Bomber

The bomber is used primarily to destroy any planetary defense: its high Rapid-Fire against most defensive structures makes it effective for planetary assaults. Like Destroyers, they are relatively expensive and require a developed infrastructure and an advanced level of technological research to construct. Hyperspace engines are added when Hyperspace Drive level 8 is reached, increasing its speed.

Uses and Advantages

Bombers are most useful for crushing enemy defenses, except for Plasma Turrets and Gauss Cannons, against which they have no Rapid-Fire. Given their high deuterium cost to build and move, they are mostly a specialty ship. Bombers are powerful and have high structural integrity, and can be effective against fleets sitting behind defense when combined with Destroyers. Once Hyperspace Drive 8 is reached, their propulsion system is upgraded, giving Bombers the same speed as Destroyers.

Shortcomings

While Bombers are slightly stronger than Battleships, it is not recommended to include them in attacking fleets (except with Destroyers, as noted above). Given their slow speed, you would expose your force to potential Sensor Phalanx crashes. Bombers require the same amount of fuel as Destroyers but are slower (until Hyperspace Drive 8 is reached); therefore, it often better to use Destroyers instead of Bombers in an attack, unless there is a sizable defense at the target in addition to fleet.

Requirements

• Shipyard (level 8)
• Impulse Drive (level 6)
• Plasma Technology (level 5)

Cost

Performance

Rapid-Fire Against

Rapid-Fire From