18 replies to this topic

[1871]

wow, they must be aleep when they make their runs cause they do not kill anything. Playing as PRM.

[Phoenix Rising]

None of the bomber armaments are "special" as before. Same goes for bombardment - both fit into the broader mechanic. The light torpedoes that bombers use are the same as used by the MPTL. Bombardment fires 3 salvos of 8 medium space turbolasers. Destruction is not guaranteed, but it helps to bring your best bombers.

[SpardaSon21]

From what has been described of the updated bombing run mechanics, early bombers will be underwhelming while something like the K-Wing or Scimitar will lay waste to whole formations with their massive payloads. Just keep upgrading your bombers.

[Ghostrider]

If you have a look at the manual it gives all the bombing run stats.

It really shows why the empire invested in the Tie Bomber (technically the TIE/sa - or Surface Assault) variant.
Personally, i would never use TIE Bombers in space combat - they die too quickly until you get that x3 upgrade with shields, but they are lovely to have in an orbiting fleet when the Stormies hit heavy opposition.

Tip for Bombing Runs as the Alliance:
Make sure Ackbar is in orbit during the land invasion and see what happens to your bombing run strike....

Tip for Bombing Runs as the Empire:
The Venator Mark II is the Empire's quickes route to getting TIE Bombers in your orbiting fleet. A Venator II will ensure that you never get the disappointment of a TIE Targeter bombing strike!

One thing to note: For the current version, the upgrade level of the actual bomber does not affect the bombing run payload, so don't expect to get more torpedoes with BTL-S5 Y-wings in orbit compared to the standard BTL-A1.

Scimitar Assault Bombers and K-Wings are glorious though. Enjoy!

[Phoenix Rising]

Actually, I nixed Ackbar's B-wing/E2 just before the release for timeline reasons! Instead, try it with Juno in orbit.

Edited by Phoenix Rising, 27 March 2012 - 07:23 PM.

[skie9173]

Bombardment fires 3 salvos of 8 medium space turbolasers.

I've noticed in the rebel version of Outer Rim campaign when I ordered an orbital bombardment with a the mon calimnari starting fleet it seemed to fire only ion cannons. Infintry were unaffected while vehicals were mearly stunned. Is this a special case or was I understanding you poorly.sorry I don't have more details off the top of my head.

[Phoenix Rising]

Oh, I was specifying for the Empire. The Rebellion does not bombard planets, hence they get turboions. The engine only allows one bombardment type per faction.

[skie9173]

Ahh thank you for clearing that up PR

[Stormhawk]

Tip for Bombing Runs as the Empire:
The Venator Mark II is the Empire's quickes route to getting TIE Bombers in your orbiting fleet. A Venator II will ensure that you never get the disappointment of a TIE Targeter bombing strike!

One thing to note: For the current version, the upgrade level of the actual bomber does not affect the bombing run payload, so don't expect to get more torpedoes with BTL-S5 Y-wings in orbit compared to the standard BTL-A1.

If upgrades don't affect bomb payload, why does the TIE Bomber/ Targeter distinction matter?

[Phoenix Rising]

They're not technically the same unit. We're treating the TIE/gt as a prototype TIE/sa, so think of it as part of the Advanced line, except in name.

[Ghostrider]

If you look closely at the TIE/gt model, you'll also see another link - it no longer has the standard TIE ball cockpit, but a larger pod, - in fact half of what will be the TIE/sa hull!
The fact that there are two distinctly different models enables us to treat the TIE/gt as a prototype and give it a different bombing run.

[wuffles]

I have to admit I really dont like the new bombing runs. With the things just targetting what they like they can totally ignore what you targetted because they just fire the weapons at something they saw before your target and so still be recharging by time they need attack target. Its really random as if they do anything worthwhile now although I dont think they ever were that powerful.

On the other hand the new heros are certainly much more useful. Overall ground combat is more fun than the original though.

[evilbobthebob]

I generally find that if you really want to kill things, bombers armed with ion cannons are pretty good because they knock stuff out for your ground troops to destroy. The bombers can keep firing their lasers and ion cannons without worrying about rearming.

[Phoenix Rising]

There's one more thing I can try to get the bombers to be more selective with their warheads. It's still a mini-mod.

[Stormhawk]

Personally, I love the new bombing runs. I've found even TIE Targeter runs can be effective if you pick targets well, like that pair of anti-vehicle turrets preventing your chariots from crossing the river. By the way, the new models looks really nice, including the Targeter.

Edit: An amusing side note, I just used a bombing run where my only bombers in orbit were part of the Exactor's complement, leading to an ARC-170 bombing run, haha.

Edited by Stormhawk, 10 April 2012 - 02:36 AM.

[johnchm.10]

K-wing runs are awesome

[Henry X]

Just unlocked Scimitars. Skipped over TIE Bombers, but we'll see the entertainment that follows.

I'll probably keep the scimitars with the really teched fleets and use bombers with the ones in the wilderness.

[johnchm.10]

what would be even better is if the other fighters could go on bombing runs. imagine using a Missile Boat on a run. i figure that there would be enough torpedoes on that bird to flatten a large enough area for a few Dreadnoughts to land and disgorge supplies. or an ISD

[Phoenix Rising]

That would eliminate the point of having a bomber class.