Ok, I've finally ordered this game after admiring it from afar for ages. I've gone for the start up set plus Falcon, Slave 1, Vader and another standard Tie.

So the question is apart from another start up set, what else should I get and why?

What is best to use or buy as a playing area?

You need an X-Wing expansion to get the rest of the named X-Wing Pilots.

Each ship has unique cards. So likely 1 of every expansion would be recommended.

For me, I would go:

Xwing expansion - wedge!

Bwing x2 - possibly the best rebel ship

Imperial Aces - 2 interceptors plus PTL upgrade cards

Alabaster Void Manatee, aka the Lambda Shuttle - advanced sensors for Bwing.

But it really depends on what you like to fly. Good luck from a fellow beginner!

Hehe, THAT depends on how much you wanna spend!

Based on what you have already it seems the Empire might have itself another villian bolstering its ranks.

Seems you already know that a second Core is always a good option because you net two more TIEs as well as the additional dice and templates.

Crabbok (on the forums here as well) has a good video on youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAEO5E-hxn4&list=UUt9cO9QooyLopZmu2XT4T0w

For your first question, welcome to "Crack is Cheaper!"

Basically, we're a bunch of completionists here, so our ultimate advice will be "4x of Everything, including the Core Set!"
My specific advice is "Buy something that you want to try out, and try it out!"

As for the second, the game's designed for just a standard table. If you're looking for something on the cheap, I'd suggest going down to Lowe's (or your hardware store of choice) and getting a 4'x4' piece of high-quality plywood that has been sanded smooth, but has not been painted or otherwise finished.
On that board, inscribe a 3'x3' square for play, and you're good to go!

This gives you added utility of using a pencil to trace your obstacles out to prevent them from shaking when someone nudges them, or tracing your ship when someone else needs to move through it.

Thanks for the good advice guys, I was thinking of getting one of those purpose made playing mats but at £30 GBP, it seems a bit steep. Defo going for another X wing, then I'm gonna play a few games and see how I go, but I can just see that I'll end up wanting to collect everything, the new Tie's that are out later in the year look to be on my list!

Ok, I've finally ordered this game after admiring it from afar for ages. I've gone for the start up set plus Falcon, Slave 1, Vader and another standard Tie.

So the question is apart from another start up set, what else should I get and why?

What is best to use or buy as a playing area?

Order a third core set, then one of each expansion.

With three core sets you can have a good 100 point game with straight x-wings and tie fighters at the most cost effective method. Plus, you'll have extra dice and movement templates for your buddies who don't have their own stuff or if a die fall down the heat vent, or your kid spills his pop on your templates.

Depending on your taste, you may really like flying one type of ship and not another, but at least you have all of the ships and the cards that they come with. You might go out and buy a Y-wing and want to have three more after you fly it, or not.

For a play area I use a black travel blanket (4x4) that velcroes closed and slip the handle in my tackle box clasp. It rolls up to about 6" wide and about 12" wide, very neat and tidy. At home I use two flush hollow core sliding doors, covered with black felt. I lay them over my dining room table and presto! Huge-o board that takes three turns to intercept one another unless we start at range 3 from the edge. My home play surface is 80x60"

I was thinking for the sake of space to play on 3x3, will that drastically effect the experience.

3x3 is standard tournament size. Really, unless you are playing huge games with hundreds of points on each side, 3x3 is all you need.

I use a square yard of black felt that I got from the local craft store. The felt grips the ship bases nicely and keeps stuff from sliding around. Also its cheap and transports easily. I also bought a white paint marker and added some stars to give it a nice immersive space background.

As far as what to buy, I agree with the others who have said 'buy what you like to fly'. I try not to look at too many of other people's list ideas or game philosophies. I think its more fun to just play with your friends and come up with your own. (Don't get me wrong, if I was going to a tournament I would heavily obsess over list builds and game meta).

It depends on who you are playing with too. If no one else in your gaming circle is a collector of this game, you might need to buy some ships for both factions so that you can have lively games. If you know a few folks that have some models you can just focus on the faction that you play more often.

I really can not wait for my goodies to arrive, it's been disputed from amazon so should be here mid next week. The weekend is looking awesome!

Ok, I've finally ordered this game after admiring it from afar for ages. I've gone for the start up set plus Falcon, Slave 1, Vader and another standard Tie.

So the question is apart from another start up set, what else should I get and why?

What is best to use or buy as a playing area?

I looks like you'll have the minimum to run a 100 point Rebels squad although Falcon + X-Wing is a bit light on ships. You're also set up for a 100 point imperial squad utilizing all of your current ships.

That second starter will be good for all sorts of reasons. While you can field more than five TIE Fighters I feel that is a good number to own as having a mini-swarm of 4-5 fighters can work with several kinds of support. The second Core also gets you the second X-Wing which you need to help fill the void with ships.

To that list the first thing I believe you should add is the X-Wing expansion which gets you to three X-Wings, which can be played as a squadron without the Falcon, and get you the rest of the X-Wing pilots until the big ships come out.

After those two things I believe your options are wide open. You'd have a good base to build off of allowing you to try new ships as you will.

My suggestion would definitely be a second core set. After that, buy at least one of everything (take your time, though don't rush it and go broke). After that it's up to what you like. If you are planning on getting the transport, though, I strongly suggest that you not get more than 1 X-wing expansion, as 4 Xs is as many as you can field.

Thanks for the good advice guys, I was thinking of getting one of those purpose made playing mats but at £30 GBP, it seems a bit steep. Defo going for another X wing, then I'm gonna play a few games and see how I go, but I can just see that I'll end up wanting to collect everything, the new Tie's that are out later in the year look to be on my list!

I just bought a plain black cloth 8'x4' - gets used for Battlefleet Gothic as well and fits our standard gaming tables at our local club.

With your current collection, you need more Rebels for sure. There seems to be a passion for running 2-3 X-Wings so that's never a bad plan. I've tried to keep my forces balanced so I can play either side with someone new to the game.

Good luck, either way.

All great advice guys, thanks.

Just ordered another starter set, Imperial shuttle, another X-Wing, this game is going to bankrupt me!

I'm screwed when the big ships come out!

And now I play the waiting game, all items dispatched form Amazon, hope they are here for this weekend. Just have to tell my girlfriend that this weekend is X-Wing time!

And now I play the waiting game, all items dispatched form Amazon, hope they are here for this weekend. Just have to tell my girlfriend that this weekend is X-Wing time!

And I hope that is so you can invite her to learn as well instead of the dreaded "sorry, I'm not going to have time for you," line.

She says she will give it a go, she's cool like that, hey she lets me drag her to games stores and the odd convention!

She says she will give it a go, she's cool like that, hey she lets me drag her to games stores and the odd convention!

She sure has a lot going for her. You certainly should consider keeping her.

Oh yes, a definite keeper, she secretly loves my geek ness, especially my two lightsabers and stormtrooper helmet

My only advice is sell plasma...or get a second job. Oh and enjoy!

Hey. Newbie here, just noticed the posts here in this thread that say this game is really expensive. How would you guys compare the costs of X-Wing to say, Magic: The Gathering or Warhammer 40k?

Can't speak to Magic anymore, but compared to 40K X-Wing is free. Seriously, GW is way off the rails at this point.

X-Wing can look expensive at the beginning because it looks like 1 tiny little ship for $15, but you are actually getting a bunch of tokens and other stuff with the ship so it isn't priced badly, and you need so few ships to play the game and have fun with it.