Tie Punisher...The good, the bad, the ugly

[blade_mercurial 2,091]

 

Also, as a 0 point Modification, it is great on Redline.  Fire your shot, use Target Lock to re-roll, then use the Monkey to change a non-Hit into a Hit.  You should do 4-6 damage every Cluster Missile card spent.

 

Wait... I thought you couldn't modify the same die twice?  Shouldn't it be that you have to choose EITHER to use TL or monkey?

 

Nope.  You can only RE-ROLL a die once.  If you couldn't modify a die more than once, than TL + focus would not be as good as it is.  Even palpatine would be a little sad sometimes...

[ficklegreendice 34,362]

thrusters on redline are there to protect you V opposing swarms and a single TLT, sometimes

 

now that chips are out, there is no reason to use any other mod, though

 

it's just max damage all the time

 

 

still made of glass, so be sure to bring a few ships to protect him. Like all glass cannons, redline's most effective as a flanker

[EctoPilot 58]

thrusters on redline are there to protect you V opposing swarms and a single TLT, sometimes

 

now that chips are out, there is no reason to use any other mod, though

 

it's just max damage all the time

 

 

still made of glass, so be sure to bring a few ships to protect him. Like all glass cannons, redline's most effective as a flanker

 

 

 

 

Yes, I learned my lesson the hard way. Still figuring out where best to place my squad at the beginning of the game. I think I am pretty good at moving around once things get going. Just those first few turns are tricky, i guess that is the easy part too!!!  

Edited January 4, 2016 by EctoPilot

[Darth Chuck 532]

Like any low Agility ship, Redline is suseptible to being burned down by swarms  and high-powered focused-fire.  I have had success in bringing her in on the "second wave" of combat.  By this I mean have her squad-mates engage the enemy first to draw fire and then Redline swoops in to take out targets of opportunity.  If you can target an actionless ship with Cluster Missiles, they are going to have a bad day.

[Carnor Rex 253]

If you really want to use the punisher try deathrain instead, or else a minimally upgraded cutlass. DR is for a difference purpose but he excels at that and I've found him to be far more durable than RL. Conversely the cutlass does similar to RL, not as good mind you, but a full 1/3 cheaper. Then the only issue is bombers now do ordnance better by virtue of cost.. so are the 3 shields and access to systems really worth 5 pts to you?

[Darth Chuck 532]

If you really want to use the punisher try deathrain instead, or else a minimally upgraded cutlass. DR is for a difference purpose but he excels at that and I've found him to be far more durable than RL. Conversely the cutlass does similar to RL, not as good mind you, but a full 1/3 cheaper. Then the only issue is bombers now do ordnance better by virtue of cost.. so are the 3 shields and access to systems really worth 5 pts to you?

Redline's double Target Lock mechanic is insanely good with Fire Control System.  Each ordnance shot get a full Target Lock re-roll so they just work so much better.  She is a Bomber with Jonus rolled into one ship.  She is what Jonus should be without the stupid "ability does not work on his own blasted ship" issue.  I imagine if Jonus's ability worked on himself he would see a lot more play.

[ficklegreendice 34,362]

The named punishers are the only ones worth using ATM

Bombers do the generic's job for far cheaper

RL is the easiest of the two, but that's very relative. D-rain takes a LOT of practice to use whereas RL just sorta plows foward like a tank

RL requires an understanding of positioning for TL, flanking tactics + a screen to protect him, but D-rain's shenanigans can get a little...complicated

Edited January 4, 2016 by ficklegreendice

[Carnor Rex 253]

Well said guys.

I agree redlines damage output is insane. I just find her to be a little fragile for the cost at times. But, if you want sheer carnage RL brings it.

Deathrain otoh is more disruptive. He requires pre plotted sequences you've designed the ship around and memorized. I find the him challenging and rewarding, but also much more durable than his counterpart bar certain counters.

[Gersun 544]

I quite enjoy the generic punishers. My maximum investment on them is 32 points, and with FCS and guidance chips they can definitely pull their own weight. They aren't as big of a target as Redline, and with GC you can do max damage often enough anyway, especially if you also have a focus. 

[EctoPilot 58]

The named punishers are the only ones worth using ATM

Bombers do the generic's job for far cheaper

RL is the easiest of the two, but that's very relative. D-rain takes a LOT of practice to use whereas RL just sorta plows foward like a tank

RL requires an understanding of positioning for TL, flanking tactics + a screen to protect him, but D-rain's shenanigans can get a little...complicated

 

 

Well said guys.

I agree redlines damage output is insane. I just find her to be a little fragile for the cost at times. But, if you want sheer carnage RL brings it.

Deathrain otoh is more disruptive. He requires pre plotted sequences you've designed the ship around and memorized. I find the him challenging and rewarding, but also much more durable than his counterpart bar certain counters.

 

I have not used DR yet. I really need to get more experience flanking and positioning the punisher before I start spitting out bombs. I can only fathom the hurt that DR brings. I am really considering dropping the phantom out of my list and just using tie's and tie/fo's. Maybe interceptors. I would like more ships on the field to block and free up movement.

 

Thoughts?

[ficklegreendice 34,362]

FOs work well. They screen redline but also do enough damage to be relevant in case he needs to peace out

 

 

just Redline (plasmas, clusters, munitions, guidance chips, fire control system)

3 Omegas (1 crackshot, 2 juke + relay)

[Darth Chuck 532]

I can't wait to field Redline with Tractor Beam Defenders.  

