:38 PM, Kreen said:

When I fly punishers, I tend to use Redline as follows:

TIE Punisher: · "Redline" (27)
Extra Munitions (2)
Cluster Missiles (4)
Fire Control System (2)
Guidance Chips (0)
TIE Advanced: · Darth Vader (29)
Engine Upgrade (4)
TIE/x1 (0)
Advanced Targeting Computer (1)
TIE/fo Fighter: · "Omega Leader" (21)
Juke (2)
Comm Relay (3)
-- TOTAL ------- 95p. --

If you set up alongside two endgame aces, they won't want to kill Redline as cast as possible.

If they don't kill him, he hammers them hard. You have 5pts of ordinance or init bid, that I hope you can fill with what you like. While it doesn't give you a bomber Punisher, I believe that it does give you a dangerous list.

What about this slight Ace change?

"Backdraft" (27)
Fire-Control System (2)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Special Ops Training (0)

5 hours ago, clanofwolves said:

What about this slight Ace change?

"Backdraft" (27)
Fire-Control System (2)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Special Ops Training (0)

Whatever ace you choose ultimately. Just so long as you have two endgame aces and Redline, you force them to make a difficult decision, and hopefully leave Redline alive longer.