Greetings. This game has caught my attention recently and i'm looking to dive right in! In reading various posts so far from the kind community, i'm looking for some sounding board action!

Quick background: very casual player. Played lot's of Savage world role playing and GM for my buds for a multi-plot point star wars RPG campaign. I'm looking to get a bit into war gaming and this seems like it'd fit perfectly into the group.

Conditions: Casual. Sole provider of mini's (at least at first). Possible integration with a role playing universe to create dynamic space battles in between "away" missions. How much am i willing to shell out? Initially <$200 would be cool and keep me out of the dog house with the wifey.

Biggest question: Do I get 2 core sets (2 xwing / 4 tie) OR do i get 1 core set, extra dice, xwing xpac, and tie xpac? (2 xwing / 3 tie).

This starting question plagues my brain. Do I need all the extra templates? The extra dice i get. The expacs offer more configurations.

My original game plan sans valued input:

2 core sets (2 xwing/4 tie) ~$60

Millenium Falcon $20

Slave 1 $20

Most wanted set $30

Yt-2400 $20

Total: $150

Lot's of variety. Unsure if i'd get to the 100 points for any faction. Probably more of a scenarios based hyper casual style. The only difference between this 2 core set config and the 1 core set config with 2 xpacs, is i lose 1 tie model and various templates, asteroids, but gain different pilots/upgrades. Ooo with the extra 10$, maybe i could get a havok or ywing?

Alternate shopping list

1 core set (1xwing/2tie) 30$

Dice set 7$

Xwing xpac $10

Tie xpac $10

Havok/ywing $10

Millnium falcon $20

Slave 1 $20

Most wanted $30

Yt-2400 $20

Total: $157

What to do? Thanks all!

There will likely be disagreement on the forums, but for your main question I'd recommend starting out with a single core set + extra dice + X-wing expansion + TIE fighter expansion.

This gives you a wider array of cards and configurations to choose from. For casual games, drawing damage cards from a single damage deck is fine.

It's a hard choice. Often times the Core Set is the better value as you often get three ships plus dice, templates, and a second damage deck for about the same price as two small expansions and a dice pack. The thing is that the pilots you get in the expansions are pretty important which makes things harder.

Either set can easily make 100 point rebel squads; the YTs can fill a lot of points using a couple X-Wings to fill things out. For the Empire you'd be pretty limited as a Firespray and three TIE Fighters doesn't leave much room to work with. Scum are a little like the Imperials except that MW has three ships which can combine with a Firespray.

Core set 2x ($60) (if you are the only player providing materials, the extra damage deck and templates are going to be super convenient)

Slave 1 Expansion ($20)

Millennium Falcon Expansion ($20)

Imperial Aces ($20)

Rebel Aces ($20)

i'd also recommend picking up the X-wing and TIE Fighter expansions as soon as possible, even with the double core set purchase because of the unique pilots included with each expansion (most notably, Wedge Antilles and Howlrunner)

this gives you three different ships types for the Empire (5x Fighters, 2x Interceptors, 1x Firespray) and four different types for the Rebels (3x X-Wings, 1x YT-1300, 1x A-wing, 1x B-Wing) for a nice variety and at a good value

The most cost effective way to start is with 2x core set. I would then add a Tie Fighter, Slave 1 and Imperial Aces, with Millenium Falcon and Rebel Aces for the other side. That gives you some variety, and plenty of ships for both factions.

Honestly, I would hold off on Scum and Villainy, not because they aren't cool, but build a decent Rebel and Imperial force first, then expand.

RoV

If you don't know anyone else who plays locally and you have to provide, you should probably go with the 1core, 1x, 1tie.

However, if cash is tight and you don't mind the delay, go on the official forum trade thread and go beg someone to mail you the cards for Wedge and Howl and Backstabber. (You can just proxy the bases by taping a #9, #6, #8 ID to the baseplate).

This is the option I recommend: 2 CORE, AND BEG.

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If you get serious, 5 ties is the current decent amount, as it lets you run all the single ship + 5 swarm. Vader + 5, Whisper + 5.

You can always get another core later.

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So, I'd go with Option 1 (150$)

but I WOULD NOT buy the YT2400.

The YT2400 requires really decent flying, myself and others on this forum can attest that unless you can pull off some crazy magic or you really like the ship, its quite underwhelming and dies very fast.

I would buy the Phantom. Phantom combos very well with Firespray card.

The Y wing is a good choice for both Scum and Rebels.

You'll save 10$.

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For later purchases:

for rebels: Rebel Aces + Awing is a wonderful addition, gives you very powerful and different options, the A comes with PTL, which is a staple. Or a HWK.

for imperials: Decimator is a great ship and combos well with 1 Phantom or 3 ties.

for scum: the HWK is an incredibly useful ship for both Rebels and Scum. Torkil Mux is a total MVP. If not the HWK, then the Starviper.

You do kinda want two damage decks once you start playing properly each player wants their own, you want more than three of each type of dice as ships can have four or five dice at close range, the starter is a good deal really.

If you already know some x-wing players you'll only need one starter otherwise twos not a bad choice.

I would say if you are are using it as part of an rpg campaign, flavor and price wise you can have great rebel/imp dog fight set for under $100:

2 core sets (about 60 usd depending where you get it)

1 tie expansion (15)

1 Xwing expansion (15)

There you are around 90 bucks. You get 3 Xwing and 5 ties, and everything you need for 2 players.

After that you can figure out what you game needs are, but I imagine if it is in conjunction with an rpg this set up could last quite a while.

For a casual gaming environment with just friends, there is absolutely no requirement whatsoever to buy expansions in order to get particular pilot cards or upgrade cards.

