Received a core set for Christmas, played a learning game, and the Empire triumphed, as it always should. What should I go for next? I'm looking to limit myself to two or three expansions for now and a clear Imperial bias, but also want enough rebel stuff to provide decent opposition.

What would you recommend?

Imperial Star Destroyer, Gladiator, Imperial Squadron Pack, Raider, and a Rogues and Villains Squadron Pack.

That should give you what you enough to work with Imperial wise for a time.

For the rebels, grab an MC80, Assault Frigate, MC30c, Nebulon-B Escort Frigate, Rebel Squadron Pack.

Should provide you with some variety

That's ten expansions...a lot more than the two or three I can afford right now...

That's ten expansions...a lot more than the two or three I can afford right now...

That's ten expansions...a lot more than the two or three I can afford right now...

To be fair, what you're asking is tough to do.

If you're trying to keep things even, a Gladiator and Assault Frigate are the way to go, but you'll be long way off of fielding the standard size.

That's ten expansions...a lot more than the two or three I can afford right now...

That's ten expansions...a lot more than the two or three I can afford right now...

To be fair, what you're asking is tough to do.

If you're trying to keep things even, a Gladiator and Assault Frigate are the way to go, but you'll be long way off of fielding the standard size.

I agree with Alex, these would be the way to keep it even, and then maybe toss in an R&V pack for flavor. I would say go get that ISD, because its amazing, but its also the most expensive expansion and requires some more rebel purchases if you want to give that player a shot.

I think I'll parrot AlexW's recommendation. A Gladiator and Assault Frigate MkII will provide each side with both medium and small ships. Augment your Imperials with a squadron expansion to get yourself interceptors, bombers, and Vader himself and you'll probably have enough to get the now ol' fashioned 300 point list between your forces.

That's ten expansions...a lot more than the two or three I can afford right now...

That's ten expansions...a lot more than the two or three I can afford right now...

To be fair, what you're asking is tough to do.

If you're trying to keep things even, a Gladiator and Assault Frigate are the way to go, but you'll be long way off of fielding the standard size.

I'd echo that. If you're looking for 2-3, then Glad and AF for sure, then probably the Imperial squadron pack for a third (since you're looking at an imperial bias). Alternatively you could go with the ISD over the Imperial squadron pack, as the ISD is amazing fun to fly (albeit more expensive than the fighter pack).

Edit: Annnnnnnnnnnnnd... ninja'd. Twice.

I'm in the same boat; I treated myself for Christmas (actually caught it when it was MM's Deal of the Day) and now I'm looking to expand my fleet size. I'll hold off on the MC80 and ISD for now... too expensive for a casual investment. I have no interest in the Assault Frigate Mk II.

I like the MC30, so I've already added one of those - I'd recommend it, as it hits hard but is fragile, which is kind of satisfying for both sides. I'll probably pick up a Gladiator, Raider, and a second Nebulon-B in the next week or so. If I load them up with upgrades, that should get me to around 250 points, or so. I think the Imperials will still have the edge in points, so I may pick up the Rebel squadron expansion if I can find it anywhere, or the Rogues & Villains if I can't.

I like the game, but I already have X-Wing & Imperial Assault, and not enough time to play either of them as often as I'd like. My Armada may end up as set dressing and/or play aids for the RPG.

It is hard to recommend low budget expansions. It really is best to get one of everything but if you absolutely cannot afford that just buy what you can afford when you can afford it. The best thing to do is actually play with the miniatures. I would recommend you go in this order if you can.

Imperial Highest Priority to lowest priority:

Gladiator

ISD

Imperial fighter expansion pack

Rogues and Villains

VSD

Raider

Rebels highest priority to lowest priority:

Assault Frigate Mk II

Rebel Fighters expansion

Home One

MC30

Rogues and villains

Neb-b

CR90

This is just my opinion based on what you need to have friendly and fairly evenly matched games. If you want to be competitive in tournaments you will need at least one of everything and maybe two of some things. I have found that most people in my FLGS are more than willing to loan you what you do not have but be sure to return it exactly how they gave it to you and be ready to purchase them a replacement if you do any damage.

