Newbie player looking for list help and tips

By Skoby, in X-Wing

Hi,

I've just started playing and looking to get some advice on where to go from here, I've picked up a few bits to get started, I've got enough models for over 100 points for rebels and imperials, I prefer rebels but want a bit of variety and to be able to play full sized games with friends. So far have got 2 core sets, a B Wing, YT 2400, TIE Interceptor and TIE Phantom, these are the models that first appealed to me (well the Millenium Falcon and Firespray would be in the list if I could find them lol). Any advice on lists using these would be appreciated, and ideas of what other ships would work well and add some variety to them so I have an idea of what to get next.

Next. I'd get a Rebel and Imperial aces box. That will offer a lot of options to you. Also you'll want a X-Wing and Tie Fighter expansion, for the pilots that don't come with the core sets.

That's good advice.

I'd say learn to fly the basics. Make sure you use a lot of Tie Fighters early on. Learn how they work. Get good with them. Same for the X-wings. Once you learn how the default ships are for each side, you can then learn the nuance of each ship.

How you fly is as important as your list. Lots of people talk online about lists, but if you fly a "non-competitive" list well, you can be hard to beat. The first pass can be harsh on the Imperials. If you understand that and try to minimalize that, then you are good. Or learn how a few X-wings can cover each other's flanks against the more nimble Tie Fighter. Those are the things that are worth more than have "the killer net list".

Have fun with it! Experiment and do things that sound cool. Try different things out. That's how you will learn.

Not a "good" list but something to try that only uses cards in hand.

"Whisper" (32)
Fire-Control System (2)
Gunner (5)
Advanced Cloaking Device (4)
Soontir Fel (27)
Daredevil (3)
Experimental Interface (3)
Academy Pilot (12)
Academy Pilot (12)
Total: 100

On previous imperial list, you could drop Soontir and just fly whisper with four generic Ties. For rebels, you could try this?

"Leebo" (34)
Determination (1)
Blue Squadron Pilot (22)
Rookie Pilot (21)
Rookie Pilot (21)
Total: 99

Okay, you prefer Rebels so let's see what you can do there.

First off though, look in MajorJuggler's topic and read some flight school topics.

But now.

As a start, let's make the list forgiving but also show some of the interactions that can happen.

Biggs Darklighter

- R2-D2

Flying him, people will hate you right off the bat. That is a good thing. Just fly casual with him, keep him close to your ships but far away from the enemy, as long as they have to shoot at him you'll be doing fine.

Dagger Squadron Pilot

- Fire Control System

- Heavy Laser Cannon

The quintessential knife fighter, after the first attack you'll have a target lock on surviving victims, this is not an action so it also works if you are stressed. Agile, nasty and always shooting at 4 dice, no matter the range (close up primary weapon, range 2 and 3 HLC).

Leebo

- Dash Rendar

- Determination

You don't care about shooting around asteroids and should you land on an asteroid (and you will), well, you don't care about that either. And damage is optional.

What to get next? Two or three of everything?

I know that you said that you have the YT2400 and you probably want to fly that big beautiful ship right away. I would recomend against doing so at first. At first(meaning first 20 games or so) don't fly Turrets and don't fly Phantoms. Definitely don't fly Dash(pilot or crew). Turrets and Phantoms mess with the basics of the game when it comes to maneuverability. Turrets are kinda cheesy and easy and make you fly lazy instead of having to work to get your target lined up in arc. Phantoms are very good, too good for a newbie, at dodging arcs. You need to learn to manuever on your own without any tricks. Dash is imune to obstacles and this is again a bad idea to get used to when your first learning. Learn to dodge asteroids and arcs first and once you are competent at that, break out the tricky stuff and really go crazy. I play almost exclusively Empire and I love Phantoms alot, but I put my time in dodging arcs with intercepters and even to a smaller extent Ties and I am a better player for it. I have really been loving my Decimator, but I have played turret free for 1.5 years and I think that, again, I am a better player for it. Just practice the basics before going to the advanced stuff is my point I guess,