Scimitar Assault Bomber
The Scimitar Assault Bomber was developed by Imperial Engineers at the behest of Grand Admiral Thrawn following the [Battle of Endor. Thrawn saw the need for a craft that would be more effective than the aging TIE bomber, which suffered from poor maneuverability and a distinct lack of shields. The result was a dedicated bomber that combined the best features of the TIE bomber and the TIE interceptor, as well as some of the more successful features of the fighter craft used by the Alliance. It was dubbed the Scimitar, in honor of the Scimitar Assault Wing, the Empire’s most decorated and experienced bomber wing.
Though the ship was effective when used in large numbers, deployment of the Scimitar was impeded by the fact that the Empire’s strength was at the lowest point it had been in years. the once-powerful war machine had crumbled, its supply lines either nonexistent or stretched hopelessly thin. Those Scimitars that saw combat performed quite well, earning a reputation as dangerous prey among the New Republic pilots who opposed them.
<Capabilities
Despite its Imperial pedigree, the Scimitar is not a TIE design, even though it shares some of the TIE’s features. For one, it incorporates powerful shields, something that was nigh unthinkable within the previo9us Imperial regime. Even though it wasn’t equipped with a hyperdrive, making it reliant on larger ships for transport between star systems, it did incorporate another feature that was new to experienced pilots: an escape pod. In emergency situations, the forward section of the ship could be detached, allowing the pilot and copilot to survive their vessel’s destruction. Thrawn’s reasoning was that the experienced crews that manned the bombers were at least as valuable as the ships they flew.
When deployed, Scimitars would launch from their mother ship en masse, descending upon their objective in a swarm. Once their target had been acquired, each bomber would launch its full complement of missiles in a single sustained volley, virtually guaranteeing its destruction. The ship’s laser cannons could be angled as well, allowing the Scimitar to make brutally effective strafing runs against ground targets.
Sienar Fleet Systems Scimitar Assault Bomber (CL 11)
Starships of the Galaxy, page 127.
Gargantuan starfighter
Initiative: +5; Senses: Perception +6
Defenses: Fort 28, Ref 17 (flat-footed 13) ; +8 armor, Vehicular Combat
Hit Points: 150; DR: 10; SR: 25; Damage Threshold: 48
Speed: fly 16 squares (max. velocity 1,150 km/h), fly 4 squares (starship scale)
Ranged: 2 medium concussion missiles +6 (see below) and
light laser cannons +8 (see below)
Fighting Space: 8×8 or 1 square (starship scale); Cover: total
Base Attack: +2; Grapple: 35
Attack Options: autofire (light laser cannons)
Abilities: Str 46, Dex 19, Con —, Int 18
Skills: Initiative +5, Mechanics +6, Perception +6, Pilot +5, Use Computer +6
Crew: 2 (skilled); Passengers: none
Cargo: 200 kg; Consumables: 2 days; Carried Craft: none
Availability: Military; Cost: 120,000 (45,000 used)
Medium concussion missiles (copilot)
Attack: +6, Damage: 9d10×2, 4-square splash
Light laser cannons (pilot)
Attack: +8 (+3 autofire), Damage: 4d10×2