Hello, I'm a new player and could use a little help. Long story short, I need help creating a pair of 100 pt lists that I can use while demoing to potential players (friends and/or any sucker I can get to play hehe). Mainly because I don't have a consistent group to play with.

Right now I already have an imperial list in mind but just need help coming up with a comparable rebel list. The idea being to create a pair of lists that are evenly matched. That are both fun to fly, demonstrate different aspects of the game and that are also somewhat competitive.

This is the imp list.

Kracker Jax:

Krassis - HLC

Carnor Jax - PTL + Stealth Device

Academy Pilot x 2

I would like to create a Rebel list that uses at least 1 bwing (advanced sensors). Other then that, its all open for suggestions.

Also, is that imp list any good? Thoughts?

Thanks for the help everyone. Greatly appreciated.

::Edit::

Only have the core set and am starting my own collection. No need to keep what ships I own in mind.

Well, to start, we need to know what ships you have in you collection. No need in recommending a list you can't field.

Also, when demoing to new players, don't use too many upgrades, stick to one synergy gimmick per side. Keep it simple.

I only have the core set so the ships don't matter. I'll buy what is needed. Ive been playing mainly with the 1 friend I have that plays, so have been using his ships.

This is also to start my collection.

I don't think I would use 100-point squads for demos. 100-point squads can make for a long game with new players. I'd recommend 55- or 60-point squads. That gives some ship variety but not too many ships for new folks to handle.

There was a recent thread (in the last couple of weeks) where this was discussed.

edit: added link

For the rebels either of these two types of builds are good for beginners:

Han Shoots first: Use Han Solo in the TY-1300 and two generics X-Wing rookie pilots work best, others can be used. Use the rest of your points to upgrade Han. EPT and crew member slots work best. Avoid the use of missiles. Its also very thematic, and give a new player the chance to fly the falcon.

Garvin + Dutch: Use Garvin Dries from the X-WIng expansion and Dutch Vander from the Y-Wing expansion with an ion turret upgrade. This brings you up to 54 points. The other 46 should be split between two generics and maybe some upgrades. This is a good way to teach new players about how to take advantage of the rebel synergy without it being over complicated. A-Wing or B-Wing generics, or the HWK's rebel operative (with ion turret) can be used here to help teach players those ships as well. This list could work if you want to use the B-WIng like you mentioned:

Garvin Dries 26 points

Dutch Vander + Ion Turret 28 points

B-Wing with advanced sensors 25 points

Rookie Pilot 21 points

Your Empire list could work (I love the name of it btw), but Interceptors may prove a little frustrating for new players, due to how squishy they can be. If you have the confidence in your friends though, go ahead. Its not a bad list, just a little challenging. This build might be more newbie friendly, but its your choice:

Academy Pilot 12 points

Academy Pilot 12 points

Academy Pilot 12 points

Howlrunner 18 points

Krassis with heavy laser cannon 43 points

Leaves you with 3 points to upgrade as you please

I also wouldn't use an advance sensor b-wing for demoing. The b-wing is kind of an odd ship to get your head around. I'd stick with x's and a's for new players

I also would stay away from the YT-1300 too, because new players need to learn how important maneuvering is to get the opponent into your firing arc. The YT-1300, while cool to look at and fly, is not a good first choice. Keep it small and simple for new player demos.

I disagree with Han shoots first for new players. The falcon is very easy to fly and very forgiving of mistakes, but I found the first time I flew it the 360 arc made it very boring to play. The fun of this game is all about the maneuvering and, for a new player, the YT removes a lot of that from consideration.

Also, a HSF list vs just about any imperial list, if both are played by newbies, will pretty much dominate because it is so easy and so forgiving, and so good.

Edit: ninja'd

Just echoing the idea that demo games should be kept as simple as possible, maybe around 60 points, using just one named pilot. The imperial list you have there plays around with almost an extra half dozen rules (pilot abilities, stealth, boost , PTL, secondary weapons, a big ship) most of which people won't understand until they have the basics. I'd also try and have them concentrate on a single dial.

Them: Which action should I take here?

You: Well, normally you'd want to focus, but I've got Jax in on you, so you can't. You'll have to target lock....

You want people to understand the basic rules as much as possible until you start throwing in things that change that drastically, and you want them ready and asking for those additions.

My advice for starting out is X-Wings and Ties. I'd add in the TIE advanced to eat up some points on the imperial side. Use one named character like Luke and Backstabber, whose abilities are simple. Then add in a secondary weapon the next game and so on...

When I do demos I try to keep it simple to not over whelm the new player. And to show what a difference in the kinds of ships can effect the style of play. I keep both sides at about 60 points. 3 Rookie X-Wing pilots and 5 Academy Tie fighters. Yes I know the rebels are at 63. And my goal when I play against them is pure defensive movements. So for them its cat and mouse. No upgrades, no elite pilots, no astroids, just move and dice. This may seem a bit boring for a vertrin player but getting the basics across I feel is key for a new player. Or maybe throw them one named pilot with an upgrade. Make an X wing Luke with R2 or a Tie dark curse and back stabber. But keep things simple.

I think vader would be an excellent ship for a new player in an imperial list. Reasonably durable, with a good, but simple special ability that would allow you to explain actions/free actions/duplicate actions to them, which for some reason seems to be the area many new players seem to have difficulty with. Make sure they understand actions right from the outset, before they develop any preconceived ideas.

