In the market for a bomber.

As Montoya said, it’s all about your play style.

The Retaliator will need to have some major crew to be a fully effective ship, but there should be some additional modules that will make it an interesting multi-role ship in the future.

The Gladiator is a carrier based bomber, but has very small torps compared to other ships. It will also be tougher than the Eclipse, but more visible on radar and able to defend itself better from fighter attack if you have a gunner in the turret,

The Eclipse has half the payload of the Retaliator and is a single person ship. While not as versatile as the Retaliator, it will have an interesting role in-game.

Finally, the Polaris is a major get in, shoot the big target and then get out ship....provided you have the crew for it. Just don’t expect to make major money with the Polaris.

If you are looking for a big ship killer, get the Eclipse or Retaliator. If you want long range, single person, and strong survival, get the Harbinger

If you want to troll then it sounds like Eclipse is your best bet. Super sneaky, big torpedoes.

Gladiator is much better in an all out brawl when shit hits the fan (more numerous and better guns, missile pylons for anti-fighter duties, manned turret to cover the rear), but doesn't have as large torpedoes as the Eclipse. Eventually once we have more shit to throw on pylons (extra scanners, drop tanks, ECM pods, etc) the Gladiator is gonna be kickass, but unfortunately it's the redheaded step-child of the military ships for some reason.

If it matters Gladiator is also half the price.


Retaliator is.....okay? I was never a huge fan and it seems like it's fans have a slew of issues with it.

Aramsolari said:

So I've been in the market for one for awhile.

Gladiator, Vanguard Harbringer, Retaliator, Eclipse? So many choices and I assume most of them will be on sale soon. I want something that can troll bigger player ships in the future. Advice? Suggestions?

Click to expand...

Something with range. Eclipse, Harbinger or Retaliator. If you want more of a fighter, then the Harbinger. If you want to play with friends then I like the Retaliator. I hate the cockpit view from the Eclipse.

AntiSqueaker said:

If you want to troll then it sounds like Eclipse is your best bet. Super sneaky, big torpedoes.

Gladiator is much better in an all out brawl when shit hits the fan (more numerous and better guns, missile pylons for anti-fighter duties, manned turret to cover the rear), but doesn't have as large torpedoes as the Eclipse. Eventually once we have more shit to throw on pylons (extra scanners, drop tanks, ECM pods, etc) the Gladiator is gonna be kickass, but unfortunately it's the redheaded step-child of the military ships for some reason.

If it matters Gladiator is also half the price.


Retaliator is.....okay? I was never a huge fan and it seems like it's fans have a slew of issues with it.

Click to expand...

The only real issue with the Retaliator is the state of turret play right now.

My opinions:
I. The Size 5 torpedo ships
a. The Gladiator is really under-rated, but, you definitely don't want to operate it singly...given how crappy turrets are now, you would want to have a beefy fighter escort, or multiple Gladiators. In combat/fleet action, I could really see a bunch of Gladiators being effective against the other sides Retaliators, Gladiators Harbingers, etc. Pro's: Carries 4 Size 5 Torps, and it looks cool!....Con's: Smaller Ship, Size 1 Shields, slow easy target, small guns (I used to have a lot of fun back in 2.5/2.6 engaging somebody in a dogfight and then surprising them with a torpedo...only the greenest n00b will fall for that nowadays, lol).

b. The Harbinger is a Vanguard, so it is really beefy with Size 2 shields & components, and carries big guns for defending itself. Pro: you could probably fiy this solo and operate singly in the verse right now & in the future; also has a bed. Con's: only carries 3 Size 5 Torpedoes

II. The Size 9 Torpedo ships
a. Retaliator....god, I love the looks of the thing, and I've had great times with it, but it is hard to recommend now. But, in the future, it definitely could be great again. With 6 Size 9 torpedoes, this thing is awesome! But BIG Con's are: no guns for the pilot, defenses rely on turrets (which are crap) and it is slow slow slow....Max Speed is 814 m/s (but the quantum drive is fairly fast).

b. Eclipse...as long as you understand stealth gameplay, and you can commit to running away if caught, this is a great ship. But you definitely cannot go toe-to-toe with most fighters, at all. However, if you can sneak up on somebody, you are deadly. Be aware that the utility of Size 9 torps against small ships will probably be reduced as gameplay gets refined...since you can only carry 3 torpedoes and can only fire one at a time, you aren't going to be able to take down big, capital ships. The worst Con: the cockpit lighting makes it hard to see out of! Also, no bed...

