Someone noted on another thread that Ion Pulse Missiles, like Homing Missiles, don't actually spend their target locks when you fire them.
Ion Pulse Missiles also mean your victim is going to be in a guaranteed location next turn, excepting Boost or Barrel Roll actions.
Now, Advanced Proton Torpedoes require you to be at Range 1 of your victim, and to be both Target Locked and Focused for best effect.
Bombers and Slave 1 can take both.
The 9 point combo works thusly:
- Acquire a Target Lock
- Attack with Ion Pulse Missiles. Do not spend the Target Lock.
- End the turn
- Set your dial to intercept them at Range 1. As you know where they will be from your Ionization, this should be easy.
- Focus
- Spend the Target Lock acquired in step 1 to attack with Advanced Proton Torpedoes.
- Enjoy your total of 6 damage.
If you use the level 2 Bomber Pilots, they come out to be 25 points a piece, and you may field 4 of them.
3 Gammas leave you with 19 points left over: perfect for Howlrunner for some post-strike punch.