I used to keep tabs on the cost to assemble tournament-competitive decks in Magic: the Gathering as one of many lenses through which to analyze the interesting emergent properties of the hobby/community/phenomenon. For similar reasons, I ran the Top 8* lists through Han Shopped First.

Before jumping to any conclusions with respect to the numbers, remember that these players displayed exceptional skill at piloting their lists; merely purchasing the components offers very little to the would-be competitor without a good deal of time, dedication, and talent.

Summary:
Champion: $294.50
Runner Up: $264.55
Top 4: $189.65
Top 4: $254.60
Top 8: $104.70
Top 8: $224.65
Top 8: $149.70
Top 8: $174.65

Breakdown:

*I had planned to show the entire Top 16, but I'm waiting to find the corrected version of one of the lists.

It's a little scary that I could run every one of those lists no problem.

Oops, correction. I only own two phantoms and also just two k-wings so I could not run the cheapest one on the page. Wha?

I could run all but three of those lists .. at the same time ... Don't have three K.Wings, only have one of each Poe and Palpy, two phantoms (tie version) ...

Addicted much?

Did you remember to ensure a $40 core set was in each of those lists? No preference given to TFA or classic sets they just have to have one or the other for all necessary components.

MSRP or net price?

If i had one more TLT i could run 5 of those squads.

Not bad since i follow a strict "1 of everything" rule.

Edit: I forgot that Ks come with two TLTs. So I could build 5.

I'd be just as, if not more, interested in a simple list of what "products" would have to be purchased in addition to the prices as listed. For example, Paul H would have had to purchase two K Wings blisters for the TLT cards, right? I assume the price quoted includes those two sets, but for us less initiated types, its not always clear where specific things (e.g., specific upgrade cards) actually came from.

But I applaud the number crunching. Shows X Wing is still one of the cheaper minis games out there. OK, CAN BE one of the cheaper minis games out there...

I'd be just as, if not more, interested in a simple list of what "products" would have to be purchased in addition to the prices as listed. For example, Paul H would have had to purchase two K Wings blisters for the TLT cards, right? I assume the price quoted includes those two sets, but for us less initiated types, its not always clear where specific things (e.g., specific upgrade cards) actually came from.

But I applaud the number crunching. Shows X Wing is still one of the cheaper minis games out there. OK, CAN BE one of the cheaper minis games out there...

K-Wing comes with two copies of TLT, so Paul only needed to buy one.

Someone posted a pricing calculator a few weeks ago that could answer your question about exactly what to buy to make each list: https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/191844-han-shopped-first-squadron-pricing-calculator/

Yeah the k-wing price is incorrect. It should be 45 more for tacticians

I'd be just as, if not more, interested in a simple list of what "products" would have to be purchased in addition to the prices as listed. For example, Paul H would have had to purchase two K Wings blisters for the TLT cards, right? I assume the price quoted includes those two sets, but for us less initiated types, its not always clear where specific things (e.g., specific upgrade cards) actually came from.

But I applaud the number crunching. Shows X Wing is still one of the cheaper minis games out there. OK, CAN BE one of the cheaper minis games out there...

K-Wing comes with two copies of TLT, so Paul only needed to buy one.

Someone posted a pricing calculator a few weeks ago that could answer your question about exactly what to buy to make each list: https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/191844-han-shopped-first-squadron-pricing-calculator/

Well, as the second post in that thread stated, THAT IS PURE GENIUS!

When I read this thread's OP, I just assumed "Han Shopped First" was an online store he was using to cull the prices from.

I did mention I'm definitely in the uninitiated side of things. So all that info was genius, and my only regret is that I have only 1 LIKE to give.

Paul spent more on his squad than anyone else did.

Clearly, this means that the game is pay-to-win.

Everyone go out and buy stuff!

Did you remember to ensure a $40 core set was in each of those lists? No preference given to TFA or classic sets they just have to have one or the other for all necessary components.

I didn't include cores unless one was specifically required for a list component, since many people obtain rulers, templates, and dice separately (though it's true that the core set(s) are almost universally the first purchase).

MSRP or net price?

