+1 for Determination on Jonus as you dont want to lose his ability early on.

I got one which is probably worth thinking about it:

Captain Jonus 22

Gamma 18

Assault Missiles 5

Cluster Missiles 4

Gamma 18

Assault Missiles 5

Cluster Missiles 4

Academy Pilot 12

Academy Pilot 12

=100

Its lacking bombs but there are 5 bodies, an alpha strike and a double cluster missile strike

Yeah okay but then, why 2 academys if you can get one more Bomber plus load that's also boosted by Jonus?

I got one which is probably worth thinking about it:

Captain Jonus 22

Gamma 18

Assault Missiles 5

Cluster Missiles 4

Gamma 18

Assault Missiles 5

Cluster Missiles 4

Academy Pilot 12

Academy Pilot 12

=100

Its lacking bombs but there are 5 bodies, an alpha strike and a double cluster missile strike

that is almost the squad Neil Howard the UK champ took to Worlds so we know it works

Neil Howard (Top 8)

Captain Jonus + Squad Leader + Seismic Charge

Scimitar Squadron + Cluster Missiles + Concussion Missiles

Scimitar Squadron + Advanced Proton Tropedoes + Proton Tropedoes

Academy Pilot

Academy Pilot

I'm digging this thread. I've been looking for a good bomber squad as well. I own 2, but I'd be willing to get a third if need be.

Q: Does howlrunner apply to multiple ships? Ie: can howlrunner buff multiple ships in one turn? What about Jonus with the same question?

If so,

I'm thinking

Howlrunner +Squad Leader

Black + DTF

Academy Pilot

Jonus + Seismic and Assault

Gamma + Seismic and Assault

I'm digging this thread. I've been looking for a good bomber squad as well. I own 2, but I'd be willing to get a third if need be.

Q: Does howlrunner apply to multiple ships? Ie: can howlrunner buff multiple ships in one turn? What about Jonus with the same question?

If so,

I'm thinking

Howlrunner +Squad Leader

Black + DTF

Academy Pilot

Jonus + Seismic and Assault

Gamma + Seismic and Assault

The answer is yes to both, but Howlrunner only effects Primary weapons. He's really there to give you the extra action at a high PS, and give you a bit of a damage buff in later turns (or attract fire, which is just as good)

Sadly Jonus' ability don't work on himself - just like Miss Howlrunners'.

Maybe you should stick a homer on jonus

Sadly Jonus' ability don't work on himself - just like Miss Howlrunners'.

Maybe you should stick a homer on jonus

Bombs on Jonus is not a bad way to go.

I guess if I'm going to pick missles, I don't see people putting alot of evade tokens on their ships. I mostly see focus.

Now I'm rethinking all of this. Maybe I just want Jonus with swarm tactics and a scimitar friend, both of them loaded up, and then black ties.

Jonus with Squad leader, assault miss and a seismic

gamma with concussion and a proton bomb

black tie X3

I guess if I'm going to pick missles, I don't see people putting alot of evade tokens on their ships. I mostly see focus.

Now I'm rethinking all of this. Maybe I just want Jonus with swarm tactics and a scimitar friend, both of them loaded up, and then black ties.

Jonus with Squad leader, assault miss and a seismic

gamma with concussion and a proton bomb

black tie X3

Personally with one seismic, a proton bomb and an assault in your squad, and the PS 4 levels your squad looks like it lends its quite well to killing swarms, 3 splash and all..

this said I feel you should maximise this chance by swapping the assault and concussion over so that you will be firing the assault with target lock + focus and jonus re-roll. Theoretically garenteed contact.

I would be concerned how well this would fare Vs some other popular rebel squads once the missiles etc are spent, but I wouldn't count it out solely because you have that proton bomb in the mix.

The only thing I would say is that while I love the proton bomb and any crit should hurt, especially one that skips shields,

I have on many occasions given ships crits that have just not effected them.

I.E the one that says ignore pilot skills and upgrades. Given that to a Blue squadron twice...Curses.

