Has anyone tried 3 HLC Nus? I'd be interested to hear how it performs. The Intimidation Black Squad could be swapped out for Dark Curse, it is basically there as a blocker.

Nu Squadron Pilot (18)
Linked Battery (2)
Heavy Laser Cannon (7)
Long-Range Scanners (0)
XG-1 Assault Configuration (1)

Nu Squadron Pilot (18)
Linked Battery (2)
Heavy Laser Cannon (7)
Long-Range Scanners (0)
XG-1 Assault Configuration (1)

Nu Squadron Pilot (18)
Linked Battery (2)
Heavy Laser Cannon (7)
Long-Range Scanners (0)
XG-1 Assault Configuration (1)

Black Squadron Pilot (14)
Intimidation (2)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

I can't say I've flown 3 HCL's, although I have flown 2 in a squad like this.

I paired them with:

Nu Squad - Xg1 title, LRS, ion cannon (22 points)

Nu squad -Xg1 title, LRS, tractor beam, flechette cannon (22 points)

It's a toolbox of control and damage ships. It is nice not having to reload, and the HCL hits as hard, except for the harpoons effect. I'm not sure whether I like the HCL's or not. It's still up and the air.

53 minutes ago, Biggsy_boy said:

I can't say I've flown 3 HCL's, although I have flown 2 in a squad like this.

I paired them with:

Nu Squad - Xg1 title, LRS, ion cannon (22 points)

Nu squad -Xg1 title, LRS, tractor beam, flechette cannon (22 points)

It's a toolbox of control and damage ships. It is nice not having to reload, and the HCL hits as hard, except for the harpoons effect. I'm not sure whether I like the HCL's or not. It's still up and the air.

I'm curious if, with the number of Ghosts out there, Manglers would be strong because you can start landing crits. While more damage is good, like you said, you might can throw harpoons on one with the saved points, then have a Mangler hit to trigger the effect.

Nu Squadron Pilot (18)
Harpoon Missiles (4)
"Mangler" Cannon (4)
Linked Battery (2)
Long-Range Scanners (0)
XG-1 Assault Configuration (1)

Rho Squadron Veteran (21)
Push the Limit (3)
Harpoon Missiles (4)
"Mangler" Cannon (4)
Linked Battery (2)
Long-Range Scanners (0)
XG-1 Assault Configuration (1)

Rho Squadron Veteran (21)
Push the Limit (3)
Harpoon Missiles (4)
"Mangler" Cannon (4)
Linked Battery (2)
Long-Range Scanners (0)
XG-1 Assault Configuration (1)

Total: 99

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Linked battery HLCs and having a blocker to prevent PS11 boosts are better than Manglers and Harpoons. Is it better than 3 harpoon Nus and an ace? Maybe; I don't really know. Linked battery helps a lot vs Fenn or just at R1 since it helps your primary. The list is pretty good vs Ghost Fenn if you can use the Black Squad/Dark Curse to prevent the boost. You're not preventing the block since you move after it, but preventing the boost can be huge. I need to do more testing but it shows promise. Nus are very durable and being able to slam out of danger after taking shots and then swing back around is huge. You also get around the Countermeasures/Black One issues that Harpoons can have. It certainly is a less scary alpha than Harpoons, but it is far less predictable, less easily disrupted, and has much easier and more reliable follow up shots or R1 primary shots. You are sacrificing the ace for a blocker to gain those benefits compared to triple Harpoon Nu.

37 minutes ago, jwilliamson12 said:

I'm curious if, with the number of Ghosts out there, Manglers would be strong because you can start landing crits. While more damage is good, like you said, you might can throw harpoons on one with the saved points, then have a Mangler hit to trigger the effect.

Manglers would be strong against the ghost, however, it's not going to be more effective against Miranda/Nym, starwings. This is a control list that I think is solid across the board. We'll see. I'm haven't flown it enough to know effective it is yet.

I really want to run a triple Gunboat list now but do I reeeaaaalllllyyy need a third one? (yes).