MSRP, since individual discounts may vary.

Yeah the k-wing price is incorrect. It should be 45 more for tacticians

3x K-Wing blisters gets you the 3 ships & bases, the pilot cards of Miranda and the two Wardens, and 6 TLTs, for about $60. Then you buy 3x Phantoms for about $45 to get triple Tac, totalling $104.70.

And then there are people who borrow cards and even ships.

Are the prices accurate given the two TLT's per K-Wing?

Are the prices accurate given the two TLT's per K-Wing?

You still have to buy 3 K wings so Id imagine yes.

I'd be just as, if not more, interested in a simple list of what "products" would have to be purchased in addition to the prices as listed. For example, Paul H would have had to purchase two K Wings blisters for the TLT cards, right? I assume the price quoted includes those two sets, but for us less initiated types, its not always clear where specific things (e.g., specific upgrade cards) actually came from.

But I applaud the number crunching. Shows X Wing is still one of the cheaper minis games out there. OK, CAN BE one of the cheaper minis games out there...

High prices of Top-2 builds because of one card in each build - R3-A2 in Paul's build and R5-P9 in Nathan's build. Both cards originate from same expansion - Rebel Transport

The major difference in the comparison of what the squads cost in X-Wing vs. the cost of a competitive deck in magic is fixed pricing. In magic the better the card gets for compedative play the demand goes up and so does the price. This price could reach unthink levels while X-Wing is based off of MSRP.

The major difference in the comparison of what the squads cost in X-Wing vs. the cost of a competitive deck in magic is fixed pricing. In magic the better the card gets for compedative play the demand goes up and so does the price. This price could reach unthink levels while X-Wing is based off of MSRP.

I don't think, because of this, the price of the lists is all that interesting. It doesn't say anything about the game, whereas in MtG you could sometimes argue that it was a bit pay to win (and even then you could just buy boosterboxes and recoup the cost of those by selling off the singles).

Final example X-wing became Wh40k. Pay to win.

Final example X-wing became Wh40k. Pay to win.

I disagree. I play this game now for about two years. If you spread out that amount over that time you'll see is not really that much of an investment.

My guess is that Paul had this stuff lying around. Got the starter 2.0 anyway, because new x-wing! and only added in the two K-wings (he probably wanted one anyway for his collection).

Yeah pay to win with that one additional K-Wing....

For Paul Heaver

R2-D2, bought when he first got in the game

The Bandit was used in last year's winning list

The Y-Wings were probably around for years

R3-A2, if bought himself, probably bought before the Corvette (which he owns, at least the crewcards from that ship)

So the only purchases for this year, needed to win are: Core 2, K-Wing (for the two TLT's)

Jep, all these looks always miss how you get much more than just that list for what you pay.

Final example X-wing became Wh40k. Pay to win.

I disagree. I play this game now for about two years. If you spread out that amount over that time you'll see is not really that much of an investment.

My guess is that Paul had this stuff lying around. Got the starter 2.0 anyway, because new x-wing! and only added in the two K-wings (he probably wanted one anyway for his collection).

Yeah pay to win with that one additional K-Wing....

It was a joke. Wh40k is not worthy to wipe X-wing's boots.

Did you remember to ensure a $40 core set was in each of those lists? No preference given to TFA or classic sets they just have to have one or the other for all necessary components.

I didn't include cores unless one was specifically required for a list component, since many people obtain rulers, templates, and dice separately (though it's true that the core set(s) are almost universally the first purchase).

MSRP or net price?

MSRP, since individual discounts may vary.

Yeah the k-wing price is incorrect. It should be 45 more for tacticians

3x K-Wing blisters gets you the 3 ships & bases, the pilot cards of Miranda and the two Wardens, and 6 TLTs, for about $60. Then you buy 3x Phantoms for about $45 to get triple Tac, totalling $104.70.

Then you need to add 40 dollars for the core set which is necessary to play.

Then you need to add 40 dollars for the core set which is necessary to play.

As said in post 12, the core set was not included unless specifically needed. And for this Worlds, each player would receive a damage deck, meaning you could skate by on third party dice and templates.