Hey everyone! I'm looking to convert my old cruise missile alpha strike list into a harpoon list, but the extra points are proving awkward. Here's what I'm starting with:

Darth Vader + title + ATC + Harpoon Missiles + VI

Quickdraw + title + FCS + Harpoon Missiles + Advanced Optics

Nu Squadron Pilot + Harpoon Missiles + Long Range Scanners

That leaves me with 5 points, which is just short of what I would want for Engine Upgrade on Vader and Lightweight Frame on Quickdraw. So what do you guys think is the optimal choice? Here are some options:

• Engine Upgrade on Vader, Guidance Chips on Quickdraw, 1 point bid.

• Lightweight Frame on Quickdraw, 3 points to... do something with? I have the mod left on Vader, and a torpedo slot on the Nu. Neither seems very useful (barring Guidance Chips on Vader, of course).

• Upgrade to a Deadeye Rho, 1 point bid, Guidance Chips on both Vader and QD. This is the option I'm going to try first, I think.

• Go down to PS10 with Adaptability, go with EU and LWF. Or some other combination of the above options. This doesn't seem great, I definitely want to guarantee moving after Nym.

The Rho lends itself to an intriguing possibility - switching to Proton Torpedoes instead of Harpoons. This isn't really viable on the Nu (you spend the TL, and focus doesn't synergise well with Proton Torpedoes), but on the Rho the difference in raw damage isn't large (Harpoons roll 0.2 more hits on average), and the Proton Torpedoes have an 80%+ chance to trigger harpoons. Worth a try? Not worth a try? Let me know!

Personally I go with EU and switch FCS with LWF. Downgrade Vader‘s Harpoon to Cruise for a 2pt bid, which is IMO necessary.

I value the higher defense on QD. But there is a very good argument to be made for FCS instead of Aoptics.

Or you make the full 40pt QD, go down to a 35pt HarpoonVader and use a 3pt bid.

They all work pretty well and it comes down to preference. I have yet to see the argument for one build over the others that convinces me.

I would drop Advanced Optics, but without Guidance Chips I need it for the double mods on the missile. If I could take both LWF and Chips, I would do that instead of Advanced Optics and call it a day. I think FCS is necessary, though. The double-tap just feels too weak without it. Thanks for the advice, though - good to know it probably doesn't matter all that much in the end!

I very much prefer cruise missiles on Vader.

I like the proton torp idea. That way poons dont go off in your face next turn.

You have enough points to upgrade to a

Rho Squadron with Deadeye and chips. find one more point and you can go rho squadron with deadeye, chips and extra munitions.

Also quickdraw really should have LWF if anything just give quickdraw his frame.

I would also swap out the harpoons on quickdraw for expertise 100% of the time, but thats just me.

Here here, QD should REALLY get LWF.

Perhaps this?

Vader

VI

Title

ATC

Harpoons

GC

QD

VI

Title

FCS

LWF

Harpoons

Primed Thrusters

Rho

Harpoons

Deadeye

GC