Hey community, i'm new to xwing, and want to create a 100 point deck on the cheap. I have the core set, and want to create an imperial set? Any suggestions on the best expansion to buy?

The cheapest way to get to 100 points means getting a large-base ship (or two). The new Decimator with the core set should be able to get you to 100 points with only another $40USD retail spent. Of course, the Decimator is not available to the general public yet if you weren't at GenCon, so the next best thing would be the TIE Fighter expansion with the Firespray, which would be $45USD additional to get to 100 points.

Oh, I forgot about the TIE Defender. Two of those at retail ($15 each) with the core could make a good 100 point list.

Buy a 2nd core set and a Tie and Int expansion or a Slave-1.

Cheapest i think Firespray + Lambda. You will also get a lot of useful upgrade cards.

Could play stuff like this for example

You'll want plenty of TIEs to fill out your squads so a second core set would be a good next purchase - plus that gives you extra dice and templates which will come in handy.

You can buy the TIE expansions separately if you want the extra pilot cards that don't come with the core, but they aren't essential unless you intend to play competitively - you can just proxy them in the meantime.

Imperial Aces and Slave 1 are both solid early purchases

Phantoms are getting a lot of love at the moment ....... which probably means they are going to be out of stock just about everywhere

TIE Advanced aren't so popular but FFG have dropped a heavy hint that it will be getting an update - so maybe buy one now to avoid the rush - plus who doesn't want Vader as a pilot?

Two core sets isnt a bad way to bulk your imperial force.

Sell the x wing on for less than an expansion (for people who want to bulk out their rebs) and its already cheaper than buying two tie expansions.

Alternately if you dont want the extra dice and templates (very handy tbh) you could sell on the rules with the x wing on ebay and probably hit a good price for someone who is not interested in the TIe fighters but wants to get into the game.

I bought two core sets and looking back i think it was a wise choice.

Hey community, i'm new to xwing, and want to create a 100 point deck on the cheap. I have the core set, and want to create an imperial set? Any suggestions on the best expansion to buy?

First of all, welcome to the Community. If you have a friend who owns ships you can try out that is the best way to go. Each ship in X-Wing has a very different feel on the board. You may find yourself attracted to one or the other. The price will be fairly close for almost any build minus seeking upgrades.

Cheapest i think Firespray + Lambda. You will also get a lot of useful upgrade cards.

Could play stuff like this for example

Krassis Trelix (36)

Heavy Laser Cannon (7)

Rebel Captive (3)

Omicron Group Pilot (21)

Advanced Sensors (3)

Darth Vader (3)

"Night Beast" (15)

Academy Pilot (12)

Total: 100

I like this list with a royal interceptor in place of the ties and maybe jendon for target lock fun.

First let me say commiserations to your bank balance.

You have two ties buying two expansion gives you a mini swarm and howlrunner and fills out 50 points, then you could buy a tie phantom which works well with the swarm, or my personal favourite the tie defender it's a hard hitting fighter.

Sell the x wing on for less than an expansion (for people who want to bulk out their rebs) and its already cheaper than buying two tie expansions.

yes.. but you don't get Howlrunner

Sure - but outside of competitive play you don't need to physically own the pilot card in order to play her.

By all means buy the TIE expansion later down the line, but starting out you are better served by making do with a proxy card or two and spending your money elsewhere to add a little diversity to your squads

Sell the x wing on for less than an expansion (for people who want to bulk out their rebs) and its already cheaper than buying two tie expansions.

yes.. but you don't get Howlrunner

Sure - but outside of competitive play you don't need to physically own the pilot card in order to play her.

By all means buy the TIE expansion later down the line, but starting out you are better served by making do with a proxy card or two and spending your money elsewhere to add a little diversity to your squads

Woah there.. let us not get carried away. Howlrunner cannot be proxied. It is an official Imperial edict.

Here's what I'd suggest, in rough priority order (feel free to pick just one faction; you only need the first three items in each list below to get some viable list options):

2x Core Sets (the second set has $45 worth of models, plus extra dice and templates; I wish I'd done this instead of bought the dice pack).

1x TF

1x Imp Aces

1x Firespray (at this point you've got the capability to make some reasonable lists, the rest is gravy)

2x TI

2x TD

2x TB

If you want to do the same for the Rebels (in case you want to provide the models for both sides of the fight, etc.):

1x X-Wing

2x B-Wing

1x Falcon (XXBB is a thing, and a falcon in the mix gives you some options)

3x Z-95

1x E-Wing

All of this assumes that you're playing in an environment where you can proxy cards. A squad builder can tell you where to get cards you're missing (I use https://geordanr.github.io/xwing/ for that). Once you want to start playing in tournaments you'll have to pick up enough sets to get the upgrade cards you need (or buy singles from Team Covenant or Ebay).

Note that the TF and XW blisters have different pilot cards from the core set, which is why they're both first on the list of things to pick up (so that you have different options for named pilots).

Edit: formatting, ugh.

Budge cheapest empire with already 1 core i think are 45 bucks

Firespray + Phantom

Firespray + Tie (named firespray + named micro swarm)

Imperial aces + Interceptor (Push the limit 2 intercepto + 2 named ties)

Sell the x wing on for less than an expansion (for people who want to bulk out their rebs) and its already cheaper than buying two tie expansions.

yes.. but you don't get Howlrunner

Sure - but outside of competitive play you don't need to physically own the pilot card in order to play her.

By all means buy the TIE expansion later down the line, but starting out you are better served by making do with a proxy card or two and spending your money elsewhere to add a little diversity to your squads

Woah there.. let us not get carried away. Howlrunner cannot be proxied. It is an official Imperial edict.

That's ok - I mostly play Rebels

I'd say the cheapest way to 100 point Imperials when you have a core set is getting some total of two Phantoms or Defenders which should retail for about $30 and be available for less.

The actual "best expansion" to buy is probably something else and I do like the Firespray a lot.

The problem with phantoms is the lack of VI.

Hey duder,

WARNING: All these recommendations for stocking up on TIE mini-swarms, Phantoms, and Shuttles are fine, and will leave you with very strong lists BUT these lists will require intermediate or advanced skills to play effectively

If you want to balance cost and beginner-level playability you might want to focus on a first list with a Firespray, Defender, or Interceptor - more straightforward ships.

That being said, my recommendation for the quickest route to a highly competitive and super fun squad would be:

1x Core set

2x TIE Expansion

1x TIE Phantom

Then you could have Phantom, 4x TIE mini-swarm.

Keep in mind that that this would require some more developed skills to fly effectively. But it's super fun, highly competitive, and doesn't require that you buy other ships just to get individual cards.

IMO the Phantom is the funnest ship in the game to play. Hands down. But it takes some skill. No reason not to jump right in, though - just don't get frustrated if you're crashing into asteroids for the first few games.

Look on Amazon or Miniatures Market to get ships for the best prices, you'll consistently save at least $4 per small ship, and save about $7 to $10 per large ship.

We know telling the OP to get a phantom presents a skill issue but he asked us for cheap options and phantoms and defenders fit that request.

Alright, the local nerd store has pretty slim pickings. But I picked up another expansion, a tie defender and a tie bomber.

I highly recomend you a Firespray-31 and Imperial Aces, and welcome to this game, greettings

Welcome to the addiction! I'd second the 2nd core set. Defender and Firespray give you good options. The TIE fighter expansion is also good. Have fun!