Right, I’ve been waiting for this ship for so long but I still haven’t played them. I will at some point fly the Kylo harpoon boats which I suspect is the best build (+/-NuQd) but I don’t like mixing eras - jus5 doesn’t look right on the table for some reason. Also, they’re Gunboats, so they should have Guns. Therefore I’ve written the following:

Quote

Gunboats! (100)

Rho Squadron Veteran (32) - Alpha-class Star Wing
Crack Shot (1), XG-1 Assault Configuration (1), Long-Range Scanners (0), Heavy Laser Cannon (7), Linked Battery (2)

Rho Squadron Veteran (28) - Alpha-class Star Wing
Crack Shot (1), XG-1 Assault Configuration (1), Long-Range Scanners (0), Ion Cannon (3), Linked Battery (2)

•Colonel Vessery (40) - TIE Defender
Expertise (4), Tractor Beam (1), TIE/D (0)

Solid amount of potential damage and control options. Set up the target locks for Vess on turn one and use Linked Batteries for rerolls.

Options - drop one (or both?) to Nus, or ditch Expertise for the second HLC.

-?

So, comments and criticisms welcome. Anyone flown Gunboats without Harpoons? How did it go?

This is a really solid list, one thing the tractor beam is great for is helping with range control to get enemies where you want them for the Rhos, as they aren't the most manoeuvrable ships! I really like running asymmetrical gunboats, as they can be hard countered by some lists so having different builds gives you some flexibility, so maybe swap the ion cannon one for a deadeye harpoon or PTL Harpoon Rho? The only other thing I have found is lightning reflexes on the HLC Rho can work really well to give you more time on target, especially when jousting alongside the defender. Love all the options you get with gunboats!

They’re fun, but I’ve had a hard time closing games with them against aces, at least this fluffy version. It was fun playing a very TIE Fighter video game themed list, and I actually won my little store tournament in Alaska. I had a **** of a time trying to kill Nym after Vessery died. I was able to keep the Gunboats alive to the end though. (Nym had no turret.)

Vess (100)

•Colonel Vessery (40) - TIE Defender
Expertise (4)

Tractor Beam (1)

TIE/D (0)

2x Rho Squadron Veteran (30) - Alpha-class Star Wing
Deadeye (1)

Concussion Missiles (4)

XG-1 Assault Configuration (1)

Long-Range Scanners (0)

Linked Battery (2)

Jamming Beam (1)