Total noob - looking to build imperial list

By kingma15, in X-Wing Squad Lists

Hi there

I have my first game tomorrow night and am looking to build a decent list with the models and cards that I have on hand.

I went and purchased some tie fighters that I thought looked cool in preparation. I couldn't really justify paying money for a ship that I didn't plan to or couldn't use, just to get some of the staple cards (eg: imperial raider just to get a tie/1x or advanced targeting computer). Perhaps once I have a few games under my belt.... But until then, I will have to make do.

I have purchased:

1 x starter set (not the force awakens one)

1 x tie bomber

1 x tie defender

1x tie advanced

1 x tie punisher

1 x imperial aces expansion

1 x slave 1

Am I able to make a decent 100 point list? All the lists I've seen have cards that I don't currently have. My head is hurting and I need help :)

I think the following will be fun - and uses cards from most of your sets...

  • Carnor Jax (TIE Interceptor) + Expert Handling, Stealth Device (31 Points)
  • Krassis Trelix (Firespray-31) + Heavy Laser Cannon, Mercenary Copilot (45 Points)
  • Academy Pilot (12 Points)
  • Academy Pilot (12 Points)

Krassis at Range with Carnor and the Academy Pilots going for closer flanks should give you a lot of fun flying and good shooting.

Carnor Jax is not easy to use if you are starting out, but if you were going with him, I would say Veteran Instincts will be much more useful than expert handling. Being able to move at PS10 is very helpful to ensure you end up at range 1 of enemies and out of firing arcs. His job is first to deny token use to opponents and secondly to get shots only if doing so does not leave him exposed to concentrated fire. Also, without push the limit, stealth device is a waste of points because it needs tokens to keep from falling off on the first shot...

So similar to the above:

Carnor Jax w/ veteran instincts, royal guard title, hull & shield = 34

Rexler Brath w/ predator and TIE mk 2 = 41

2 academy pilots = 12 x 2

99

Keep Rexler behind the academy pilots and move Carnor up close but not too close to your other ships (you don't want them to get in his way). The academies are blockers. Fly them in fast and clog up your opponent's best moves. Rexler comes in behind and tries to do solid damage with focus + predator (don't worry about activating his ability--if there is a chance to do so, great, but it won't happen very much----his Pilot Skill of 8 is what you get him for). Meanwhile, Carnor approaches from the side and once in Range 1 of enemies, they won't be able to use focus or evade tokens and this will make them much easier to destroy. Keep Carnor close to the enemy and ideally keep him out of their firing arcs. If he gets shots, great, but don't worry too much. Your other ships can get the job done with his ability in effect...

You have the makings of an old Imperial list I used to fly casually, except I used three APs instead of two and used Fel instead of Jax (also no HLC on the Defender):

98 points

Academy Pilot (12) x 2
Delta Squadron Pilot (38)
TIE Defender (30), Heavy Laser Cannon (7), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)
Carnor Jax (36)
TIE Interceptor (26), Royal Guard TIE (0), Push the Limit (3), Stealth Device (3), Shield Upgrade (4)
Academy Pilots and Delta Squadron Pilot move interchangeably at the same pilot skill, which comes in handy as a newer player. I also like the fact that the Delta's PS is so low that you can almost guarantee your white 4K when you need to because you will be less likely to be blocked. Jax doesn't have the standard Autothrusters you see Interceptors with nowadays, but with what you have, shield (or hull) upgrade works just fine. After all, there was a time when people played Interceptors before Autothrusters. Reserve PTL for when you need to turtle up due to positioning or when you could score a boost or barrel roll into range one to shut down some of the opponent's focus/evade token usage.
Both of your APs can also provide good blocking for the rest of the firepower in your list.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my post with such helpful and detailed thoughts. I really appreciate it. The lists look great and are just the start that I needed.

I will let you know how I go tonight.

If you are willing to get a TIE Phantom, here is a list I use. I'm still new to the game myself though.

"Whisper" - TIE Phantom 32

Fire Control System 2

Tactician 2

Advanced Cloaking Device 4

Darth Vader - TIE Advanced 29

Squad Leader 2

Carnor Jax - TIE Interceptor 26

Push the Limit 3

Total:100

I try to keep Vader at range 1-2 of my other ships so he can give Carnor or Whisper an extra action like cloak or evade if they're about to get hit. I usually have Vader evade or arc-dodge with a barrel roll for his other action to keep him alive. Or, if I don't need to use squad leader I focus and evade or barrel roll and evade with Vader.

98 points

Academy Pilot (12) x 2

Delta Squadron Pilot (38)

TIE Defender (30), Heavy Laser Cannon (7), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

Carnor Jax (36)

TIE Interceptor (26), Royal Guard TIE (0), Push the Limit (3), Stealth Device (3), Shield Upgrade (4)

Played this list tonight.

Vs Luke Skywalker and Han Solo

I played ok considering it was my first game. He flew Luke right into the middle of my formation. Got blasted to smithereens in turn 2.

Spent the rest of the game trying not to smash my ships into each other while targeting the falcon.

Very fun game. Keen to play again.