[EctoPilot 58]

Ok, here is what I have come up with so far, for a new squad list:

 

TIE Punisher - Redline, FCS, Extra Munitions, Cluster Missiles x2, 

TIE Interceptor - Alpha Squadron Pilot

TIE/fo - Epsilon Squadron Pilot

TIE/fo - Epsilon Squadron Pilot

TIE Fighter - Academy pilot

 

I believe that is 99 points.

Edited January 7, 2016 by EctoPilot

[f0rbiddenc00kie 159]

I can't help but feel that that list may have trouble with arc-dodgers.  You have a LOT of firepower, so maybe you can afford a budget F/O ace or something that can deal stress/ions for even 1 turn.

[EctoPilot 58]

I can't wait to field Redline with Tractor Beam Defenders.  

How would that exactly work, it sounds interesting....

[Sanguinary Dan 468]

Yeah, I don't get that one. You'd have to use Brath or Vessery+VI to have the Tractor Beams help Redline. The generics PS is too low and the token expires in the end phase.

[Darth Chuck 532]

 

I can't wait to field Redline with Tractor Beam Defenders.  

How would that exactly work, it sounds interesting....

 

The generic Defenders don't have to support Redline because she brings the pain all by herself.  However, a Tractor Beam Defender can hit hard by itself with a quasi-Wedge ability.  I think Ion Cannon Defenders are the most dangerous, but they get expensive and a pair probably won't work well with Redline.  The x7 Title may be the best option here.

[EctoPilot 58]

 

 

I can't wait to field Redline with Tractor Beam Defenders.  

How would that exactly work, it sounds interesting....

 

The generic Defenders don't have to support Redline because she brings the pain all by herself.  However, a Tractor Beam Defender can hit hard by itself with a quasi-Wedge ability.  I think Ion Cannon Defenders are the most dangerous, but they get expensive and a pair probably won't work well with Redline.  The x7 Title may be the best option here.

 

I will look up the X7 title. 

 

Here is the list that I have right now:

"Redline", Fire-Control System, Extra Munitions, Cluster Missiles x2, 

 

Royal Guard Pilot, Twin Ion Engine Mk. II, Autothrusters, Royal Guard title

 

"Zeta Ace", Calculation, Twin Ion Engine Mk. II

 

Zeta Squadron Pilot

 

I would like to have the Omega Leader Tie/fo, instead of zeta ace. Thoughts?

[ficklegreendice 34,362]

reddy needs plasmas for r3 (-1 point)

 

the escort is overall weak

 

 

Interceptors just dont do much without PTL

 

Zeta A isnt really a presence there.

 

crackshot or juke + relay (or, if Zeta L, predator) FOs are what youre lookin for

[Darth Chuck 532]

Not sure you get enough out of the TIE Mk II engines for the points.  If you scrapped them, you would save 2 points which would almost get you a Stealth Device on the Royal Guard Pilot.  Maybe also downgrade Zeta Squad to an Epsilon to get the Stealth Device.

[ficklegreendice 34,362]

stealth is weak without soontir

 

those dice without focus dont really matter

[EctoPilot 58]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

Here is the new list that I have come up with:

 

"Redline", Fire-Control System, Extra Munitions, Plasma Torpedos, Cluster Missiles x2

 

Zeta Leader, Predator, Weapons Guidence

 

Epsilon Squad Pilot, Comm Relay

 

Epsilon Squad Pilot

 

Hopefully this will work, I need to go get TIE/fo's and TIE Defenders now, YAY!!!

Edited January 12, 2016 by EctoPilot

[Rividius 583]

I've been running Redline and a Crackshot Swarm on Vassal, and having a lot of fun with it. Even winning some games.

 

Been playing around with using an Assault Missile over Plasma Torpedoes + Ion bombs, so I'm still experimenting with different payloads on Redline.

 

"Redline" (27)

Fire-Control System (2)

Extra Munitions (2)

Plasma Torpedoes (3)

Cluster Missiles (4)

Ion Bombs (2)

Guidance Chips (0)

 

Black Squadron Pilot (14)

Crack Shot (1)

 

Black Squadron Pilot (14)

Crack Shot (1)

 

Black Squadron Pilot (14)

Crack Shot (1)

 

Black Squadron Pilot (14)

Crack Shot (1)

 

Total: 100

 

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

[EctoPilot 58]

Picked up everything I need to make my new list a reality. I will post the battle report when I play my first tournament.

 

 

 

 

I've been running Redline and a Crackshot Swarm on Vassal, and having a lot of fun with it. Even winning some games.

 

Been playing around with using an Assault Missile over Plasma Torpedoes + Ion bombs, so I'm still experimenting with different payloads on Redline.

 

"Redline" (27)

Fire-Control System (2)

Extra Munitions (2)

Plasma Torpedoes (3)

Cluster Missiles (4)

Ion Bombs (2)

Guidance Chips (0)

 

Black Squadron Pilot (14)

Crack Shot (1)

 

Black Squadron Pilot (14)

Crack Shot (1)

 

Black Squadron Pilot (14)

Crack Shot (1)

 

Black Squadron Pilot (14)

Crack Shot (1)

 

Total: 100

 

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

 

 

Rividius, This list looks like a lot of fun! I wish I had all the Crackshot cards to make it work. Also no Guidance chips yet either. I have been toying with the idea of a Punisher Defender list with lots of ion tokens! Hmm....

[EctoPilot 58]

I just picked up a VT-49, so I am not sure if that helps me out much. Man my wife is gonna kill me.

Edited January 13, 2016 by EctoPilot