[X3TC] Bomber (M8) Usage

[Kantall]

I've been wondering lately how bombers are intended to be used and how other players tend to use them. I've been using them as essentially space artillery, firing from a long distance, but to very, very little success, even an occupied foe usually manages to shoot down my missiles. I'd be interested to hear how the rest of you use these crafts, along with any success/faiure stories.

[Rive]

Don't fly them personally, but keep the target distracted with your own Wasps or Typhoons while you order the M8 to launch some barrages.

Ps.:
- go with barrages, don't bother with just lone missiles
- 10-20km distance should be OK, don't stretch the launch distance up to the max range.

[Razorwind]

if have to either get in front of your enemy (main battery doesn't shoot down missiles) or a blind spot (Like under and over Xenon Q's).
Another way I've heard people use them is to launch missiles and jump out of the system as they wont be shot down OOS.

It works great for assassination missions where you can just hit and jump.

[heratik]

SETA also helps helps prevent ships shooting down incoming missiles.

[Catra]

SETA also helps helps prevent ships shooting down incoming missiles.

Only if your comp can't handle the extra load. =p I know mine can at 10x >_<

[Triaxx2]

M8's are sledge hammers for cracking walnuts.

Basically it's a heavy hammer, to deliver a lot of damage, rather than the scalpel like method of firing just a few heavy missiles.

Barrages are there to give you anti-capital knock out power.

[Panzerman]

I'd like them a lot more if you could dock them on something short of an Aran.

[Alan Phipps]

Another way I've heard people use them is to launch missiles and jump out of the system as they wont be shot down OOS.

That will not work; as soon as the Player jumps OOS all missiles already in flight cease to exist. OOS combat thereafter is a totally different numbers game.

[deca.death]

.

M8, very effective tool of destruction. What you lack is obviously Additional command>missile barrage. I use them for assassination missions on occasions. They need a small tomahaw. missileplex to be used as intended. One can take 100 of those. Basically, trade oriented player which doesn't want to have large army could go through entire game with just handful of those. They can eliminate every threat very effectively.


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[Triaxx2]

What's happening in the jump out trick is to launch the missiles, and then jump out the originating ship, while remaining in-sector yourself.

[balistos]

hi,

yop, park some at a tomahawk complex, configured to automatically supply with missile and cells. it's the obliteration team :) call one from oos to oos strike. really good for emergencies, with barrage command, when a K or some J ... or a xenon shipyard pops

[Lelouch]

What's happening in the jump out trick is to launch the missiles, and then jump out the originating ship, while remaining in-sector yourself.

Too complicated. ;)

Spoiler

Show

It is totally sufficient to fire the missiles from your own ship and jump back to a jump-gate. Only need one ship, you're still IS and no reputation penalty.

[Kantall]

Thanks for the feedback guys, some great tips here, I've done a little testing based on the advice given and my success rate seems to have improved. M8s are, honestly, a ship I'd almost ignored before now, but hopefully I'll soon have a place for them in my fleet-to-be