Brand new to the addiction... i mean hobby. Just got a core set. Watched gameplay this past week at my local game store. Def want to play imperial and possibly scum. Any help on what to buy next would be appreciated. I am on a limited budget.

Imperial aces if you like interceptors. Tho soontir only comes in the single pack. A second core is normally recommended as well for 2 more ties.

If you like Imperial and Scum, get a Slave-1 and a Most Wanted pack. You'll want a Force Awakens core set, too, most likely. The TIE/fos are really fun to fly. And you'll want a TIE fighter expansion.

After that, for value, you'll want a Y-wing expansion. (That will allow you to fly two Scum Y-wings.)

I would recommend the Firespray because at a later time you can buy Most Wanted and use the same model for both Empire and Scum. However I would probably hold off on buying into Scum since you say you're on a bit of a budget since the only ship overlap between Scum and Empire is the Firespray (Most Wanted has a much larger overlap with rebels with needing models and upgrades, especially turrets).

Grab a TIE Fighter pack or maybe a 2nd core set as well since having more than 3 of each die is useful and there's some nice pilots in the TIE Fighter pack (eg. Howlrunner)

In short: Firespray + TIE Fighter

possible list: Boba + Howlrunner and 2 Academy pilots (19 points left for upgrades)

This site has been extremely useful to me when I am thinking of what to buy next since you can see what comes in every pack.

http://xwing-miniatures.wikia.com/wiki/X-Wing_Miniatures_Wiki

I also recently got into the game. I've been pleased with what I have purchased. Here's the order I got them in:

- Core set (original)

- TIE fighter (you gotta get Howlrunner)

- X-wing, Y-wing, TIE interceptor, TIE phantom (the classics, plus the phantom is sweet)

- Kihraxz fighter (I got this one just because I like the model)

- TIE Advanced (I just wanted to be able to play Vader)

- Imperial Aces, Rebel Aces, B-wing, A-wing, TIE Defender

It might be easier if you decided on a particular side you prefer to play, but that's not necessarily easy to do. I buy as much for the models as I do for playing the game, but I've held my own in the few games I've played so far. If I had it to do over again, I'd probably focus more on the Imperials first as that seems to be who I'm gravitating toward. I like the maneuverability of the Imperial ships (having boost and barrel roll makes a huge difference). Then again, it's always fun to field a bunch of X, Y, A, and B-wings as well.

Read up on the forums about how the various ships work and maybe hit Youtube as well for some videos. The Cardboard Dungeon has a series of videos covering each ship and Michael van Rooijen also has an interesting series of videos. I watched a lot of these before making major purchases and learned a lot.

Whatever you decide to get, have fun. If you REALLY like a particular ship, get that one first. Then, kiss your money goodbye as you get absorbed into the game and it sucks your money away.

Note: When people suggest two core sets, these days I'd probably reccomend you get one old and one new - this gets you a lovely variety of ships and pilots and parts, and the new damage deck which (as far as we know) is only coming in the new core set.

Then a TIE fighter (Because Howlrunner is hilarious), and... hm, it depends what you want to play with. TIE Interceptors are awesome, but tend to need both a single pack (for Soontir Fel) and an Aces pack (For everything else).

The TIE Advanced is not reccomended as a starting ship; to get the most out of it you need to get hold of the TIE/x1 title card that comes from the Imperial Raider, a hundred dollar ship... which is awesome, but maybe not if you're on a budget :S

The TIE Phantom is straight-up awesome too, though less popular at the immediate moment.

Do you like TIE Punishers? It can be fun too...

With any of these, you really only need the one. Double-ship lists can be done, but while you're messing around you might as well enjoy the variety.

If you have super-collecting friends you might be able to beg/borrow/buy a Soontir Fel pilot card & cardboard chit, which would save you a purchase of a third Interceptor - you'll find plenty of use for a pair of them, though.

Really, I guess the trick to Imperials is that you can do an awful lot with "Awesome ship + swarm of TIE fighters", "Two Awesome Ships + a couple TIE fighters", or "Three Awesome Ships"... They're good like that.

