I bought 2 initially and am now glad I did. Since the game will eventually go to 400 the 2nd (and later, 3rd) VSD is not a waste. Extra ships/dice/templates/etc. were all worth it now. Especially since my FLGS did a discount on pre-orders =).

I could see myself at least trying 3xVSD plus TIEs at 400. You probably won't have much room in the way of upgrades, but I suspect that Armada will be similar to X-wing Wave 1-3 for a while, where "the best upgrade is another ship".

Well, for 3 VSD with the cheapest commander you are already at 243 points. The max Tie squadrons you can fit in at that point level would be 7.

To put it on perspective, since you can have 133 points (or 134, do we round up or down ?) on squadrons, which could mean 16 Tie fighter squadrons or 10 Xwing squadrons.

Will you have the real firepower to deal with the Rebel squadrons ?

Will you have a balanced lists to get through objectives ?

It would be interesting tho, i hope it's possible to play it, while playing oppossite kind of lists ( a lot of small ships) is possible too, to keep the game from having just one way to play as competition later on.

agreed that running too many Victories is questionable because of the high point cost, which is why I'm not getting more than one core (maxing out at two Victories @400 no doubt, more confident with 2 glad 1 Victory @ 300)

however, 3 Victories are unquestionably awesome looking

agreed that running too many Victories is questionable because of the high point cost, which is why I'm not getting more than one core (maxing out at two Victories @400 no doubt, more confident with 2 glad 1 Victory @ 300)

however, 3 Victories are unquestionably awesome looking

Indeed. Although 2 victories flanking an ISD would be even more so... Even if tactically questionable, as fighter support would be limited...

Especially since my FLGS did a discount on pre-orders =).

This is IMO key.

You have to consider a 2nd core set based on what it costs you vs what it costs for the expansions.

If you can get a deal where the core set only costs $75 or $50, then a 2nd core may make a lot of sense. I could see 3+ CR-90's or even 3 Neb's being effective. 3 VSD's may or may not be. But if you can get the 2nd core set for say $50 vs the $40 it costs for just the CR-90 and Neb, then it's a lot better deal.

So there is no simple yes/no answer to the question. It's a question of how much the 2nd core will cost you vs what you're going to spend on other stuff.

I may buckle on a second core to have double the upgrade cards, as well as the convienience stuff like nav tool and dice. I am not sure how duplicate cards like enhanced armament will be added to the expansions but based one wave one, I didn't see all of them in there. So it would be nice to have two of those, for example, in the nearer term. If another one or two shows up down the line then all the better.

Actually, that's not until wave 2 hits when the points go up to 400.

Currently, official tournament fleet size is 180 points

Wave 2 it will raise to 300 points

Wave 3 will max at 400 points

Since I'm the primary purchaser for things like this in my playgroup, and the tournament format was revealed to be 400 points, I realized buying two core sets was the way to go. I could feasibly see myself running 3x VSD in a list at 400 points, even after the wave 2 stuff.

Now the problem for me will be figuring out how many of each small ship expansions to get. I could run 7-8 CR90s in a list, but that doesn't mean I ever will.

It's 300 point limit on the pdf, did i miss something ?

Yes. In the tournament rules just released this week, FFG says that when Wave 2 is released, tournaments will be 400 points. The official time for a game will then increase to 150 minutes. Most of the speculation seems to wrap around the images of a slide show someone surreptitiously took during a powerpoint presentation that shows FFG releasing an Imperial Star Destroyer and counter Mon Calamari cruiser for the Rebels (and other expansion packs), the resultant boost in points these large ships would require.

Actually, that's not until wave 2 hits when the points go up to 400.

Currently, official tournament fleet size is 180 points

Wave 2 it will raise to 300 points

Wave 3 will max at 400 points

I think your 2 should be a 1 and your 3 should be a 2.

Yep, I agree with most everyone else. The core set is fantastic but it doesn't have a lot of possible variation. If you can show a little restraint (Yes, it is SOOOO hard to do) then you can add some color to that black and white fleet you own now Whatever you decide though, you'll be a winner!

I think its a waste of money to buy two core sets, unless, you want the core materials for a 2nd player, or you have the bling, or you really like the upgrade cards in the core set or intend to play those ships and play both sides, or instend to spam TIE's or X-wings.

The expansion packs are where the upgrades are going to be. Core set ships come with one title card. Expansion sets come with two title cards, commanders, other upgrades. For instance, the title cards in the Corvette Expansion are very interesting. But, if fielding two Corvettes from the core set, you can only use one of the title cards. Core Set + Corvette Expansion = pick 2 of three titles (and pick 1 of two commanders).

I haven't really compared side to side the core upgrade cards to the expansion upgrades just because I plan on only one core. Perhaps there could be a compelling reason to buy another core set for the upgrade cards. So far, no one has made that case.

*** If an Imperial player, or even a Rebel Player is going to spam TIE fighters or X-Wings for the full 133 points, then buy a 2nd core set, then sell off the extra fighters and break even.

Agree with many points here: 2 cores and 1 VSD booster are definitely needed!

How else are you going to have a VSD on your desk at work, and still have 2 to game with?

To all the people comparing buying 2 core sets to a core set and 1 of each expansion.

That is a poor comparison. I think anyone considering a second core set was already planning to buy 1 of each expansion, if not 2. I know I was gonna buy 2 CR90 and 2 Nebulon B expansions. I was only going to buy 1 VSD. Then I saw the tournament standard would be 400 points. Now I have 2 core sets and will be buying 1 of each expansion to go with them.

No one buying a second core set is sacrificing wave 1 upgrades.

I decided not to buy a second core set. I don't need the extra dice as I can get them later along with the maneuver tool. The extra ships can be bought as expansions and will work for a more conservative approach. The extra debris and cards can also be obtained otherwise or are not needed. So this in mind I am convinced I do not need a second core set.

Today I bought a second one... because well... Yeah.

I bought two, first one from my LGS at retail price, and a second online for $75 (free shipping).

I feel that having only one Imperial ship really limits the tactical feel of the game and I don't/can't wait a month or more for the expansions to come out.

If the Wave 1 expansions were already out, then I would probably not buy the 2nd Core box.

And that's why they did not release wave 1 with the core set,so people feel they have to buy a 2nd core to feel that the game is complete.

I actual feel it was disgraceful the contents in the box for the price, Tarkin partially useful,the dice at least ONE of each more for goodness sake... And 1 range ruler... All double the price of x-wing,horrible job by FFG on this core set,but I still love FFG and are one of the best companies out there,just feel they did not live to their standards on this one.

I'm glad I bought 2. I had a few games with different people (without their own game) over the weekend, and it plays much better, if you have 2 of everything.

Also, like rowdyoctopus sayd, I still planned on getting at least one of each wave 1 ships. I Love to have many options, like playing 3 of the Same ship, and the option to Play larger games.