My basic build for the shuttle is Engine Upgrade + Gunner. Together they make a pretty nasty ship. I know some people also like to put the advanced targeting system but I don't find it necessary and the gunner comes pretty close to guaranteeing hits at three attack dice.

My problem is that I have been building lists a few times and 8 points on upgrades to a shuttle is still a lot.

If you had to choose between a shuttle with just EU or Gunner what would you prefer. Please factor price into you choice.

EU every time.

The gunner is nice no question. But it's only useful if you land no hits, the EU can be valuable every time.

My problem is that I have been building lists a few times and 8 points on upgrades to a shuttle is still a lot.

Gunner + Engines is 9 pts fyi. Gunner is 5 and Engines are 4.

I agree with VanorDM, Engines for sure, but I will add that I would call into question why you are using the shuttle at all at that point. There are better options

My basic build for the shuttle is Engine Upgrade + Gunner. Together they make a pretty nasty ship. I know some people also like to put the advanced targeting system but I don't find it necessary and the gunner comes pretty close to guaranteeing hits at three attack dice.

My problem is that I have been building lists a few times and 8 points on upgrades to a shuttle is still a lot.

If you had to choose between a shuttle with just EU or Gunner what would you prefer. Please factor price into you choice.

If you're not going to give it the suitable upgrades, why take it at all? I mean if you run it too light, it can't do it's job and you would be better off putting the points into other ships that can fit within your point budget.

Agreed. If you have to keep one, keep Engine Upgrade. But the others raise a good point. You seem to be stripping points out of the shuttle because you consider it the least important ship in your list. The shuttle only shines if you have upgrades on it, especially combos no other ship can take. You might be best replacing it with another craft or two.

Otherwise, the lightest I would run the Lambda is:

OGP + Advanced Sensors + Engine Upgrade (28)

Cheaper than gunner by 2 points.

No love for the Doomshuttle if you need a cheaper shuttle? That's only 24 points, probably the most efficient <25pt shuttle build.