New to the game, quick query regarding shield tokens

By slimreidy1, in X-Wing Rules Questions

Hi all, sorry for the simplicity of my question but I'm totally new to the game. in the force awakings set does the tie fighter start the game with one shield token (placed on its card)? in the basic tutorial the tie fighter does not have a shield token at the start of the game yet the X wing gets its 3 shield tokens to start with. This has confused me, can someone please clarify my question.

Many thanks

A ship starts the game with the number of Shield tokens equivalent to the shield value stated on the ship card.

Original TIEs have a shield value of 0 so start with no shield tokens - First Order TIEs have a shield value of 1 so start with 1 shield token.

Edited by Funkleton

I suspect that this was done in the tutorial mission as a balancing factor. Dropping the shields off of the Zeta and Epsilon (31 points) makes the fight against the Blue Squadron Novice (24 points) a fair fight. I would do as the tutorial says to do but realize that you would normally place a shield token on those ships.

Edited by WWHSD

I haven't picked up the new starter yet but if they just pulled the old tutorial you run into the original TIE Fighters not have any shields and the new ones getting a Shield Token.

It may also be as WWHSD suggests where it is being used as a balancing factor for a scenario.