On page 4 of the Learn to Play guide included in the "The Force Awakens" Starter Set, there is a Tutorial Setup section. In step 2, it instructs the Resistance player to place 3 shield tokens on the X-Wing's ship card. However, it doesn't give such an instruction to the First Order player, even though the TIE/Fo ships have a shield value of 1 on their cards. Was this omitted accidentally, or are the TIEs not supposed to have shields? A pdf version of the guide (hosted by FFG) can be found here, for reference: https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/fb/b4/fbb4f847-b3f8-4fcd-8724-cb03f67c26b5/swx36_learntoplay.pdf

The TIE/FO ships have a shield so it looks like an accidental omission.

It's obviously a mistake. Don't take it as gospel.

Actually, I don't think it is. The lack of shield continues throughout the tutorial (for example, the attack example on page 8 also acts as if the TIE does not have shields).

Then, if you look at the complete set up guide on page 16, it makes it clear that shields are activated for all ships according to their shield value.

I would wager, that for the purposes of the tutorial, given both players are learning and it is an unbalanced match-up, the TIEs forgo their shields.

I agree with Zoidberg. A Zeta and Epsilon squad cost 31 points. A Blue Novice costs 24. Dropping off the shields pretty much makes up for the delta in points each side has.

But look up the set up picture on page 23 of rules ref guide. All x-wings have 3 shield tokens but tie fighters have none...