Should I get:

1) 2x core set

2) core set + rebel aces + imperial aces

3) core set + some individual ships (which ones?)

1. Pick a faction.

If you decide on Imperial - there are two bundles to consider IMO:

* Option 1: Core + Tie Fighter (for Howlrunner) + Tie Phantom + Tie Defender

* Option 2: Core + Imperial Aces + Lambda Shuttle

All of those are in-stock at most game stores, and will really help flesh out a strong base for your Imperial forces.

If you wait for early 2015, (like you could), you could grab re-release packs and do:

* Option 3: Core + Tie Interceptor + Slave 1

Should I get:

1) 2x core set

2) core set + rebel aces + imperial aces

3) core set + some individual ships (which ones?)

Welcome to the community! Option 2 is what I would choose if I had to do it over again. However, having said that, it's really what faction you like. It's a pretty well balanced game.

i agree, with the option 2 but I add other Imperial ship, because with two TIE Fighters and two TIE Interceptors you can't have a good squad, so you need at least other ship, greettings

If you're gonna play imperials I would recommend the slave I because it comes with some helpful upgrades and also the imperial aces.

The good news is you really can't pick wrong. I'd still go 2 core sets. It really is nice having the extra dice, plus 2 x-wings and 4 tie fighters make a good starting point regardless of which faction you will choose.

Plus you have enough materials to ambush a guest into playing a quick match against you should the opportunity present itself.

If you decide on Imperial - there are two bundles to consider IMO:

* Option 1: Core + Tie Fighter (for Howlrunner) + Tie Phantom + Tie Defender

* Option 2: Core + Imperial Aces + Lambda Shuttle

All of those are in-stock at most game stores, and will really help flesh out a strong base for your Imperial forces.

If you wait for early 2015, (like you could), you could grab re-release packs and do:

* Option 3: Core + Tie Interceptor + Slave 1

Option three is actually makes one of my favorite lists that just got better with autothrusters. Soontir, kath, Named tie, academy tie and upgrades across the board.

If you get a tie interceptor you'll want to get imperial aces or an a wing for push the limit

eventually you will want 2 core sets, but if youre strapped for cash, go with option 2.

also picking a faction is optional. I like having a bunch of everything, even though I'm very biased towards Imperials. But I do play Rebels and have fun sometimes. Makes me feel dirty. =P

I would recommend two core sets. However unlike the others I would say to buy nothing else at first.....

Play a few games with other players. See what you like, and then start buying.

If you are like the rest of us you will end up buying everything at least once, but it's better to start off with stuff you will use.

Pick wich ships you like the look of and go for thoes. Some ships might be hard to find but if i were to make a recomendation id say go with:

one core set

tie defender (Has some very good upgrade cards)

tie phantom (Has cloaking alot of my more beginner friends love this ship)

rebel aces or/and a falcon (Falcon is another ship my more beginner friends love the turret makes flying easy)

This will give you some nice variety in ships to test out and you can get some 100pt lists going if your go upgrade heavy with more elite pilots. You might want another core set later on but i dont think its super necessary when your just staring out.

Id avoid the tie advanced at the moment its consided an underpowerd ship but that will probbly change in the future.

The falcon is a very popular ship if you can find one hidden away at a local shop snap it up asap.

If you're just starting then I'd suggest the second option. Fly both factions a few times to get a feel for which you prefer.

Like others here, I recommend choosing a faction if you are going to be a solo player...however you may be like me who wanted to get into the game to play with family, thus needing to collect both factions. If that's the case, I'd start at the beginning and do one core set, one TIE Fighter Blister and one X-wing blister. Creep your way up and start getting at least one of everything. The YT-1300 and Slave-1 are great to have (if you can find them), but won't be worth paying over MRSP for. Wait until they get 'reprinted'.

Remember that if you do choose a faction, you can still benefit from certain upgrade cards found in the opposite faction's ships...so if you need specific things, look out for that.

