Rules book suggests 3x3 play and setup area for the core set (180 point game)

I split two core sets taking the rebels and have won every game, 180 or 300. Not boasting (total newbs playing here), but I believe the core set is very balanced and doesn't have any one OP build for either side. Rather, the wins come from the lack of maneuverability of the VSDs. Every game I positioned for the flanks at the start and ran for the rear of the VSD(s) sometimes losing a ship to dice or purposely sacrificing a ship to get into position. I qualify this by admitting that we were playing just normal games, not scenarios.

Additionally, my tactics are to use the CR90s to aggressively clear fighters (especially Howlrunner) and then use the (normally) now low health frigates and fighter swarms to pound the VSDs as they laboriously try to bring forward guns to bear. Also, I try to keep Luke alive at all costs to get early crits on the VSDs.

How are you using a Corvette to get rid of Howlrunner?

I split two core sets taking the rebels and have won every game, 180 or 300. Not boasting (total newbs playing here), but I believe the core set is very balanced and doesn't have any one OP build for either side. Rather, the wins come from the lack of maneuverability of the VSDs. Every game I positioned for the flanks at the start and ran for the rear of the VSD(s) sometimes losing a ship to dice or purposely sacrificing a ship to get into position. I qualify this by admitting that we were playing just normal games, not scenarios.

Additionally, my tactics are to use the CR90s to aggressively clear fighters (especially Howlrunner) and then use the (normally) now low health frigates and fighter swarms to pound the VSDs as they laboriously try to bring forward guns to bear. Also, I try to keep Luke alive at all costs to get early crits on the VSDs.

Well I was winning before, the only change has been the smaller playing area (which is probably worse than the 3x3) which I believe is the cuase of the sudden crushing defeats, going to look into buying the right size board for home play.

It was nice to hear others opinion of my list however.

I split two core sets taking the rebels and have won every game, 180 or 300. Not boasting (total newbs playing here), but I believe the core set is very balanced and doesn't have any one OP build for either side. Rather, the wins come from the lack of maneuverability of the VSDs. Every game I positioned for the flanks at the start and ran for the rear of the VSD(s) sometimes losing a ship to dice or purposely sacrificing a ship to get into position. I qualify this by admitting that we were playing just normal games, not scenarios.

Additionally, my tactics are to use the CR90s to aggressively clear fighters (especially Howlrunner) and then use the (normally) now low health frigates and fighter swarms to pound the VSDs as they laboriously try to bring forward guns to bear. Also, I try to keep Luke alive at all costs to get early crits on the VSDs.

Well I was winning before, the only change has been the smaller playing area (which is probably worse than the 3x3) which I believe is the cuase of the sudden crushing defeats, going to look into buying the right size board for home play.

It was nice to hear others opinion of my list however.

I tend to agree that smaller play areas favor the Imps.

As a rebel you simply don't want to be forced to linger in star destroyer firepower for any longer than necessary.