So I have been wanting to start to play xwing for awhile and I finally feel it is time to pull the trigger on it. I want to play imperial and was wondering how many ships I should buy and which ones? I am not concerned with upgrades at the moment , just which ships to get to start playing the 100pt games. Thanks!

Grr. So many choices and they are about to get harder. Also, see all of the other threads that have asked this same question.

I believe the MINIMUM the Empire needs to field a 100 point squadron will be the Core Set and either the Firespray/Slave 1 or Imperial Aces box. You could get that to 100 points but it probably isn't a "good" 100 points. Actually, if you can get the templates, damage deck, and dice from somewhere else two Aces boxes can get you fielding an Interceptor fleet very quickly.

The far more complex answer requires knowing "what do you like" and "how do you want/plan to fly your squadron?" I mean for the Empire a common recommendation is two Core Sets (that's 4 TIE Fighters) and the TIE Fighter Expansion (which includes a couple key pilots) but five TIEs really doesn't make a 100 point squadron although 3-5 can help push a lot of other things into the realm of useful/good.

To expand on what StevenO said, I'd suggest you find a local gaming shop that may have an X-Wing day/night and go watch and try it out. Most groups that I've seen are generally very eager to help new/interested folks learn the game. It's become a fairly complex answer to say what the "best" way to get into this game is now.

So I have been wanting to start to play xwing for awhile and I finally feel it is time to pull the trigger on it. I want to play imperial and was wondering how many ships I should buy and which ones? I am not concerned with upgrades at the moment , just which ships to get to start playing the 100pt games. Thanks!

Buy a core set. Play some basic matches, get a feel for the game. Pick a ship or two that looks fun to you, buy them too, then play with them as well. Come back and ask your question again when you have a better grasp of what you like and what you want.

Smaller point games are really fun too. Give them a try

Yeah, it's a matter of personal taste.

You can go with 3 Firesprays at 99 points.

You can go with a kind of classic TIE Fighter swarm, which will be best achieved with 2 (or even 3) core sets plus the TIE Fighter Expansion (because you'll need Howlrunner) or two.

You can go with a smaller "glass cannon" kind of swarm with 1 or 2 core sets, plus 1 or 2 Imperial Aces Expansions -- here you'll have Interceptors and basic TIEs mixed.

Bomber swarms are also interesting -- four TIE Bombers.

I think the best advice is to start with the core set, get to a game night, and experiment a little bit to see what sort of game you like to play.

Thanks every one for the responses! I really appreciate it!

I would tell you go with one of each ship and see what you like.

Also this is the complete list off all cards you can get a good idea of what each ship can do from it.

http://www.afewmaneuvers.com/topic/573-full-card-list-by-expansion/#tiebomber

I would tell you go with one of each ship and see what you like.

That's a nice way to build but can be a hard place to start.

I'd also say there is at least one ship I have a hard time seeing one being a good test of the ship. One TIE Bomber usually doesn't say much although I guess you do sometimes see one thrown in.

I would tell you go with one of each ship and see what you like.

That's a nice way to build but can be a hard place to start.

I'd also say there is at least one ship I have a hard time seeing one being a good test of the ship. One TIE Bomber usually doesn't say much although I guess you do sometimes see one thrown in.

I've actually been toying around with the idea of swapping out the lone Backstabber / Dark Curse in some of my lists with a Scimitar. Double the HP for the same 16 points is nothing to sneeze at.

So I have been wanting to start to play xwing for awhile and I finally feel it is time to pull the trigger on it. I want to play imperial and was wondering how many ships I should buy and which ones? I am not concerned with upgrades at the moment , just which ships to get to start playing the 100pt games. Thanks!

Be concerned with upgrades right from the start. They play a key part in this game, and should not be ignored. The right upgrade can make a good pilot great and change the way you play him. If you don't want to play with upgrades, you're going to need a lot of cheap ships instead - the Swarm. Look at the whole game and how each element interacts with other elements. Start with a core set and go from there.

As Slugrage said, find a store or gaming club and try before you buy. See how things work. It may help you decide which way you want to go.

I would tell you go with one of each ship and see what you like.

Also this is the complete list off all cards you can get a good idea of what each ship can do from it.

http://www.afewmaneuvers.com/topic/573-full-card-list-by-expansion/#tiebomber

Cool link! Especially these...

I higly recomend a swarm of TIE Interceptors five of them, it's more expensive, in points, but is more deadly, and it's not tobore to play, I get victories from almost solved, in paper, games, because of the high agility of this ship, and of course two or maybe three Firespray-31, greettings

A good start for any Imperial player would probably be a Core set and the TIE Fighter expansion (for Howlrunner). From there, just get what ships you like. Fighters, Interceptors, Bombers, Advanced, Firesprays, or Shuttles. All will give you some interesting options.

I would tell you go with one of each ship and see what you like.

Also this is the complete list off all cards you can get a good idea of what each ship can do from it.

http://www.afewmaneuvers.com/topic/573-full-card-list-by-expansion/#tiebomber

Cool link! Especially these...

Ha ha, love the frequency jammer, looks like raspberry jam to me.... only one man would dare use raspberry.... Lone Star!!