My goal is to build a squad and stick with that squad for a while, so I can somewhat master the game, learn different tactics and get better with the squad that I built. I will swap out upgrades from game to game to see how things work out but I will stick with the pilots I start off with. So if you had just one squad to build and fly what would it be? For the Empire or for the Rebels. I do realize that different people can fly the exact same squad differently (one person says squad A build is great and another person says squad A build sucks.) but I just wanted to get some ideas.

Flux

Here's my favorite:

Biggs+R2-D2+shield upgrade - force your opponent to take R3 shots at him

Jan+Ion Cannon - Jan gives one of your pilots an extra attack die each round and uses her Ion to set up easy kills

Ten+Adv. Sensor+Marksmanship - Ten does the damage and gets things off the board

Bloody Daggers, easily

Red Squadron Pilot 23

Red Squadron Pilot 23

DaggerSquadron Pilot 24

+ Advanced Sensors 3

DaggerSquadron Pilot 24

+ Advanced Sensors 3

Simple, yet very effective. All PS4 which makes it easy to maneuver and has great firepower. Four ships means even early play mistakes can be overcome, especially since the Bs are particularly dangerous.

So, I would interpret that as you want to get really good at flying and really learn how to play the game well. In that case, I would recommend as mixed of a squad as possible. XYAB. I would also put AdvS on the B because it changes how it flies so drastically. And obviously an Ion Cannon Turret on the Y wing.

This leaves you with 14 points to change and upgrade throughout your games. I've become a big fan of the Green w/ PTL, but I would suggest starting with a Prototype and learning why the Green w/ PTL is worth so much more than those 5 points (or the Blue you could have for the same points).

It allows you to be able to do the hyper mobile B wing (Ibby w/ PTL + EU + AdvS)... Though again, I would suggest starting with just a Blue/Dagger w/ AdvS... try overusing the barrel roll before you move. Soon you'll start seeing things that you didn't before, and you'll start learning when you should BR before you move and when you shouldn't. Likewise with the A wing, overuse Boost. Soon you'll learn when you should and when you shouldn't boost, and what way you should/shouldn't boost.

From there, you'll have quite a bit of exposure to how the different ships fly, and the different advantages to each one, and you'll be able to then go and decide that you want a second B wing instead of an X, or that the ICT doesn't fit you play style, that you'd rather have an A wing, etc. And then you'll be able to make a justified decision to change a ship out.

If you want an actual list to start with, here's what I just won a store championship with:

Green w/ PTL

Red

Dagger w/ AdvS

Dutch w/ ICT

Given, I played against two swarms, so those 4 points on the PS bid were wasted, but my 3rd match had reds in it, so they kept me shooting at the same time.

Pick a Ship you really like and stick with it, Rebels are probably the best for this because they come with many upgrade options. Id probably just start with 2 or 3 xwings and go from there. xwings are probably my go to ship.

just sayin i only own empire and field mostly swarm like ships but named pilots only so up to 6 fighters and stealth devices on them but my favorite pilot is backstabber with stealth device. i mastered the swarm and how to fly with bombers aswell. iam now learning to fly the firesprays i won with my 3 bounty hunter list was a close call but yeah best thing to master that ship is to fly it in mass to get a feel of it.

Pick a Ship you really like and stick with it, Rebels are probably the best for this because they come with many upgrade options. Id probably just start with 2 or 3 xwings and go from there. xwings are probably my go to ship.

Great advice here! Find a ship that interests you. What do you want to push around the table? This is a game, and you're suppose to have fun playing it. Build fleets around this ship and enjoy!

I think Advanced Sensors should be avoided when just starting out. Might get you too dependent on the guartunteed action and not focus on how the ship flies as much.

Yeah, I like that Khyros mentions "spread the love" when selecting the ships. I would almost go with just the basic ships first, few if any upgrades, just to see how they work, fly, attack, defend, etc. Expect to lose and be pleasantly surprised when you don't. After you feel you have a firm idea of the basic capabilities, place some kind of upgrade on each ship or a better pilot, dropping one of the ships to keep point cost at/below 100. Play with those upgrades until you see how that affects things. When you know how each ship maneuvers with the basic dials, add upgrades that radically change movement; Engine Upgrade, Advanced Sensors, etc. and see how that opens up the options.

By keeping a variety of ships in the squad and slowly upgrading you are keeping yourself well-rounded and even acting in the role of a rookie to veteran.

This would be a really cool concept in a league with a fair number of new players. Assign each new player a consistent opponent (undecided if that should be another new player or a veteran) so they can progress over a period of 12-15 games, "graduating" from flight school. Perhaps even getting their name on a flight school plaque, ala BSG/Top Gun, after they graduate.

Hida77, how many new players in our league do you think might like that?

If you really want a squad that you can change the upgrades around but always use the same ships I like Biggs X-wing with two Dagger B-wings.

You can play around with different combos on Biggs.

R2-D2 with Shield Upgrade or R2-F2 pulse stealth device or maybe even save the points and put more upgrades into the B-wings. Biggs always moves after Dagger which will help when it comes to maneuvering and staying within range 1.

IMO Han + 2 ships is always a safe bet.

Han can go crazy with upgrdes (Veteran Inst + navigator, Push the limit + Recon, Gunner + Marksmanship) and those 4x points left can hold anything: classic x-wing escort, cheap Y with Ion, As with Push the Limit...

If you would prefer rebels, I would pick Biggs + some other ships. Biggs is one of the best rebel ships and can really make a squad. Understanding how to fly this list will teach you a lot and help you master the game. Here's a couple examples of classic Biggs Squads

Biggs

Luke + DTF + R2-D2

x2 Rookies

Biggs

Wedge

x2 Blue Squadron

There's still a couple of points to spend and you can mix and match as you see fit. Any Biggs + 3 other ships is going to be strong.

For imperials I would suggest you do some sort of swarm with Howlrunner, or you go for interceptors.

Howlrunner is also one of the most important ships. Her ability is super good and really makes the swarm work. Understanding how to fly a swarm will teach you a lot. Here's a sample swarm list

Howlrunner

Dark Curse

x5 Academy Pilots

94pts This gives you 6 pts to play with for upgrades. There's ton's of different kinds of swarms but understanding them and how they fly will give you a lot to learn. The Swarm has legs when it comes to learning so you can spend a long time on this.

Interceptors are a totally different beast. Interceptors take time to learn. It's a high risk high reward with these guys. These guys are all about being able to reposition themselves so they can't be shot at. They are often called glass cannons as one bad defense roll can take one of these guys out. On the other had these are one of the funnest ships to fly, and that right there can take you a long way. Here's a sample squad for you.

Soontir Fel + Royal Guard Title + PTL + Targeting Comp + Shield

x2 Royal Guard Pilot + Royal Guard Title + PTL + Hull + Shield

As a general note I like Shield over Stealth because Shield always works were as 1 bad roll with the Stealth and it can be all over. This is really just a suggestion, so you can fly what ever you like.