Even though they have 6hp, 2 agility and 2 attack on an imp ship doesn't seem right. I've not played bombers since they came out. I'm going up against a friend in a custom mission tomorrow. He has Captain Antilles. I plan to crush him in the only appropriate way, with Lord Vader.

Darth Vader

Determination

Engine upgrade

Concussion missile

Major Rhymer

PTL

APT

Assault Missile

Captain Jonus

My plan is to use Rhymer's PTL and Vaders actions for both of them to TL and focus in the first combat round. Fire Assault missile and Concussion missile, reroll two with Jonus. Round two, Rhymer uses TL and focus for the APT, reroll two for Jonus. Dog fight as usual.

I would drop determination and upgrade Vader's Concussion into an Assault.

but that would be playing the deck and hoping Vader doesn't get Pilot Crits

Even though they have 6hp, 2 agility and 2 attack on an imp ship doesn't seem right. I've not played bombers since they came out. I'm going up against a friend in a custom mission tomorrow. He has Captain Antilles. I plan to crush him in the only appropriate way, with Lord Vader.

Darth Vader

Determination

Engine upgrade

Concussion missile

Major Rhymer

PTL

APT

Assault Missile

Captain Jonus

My plan is to use Rhymer's PTL and Vaders actions for both of them to TL and focus in the first combat round. Fire Assault missile and Concussion missile, reroll two with Jonus. Round two, Rhymer uses TL and focus for the APT, reroll two for Jonus. Dog fight as usual.

I would drop determination and upgrade Vader's Concussion into an Assault.

but that would be playing the deck and hoping Vader doesn't get Pilot Crits

determination is a waste of a point. Vader only has 2 hits where crits matter (third means death regardless) and you only have a 1/4 chance to get a pilot crit. The odds make it so unlikely it's pointless.

Bombers have low attack because they are a misse boat, not a fighter, and have the same blasters as a basic TIE fighter. Its even worse because (in-universe, doesn't affect gameplay because all the firing arcs are 90 degrees), it is unable to yaw and. corner like the basic TIE fighter. Bombers are trained to bug out when they have consumed their payload, not stay and fight, because frankly they have no chance against craft designd as devotex fighters. Its also much less agile, in that it has the same engines as a TIE fighter but is heavier AND larger. Mass is still an issue in space, even with no gravity. The inertia of a heavy craft must be overcome. And the larger profile makes it easy to hif, as well.

Also, I am a fan of bombers, but they fair best in large groups to deal an effective alpha strike. I also love vaded, but Bombers are eeally best suited for groups, to make the best out of ordinance before the enemies get close enough to do any real damage. Also, as someone who has stuck Jonus in many lists just as a pseudo-Howlrunner, I discourage putting him in ANY game without his own ordinance. His missiles are less likely to hit because he can't reroll, but you will appreciate having that extra missile.

My recommendations for your list:

Give the concussion missile to Jonus, and the Assault missile to Vader. Assault missiles on Rhymer are pointless because if the mage use if his ability IE shooting them at range 1, the splash damage hits himself. he will need his hull after his missiles are gone.

Take determination and engine upgrade off of Vader, and PtL off of Rhymer, Give Vader squad leader and Rhymer another adv proton. Use Vader to give Rhymer a focus for the APTs

If you really want strong bomber list, play this one. It steamrolled me one so it's now my go-to just with bombers:

Jonus

Squad Leader

Assault missiles

seismic charge

31 points

Scimitar Squad

Assault missiles

Seismic charges

x3

69 points

Step 1: As soon as you're in range, fire ALL assault missiles. The rerolls from jonus should ensure 2+ connect.

Step 2: k-turn. Drop ALL seismic charges. This should have done considerable damage to any proximity based squad, especially a swarm. The bombers can clean up what's left.

Call me crazy - but the OP is using 2 bombers and zero bombs? C'mon man, toss some bombs in there! It'll be fun!

Even though they have 6hp, 2 agility and 2 attack on an imp ship doesn't seem right. I've not played bombers since they came out. I'm going up against a friend in a custom mission tomorrow. He has Captain Antilles. I plan to crush him in the only appropriate way, with Lord Vader.

Darth Vader

Determination

Engine upgrade

Concussion missile

Major Rhymer

PTL

APT

Assault Missile

Captain Jonus

My plan is to use Rhymer's PTL and Vaders actions for both of them to TL and focus in the first combat round. Fire Assault missile and Concussion missile, reroll two with Jonus. Round two, Rhymer uses TL and focus for the APT, reroll two for Jonus. Dog fight as usual.

I would drop determination and upgrade Vader's Concussion into an Assault.

but that would be playing the deck and hoping Vader doesn't get Pilot Crits

determination is a waste of a point. Vader only has 2 hits where crits matter (third means death regardless) and you only have a 1/4 chance to get a pilot crit. The odds make it so unlikely it's pointless.

Actually, Determination works on all 3 hits, as it DISCARDS the pilot crit. So if Vader is dealt a Pilot Crit as his 3rd point of damage, he discards it, and still has 1 hull remaining.

Three ship Imperial List, what do you think this is, the Rebellion?

Here's one I haven't tried yet but will tonight or tomorrow

Vader with squad leader,and proton Torpedoes

Captian jonus with swarm tactics

Scimitar pilot with concussion missles and proton torpedoes

academy pilot

There maybe a point or 2 let over

You guys were right, the bombers work much better in groups. Five people turned out for x-wing night so we played 300 points a side. The other imp player already had bomber picked out so we grouped them all together. Jonus with swarm tactics is awesome. Out of the 300 point lists, by end game there were three bombers (Jonus, Rymer, Scimitar), three ties (Black, academy x2) and two interceptors (Soontir, Saber) against one Ibatsim, two gold squadrons, one very damaged and doomed green squad and a tye.