So, I'm just starting out and I've got about $100 to spend on the game. Of course about 30 will go to the starter game but I'm wondering if I should dive right into buying one of the big rebel transports or if I should pick up some smaller ships like the Falcon, B-Wings, or more smaller Imperial ships as my group starts out. Any advice?

I suggest to start with small ship. Then when you are friendly with game and you like it, switch to epic play and buy huge ship. We are a 5-6 friends that always play X-wing but we've used huge ship rarely.

Epic play is just starting up. There are only 2 huge ships, and they are both Rebel ships. Playing Epic without huge ships requires 200 points of small ships (or more) per side, which turns into more of a big, double sized normal game.

However, there are 3 waves of small ships out and the 4th one is due this month in stores. I would suggest go small first as the 100 point game is the actual point size you want to hit first, then Epic play as your fleet expands.

With only $100 to spend, I would purchase 2 Core Sets, a YT-1300, and a Firespray-31. That would give you 8 total ships and the ability to build a 100pt. Rebel Squad and a 100pt. Imperial Squad at the same time.

We've not long started out (month or so). We've got 2 core sets, then my brother picked up an extra X and a Y, whilst I bought 2 more TIEs and 2 Interceptors.

More than enough for 100pt games and we'll be adding over time.

2 core sets is important as it also gets you more than one set of dice and rulers. Very useful.

With only $100 to spend, I would purchase 2 Core Sets, a YT-1300, and a Firespray-31. That would give you 8 total ships and the ability to build a 100pt. Rebel Squad and a 100pt. Imperial Squad at the same time.

As an alternative to the Firespray-31, Imperial Aces gives you 2 Interceptors.

Yeah avoid the epic ships for now, best deal is a 2nd core set then a few more fighters or 2 of the large ships like the YT and Firespray.