If your goal is just to troll large ships ...

Aramsolari said:

All great answers guys! Thanks.

Another thing role I'm looking for for this future bomber is doing the anti-Idris PVE missions. I'm leaning towards the Gladiator but it seems like it's a bit weak no?

Click to expand...

Talonsbane said:

If your goal is just to troll large ships ...

Click to expand...

Neither the Gladiator nor the Eclipse can do anything to the Idris on their own.

Eclipse could potentially down a Hammerhead/Polaris on its own if caught off-guard but definitely not an Idris, as you have only around 200k of torp damage in total (one shot at a time) vs those 1.5 million+ hp shields.

You would obviously need to flight in a group of Eclipses (3 of them at least i guess? firing same time) to breach the Idris defense.

Don't forget the Crusader Hercules A2.

That thing has the MOAB and customizable bomb bay. When you absolutely, positively, got to lay waste to and level the place, accept no substitutes.

I have to agree, Eclipse is the way to go for a pure stealth bomber role, I watched video's of this thing destroying ships before their seen its crazy. If you want group gameplay than Retaliator you can solo it but cant defend yourself without the I think 6 people to man the turrets but I have also seen people solo this thing its doable. If price is an issue Gladiator, if you want options grab the Vanguard as you can swap out the modules, unless that's changed. Imo for pure pewpewdie its Eclipse unless you want multicrew play than Retaliator.

I'll take the Vanguard as a torpedo boat: yes it doesn't have the big punch of the S9 torp , but is a modular ship so instead or being stick with a single role fighter you'll be alb ein the future to tune it to the necessity swapping the internal module.
Having a torpedo boat can be fun but can also limit it's usability, the modular Vanguard can outcome this limitation.

Yes, even the Retaliator have modules that we'll be able to swap, but do to his size it will be difficult if not impossibile to operate as a solo ship: even if more versatile this limit, in my opinion, the case of effectivly use it at full power.

I like bombers. Here's how I see using them: The Gladiator and Harbinger as a short-range daily drivers where dogfighting morphs to brawls with mid-sized combatants. The Eclipse for stealth patrols hunting larger ships (though they probably will only scratch a Polaris or larger). The Retaliator for serious group long-range bombing sorties (ideally with escort) to take out enemy heavies. The A2 for ground support or dropping of a 'present' in a capital ship's hangar whose shields are down. Fun times regardless of the role.

The eclipse was tempting but for me the Retaliator is way better as even without the stealth, it's got 5 turrets to defend itself, and is theoretically going to be modular so you could in the future use it for a lot more than just bombing.

I already had it and got it earlier and cheaper so it's a keeper. If all I am able to do with it is bomb stuff then so be it, but if the modularity comes later and I can do living quarters, cargo, etc then brill.

The vanguard and Gladiator are not in the same league, they're more fighters that can take a connie or two and will have no real chance against any capital ships. That said I also own a harbinger and if you retro fit it with size 4 missiles then you get 3 x S5 and 4 x S4 missiles which is a good payload for taking out small to medium ships or heling your mates make a dent in a larger one.

Turrets aside, the Retaliator can be flown solo. you can launch all 5 size 9 torps from your pilot seat.

Hi there, my 2 Cookies:


Down the most importants Reasons to take it or leave it, in my case the best for a Single Player will be the Eclipse / Gladiator and on the 3 th place the Retaliator but why?
Eclipse is a Single Seater, you can Operate Stealthy on youre own, you got 3x Size 9 Torps with you can Blow up allmost every short - Medium Sized Ship instantly, and for its size it is pretty agil and nimble to take a fast run out of the Danger Zone if needet.

The Gladiator for Second is because, it is like a little Multirollship on its own, just like the Name it said, you can fight with it, if youre 4xsize 5 Torps missing the Target, you allway got some Backup with Missles, and if a Friend is witz you, with some Decent Firepower for its size.

On the 3th Place i was really fighting between Harbinger and Retaliator, the reason the Harbinger is just on Place 4 is, because its Firepower is way lesser then what the Retaliator can do with its 6 x Size 9 Torps, and thats why its on Place 3, you can ofc play it allone, and if youre Sneaky enough to get through other Players, with 6 x Size9 Torps everything from small til Medium wil Blow up in a shiny blue red Explosion!

so its up to you, what kind of Torp Bomber you take!