I've been pushing for 5/6 ship lists with 1 or 2 bombers and the rest ties. My favorites so far have been

Rhymer + APT + PTL

Mauler Mithel

Academy Tie x 4

Jonus + Concussion + Assault + PTL

Howlrunner

Academy Tie x 4

Rhymer + APT + PTL

Howlrunner

Mauler Mithel

Winged Gundark

Night Beast

Ive found the APT to be best when paired with at least one other high PS ship. The auto 5 hits on APT means with some help, you can take at a lot of support ships before they get to fire. Sometimes the APT can do it by itself, but having a backup plan is better. I know these lists are more Swarms + Bomber, but the bomber is that extra pizzaz while the swarm is your tried and true wining strategy.

Aye finally somebody mentioned Major Rhymer. I think he is very expensive for what he does and only APT and SM really profit from it. So Rhymer + APT + PTL is a good choice for a lonely bomber I guess ... but way to expensive for a single bang. You should stick at least 2 warheads on him ... which makes him even more expensive ...

Rhymer 26

APT 6

PTL 3

= 35 Points

Is the single nearly quaranteed 5 hit attack worth 3 Academy Ties?

Rhymer 26APT 6PTL 3= 35 Points Is the single nearly quaranteed 5 hit attack worth 3 Academy Ties?

Indeed that price is always on my mind when trying to include him, especially aince his ability IS overcosted. The best I can hope for with that investment is to take out one enemy gun before it fires. That's why Ive been trying to pair him with at least 1 high PS ship, or a whole squad of high PS to make those 5 hits actually matter. Ive also started to move to Jonus with 2 secondaries for that same reason that Rhymer is overcosted. APT is just really attractive to me.

In reality, when making bomber lists I just have a fear of losing a ship with missiles in the tubes. Running Gammas helps, but running a higher PS jonus or rhymer with PTL makes me feel the most warm and fuzzy.

I had surprising luck with the following bomber squad:

Gamma Squadron Pilot + Seismic Charges + Concussion Missiles x3

Omicron Group Pilot + Engine Upgrade + Rebel Captive

The shuttle is a tough little ship and can really move with Engine Upgrade.

That's interesting. I suppose if I really want my bang to go off, I could run...

Rhymer: PTL, APT

Gamma: Assault, Seismic

3x Black Tie.

That's 5 ships and a guaranteed bang out of at least Rhymer.

I like this squad, it has covering fire and the bombers are well loaded. I like proximity mines on these as the lower skill makes the other bombs tricky to deliver consistently. With the ability to drop these and then 5K-Turn you could really give the enemy some issues, or you can block movement lanes.

That's interesting. I suppose if I really want my bang to go off, I could run...

Rhymer: PTL, APT

Gamma: Assault, Seismic

3x Black Tie.

That's 5 ships and a guaranteed bang out of at least Rhymer.

Just to say I adore Advanced protons but have found they are almost best suited to drawing peoples fire and if I actually get to shoot them, Woop Woop

That said I have found you need to consider the squad to put them in. I don't feel they fit an alpha strike squad even, with them on Rhymer ( who is awesome with them) as you really want to launch everything at range 3 if possible.

I'm not saying this list is the best but just throwing it out there, it is fun to play and does pack a serious alpha strike punch, though it does suffer against swarms.

No real way for this squad to cope with all variety of squads, can be tweeked to fight swarms but then suffers against others.

Vader w/ Concussion + swarm tactics (35pts)

Rhymer w/ Proton Torp + Vet In + seismic (33pts)

Jonus w/ Concussion + PTL + seismic (31pts)

99pts

you do lose a third of your squad if one goes down and two of them are the magic number or above 33, but if you should take out one or two ships first round of combat evening the score

That's interesting. I suppose if I really want my bang to go off, I could run...

Rhymer: PTL, APT

Gamma: Assault, Seismic

3x Black Tie.

That's 5 ships and a guaranteed bang out of at least Rhymer.

Just to say I adore Advanced protons but have found they are almost best suited to drawing peoples fire and if I actually get to shoot them, Woop Woop

That said I have found you need to consider the squad to put them in. I don't feel they fit an alpha strike squad even, with them on Rhymer ( who is awesome with them) as you really want to launch everything at range 3 if possible.

I'm not saying this list is the best but just throwing it out there, it is fun to play and does pack a serious alpha strike punch, though it does suffer against swarms.

No real way for this squad to cope with all variety of squads, can be tweeked to fight swarms but then suffers against others.

