Here in the KC Metro area there are several major meta squad builds. With the Regional season starting up in a couple of weeks (here Imperial Assault starts on May 16th), and players do come from hours away, what are the types of squads that other areas feature as their meta? There was no store championship season for IA, and for many players this is the first time that they will be attending any official tournament.

IMPERIAL

Royal Guard Champion

Regular Royal Guard

Elite Imperial Officer

3x Regular Imperial Officer

2x Regular Probe Droid

Note: To make it a "Vader" Squad remove the RGC and the Probe Droid.

Hands down the RGC and Vader squad is the most common builds, making up over 50% of the squads I have played against. Of that, its 70/30 Vader to RGC. What makes this style of squad nice is that there are a couple of extremely high damage (3 dice) figures and Officers to get them into position on turn 1 for shooting/striking.

General Weiss

2x Elite Stormtrooper

Regular Stormtrooper

While far less common, there are quite a few players who enjoy playing Imperial Trooper builds. Most go with General Weiss for extra dps, several more use Imperial Officers for the "Order's" special actions.... What makes this a nasty squad list is all the trooper command cards that make them super efficient. Also, there are command cards like Endless Reserves and Reinforcements that allow players to gain back a defeated trooper.

REBEL

2x Elite Rebel Trooper

2x Elite Rebel Saboteur

Jyn Odan

Gideon Argus

While few and far between, most rebel squads forus on some combination of Rebel Troopers/ Saboteurs along with a Unique or two to round out the squad. Everyone uses Gideon just to give out extra "Focus". Another thing Rebel squads have in common is the excessive use of white defence dice. That 1/6th chance to completely dodge an attack is a powerful draw for some players.

MERCS

2x Elite Trandoshan Hunter

2x Regular Trandoshan Hunter

Elite Nexu

While IG-88 builds have cropped up, the sheer potential power of a hunters build makes them far more common. Being able to force your opponenet to take up to 8 strain each turn can first quickly deplete their command deck and then damage their figures. Played correctly, this style of build has been known to give every opponent pause.

COMMAND CARDS

While each persons command deck varies, even when playing the same squad, there are a few things in common. Most players put several cards in their deck dealing specifically with their chosen squad, like unique figures specific command cards or command cards targeting a specific type of figure (leader, hunter, brawler, etc). The remainder is composed of 0 cost cards, and this is where personalization comes into play. These are Take Initiative and Recovery. Sit Tight is also used in squads with few deployment cards.

The squads you've listed above seem to be most of the powerful squads that I've come across.

One squad I've seen that can be powerful is this (it basically drops the Elite Troopers for more Saboteurs and Luke):

Luke

Gideon

Mak

Elite Saboteurs x2

Reg Saboteurs x2

There are some builds with Chewie that are pretty tough, but I'm not sure what the exact builds are.

Hi emmjay, have you heard any of the details for the regional, such ad starting time?

Nope. I emailed the guys who are suppose to be running it, no response. I may have to go to Collectors Cache and talk to the people there, but they aren't my FLGS.

Hey guys,

Where are you guys playing? My FLGStores are Tabletop Games and Pulp Fiction. Our play group is just starting into IA and I want to get into the skirmish side.

I haven't been playing anywhere. It has been hard for me to get out and play. I am planning to go to the regional.

I noticed the KC regional has been moved to the Overland Park Convention Center. But I still have not heard back from Steve Farel as to when the tournament will begin.

https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/imperial-assault-regional-championships/

I got ahold of Steve. Tournament is at Overland Park Convention Center. Registration is at noon, with first round at 1PM. Fantasy flight figures must be used (no WOTC substitutions allowed).

I got ahold of Steve. Tournament is at Overland Park Convention Center. Registration is at noon, with first round at 1PM. Fantasy flight figures must be used (no WOTC substitutions allowed).

You happen to get a cost or if/how to preregister? I have been trying to get a hold of FeralEvents for some time to get an answer...

Also, as to when to play and practice. My normal FLGS is The Geekery but I am happy to go to Tabletop or Collectors Cache. I am free most weekends to play.

How about we get a group together this Saturday the 9th at Tabletop and do some Skirmish practice before Regionals on the 16th.

I haven't been playing anywhere. It has been hard for me to get out and play. I am planning to go to the regional.

I can't play in the evenings as I work 2nd shift. I am able and want to play from 11am to 2 PM weekdays, and most Saturdays and Sundays.

By the way, there is a Mokan Imperial Assault Facebook group. If anyone wants in to setup meeting times and such please join up.

No, I didn't ask about registration fees. I doubt I will be available this Saturday

I got ahold of Steve. Tournament is at Overland Park Convention Center. Registration is at noon, with first round at 1PM. Fantasy flight figures must be used (no WOTC substitutions allowed).

No offense, but I really wish I could find something official about this. We're driving down from 3 hours away and I'd really prefer to not show up at noon, only to find out that they decided to start at 11 instead.

The link from the Regionals page has zero information and this Steve guy hasn't returned any of the phone calls my group has made. And the secondary contact listed didn't have a clue about the event. This is a horribly run event so far.

I got ahold of Steve. Tournament is at Overland Park Convention Center. Registration is at noon, with first round at 1PM. Fantasy flight figures must be used (no WOTC substitutions allowed).

No offense, but I really wish I could find something official about this. We're driving down from 3 hours away and I'd really prefer to not show up at noon, only to find out that they decided to start at 11 instead.

The link from the Regionals page has zero information and this Steve guy hasn't returned any of the phone calls my group has made. And the secondary contact listed didn't have a clue about the event. This is a horribly run event so far.

Totally agree with you. I have been trying to contact Feral Games for a couple of weeks now via email, facebook, and phone calls. I have heard back from Collectors Cache where it was originally suppose to be run. What they said? Get ahold of Feral Events. The Overland Park Convention Center shows events for the day, but nothing specific. I don't even know about pre registering or cost info.

