Hi All,

I've heard a number of people remark about how they don't care for Cluster Missiles. Those are the missiles with a range of 1-2 that do two seperate attacks with 3 attack die. You can only use a focus for one of them (offense or defense). The idea is that the Concussion Missile is better with 4 dice and one blank gets turned into a hit.

What about the ability to shoot Cluster Missiles at short range? Wouldn't that mean you get an extra die, as well. If so, you can get two 4 die attacks! Most Rebels wouldn't expect it and it could be a great way to take someone out quick. Or at least hurt them bad. If you had a focus to ensure you could make one of those hits do some damage, you have the potential to take out an Xwing with one click of the fire button.

Do you have to declare your weapons, etc to your opponent? Is it an open game?

Range bonuses don't apply to secondary weapons.

jetsetter said:

This.

It's easiest to find this little caveat at the bottom of the back page of the rules manual.

heychadwick said:

Yes. You cannot keep secret the ships and cards you have in the game.

Cluster missiles are ok, but the problem is that as you stated you can only use focus on one of the attacks and also that it is two separate attacks. So you attack an X-wing with essentially 6 dice and he gets 4 dice in defense because it's a separate attack. Concussion missiles are 4 dice to 2. so he still has 2 less dice than you. Granted attack dice are better than agility dice but still. In my experience they either pwn someone or do nothing at all. They'd be useful against a Y-wing if you knew your opponent was running one but concussions will do better in general.

Acebaur said:

I have found the cluster missiles far more useful and effective in my games.

DoubleNot7 said:

I don't mean to flame you, but unless you're (incorrectly) granting them a bonus to attack at Range 1, that's not mathematically plausible.

[EDIT: Okay, I retract that. If you don't make a habit of finding ways to stack extra offensive bonuses on your missiles, and you often face low-Agility targets (e.g., Rebels), it's possible to describe Cluster Missiles as more reliable than Concussion Missiles--although they have about the same average damage.

Cluster missles have a higher potential maximum (ie, potential 3x2=6 hits, vs 4x1=4 hits). However, since the defender gets their defensive dice against each attack, the overall average will be lower. (6 vs 4 = 3 to 2, 4 vs 2 = 2 to 1 … or 6 vs 6 = 1 to 1, 4 vs 3 = 4 to 3).

As you can see, the odds get significantly better for the cluster missiles as the defender's number of defense dice get lower.

As others have mentioned, Secondary Weapon Systems don't get an extra Attack die for being Range 1(however, they also don't give the extra defend die when you shoot somebody at Range 3- don't forget that little tidbit).

As for Clusters vs. Concussions, depends on what you're shooting at. If I know I'm going after a Y-Wing or two (or maybe the YT-1300 once those drop), **** right I'm stocking Clusters. Otherwise, Concussions are usually situationally better. Neither are terrible though.

Vorpal Sword said:

Thanks so much… I never said anything about range bonus for a secondary weapon or any other issues. In general and across the board under all conditions in our games, my personal experience is that I have had better outcomes using the cluster missiles vs cobncussion missiles. Take a simple statement for what it is and do not make assumptions or read into it.

Cluster Missiles are probably best for low skilled pilots who may not get a chance to target lock until they are at range one from thier target. Against an Imperial player these missiles are just about useless, but against a Rebel player these missiles are acceptable upgrades. That is because most Rebel ship have a lower agility value than Imperial ships.

I use with Darth Vader, and Markmanship, for my it works good, greettings.

Kaxel Vofer said:

I agree with you, having Darth Vader with TL and Markmanship in same round does work well for Cluster Missiles since he can use Markmanship on both rolls of the attacks with 3 Attack dices. Would also work for Marek Steele eventhough he needs 2 rounds to aquire the same benefit (i.e. getting the TL in one round and then using Markmanship when he fires the Cluster Missiles)

I haven't done any proper odds calculations to back my claim up, but I guess someone (with more stats skills than me) could easily do that

Forensicus said:

I use the Concussion Missiles with Marek, because I prefer to use the missiles in early phases in the game, to try to debilitatre the others ships, greettings.