If you are playing on a budget and looking at imps, 1 gladiator pack, 2 raider packs and the fighter pack. Reb cost effective ships ( money wise) are the neb B frigate pack and corvettes if they are still half price in Amazon, grab a fighter pack

If you just want to be able to play 300 points with both sides as cheap as possible:

1 gladiator pack

1 raider pack

1 one neb b pack

1assault frigate pack.

Use the fighters in the core.......

That's ten expansions...a lot more than the two or three I can afford right now...

Get them slowly

I would get a gladiator, assault frigate, raider and one of ea fighter packs.

If you want to limit it to two expansions Grab an MC80 for the Rebels to help bridge the point gap, and a Gladiator for the Empire.

If you're buying one side only it's pretty easy. If you're buying both, don't bother with the MC80. It's a point sink that will just frustrate you (I'm yet to build a list I like with it).

Glad and AF are the best two purchases for adding to the core. After that the R&V pack or the specific faction fighter packs. From there you'll figure what you like out or not.

Well last time I checked if your in the us the cr90 was dirt cheap (on amazon i think?) i would get that along with a neb b and glad pack myself i guess.

Here I got the best idea in the world!

Buy a single expansion per faction, play games with them and figure out what you think is missing.

Here is the order I bought my stuff, and it was balanced throughout.

1) Core, VSD, AFmk2

2) CR90, Neb-B, GSD

3) Rebel and Imperial fighters

4) Imperial Raider, MC30, Rouges and Villains

5) ISD, MC80

Here is the order I bought my stuff, and it was balanced throughout.

1) Core, VSD, AFmk2

2) CR90, Neb-B, GSD

3) Rebel and Imperial fighters

4) Imperial Raider, MC30, Rouges and Villains

5) ISD, MC80

Fixed it for you.

VSD

2x Rogues and Villians

2x squadrons packs of each side ...maybe 3 rebel at least if you can afford it for 6 a-wings

2x Glad/1 Raider

2x AF

2x Raider / 1 Glad

mC30

Neb B you need the titles to make the core ship work (the corvette can handle without title cards)

1 of the following: 1 extra mc30, corvette

Wait on the ISD and MC80 add them after 15 games

Buy another core set when its on sale. Also, you don't have to go out and rush. The best solution I can give about Armada is to wait for sales: I've bought numerous ships for cheap (50% or more off).

Buy another core set when its on sale. Also, you don't have to go out and rush. The best solution I can give about Armada is to wait for sales: I've bought numerous ships for cheap (50% or more off).

You don't need another core set. Wave 1 ships are very cheap online at the moment, you can get a CR90 and a Neb-B expansion delivered for under 20 USD if you choose the right place.

Another core set adds clutter, but not options.

With the core set you can buy the exp later for the ships that came with it.

I would tell you get an ISD there is nothing like holding it and seeing it can throw a ton of dice in a turn, truly it is an amazing ship and you can beef it out to 150-200 points easy, You have a VSD, So that leaves you with the Glad, Raider, Scum and Imper Squads. I would say for cost wise Do the Raider and imp Squads I know people tend to like the Glad Better but it's much cheaper to do the small Blister pack Ships that sale online for 13.77 Verse something like the Glad that is 19.99 and the VSD which is 26.99. You can get Points to 400 with a VSD, ISD, Sqauds and A Raider really quickly.

In the rebel side Assualt Frigs are still a Star I would say start with them, Afterwards, get a MC-30, MC-80, Squads, Scum, then Cr90 and Neb B.

It would look something like this order,

First Buy - ISD

Second buy- Assualt Frig, Rebel Fighters

Third buy- Raider, Imp Fighters,

Fourth buy- Mc-30, CR 90

Fifth buy- Gald

Sixth buy - Neb B, Scum

seventh buy- MC-80

Eight buy- VSD

Thanks for all the advice! I ended up grabbing a Gladiator, Assault FF, and Raider. Hopefully I'll be able to expand from there in the near future.

Good choice, shoiuld get some fun games out of those.

Yep ...wait for $49.95