Vader w/ Concussion + swarm tactics (35pts)

Rhymer w/ Proton Torp + Vet In + seismic (33pts)

Jonus w/ Concussion + PTL + seismic (31pts)

99pts

you do lose a third of your squad if one goes down and two of them are the magic number or above 33, but if you should take out one or two ships first round of combat evening the score

If you were going to run this, wouldn't you want PTL on Rhymer and Vet I on Jonus? Rhymer NEEDS that focus at the same time as his target lock or he's wasted.

Honestly though, this squad looks hella fun. What a massive blast. You're going to ruin someone's day.

I don't like 3 ship lists - especially imperial 3 ship lists.

There should be at least 4 ships - big ones count as 2.

I think Jonus is too expensive by 1 point and Rhymer by at least 2 points.

Im feeling like its just a waste when adding rhymer to any list, sadly. It reminds me a little on Maarek Stele.

I don't like 3 ship lists - especially imperial 3 ship lists.

There should be at least 4 ships - big ones count as 2.

I think Jonus is too expensive by 1 point and Rhymer by at least 2 points.

Im feeling like its just a waste when adding rhymer to any list, sadly. It reminds me a little on Maarek Stele.

Yeah. There's a lot of truth to this statement. I have nearly no long-term luck with a 3 ship fleet, ESPECIALLY on empire.

I still think that Rymer with a big bang would be fun.....

That's interesting. I suppose if I really want my bang to go off, I could run... Rhymer: PTL, APTGamma: Assault, Seismic3x Black Tie. That's 5 ships and a guaranteed bang out of at least Rhymer.

Just to say I adore Advanced protons but have found they are almost best suited to drawing peoples fire and if I actually get to shoot them, Woop Woop That said I have found you need to consider the squad to put them in. I don't feel they fit an alpha strike squad even, with them on Rhymer ( who is awesome with them) as you really want to launch everything at range 3 if possible. I'm not saying this list is the best but just throwing it out there, it is fun to play and does pack a serious alpha strike punch, though it does suffer against swarms.No real way for this squad to cope with all variety of squads, can be tweeked to fight swarms but then suffers against others. Vader w/ Concussion + swarm tactics (35pts)Rhymer w/ Proton Torp + Vet In + seismic (33pts)Jonus w/ Concussion + PTL + seismic (31pts) 99pts you do lose a third of your squad if one goes down and two of them are the magic number or above 33, but if you should take out one or two ships first round of combat evening the score

If you were going to run this, wouldn't you want PTL on Rhymer and Vet I on Jonus? Rhymer NEEDS that focus at the same time as his target lock or he's wasted. Honestly though, this squad looks hella fun. What a massive blast. You're going to ruin someone's day.

The reason for PTL on Jonus was cos he doesn't help his own rerolls and so can take a Target lock focus to help himself even if it isnt on the ideal ship.

Rhymer can cope with just taking the lock and rerolls from jonus and can convert one eye to a crit and fire last if wishes to make it count.

I did toy with squad leader on vader so that Jonus could lock the most desired ship and vader can rely on jonus for rerolling but you lose the all fire 9 initiative. But it is also fun.

As a side note maakek has always upset me, I want to find a way to use him so much.

Have a Turr, Rhymer, Maarek squad I want to try for a giggle but probably not competitive

Have a Turr, Rhymer, Maarek squad I want to try for a giggle but probably not competitive

Whats wrong with Turr? Give him VI or AR and if not flown by a beginner, he is pure pain in your enemies arse.

Have a Turr, Rhymer, Maarek squad I want to try for a giggle but probably not competitive

Whats wrong with Turr? Give him VI or AR and if not flown by a beginner, he is pure pain in your enemies arse.

If he had said Fel's Wraith.

Have a Turr, Rhymer, Maarek squad I want to try for a giggle but probably not competitive

Whats wrong with Turr? Give him VI or AR and if not flown by a beginner, he is pure pain in your enemies arse.

If he had said Fel's Wraith.

Or Captain Kagi

...

it is not that I dislike Kagis ability - I hate the fact that he is the most expensive shuttle pilot with the highest PS .... and he has the "Kill me first" ability. Its like Wedge had Biggs ability ....

I was simply going for an all fly at 7 gimick and trying to use pilots i neglect.

Not that I neglect Turr really. So it would be PTL across the fleet.