What Bombers we have, right now and i assume only Torpedo Shooters:

Eclipse
Gladiator
Harbinger
Retaliator
Polaris

Pros and Cons

Eclipse:

Pros: Stealth / Size 9 Torps / Agil
Cons: Slow / only 1 torp per time / short reach / cant defend itself in close combat

Gladiator:

Pros: Bulky / Agil / Can Defend itself in Close Combat
Cons: just 4 x size 5 torps / you need a Coopilote to reach full potencial / short reach

Harbinger:

Pros: Heavy Armor / Medium Size Comps / Long Reach
Cons: not Agil / you need a Coopilote to reach full Potencial / Just 3 Torps size 5

Retaliator:

Pros: 6 x Size 9 Torps, you can Activate them together in a row / Bulky good Armored medium Components / good Reach /Modular for the Future
Cons: not Agil / you need Crew for full potencial / it is very slow 942 ms

Polaris:

Pros: Really Bulky heavy armored / 28x Size 10 Torps / Nimble/Agil for its size / Long Reach / carrier for youre other Ships
cons: you need Crew to reach full potencial / Slow against shorter Ships


Best Regards Cookie

"Eclipse:

Pros: Stealth / Size 9 Torps / Agil
Cons: Slow / only 1 torp per time / short reach / cant defend itself in close combat"

I think the Eclipse only gets 3 torp's, this was not designed for capital ships unless you are trying to annoy them or are in a fleet of Eclipses they are more of a medium/large ship hunter, there is no capital ship out there you can drop with 3 or even 6 torpedo's, in the Q&A CIG states it can destroy large targets but would only cause serious damage to a capital ship. And I wouldn't even attempt to drop 3 torps on a Polaris its suicide hehe.

Also if you read the Retaliator brochure it almost always refers to them in fleets of Retaliators not to often do they approach a capital ship alone, not saying they can't but its not their designated role to solo capital ships. We have to remember capital ships just don't run around without escorts, more than likely you will never see a Javelin, Idris or anything of that size by itself, the Retaliator is not stealth bomber, its just a bomber most fleets will detect this ship further out than an Eclipse that is why it is covered in turrets, its designed to push through fighters and deliver their payload, imo a single Retaliator trying to unload several torps on a capital ship will be hard if that fleet is defended and has patrols with any type of scanning/radar.

Imo you have to kind of compare these ships to modern ships,

Eclipse = B2 or new B21, I would have said F-117 but I don't feel the Eclipse is even remotely on par with its fighter capability so its restricted to simply bomber comparison.

Retaliator = B-17, tons of turrets, designed to penetrate enemy territory and defend itself long enough to deliver its payload, which requires multiple bombers to achieve a capital ship take down.

Again these are just opinions, it will always be situational in the end, it doesn't mean a few Eclipses could not take out a capital ship in the right environment or a solo Retaliator could not as well, but I would guess most of the time this is not achievable.

The Retaliator, once blades are in it will be sweet.

It is sweet even now. Just not very practical at the moment.

As others have said it really depends on the role you want to play.

Do you want to be part of the first wave and then be limited to flank attacks if even possible. Then go with the Eclipse
Do you want to be part of the whole battle focused on dodging fighters and engaging in large ships as a single pilot? Then go with a Gladiator
Do you want to be part of the whole battle focused on bringing the pain to large and capital ships while working as part of a small team? Then go with a Retaliator.
Do you want to be part of the whole battle have lots of money to spend and time to earn ingame UEC while working as part of a team? Then go with a Polaris.

Each ship will be needed it just depends on what role you wish to play.

I think you need to ask yourself two questions before any of the answers will be meaningful. First, is this for solo or group play? Second, does it need to be good at anything other than bombing?

The most utilitarian of all the bombers is certainly the Sentinel with the Harbinger module. People have noted it only has 3S5 torps, but it can do twice again that damage from ten clicks with its missiles, while hidden, and be able to run or shoot its way out of troubles none of the other bombers can.

Vanguards are easier to partner with since so many players have them, but those who fly Sentinels will be looking for other Sentinel pilots to team with on deep incursion stealth strike missions. None of the other bombers have the Vanguard’s range and speed.

If you want a bounty rig, there is none better than the Sentinel. If you want to land troops terrestrially or for in space boarding, the Hoplite module has you covered. With most modules its set to log off in. You can’t do that in an Eclipse or Gladiator.

Given superior mix of stealth, speed, firepower, range, endurance, hull strength, shield strength, missile loadout and supermodel drawing good looks, nothing else can compare.

And it even looks a Nox or X1 will fit in the back, though no one seems to have checked yet.