TL; WR: What should I buy after the core set to get balanced options for two players/both sides?

So, an evil LGS in my town had 25% reduction on everything and so I added the last available armada core box to my FFG shelf that already contains X-Wing, Imperial Assault and some SW-LCG.

Soon my wallet will be one with the force.

Since some of my gaming is done with friends who aren't going to be buying a core set (or anything) and because I never could choose one of two factions in all games mentioned above I need stuff for two players that will enables us to play balanced armadas against each other.

• Is the usual ffg route of double core set still the way to go or is it like X-Wing and you need every expansion for one card that is excluded from the core set?

Kinda the reason why my X-wing collection is stalling because I won't buy a large ship (however gorgeous models the tantive and transport and raider are) just for one upgrade card (C-3PO and the Tie adv. upgrade respectably)

Every Expansion has Cards that are not included in the core set. And often, they're exclusive to just those sets, too.

As long as you aren't planning on both entering the tournament scene only one box set is necessary, buying expansion versions of the ships in the starter set gets you new upgrade cards.

If you decide to enter tournaments you each need your own damage deck and dice, templates, etcetera...

1 of every ship and 2 Fighter Packs. Yes including the Nebulon-B, CR90, and Victory. They have much wanted titles, commanders, and expand fleet building options.

Honestly this game is already incredibly balanced at Wave 1.

After you buy your wave 1 ships, just play the heck out of the game. Ask questions when you don't know and have a great time playing!

I also bankroll my armada games. This is what I did;

Core Set

Victory

2x Gladiator

2x Imp Squadrons

Neb B

3x Corvette

2x Assault Frigate Mk

2x Rebel Squadrons

I have found this allows me to make a large number of varied lists at the 3 and 4 hundred point levels.

I need more fighter packs. . . I am the type of guy that likes to build every list possible. . . So I own 3 of every ship at the minimum. . . Don't be like me. That's crazy

So if you are starting simple, you have:

X-Wings

Ties

1 VSD

1 Neb B

1 Corvette

I would add to this:

1 Assault Frigate

1 VSD or 2 Gladiators

1 Rebel fighters box

1 Imperial fighters box

That should get you to an easy 300pts for both sides, and once you learn what you like from there, branch out.

I would tell you the following if you can afford it after the core set.

2 Rebel and Imp Squads

2 Neb & Corvette

2 Glad/1 SD

I have adopted the policy that ships

0.00 - 20.00 retail can have up to 3 for max effect,

20.01-39.99 retail can have up to 2 for max effect,

40.00 and up retail can have 1 for max effect.

Oh and 2 Extra Dice Packs

For the cheapest purchase for entry in armada I would get

Core 100$

Gladiator 30$

Assault Frigate mk2 40$

and one of each fighter pack 40$

Along with a dice pack 10$

Total is 220$

But if you don't like your LGS Amazon has some cheaper prices.

Amazon Prices

Core 66$

Gladiator 24$

Assault Frigate 31$

Fighters 38$

About 160$ on amazon without shipping.

I would tell you the following if you can afford it after the core set.

2 Rebel and Imp Squads

2 Neb & Corvette

2 Glad/1 SD

I have adopted the policy that ships

0.00 - 20.00 retail can have up to 3 for max effect,

20.01-39.99 retail can have up to 2 for max effect,

40.00 and up retail can have 1 for max effect.

Oh and 2 Extra Dice Packs

I would suggest at least one of each fighter pack, and an assault frigate MkII and Gladiator Star Destroyer if you are going minimalist. Otherwise at least one of every expansion including the core set repeats, as they bring some nice cards to the game.

I'd say for casual play one core is plenty along with a 2nd dice pack as the minimum. From there, the typical feeling I get is a GSD and then the AFII, but I'd say that's not the only way to fly.

I personally think having one of all the expansions is the way to go. It's like a buffet to sample and to determine where to go from.

The simplest way to make balanced purchases for both factions is to buy ships for each of them at the same time based on their relative sizes. For example, if you buy a medium ship for one faction, try to buy two small ships for the other.

I would tell you the following if you can afford it after the core set. 2 Rebel and Imp Squads2 Neb & Corvette2 Glad/1 SD I have adopted the policy that ships0.00 - 20.00 retail can have up to 3 for max effect,20.01-39.99 retail can have up to 2 for max effect,40.00 and up retail can have 1 for max effect. Oh and 2 Extra Dice Packs

Ohhh that means you will get 2 Home One's. Nice

Yea I think that you can run two home ones with fighter squads.

That 16 dollar VSD today is too good a deal to pass up if you are trying to flesh out your fleet. Miniature Market.