I'm a frequent X-Wing player that is just getting in to Armada casually. I don't intend to purchase everything, at least not now. What is the one expansion every player should own? Right now I have the Core, CR90, and the Victory Star Destroyer.

Thanks and sorry if this topic has already been done many times before!

Buy the ISD.

Between that and the ISD, those two are the first ships you see in IV, and will be very valuable to you as a player.

The ISD was actually at the top of my list. I forgot to mention, I also have Home One on the way, so the ISD seems like it would provide a tough counter to the Mon Cal ship.

Are you planning to collect both factions? Because if so I agree with Hero. If you plan on going only rebels though, then an AFMK2.

If you plan on going only imps, get a Gladiator after the ISD.

I want to have enough to field a decent fleet on both sides, but I have no intention of playing competitively. If forced to choose, I think I would lean toward the Empire.

I also would recommend an ISD. Besides the fact it's the warhorse of the empire, the miniature itself is just beautiful (mostly because of it's size). I already bought two of them, even thinking about buying another one!

I still need a Home-One for my collection, so can't say anything about that one.

Assault frigate mk2 has great cards and a good rebel ship. Gladiators are great because of demolisher and it's firepower. ISD is going to be the flagship of choice for imperials. Those 3 ships are my recommendation with ISD for priority for imps and mk2 for rebels.

The Neb-B has the X17 turbo laser upgrade which is very nice.

The large ships will make up some bulk points. Everyone forgets about the squadron expansions, which can be a key element. This game benefits from having at least 1 of every expansion.

Rebels: Assault Frigate MkII

Imperial: ISD

ISD if you're collecting both factions. Even one makes your forces stupid effective.

AFmkII if you are Rebel only. Honestly, it's still better than the MC80.

ISD if you're collecting both factions. Even one makes your forces stupid effective.

AFmkII if you are Rebel only. Honestly, it's still better than the MC80.

MC80 only for Ackbar?

its a rocks papers light saber type of game, so just buy what you like ISDs are fun.

ISD if you're collecting both factions. Even one makes your forces stupid effective.

AFmkII if you are Rebel only. Honestly, it's still better than the MC80.

MC80 only for Ackbar?

Honestly... I'd still rock AFmkII w/ Garm. I don't need Ackbar if I have gun teams. Just a preference. I'm sure the fish is excellent with the AF.

Thanks, everyone. The opinions and follow-up comments help a lot.

Why AFMkII over MC80? Speed and price? The broadside attack on Home One looks so intimidating.

Thanks, everyone. The opinions and follow-up comments help a lot.

Why AFMkII over MC80? Speed and price? The broadside attack on Home One looks so intimidating.

For me it's an AFMkII is flexible and can fill several rolls without costing a bunch of points. It's only real problem is that it has Command 3, but some rebel abilities make that more of a bonus than a hinderance.

Fielding an MC80 means you have to build your fleet around it. You are spending at least 106pts on the thing, and realistically with all the upgrades you likely will have to throw on it, it's going to be about 130pts-140pts. Than unlike the Imperial Star Destroyer, you have to consider that this thing has a max of Speed II AND Command III making it the fussiest ship in the rebel fleet. It's still useful mind you, but it's significantly harder to use than an ISD or a AFMkII and you need some specific builds to make it work.

Thanks, everyone. The opinions and follow-up comments help a lot.

Why AFMkII over MC80? Speed and price? The broadside attack on Home One looks so intimidating.

Too slow, no gunner slot.

If its fun you want, you can get an TIE pack.

ISD as a single ship.

Fighter packs are IMO essential to diversifying tactics.

MC80 for the rebels as a second ship.

Plus that gets you all the ships seen in the movies, thematically.

I disagree about the AFM2. In at least the first round of a tournament where I collected data, they were only better than the MC30 and VSD. Every other ship was better. CR90s, NebBs, MC80s, Glads, ISDs. So while not bottom, they are pretty low. I'll try to figure all the data for the second round. I've gone back and forth with people over how good the AFM2s are. The key thing is they use Ackbar, and thus don't get a second shot, because they try to do conga lines. That's often not the best use of the ships, because it lets your opponent choose where to attack, and you often give up a dual arc shot for it. Sometimes with more dice in total, in 2 attacks reducing the effectiveness of defense tokens. Anyway, that's my opinion on it, some people like it's flexibility, and it's faster. However, unlike a VSD, the MC80 is fairly maneuverable, and can use Engine Techs to be effectively speed 3, with more maneuverability than an AFM2, or most other ships.

ISD as a single ship.

Fighter packs are IMO essential to diversifying tactics.

MC80 for the rebels as a second ship.

Plus that gets you all the ships seen in the movies, thematically.

I disagree about the AFM2. In at least the first round of a tournament where I collected data, they were only better than the MC30 and VSD. Every other ship was better. CR90s, NebBs, MC80s, Glads, ISDs. So while not bottom, they are pretty low. I'll try to figure all the data for the second round. I've gone back and forth with people over how good the AFM2s are. The key thing is they use Ackbar, and thus don't get a second shot, because they try to do conga lines. That's often not the best use of the ships, because it lets your opponent choose where to attack, and you often give up a dual arc shot for it. Sometimes with more dice in total, in 2 attacks reducing the effectiveness of defense tokens. Anyway, that's my opinion on it, some people like it's flexibility, and it's faster. However, unlike a VSD, the MC80 is fairly maneuverable, and can use Engine Techs to be effectively speed 3, with more maneuverability than an AFM2, or most other ships.

ISD as a single ship.

Fighter packs are IMO essential to diversifying tactics.

MC80 for the rebels as a second ship.

Plus that gets you all the ships seen in the movies, thematically.

I disagree about the AFM2. In at least the first round of a tournament where I collected data, they were only better than the MC30 and VSD. Every other ship was better. CR90s, NebBs, MC80s, Glads, ISDs. So while not bottom, they are pretty low. I'll try to figure all the data for the second round. I've gone back and forth with people over how good the AFM2s are. The key thing is they use Ackbar, and thus don't get a second shot, because they try to do conga lines. That's often not the best use of the ships, because it lets your opponent choose where to attack, and you often give up a dual arc shot for it. Sometimes with more dice in total, in 2 attacks reducing the effectiveness of defense tokens. Anyway, that's my opinion on it, some people like it's flexibility, and it's faster. However, unlike a VSD, the MC80 is fairly maneuverable, and can use Engine Techs to be effectively speed 3, with more maneuverability than an AFM2, or most other ships.

Well if you want to go that route in analysis, that's more point efficiency.

Like yeah, if you are trying to milk every last point for what it's worth the AFM2 probably isn't the way to go unless you are using Ackbhar or you are using some modified form of Corvette spam and you need a dedicated carrier. Then yeah, an MC80 when properly kitted is a more efficient use of points.

HOWEVER, if you are just starting the game and are learning and want a ship you can use in numerous builds, that is dependable... you're better off with the AFM2. It dependable, it's flexible in it's role, and it works well with the ships that come out of the core box.

Go to E-bay and buy the whole collection from someone or just buy it all.....you know you cant resist this anyway as soon as you start to play.

just give in to your dark side now....then you may plan the purchase rather then buy little bit here and there.In the end you have just used more money then if you just bought everything...

Yeah, I know. We all started casual, right? Just a few ships...

I actually agree with the ebay comment, I've seen some very well priced lots go up, which I would totally be into if I wasn't set.

So far, I'm not looking to sink a huge chunk of change into the game. I just want to know what ships people gravitate towards and why.