I just started Xwing last week after watching some guys play it at the local store and I see a ton of posts on scum and wondered if that is the majority of what people play now? I really like the Imperials, and always have since way back in SWG days, but I don't want to get smashed by bounty hunters and headhunters. Is there still hope for the Empire or is swarm about the only real option? I don't have much but I did start by getting my favorite ship, the Decimator, and picked up a phantom and interceptor xpac. I was leaning towards getting an Imperial Ace xpac next to give me some more interceptors and good cards hopefully. What is a good recommendation from an experienced Imperial player to get next?

Hi

Scum is the "new kid on the block", therefore it is just trendy now.

Empire is as powerful as before maybe more since Scum introduced Autothrusters, a most wanted updated against turrets (YT-1300, YT-2400 and Decimator).

Your current acquisitions sound very solid. With what you have you can start running some two or maybe three ships list, basically your Decimator and something else.

I'll advice you not to hesitate to buy the imperial aces expansion as it includes the best imperial pilot, baron Soontir Fel as well as the push the limits upgrade which is very useful with him specially, but also with any interceptor in particular.

With this acquisition you will have three interceptors and a phantom to try to fly a three or four ships list without large base (the Decimator) which can be a good idea to start as at the beginning it is not so easy to fly a big base ship.

Another phantom could be a good idea.

Interceptors and phantoms are both arc dodgers, so it will be easy to learn to fly them simultaneously. Also the low PS phantoms are very good blockers. Another thing that is good to learn.

Have fun, fly casually and welcome

Soontir Fel comes with the base Interceptor.

The Imperial Aces set however is very good to get. With it and the ships you already have you have start of a good fleet.

Some good builds to try out;

Decimator and Phantom

Decimator and 2 Interceptors

2 Interceptors and Phantom

A good Scum ship to pick up just because of the cards in it is also the Starviper. The autothrusters in it are basically automatically added to the Interceptors now days.

Hey man, Imperials can run just about any kind of list and win tournaments, from bruisers to swarms. We don't need no Fat Han to win (still <3 you PHeaver) I exclusively fly small ship builds, the 3 I play now are Whisper (TIE Phantom) + 2 Elite Interceptor Pilots OR 3 Basic Interceptor Pilots, 3 Elite Interceptors, or Soontir (Best Interceptor) + Howlrunner and mini-swarm. Empire has a lot of arc dodging capability in many of their ships and this is EXCELLENT against the Aggressor heavy meta that is sweeping through right now.

(Also the Imp. Aces pack comes with Carnor Jax, probably the most annoying interceptor to fly against, I love him)

// Shirako

Thanks for the responses I am still very green but look forward to bringing order to the universe. I will look into that star viper as soon as I get the aces, thanks again for the help and very relieved my beloved Empire is not the cross eyed storm trooper chasing a farm boy

If you only want the cards maybe you don't need to buy the starviper at all. Sometimes you can buy the cards on the web.

My mistake pointing you in the wrong direction about Soontir being in the imperial access. Sorry.

Thanks heavyguard for the correction

As an Imperial player, you're going to want to buy a Starviper to get those two Autothruster cards. That being said, S&V is a great second faction for a fan of the Empire. Your Firespray will get a lot of use and the Most Wanted pack comes with great upgrades and ships.

I've been to two tournaments sense the release of S&V and if anything the third faction has diversified the meta. This is a great time to be playing X-wing. I'm seeing all different types of lists out there now! The Empire is still strong and well represented. With the Raider, it's about to become even stronger!

Auto thrusters is great against turrets, not so much against everything else.. I still like hull upgrade and stealth on mine.. its a solid build, mif I know there is a turret ship I can toss the AT in and get the roll ofer, but... I'm still not convinced its the best option for squints.. just my 2 CR but.. we in my area tent to not run with the meta like other areas.

Hey guys thanks for the tips and for starting this thread! I'm trying to surprise my regular opponent with an imperial list but all I have is small ships. I'm getting some great info here.

What would be good points effective pilots and load out for a Defender and/or a Phantom?

What about a good Imperial Firespray?

Thanks in advance, Wing Commanders!

One of my favourite lists to date that has had quite a bit of success is the following which I am 10-2 with so far.

Firespray-31 Boba Fett+Heavy Laser Cannon+Veteran Instincts+Rebel Captive

TIE Defender Rexler Brath+Predator+Heavy Laser Cannon+Stealth Device

100 points

You can also have:

Rexler Brath+HLC+Predator+SD

2xRoyal Guard+Push the Limit

100 points

I just started Xwing last week after watching some guys play it at the local store and I see a ton of posts on scum and wondered if that is the majority of what people play now? I really like the Imperials, and always have since way back in SWG days, but I don't want to get smashed by bounty hunters and headhunters. Is there still hope for the Empire or is swarm about the only real option? I don't have much but I did start by getting my favorite ship, the Decimator, and picked up a phantom and interceptor xpac. I was leaning towards getting an Imperial Ace xpac next to give me some more interceptors and good cards hopefully. What is a good recommendation from an experienced Imperial player to get next?

Get a Firespray and Tie Defender. Even if you don't want the ships they come with great cards that are very useful for a multitude of other ships.

I have 3 firesprays and 3 defenders. Running triple of each is fun and can be competitive if your dice rolls cooperate.

I use VI and predator on a lot of my builds.

Oh and I've never run anything other than Imperial in any tournament.

My advice is simple: Buy Imperial Aces ASAP. Very good pilots, beautiful ships, and good upgrades. IMHO you don't need a Defender now, and focus on your faction, no Starviper yet. Proxy that cards, and if you want, buy them after the summer. Buy your faction

Decimator + Phantom + 3 interceptors + 2 ties is a excellent Fleet to start and keep you busy for months