You can print squad lists that detail all the upgrades and pilots using one of the many excellent free squad building apps available online and for most smartphones - as far as your gaming buddies are concerned, that is how it's done, and upgrade/pilot cards themselves are not necessary.

This leaves you free to go for whatever gives you the biggest bang for your buck, rather than concern yourself with having that particular pilot, or having enough Stealth Device cards - or whatever.

The Core set, Aces packs, and Most Wanted offer the greatest value in that regard - one of each of those ( 2 core sets is better but not essential) plus a Firespray and a Falcon/Outrider and you're good to go with all 3 factions well within your budget

If you're providing everything for play, start with 2x core sets -- it's more cost effective in terms of number of ships and extra dice, plus you'll have the extra templates and damage decks to make two player play convenient.

Beyond that I think it depends on what factions and ships you like best. Slave I and MF give a good introduction to large ships plus can be a good foundation for different style lists playable with the core ships (large + min-swarm or escorts). The two Aces packs are a good way to give you a couple of new ship types with some useful cards.

Individual X, TIE etc expansions give different cards and pilots than the boxed sets, but I don't think they are that critical for your initial style of play -- get used to the the ships and how they work and then decide of you want more of those ships and pilots.

If you want to jump into Scum cheaply with flexibility, I'd recommend Most Wanted plus a Y-wing and HWK-290 expansion -- if you already have a Firespray, that enables you to run up to two Scum Y-wings, 2 x Z-95, Firespray, and HWK for scum which provides lots of choices. Though for pure cost-effectiveness I'd recommend just starting by building on Rebels and Imperials since you have a leg up from the core sets already.

You guys really rock! Thanks so much for the feedback! I'm close to a decision, and will let you know how it goes!

On another note, what do you guys use to store your goodies? I'm checking out the plano 1374. It'll be over kill storage for a bit, but offers expansion room. Anything you'd recommend? What do you use? Thanks all!

Instead of trying to tell you what to buy, I'll just (a) mention that I did the 2 x Core thing, and don't regret it, but I can see the merits both ways, and (b) say welcome to the hobby. I'm pretty new to this game, myself, and you're in for a fun ride. Enjoy it, and fly casual!

For storage, I went with the Plano 1374, and I love it. The fact I can keep things arranged by faction, the fact it's modular so I can add new trays whenever I want to (for at-home storage), and the fact that I can keep one tray mobile while the rest isn't (like at a recent tournament, I got all the stuff I needed for the day in one tray, and was able to leave the overall case out of the way) is just gravy. I really dig it. They should just start making the things with Rebel or Imperial factions on the side, the way I see it, they're that perfect for this game.

I use kr cases that I originally got to carry around my space wolves for 40k, since I don't play that anymore it got repurposed to carry my x-wing.

I know you guys get flooded with "noobs" asking the best way to get into xwing. The below list has 2 initial phases

Phase 1 - completely suited to meet the gaming groups current space travel needs and supply everyone with dice, templates, damage cards, etc to get into xwing should things organically shift that way.

Phase 1

2 core sets / 60$ / 2 xwings, 4 tie fighters

Falcon $20

Slave 1 $20

Yt-2400 $20

Most wanted $30

$150

Phase 2 - filling out the game with exciting expansions.

Phase 2

Xwing xpac $10

Tie xpac $10

2 ywings $20

Havok $10

2 z95 $20

Imp aces $20

Reb aces $20

Tie advanced $10

$120

Phase 3? Phantoms, defenders, agressor, decemator, cr90??? Only time will tell! Thanks again for the help.

Your not gonna thank us when your broke living under a bridge

Lol! I'm pretty sure that when 13 little ships show up at my house, and i know i paid $150 for them, i may feel slightly sad panda. I'll treat the hobby like any other: little by little, pay period by pay period:)

Lol! I'm pretty sure that when 13 little ships show up at my house, and i know i paid $150 for them, i may feel slightly sad panda. I'll treat the hobby like any other: little by little, pay period by pay period:)

Remind the sad panda that $150 for a 2-3 Faction starter is peanuts compared to some wargames

There's a few where you'll be looking at around $500 for just one useable army - and that's not including the modelling tools and paints you'll need.

Once you've got the core of your fleet together, 1 or maybe 2 expansions every month or so is pretty manageable - about the cost of a couple of six packs - and if you're bringing the game, your buddies can bring the beer.

In terms of storage, the Plano sets are nice, but pricey - but there's plenty of cheap organizer style boxes out there for well under $10.

I bought a pack of 2 of these: https://www.stanleytools.co.uk/product/161023 from my local Homebase for £8.

Added a chunk of foam for £2.50

Spent half an hour with a sharpie and a sharp knife and ended up with this for the princely sum of £10.50:

That's **** amazing! Great work getting your models all cozy! I copped out and bought that plano 1374. It was on sale for $30. I'm in no way shape or form an angler, so this will be a dedicated Xwing box!!!

The goodies come in this coming Wednesday. Cannot wait! I'll play it for it's 100pt standard battles and as an augment for a Rpg i run yay!

I just got my first vessels. Xwing time!!!!!!!

Welcome to the game! You've taken your first steps into a larger world.

Enjoy the ride.

Good luck.

That's **** amazing! Great work getting your models all cozy! I copped out and bought that plano 1374. It was on sale for $30. I'm in no way shape or form an angler, so this will be a dedicated Xwing box!!!

The goodies come in this coming Wednesday. Cannot wait! I'll play it for it's 100pt standard battles and as an augment for a Rpg i run yay!

Are Plano a US manufactured product? They seem WAY cheaper over on the left side of the Altantic

I think so actually. $30 for a very viable storage solution is great! I'm just starting, so this should do me over for some time!