I am surprised that no one has mentioned the shuttle. It is a fun support ship that can be kitted out in a lot of ways, and it is very cheap for a large ship, so you can always have a decent squad backing it up. Just don't expect it to be making any real combat maneuvers. The shuttle also comes with a lot of cool upgrades.

The TIE Advanced is not reccomended as a starting ship; to get the most out of it you need to get hold of the TIE/x1 title card that comes from the Imperial Raider, a hundred dollar ship... which is awesome, but maybe not if you're on a budget :S

I agree with this completely. The advanced really needs the x/1 title which can't be got on a budget.

The TIE Phantom is straight-up awesome too, though less popular at the immediate moment.

The TIE Phantom as an awesome ship, but it can be tricky for an inexperienced player to use as it requires a good spacial awareness to use. I'm not saying he shouldn't get it, my brother started with a Phantom and it does force you to play better sooner.

Really, I guess the trick to Imperials is that you can do an awful lot with "Awesome ship + swarm of TIE fighters", "Two Awesome Ships + a couple TIE fighters", or "Three Awesome Ships"... They're good like that.

This was the idea behind suggesting the Firespray and TIE Fighter.

I am surprised that no one has mentioned the shuttle. It is a fun support ship that can be kitted out in a lot of ways, and it is very cheap for a large ship, so you can always have a decent squad backing it up. Just don't expect it to be making any real combat maneuvers. The shuttle also comes with a lot of cool upgrades.

It is a great ship with good upgrades, but I think a Firespray would be a better buy for them since it's in both factions the original person is interested in and being not as cheap to field means that they don't have to buy as much to have a 100 point squad.

What do you like the look of? Get that, it will be fun to play!

This isn't 40k, all ships can be viable*

*Yes some are better than others, but everything is more than flyable!!!

A Starviper for scum and autothrusters.

An Interceptor for Fel.

And to top it off either a Firespray (more scum), or the Aces pack (more Inteceptors).

If you want something special take the Phantom (speed), or the Defender (Skill, and my favorite).

Interceptors are really fun to play; dodging arcs with push the limit, it's like Airwolf and Xenonauts combined. Autothrusters just take the edge off the turrets that the Rebs are up to their ears in.

Playing the with Defender is like playing the "Last Stand" mode in many video games: The points mean it's only you and one or two others, but white K-turns and a solid block of stats will keep you in the fight as long as you can keep your head in the game.

And don't sweat it, every ship has it's perks: with a little practice you can really play anything. (Just the way Star Wars should be.)

Oh yeah, and welcome to the forum.

What do you like the look of? Get that, it will be fun to play!

This isn't 40k, all ships can be viable*

*Yes some are better than others, but everything is more than flyable!!!

Well, other than Scyks.

I kid, I kid. We're reaching the point in the game where nothing is fundamentally broken; only overpriced, and even then by a few points. Spending points efficiently during squadbuilding helps, but as anyone who's seen their 35pt Interceptor explode with nothing but blank greens on the first exchange and still win anyway can attest... good flying will make up for a great deal of mathematical disadvantage.

It's one of the things I love about this game; there is very little that isn't solid, and even less that can't have a useful - even if infrequent - niche.

Since youre playing scum and imps, get a starviper for now. Then add an interceptor expansion. You can afford two small ships right?

After that, decimator, for power and to learn how to use POWERRRR.

Avoid the firespray even though its both factions. If you want to be competitive.

Get most wanted. That should give you tons of choices:

2 z

1 y

1 int with auto

starviper

2 ties

(1 decimator)

Ask to play 60 or 75 point games.

You can easily play the meta powerful soontir chiraneau very soon. Or kenkirk.

Borrow palpatine. and tiex1/atc from a friend who plays more. Then you can get vader. Or just proxy them.

As far as the x1 title goes, just remember you can generally proxy cards in casual games...

Since youre playing scum and imps, get a starviper for now. Then add an interceptor expansion. You can afford two small ships right?

After that, decimator, for power and to learn how to use POWERRRR.

Avoid the firespray even though its both factions. If you want to be competitive.

Get most wanted. That should give you tons of choices:

2 z

1 y

1 int with auto

starviper

2 ties

(1 decimator)

Ask to play 60 or 75 point games.

