Hello everyone! I would like to start off by saying that I have only ever played two games of X-Wing, both of which were just with the base set my friend owns.

So, owning no models and wanting to start, I'm wondering what would be a good list to build or good models to buy.
I'm looking to play Empire, and my favorite tactic (from playing other TTGs like Warhammer) is to split my force into "kill teams" that act as a group, but not a mob. So not like flying TIEs in formation, but flying so that to get one into your firing arc gets you into the whole team's arcs.

Any suggestions?

Sounds like Interceptors now, but the Wave 4 ships would also be worth considering.

Sounds like Interceptors now, but the Wave 4 ships would also be worth considering.

The Phantom looked pretty cool

So basically run a Phantom with an Interceptor mini-swarm?

From what I can understand of your tactics, you're looking for a highly-mobile, high-damage force, whose defense is mostly through forcing the enemy into catch-22s. A Phantom with Interceptors would definitely be good for such a strategy.

From what I can understand of your tactics, you're looking for a highly-mobile, high-damage force, whose defense is mostly through forcing the enemy into catch-22s. A Phantom with Interceptors would definitely be good for such a strategy.

Yeah basically

Though the Defender looks nice with it's white K-Turn

I'll probably get that for larger games

Now what type of interceptors would work best? Just regulars, or should I add some aces to the mix?

From what I can understand of your tactics, you're looking for a highly-mobile, high-damage force, whose defense is mostly through forcing the enemy into catch-22s. A Phantom with Interceptors would definitely be good for such a strategy.

Yeah basically

Though the Defender looks nice with it's white K-Turn

I'll probably get that for larger games

Now what type of interceptors would work best? Just regulars, or should I add some aces to the mix?

Playtest 'em, man.

You'll be looking at 4 ships (Phantom + 3x Int), so I'd look at the mid-range Interceptor pilots (Saber, Royal Guard, Kir Kanos, Lieutenant Lorrir, and Tetran Cowall), possibly with EPTs or Hull Upgrades.

With the Phantom, the Decloak makes it the most maneuverable ship in the game, as it can do a 2 distance barrel-roll or forward maneuver as a non-action, if it happened to be cloaked in the first place. Adding Advanced Sensors means you can do your action before that happens, even flashing your cloak on/off for a split second to seemingly teleport before your move.

I bring this up, as the cheapest Phantom is 25 points, so getting Advanced Sensors on board means your Interceptors will average at 24.

From what I can understand of your tactics, you're looking for a highly-mobile, high-damage force, whose defense is mostly through forcing the enemy into catch-22s. A Phantom with Interceptors would definitely be good for such a strategy.

Yeah basically

Though the Defender looks nice with it's white K-Turn

I'll probably get that for larger games

Now what type of interceptors would work best? Just regulars, or should I add some aces to the mix?

Playtest 'em, man.

You'll be looking at 4 ships (Phantom + 3x Int), so I'd look at the mid-range Interceptor pilots (Saber, Royal Guard, Kir Kanos, Lieutenant Lorrir, and Tetran Cowall), possibly with EPTs or Hull Upgrades.

With the Phantom, the Decloak makes it the most maneuverable ship in the game, as it can do a 2 distance barrel-roll or forward maneuver as a non-action, if it happened to be cloaked in the first place. Adding Advanced Sensors means you can do your action before that happens, even flashing your cloak on/off for a split second to seemingly teleport before your move.

I bring this up, as the cheapest Phantom is 25 points, so getting Advanced Sensors on board means your Interceptors will average at 24.

Alright, alright, I'll have to try it out.

So maybe like

Phantom w/ Advanced Sensors

Royal Gaurd Int

2x Regular Int

some kind of upgrades for the interceptors, Idk what they would be

This usually pops up on new poster threads but the first thing to get is a second core set. another x wing, 2 more ties, extra dice, extra maneuver templates. Cost per ship is way cheaper than anything else you could pick up.

After that, tie fighter expansion, tie interceptor expansion, firespray expansion, and wave 4 are the best to get and in this order.

This usually pops up on new poster threads but the first thing to get is a second core set. another x wing, 2 more ties, extra dice, extra maneuver templates. Cost per ship is way cheaper than anything else you could pick up.

After that, tie fighter expansion, tie interceptor expansion, firespray expansion, and wave 4 are the best to get and in this order.

What about the Interceptor aces?

This usually pops up on new poster threads but the first thing to get is a second core set. another x wing, 2 more ties, extra dice, extra maneuver templates. Cost per ship is way cheaper than anything else you could pick up.

After that, tie fighter expansion, tie interceptor expansion, firespray expansion, and wave 4 are the best to get and in this order.

What about the Interceptor aces?

*Facepalm!

I would pick up Imperial aces before the interceptor expansion but do get the interceptor expansion. You will only get Soontir Fel and Turr Phenir from the interceptor pack.

This usually pops up on new poster threads but the first thing to get is a second core set. another x wing, 2 more ties, extra dice, extra maneuver templates. Cost per ship is way cheaper than anything else you could pick up.

After that, tie fighter expansion, tie interceptor expansion, firespray expansion, and wave 4 are the best to get and in this order.

What about the Interceptor aces?

*Facepalm!

I would pick up Imperial aces before the interceptor expansion but do get the interceptor expansion. You will only get Soontir Fel and Turr Phenir from the interceptor pack.

I was planning on getting both, but I wanted to be sure the Aces wasn't a waste

I was planning on getting both, but I wanted to be sure the Aces wasn't a waste

Most certainly not. You will get a good boost to your interceptors with it.

You get Alpha and Avenger pilots in the Interceptor pack too. I'm pretty sure Aces only includes Saber and Royal Guard non-named pilots.

But buy Aces first, I agree. It's a fantastic set for the price with all the upgrades included.

This usually pops up on new poster threads but the first thing to get is a second core set. another x wing, 2 more ties, extra dice, extra maneuver templates. Cost per ship is way cheaper than anything else you could pick up.

After that, tie fighter expansion, tie interceptor expansion, firespray expansion, and wave 4 are the best to get and in this order.

What about the Interceptor aces?

Imperial Aces, giving you 2 ships, could also be your 2nd purchase, in my opinion. It breaks the traditional flow that has been previously touted.

Particularly since you're looking at an interceptor-heavy feet, best get started right away, eh?

You get Alpha and Avenger pilots in the Interceptor pack too. I'm pretty sure Aces only includes Saber and Royal Guard non-named pilots.

But buy Aces first, I agree. It's a fantastic set for the price with all the upgrades included.

Yup. Besides the Barron and Turr you need the Interceptor Expansion pack if you ever want to run the lower cost Interceptors. The thing there is that you're often just as well off running multiple TIE Fighters as you are a couple low cost Interceptors; three Academy Pilots cost the same as two Alpha's and throw as many Red dice (maybe not all at once however) but have more points of hull.

Now if you're starting from nothing you'll need a Core Set unless you're going to pick up all the game essentials (templates, dice, damage deck, and rules) from somewhere else. Getting them from other sources is often nearly as expensive as just getting the Core set unless someone will give you their extras.

Now reading the OP's desired tactics I can't help but think of a pair of mini-swarms. I'm also afraid that what's being asked will require a degree of "formation flying" just not the "close formation" that can be harder to fly.