GAH!

For the rebels either of these two types of builds are good for beginners:

Han Shoots first: Use Han Solo in the TY-1300 and two generics X-Wing rookie pilots work best, others can be used. Use the rest of your points to upgrade Han. EPT and crew member slots work best. Avoid the use of missiles. Its also very thematic, and give a new player the chance to fly the falcon.

Garvin + Dutch: Use Garvin Dries from the X-WIng expansion and Dutch Vander from the Y-Wing expansion with an ion turret upgrade. This brings you up to 54 points. The other 46 should be split between two generics and maybe some upgrades. This is a good way to teach new players about how to take advantage of the rebel synergy without it being over complicated. A-Wing or B-Wing generics, or the HWK's rebel operative (with ion turret) can be used here to help teach players those ships as well. This list could work if you want to use the B-WIng like you mentioned:

Garvin Dries 26 points

Dutch Vander + Ion Turret 28 points

B-Wing with advanced sensors 25 points

Rookie Pilot 21 points

Your Empire list could work (I love the name of it btw), but Interceptors may prove a little frustrating for new players, due to how squishy they can be. If you have the confidence in your friends though, go ahead. Its not a bad list, just a little challenging. This build might be more newbie friendly, but its your choice:

Academy Pilot 12 points

Academy Pilot 12 points

Academy Pilot 12 points

Howlrunner 18 points

Krassis with heavy laser cannon 43 points

Leaves you with 3 points to upgrade as you please

You told him to use advanced sensors on the b-wing, but the only way of getting advanced sensors ATM is in a Lambda shuttle, but you didn't include it in the Empire list. /facepalm

Look, Buy 2 core sets, 2 extra X-wings, and one Advanced Tie(for Vader).

Make a reb list with 3 named pilots and one Red pilot.

Then make a Emp list with 4 Ties and Vader in his Advanced.

Sprinkle the upgrades you now have to taste and go forth and bring more people to the hobby.

61 points

Rebels

Wedge + R2D2

Luke

Imperials

BH

Backstabber

Academy Tie

Simple straight forward lists. This is for demoing, avoid things that add stress or share actions or deny actions like Jax. Those could just confuse a new player and that isn't the goal. The goal is to introduce the game, let them learn synergy after they learn the game. I'd consider dropping the BH for 2 more tie fighters too. But you don't want to overwhelm a new player with too many ships. They could just end up crashing into each other all game and hate it. 3 ships v 2 ships. The only real complications are Wedge and Luke's skills and the rear ark of the BH.

To completely avoid unique skills,

Red Squadron x2

Prototype

V

Avenger Squadron Interceptor x2

Academy Tie x2

Simple and straightforward with each player trying 2 different ship types. Don't build a list you think would be fun to fly, it probably won't be fun for a newbie to fly. No one new will really understand how to use Canor Jax the first time they play. Maybe not even the 5th time they play will they understand how to use him, so seriously avoid pilots like that.

Consider Luke or Vader, people will get a kick out of using them.

Someone posted or wrote somewhere that they played against their wife and gave her Han in a falcon and he flew some ties. For a new player v an experienced player, that makes a lot of sense. The new player gets a simple and effective ship to fly, and the experienced player can't use there experience to outmaneuver them.

Don't make it confusing, make it fun and simple. Keep the ship totals down, big messy collisions aren't fun to untangle.

That's my 2 cents

Thank you for the opinions and help. But I was specifically looking for 100 pt builds that could grow with players. You can always make 60 pt lists from pretty much anything.

I do appreciate the opinions but i am looking for a 100 pt rebel list. This is not only built for beginners in mind. I can always simplify.

I think that you should definitely stick to small games at first. To much to soon and people might get overwhelmed. I think 3-4 ships per side at the very most, more realistically 2-3 per side. And don't worry so much about points balancing as chances are your knowledge of the games will be worth any extra points you give to your opponent, which I would recommend doing. In other words stack the deck in the newbies favor if possible without making it obvious. know one wants to get crushed in a demo game because they don't know the rules yet or win because the person showing them is blatantly letting them win. Also know your audience. If you are showing the game to a hardcore miniature gamer you can expect them to be familiar with the concept of rolling dice, measuring range, etc, but if this is the first time they have ever played this type of game be prepared to explain more of basic game mechanics. So as far as a list goes I would stick to the core set, plus an Advanced and another X wing. That is 2 rebels and 3 Imperials. I would go for a Battle of Yavin feel with Luke and a Rookie versus Vader and 1 academy and 1 obsidian. That way you can demonstrate how Pilot Skill works along with the rest of the rules. If you really want to do 100 pts, I would buy a 2nd core set(your gonna want to anyway) in addition to the x wing and advanced. After that maybe a Y wing and another Tie Fighter. I am not going to give specific list, but just mix in a good variety of ships and Pilot skills and you should do alright for demo games. Good Luck

Ok try this out 2 core sets, Falcon and Firespray.

Rebel 100 points

Han Solo

Luke Skywalker w/ R2D2

Rookie Pilot

Empire 100 poitns

Boba Fett w/ Gunner, Determination, and Stealth

Dark Curse

X3 Academy Pilots

A nice Han and Boba rivalry, episode 6 feel. 4 sets that you can build off of. I'd still leave out the rocks first match.

I like this so much I think this will be my new demo build.