You can easily play the meta powerful soontir chiraneau very soon. Or kenkirk.

Borrow palpatine. and tiex1/atc from a friend who plays more. Then you can get vader. Or just proxy them.

For someone just starting out, they shouldn't worry too much about meta builds and just fly what they find enjoyable.

I'm starting too, initially I planned on getting into Armada, but decided to dive into X-Wing. Easier to learn, quicker gameplay (I've got too many long-duration strategy games that I never play), more variety at this point and a bit cheaper. Probably play with my wife, friends and hopefully my little boy will be able to learn it during the coming years.

At first I'm planning to get the new Core set, get some grip on the rules and then dive in deeper.

I hope to be able to buy a collection of a retiring player the coming year, but the Used market for X-wing in the Netherlands is pretty non-existent (too few players dropping out).

If I'm unable to buy someone's collection then my initial short list would be similar to Kodiak3d's list.

Don't care much for scum and for me the ships of the old X-wing/Tie-fighter video games will be the ones I want to get first.

I like Guri as a pair of ****, but I fail to see why every new player regardless of faction is coerced into buying a ship they'll never use, just to get a card they can't play without.

Everything!!!

We all do so sacrifice your wallet to ffg.

1x imp aces

1x interceptor

1x Firespray

2x defender

1x decimator

For scum

1x starviper

1x k fighter

1x most wanted

1x rebel y-wing

Best advice is to buy what excites you. You'll eventually buy it all lol.

Imperial budget starter:

Decimator (can build a list with just this and two TIES)

Interceptor (Soontir Fel is one of the Empire's best aces)

Firespray (possibly the best large base ship in the game)

Phantom (Whisper is another...)

Tie Fighter (Howlrunner greatly increases a swarm's offensive potency)

Scum budget starter:

Most Wanted (It's a must...)

Starviper (Great all around fighter and upgrades)

Firespray

Aggressor (you might want two of these)

Responding to the above comments on Shuttle vs Firespray, I will just add that when I was a new player, my first large ship purchase was the Shuttle, because, simply, AWESOME LOOKING!

However, I quickly realized it was painfully hard to fly and keep an enemy ship in front of me so I could actually shoot with it.

I would advise that the Shuttle is probably not a fun experience for true beginners.

Yeah shuttle is not really a beginner ship, rear arc on the firespray is far more forgiving.

Yeah shuttle is not really a beginner ship, rear arc on the firespray is far more forgiving.

Just use Advanced Sensors and Engine Upgrade and it's not that bad. You can do your boost first, and then do your red 2 hard turn. It does wonders to turn the Shuttle around.

I'll also say that if you can get regular Tie Fighters first, they are good to learn on. Get good with a Tie Fighter and you will be deadly with a Tie Interceptor. If you jump straight to using Soontir Fel, then you might underappreciate a regular Tie Fighter.

I've found that small based ships are more fun to start with, but it's harder to build a 100 pt list without the big ships.

I wouldn't recommend a Phantom as a beginner ship, either.

Yeah shuttle is not really a beginner ship, rear arc on the firespray is far more forgiving.

Just use Advanced Sensors and Engine Upgrade and it's not that bad. You can do your boost first, and then do your red 2 hard turn. It does wonders to turn the Shuttle around.

I'll also say that if you can get regular Tie Fighters first, they are good to learn on. Get good with a Tie Fighter and you will be deadly with a Tie Interceptor. If you jump straight to using Soontir Fel, then you might underappreciate a regular Tie Fighter.

I've found that small based ships are more fun to start with, but it's harder to build a 100 pt list without the big ships.

I wouldn't recommend a Phantom as a beginner ship, either.

The only problem with this is that Engine Upgrade only comes on two 30 dollar ships, (YT-1300, YV-666) neither of which are Imperial.

On a budget, considering that the topic-starter wants to play Imperials and sometimes Scum, that's the cost of two of the smaller fighters for an incompatible ship (YT-1300), or a heavy commitment to Scum (YV-666).

As you said TIEs are a solid choice.

Proxy! Proxy! Proxy!