On Thursday I was on the receiving end of a Bomber Swarm list that made very good use of Captain Jonus, and it got me thinking of this list. Here goes.

Captain Jonus

-Squad Leader

Scimitar Squadron Pilot

-Assault Missile

-Cluster Missile

Krassis Trellix

-Darth Vader

-HLC

-Cluster Missile

The idea is to get a good long range alpha in, ideally taking out a ship or two on the first pass. I find thats the true power of Darth Vader. I have been on the receiving end of many Darth Vader force chokes, and I find he is very effective at killing off wounded ships.

So fly in formation.

Turn 1:

Orders Phase

Scimitar Pilot uses Target Lock

Krassis uses Focus.

Jonus gives a free action to Scimitar Squadron Pilot, who uses Focus.

Action Phase

Jonus shoots long range (expect nothing)

Krassis fires long range with HLC and focus. Between 3 rerolls and focus, he SHOULD roll 4 hits. Most of that fire should stick. If your target has no shields, apply a free crit. You have the possibility of doing 6 points of damage.

Scimitar Pilot fires Assault Missile. Again, 2 rerolls and a focus, should hit with 3 dice. Again something will go through, letting you hit with the splash damage.

In the best of ideal condidtions that will never happen, this first turn alpha can do upwards of 14 damage (if everything hits vs TIE Fighters in formation.) I expect it to do 5-6 damage. But most importantly, I expect it to take out a ship.

Second depends on what your opponent does. Most people will then try to get into RB1 to avoid the HLC. This is where your double cluster missiles will chew him up. Krassis in RB1 of Jonus, can reroll 6 attack dice when firing a Cluster Missile (3 per attack). Ideally again, thats 6 hits, maybe some crits. Id even use Darth again to mette out another crit. (If there is a falcon, it should be dead).

Same goes with the Scimitar bomber.

I think this list has a lot of potential, especially vs that 3 Bwing build thats flying around.

Personally, against this fleet, I would endeavor to swarm Krassis or Jonus first, depending on how the set-up went. Despite their large healths, both are fairly vulnerable to being focused down. Putting Darth Vader on such an expensive ship means you're likely to give your opponent some fairly valuable points.

Giving Krassis a Gunner is the more traditional option, particularly after trading in the Missiles as well. This gives you the ability to fire 4 shots at range 2-3, rerolling up to 3/4 of them, and if you somehow still miss, or are fighting at range 1 or in your aft arc, the ability to roll a second attack, gives you huge amounts of damage.

To make up for the loss of the gory glory of Vader, that being the ability to finish off folks outside of your firing arc, may I suggest purchasing Anti-Pursuit Lasers with your leftover 2 points?

Specifically on Krassis, I would drop Vader and the missile, the missile is redundant with the HLC. Then add either a Gunner or a recon specialist. With Jonus in the list, I'd go with Recon Specialist for dual focus. You could also add a shield to one ship. (probably Krassis to help absorb the incoming fire)

It is nice to see bombers doing so well. (Tear from being proud.)

Nice idea, but I think a good alpha strike list should throw a minimum of 3 assault missiles on the first volley.

It isnt that important against rebel lists, but versus an empire list it will kill/cripple any tie fighters in range 1 of all 3 strikes.

Lets looks at the more subtle advantages these other bomber heavy alpha strike lists are bringing to bear:

-No single ship worth 33+ points. This is critical in tournaments. Your list is missing this.

-Volume of armor. usually they have 24-30 hull/shield points. Your sitting at 22. Close, but not quite as tuff.

-Flexibility after their first pass. They don't have a compelling reason to stay in formation after the first volley. Your missing this.

-Seismic charges. Seismics are a great bargain, and go well the bombers unique kturn5 manuever. You dont have this either.

It seems like a decent list, but I dont know that its really an alpha strike list.

Exapmle of Alpha strike list I have seen:

99 Points

1x Captain Jonus+Assault Missile+Seismic Charges+Veteran Instincts (30 Points)

3x Scimitar Sqaudron +Assault Missile+Seismic Charges (23 Points Ea.)

Probably swap one of the assault missiles for cluster missiles or homing missiles.

If you come against an elite force then having a missile in the bag for smashing elite units is a good idea... in my head