If possible, find out what ships you like to fly by borrowing other people's ships at your Friendly Local Game Store (FLGS). Start with the ships you like and go from there.

If you get 2x starter and one of each X-wing and Tie boosters it would give you a pretty good selection. For around $100.

You can print off the other upgrades that you will need for home games.

Soon after you will have to get the rest, because this game is more addictive than drugs.

You should aim for two core sets and one of each expansion. Buy that in any order you like. Or, more likely, when the reprints hit stores. Huge ships have the lowest priority. Other than that, either buy one faction first or buy the same number from each faction. I'd buy in the order the ships got released.

Okay here's some lists using the options and cards contained within them, a typical game is usually around about 100pts. Their not really optimised torunament winning lists just what kinda bang you get for a few starter lists.

Option A) gets you just under 70 points of ships a side and not much variety in ships or cards and less variety = less options, its okay if you want more tie fighters and it gets you the makings of a "mini-swarm" though.

Rebs: (69pts)

Luke + R2-D2 + Proton torpedo's + Determination (37pts)

Biggs+ R2-F2 + Proton torpedo's (32pts)

Imps: (68pts)

MaulerMithel + Marksmanship (20pts)

Dark curse (16pts)

Nightbeast (15pts)

Black squad + Marksmanship (17pts)

Option B) this option does give you nice cards like Push the limit and Hull and Sheild upgrades and lots of mods but it dosnt give you many elite pilot cards to really make use of the "a-wing test pilot card"

Rebs: (100pts)

Luke + R2-D2 (32pts)

Jake Farrell + Proton rockets + a-wing test pilot +Marksmanship + determination (31pts)

Keyan Farlander + Enhanced scpoes + Push the limit + B-wing/E2 + Kyle Katarn (37pts)

Imps: (100pts)

MaulerMithel (17pts)

Dark curse (16pts)

Carnor Jax + opportunist + royal guard + Hull upgrade + sheild upgrade (37pts)

Tetran Cowell + push the limit + hull upgrade (30pts)

Option C) What i recomended ealier (1 core, 1 rebel aces, 1 defender, 1 phantom), this option gives you a better variety of ships and upgrade cards to mix things up some very nice upgrades like Predator and Outmaneuver and can lead to some better combinations like munitions failsafe for your proton rockets or torpedo's and tacticion + ion cannon to inflict a ship with a stress and an ion token.

Rebs: (100pts)

Luke + R2-D2 (32pts)

Jake Farrell + Proton rockets + a-wing test pilot + Marksmanship + Predator + Munitions failsafe (34pts)

Keyan Farlander + Enhanced scpoes + B-wing/E2 + Kyle Katarn (34pts)

Imps: (100pts)

Whisper + tacticion + fire control + Outmaneuver + advanced cloak (43pts)

Delta squadron + ion cannon (33pts)

Academy pilot (12pts)

Academy pilot (12pts)

I belive OPTION C will give you more fun games that arnt doubleling up on as many ships and upgrade cards. It will also show you alot of the mechanincs of the game (no bombs or turrets yet wich can be fun).You shouldnt feel the need to commit to a single faction right now as hopefully the new scum faction will be out soon and you might want to try thoes out before you go overboard on a single faction.

Option C also gives you good options of what to buy after maybe you want to try out the new large ships with turrets like the YT-2400 and the VT-49. Or maybe if scum is more your thing you can get the Most wanted expanstion and a Starviper. Or maybe you decide you really want that second core set or convince a buddy to get one as well. Or maybe a HWK-290 or Y-wing and a Tie-bomber to give you a chance to play around with thoes turrets and bombs. You can also try out using proxy upgrade cards from the internet to help decide what ships and things you want to buy next.

Basicaly its all good.

You must fiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnddd....ANOTHER CORE SET!

(NI! NI! NI!)

on second thought, get:

core

rebel aces

slave 1

phantom

any rebel ship.

this will give you two viable lists and a few options for each side.

This should be a sticky at the top of the forums along with a mandatory click through.