So I've come across the game, and I'm fairly ctsubie that I want to get back into competition again.

I come from a background of d&d miniatures. I used to do well. But I liked the rewards of judging better.

Anyways what is like to know is to get into competition what figures and sets do I need to buy to get the proper pilots, etc.

I'm not looking to break the bank, and I'll add more figures as I need to but what are essential to at least fielding something competitive?

I really want to make a good list for each faction.

Thasks again.

I'd pickup 2 copies of the core set, and a TIE Booster. This will give you the ability to field a four or five TIE swarm which is a component in a lot of Imperial lists. They frequently feature an expensive centerpiece and a bunch of TIEs.

After that I'd probably look at what's available without paying a premium and start filling things out based on lists that look appealing to you.

On the Rebel side I'd pickup a YT-2400 and an E-Wing. Both of these ships are widely available right now and make a competitive 2 ship list.

On the Imperial side grabbing a VT-49 and a Phantom will give you some options to fly with your TIE swarm. Imperial Aces and an Interceptor expansion are also a good purchase.

If you are just looking to fly with friends and casual games at the FLGS you can generally proxy all the upgrade cards you don't have. When playing at a tournament you'll need the actual cards. I'd get a feel for what you want to play and then figure out which expansions you need to buy just for the cards.

The Millenium Falcon is a ship that you'll probably want to pickup. It looks like the preprints are just starting to make their way through distribution channels. Even if you don't ever plan to fly it (and it is a competitive ship) the Engine Upgrade and Vetern Instincts cards it comes with are important in a lot of other lists.

2 core sets

Xwing expansion

Tie expansion

A falcon

Bwing

Interceptor

Slave

Phantom

Yt2400

Decimator

Or basically at least one of everything

If anything for the pilots/upgrades that comes with

Thanks for all of the replies..

I think I'll roll with 2 cores

a tie Expansion,

and Phantonm expansion

on rebel side

a Falcon YT2400

and a E wing

How are the Ace's sets? Good bad, indifferent? and what sets do I need to get to get the good pilots, other good upgrade cards.

I'm figuring on spending UP to $200, but if I can get away with a little less then I'll do that.

Also I don't plan on winning tournaments from the get go, but do want to feel that with good strategy I at least have a chance.

With D&D miniatures I was at a disadvantage for a long time since I didn't start in the beginning, and had to wait my turn until power creep got me into competitive pieces. Not that I want it to happen for this game.

Aces are great, rebel a little more so than imperial, but both are going to give you more really great options

Add a Shuttle, Defender, and either an A-Wing or Imperial Aces to what you've got listed and you'll having everything you need for a few variations of two top teir lists. Whisper + Mini-Swarm or Corran + Dash. If you've got $200 invested in the game you'll have what you need to be competitive you just won't have as much flexibility as someone that has spent $500.

Rebel Aces and Imperial Aces are both worth picking up for the upgrades. If you want to fly Interceptors you'll want to pick up the Interceptor Expansion for two pilots (Soontir Fel and Turr Fennir). The A-Wing and B-Wing pilots from those expansions are nice to have but it seems like the generic pilots see a lot more play and those come with Rebel Aces. I'd probably pick up a copy of Rebel Aces then add one each of the A-Wing and B-Wing expansions, and then get a second Rebel Aces depending on how much you like those ships. 2 A-Wings and B-Wings give you a lot of options in list building but unless you are really crazy about those ships you shouldn't ever need more than 3.

The epic ships both come with great cards. The transport comes with a couple of good Astromech Droids and X-Wing Pilots. The Tantive comes with crew that really make the Falcon top teir competitive.

I'd plan on eventually getting 3 Z-95s if you find you like to play Rebel lists. At 12 points each, they fill a similar roll to the Imperial TIE fighter of letting you cheaply up your ship count. Unlike TIEs, 2 or 3 seems to be the number of Zs that tend to show up instead of 4 or 5.

great help guys and gals, Thanks!

I think my list to get right now then goes something like this:

2 cores

yt2400

Rebel Aces

Interceptor booster

Imperial Aces

Phantom

Tie (fighter??) booster not the TIE interceptor booster as much correct?

What about those A wings ? Are they good? I've heard they are fast, and I thought you could use a swarm type tactic with them.... why don't I see them in tournament lists as much?

For Pilots I understand Holwrunner and Whisper are great; they are in Imp. Aces, and the Phantom respectively correct?

For the pilots for Falcon builds they are in the Shuttle pack? or just part of the YT2400 pack.

and thanks again. I think if I get most of a core I can finish piecing things as needed.

did I miss any "Essentials" ?

Pilots are not interchangeable between ships and always come with the ships that they fly (the Most Wanted Expansion will be an exception to that). Ships that show up in more than one expansion come with different named pilots. Howlrunner comes with the TIE Expansion and Whisper comes with the Phantom. TIE Interceptor Booster is a good purchase if you want to fly Interceptors since it comes with what is viewed as the best Interceptor pilot in the game, Soontir Fel.

I like A-Wings but they don't really get used in a swarm. The Z-95 is the Rebel swarm/filler ship. Low Pilot Skill A-Wings are great at flanking and blocking enemy moves. You probably will only see one or two of them in a list.

I would probably toss an E-Wing on to your new list. Corran Horn and Dash Rendar are a very competitive 2 ship list right now.

Go to the Card Browser section of this page http://geordanr.github.io/xwing/ and chose to sort cards by source. That will give you an idea of what comes in each expansion you are considering.

If you use that builder to build out a list you are interested, the description text for an upgrade or pilot tells you which expansions that they come with.