Feral Events doesn't have the greatest rep here for being able to talk to real people. My good friends owns a game store and wanted them to run an event, ie make them money, and they would even return a phone call.

I am planning on being there early, like 9 am or so. If need be I will wait at Tabletop Games and Hobbies which is very near the convention center. It is getting to the point where I am thinking of getting ahold of FFG and complaining.

Please Show up. There isn't a lot of Imp Assault players here in the Metro.

Our club leader got a hold of the guy at the contact # this afternoon and was told that signup was at 11:00 AM and round 1 starts at 12 noon.

Please Show up. There isn't a lot of Imp Assault players here in the Metro.

Sounds like there'll be at least 6 or 7 players from Omaha making the trip.

Wow nice size group you got in Omaha. Im about an hour and half south of there. If you guys run any events up that way be sure to post on here and I will definitely make it. Id love to make it to this Kansas one but just not sure I'll be able to swing it.

i received this email today

=======================

When: Sat, 16 May, 2015

Location: Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS, 66211

Entry Fee: $15.00

Registration begins: 1100

Registration closes: 1200

Tournament begins: approximately 1215

Format:

Sanctioned tournaments are played using the rules provided in the Imperial Assault core game rulebooks and Skirmish Guide.

Skirmish tournaments for Imperial Assault are held in a series of 55-minute tournament rounds, plus an additional 10 minutes for map and mission setup.

Each player’s army must follow the army building rules found in the Imperial Assault Skirmish Guide and consist solely of official Imperial Assault figures. Proxies cannot be used. Players cannot use the figure tokens provided in the Imperial Assault core game in sanctioned tournaments.

An Imperial Assault army consists of figures with their corresponding Deployment cards, any Skirmish Upgrade cards, and a 15-card Command deck. The total cost for all of a player’s Deployment and Skirmish Upgrade cards cannot exceed 40 points. Each Command deck must contain exactly 15 cards, and the total cost of a player’s Command cards cannot exceed 15 points.

Each player must bring all components needed for their army and games. This includes, but is not limited to, Deployment cards and corresponding figures, Command cards, dice, tokens and counters, and all map tiles and Mission cards for any legal skirmish missions. The TO is not expected to supply any game components to players. Command cards must be sleeved, and their sleeves must be identical and unaltered.

Starting March 1st, the legal maps, and their accompanying missions, for the season are: Mos Eisley Outskirts, Massassi Ruins, and Moisture Farm. All competitive and premier tournaments must use these maps and missions unless otherwise specified by Fantasy Flight Games.

Tier: PREMIER:

Premier events are the highest level of competition for Fantasy Flight Games tournaments, and all players, judges, and tournament organizers involved are held to the highest levels of conduct. Players are assumed to be familiar with the game’s rules, as well as the latest FAQ and tournament rules, and should expect all rules to be strictly enforced.

Regional Championship Prizes:

Regional 2015 trophy and card granting winner a 1^st round bye at Nationals. Also given out based on performance; 4 dice bags, 8 sets of translucent dice, 16 packs of acrylic terminal tokens, 64 AT-ST alternate art cards

Rule info: https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/star-wars-imperial-assault/

Prize info: https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2015/1/16/2015-imperial-assault-regional-championships/

This info should also be up on our website:
FeralEvents.com

We should have plenty of room for everyone who shows up, so no pre-reg is required. That said, if it gets crazy, and you would like to send me your name, and anyone you plan to bring, I will put them at the top of the list, just in case.

Dont hesitate to call 913.208.6695 with any additional questions.

Thanks for your interest and your patience,
Steve

note, this confirms Chrome's info that its 11AM for registration with first round at noon.

Omaha and Lincoln always had a good star wars minis group. ANy of those guys coming?

I got the same email this morning.

Omaha and Lincoln always had a good star wars minis group. ANy of those guys coming?

I do not know. I never played SWM, so I'm not familiar w/the people. The only guy I know from Lincoln who did play, doesn't play IA.

"Command cards must be sleeved, and their sleeves must be identical and unaltered. "

Has anyone else found sleeves that would fit these small command cards? I have not been able to find any.

Seems like a completely unneccessary requirement.

note, this confirms Chrome's info that its 11AM for registration with first round at noon.

Omaha and Lincoln always had a good star wars minis group. ANy of those guys coming?

Im just south of Lincoln. I really want to make it to this. If I can talk anyone else into coming with me Ill be there. I just dont want to make a 4 hr trip by myself. If there is anyone in Lincoln that is going and wants to carpool then just send me a message and we'll work something out.

"Command cards must be sleeved, and their sleeves must be identical and unaltered. "

Has anyone else found sleeves that would fit these small command cards? I have not been able to find any.

Seems like a completely unneccessary requirement.

Yes I have. The Game Shoppe in Bellevue, NE hand them when I went up for their x wing regionals. There are FFG style ones and generic ones......

I know FFG and Dragonshield make mini-sleeves for these sized cards. Just make sure you get the american-mini, not the european-mini (different sizes). FFG rules require the cards to be sleeved, sadly.

http://store.fantasyflightgames.com/productdetails.cfm?SKU=FFS01

http://www.coolstuffinc.com/p/178699?gclid=CjwKEAjwg7yqBRCu5NmlgMm6i08SJADDEudZA6bGXUXLERFYiI5a7u8GlNn9wTWGi-LpB97dRQbadBoC35Pw_wcB

Nevermind. I should have read the next page.

I've only played a few games and just bought my core set last week. This will be my first IA tournament, so this will be a learning experience at least.

Here's what I plan on running.

http://ia-armies.com/army/zltHxq4O