So more people are getting into the game and wondering where to start. For new folks it can be really daunting so here is a goofy challenge. Pretend you are starting from scratch with no builder, no proxies or print out cards, no ebay parts. Now, build an inexpensive but effective list. Maybe not a tournament list, but something that could be fun to play and only needs the cards in the boxes you buy. Aim around the $100-150 mark (MSRP) but that is a rough buy in, not an exact, especially since judicious shopping can bring the price down. List both the purchases and a list (or a few if you can) you could build using only those purchases. Obviously this means you needs starter even for scum, but it is just for fun anyway.

For example:

The Force Awakens™ Core Set SWX36 39.95
VT-49 Decimator Expansion Pack 39.95

Starter + 2 Y wing +1 b wing

dutch vander with R2 and ion turret

gold sq with R2 and ion turret

ten numb with 2x proton torps, autoblaster and FCS

99

vander helps set up first target lock, and he and gold sq try to ion stuff for ten numb to get in arc/range with the proton torps. (the crit from proton torps can't be canceled!) Autoblaster works good on numb too, as in addition to uncancellable damage, the first crit can't be canceled too!

Not the best but fun!

Or just buy The starter and 3 y wings and make:

3 x gold sq with R2 and ion turret

red squad x wing with R2D2

Use the ion turrets to make everyone move slow, so red sq x wing can use R2D2 every turn.

You might guess that i like Y wings. Actually that's the first ship i bought a second copy for!

(and i run 3 now :https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/199287-y-wings-protorps-chips-and-ion-turrets/ )

PS: don't know the price as i'm in belgium and don't use $, but i'm guessing that starter + 3 expansions comes to about 75 to 85?)

Original Core $40

X-Wing Expansion $15

Millenium Falcon $30

Han Solo (46)

+ Luke (7)

+ Chewie (4)

+ Millenium Falcon (1)

2x Rookie Pilot (X-Wing)

Thematic. Effective. $65 for a bottle of champagne to pop.

Dash w/Lone Wolf, Outrider, HLC and Leebo

2 x Blue Squad B-Wings

Everything on Dash comes in the YT-2400 expansion. The B-Wings can come from either Rebel Aces or the B-Wing expansion. The squad above has 4 points left to tweak things a bit. Bump the B-Wings to Daggers to shoot at PS4 or add something to System slot or change up Dash a bit. It's an inexpenisve squad that gives you a lot of building blocks for future list and can pack a decent punch.

2 x Prototypes Pilots w/Chardaan Refit

2 x Blue Squad

Biggs

That comes in at 99 points and only uses the core set, an A-Wing expansion, a B-Wing Expansion, and Rebel Aces. While it doesn't use a lot upgrades it is a squad that has a surprising amount of control and gets much better with practice. The A-Wings should be annoying blockers that zip around setting up blocks and corralling targets for your harder hitting ships. Biggs should be use to force your target to split fire and keeping your opponent from finishing off injured B-Wings.

Maybe just a starter and the falcon expansion:

biggs with R2D2 and a shield upgrade

han solo with VI, luke and chewie crew, concussion missiles, engine upgrade and the falcon title.

100 exactly.

use biggs to draw fire from the falcon, making the falcon even better at tanking. Concussion missiles are only there because you have 4 points left over

I'm going to set the ball rolling with an Imperial suggestion, since everything so far has been rebels.

2x TFA core sets

1 TIE/ FO

Omega Squadron:

Omega Leader, Weapons Guidance, Wired

Omega Ace, Comm Relay, Juke

3x Omega Squadron

Tfa core + 3 FO expacs

Omega Leader (juke + relay)

2 Omega squadron (juke + relay)

2 espilon

Or same OL

Zeta L (wired + WG)

Epsilon A (weapon guidance)

2 zetas

TFA Core + Firespray:

1 • Kath Scarlet - Slave 1 (38) - Veteran Instincts (1) - Homing Missiles (5) - Heavy Laser Cannon (7) - Gunner (5)

2 • 'Zeta Ace'' - TIE/fo Fighter (18) - Expose (4) - Stealth Device (3)

3• Zeta Squadron Pilot - TIE/fo Fighter (16) - Weapons Guidance (2)

99pts.

Two suggestions:

List 1

FA Core Set ($40)

Rebel Aces ($30)

A-Wing Expansion X2 ($30)

Total: $100

Tycho Celchu (26) Total: 33

Push the Limit (3)

Wired (1)

Prockets (3)

A-Wing Test Pilot (0)

Jake Farrell (24) Total: 30

Push the Limit (3)

Prockets (3)

Green Squadron Pilot (19) X2 Total: 34

Chardaan Refit

Gives you three points to play around with. Obviously not stellar, but can introduce you to flying in formation, arc dodging, blocking, and all kinds of things. Jake and Tycho are also just so fun.

List 2

FA Core Set ($40)

Tie Defender X2 ($30)

(Unreleased) Imperial Veterans

Rexler Brath (35) Total: 41

Predator (3)

Tractor Beam (1)

Tie/D (0)

Onyx Squadron Pilot (32) Total: 35

Ion Cannon (3)

TIE/D (0)

Omega Ace (20) Total: 24

Opportunist (4)

This list gives Brath and the Tractor, which is nice. Conventional wisdom dictates that Vessery is better, however, I see reducing their agility at PS 8 being nice, as it gives the reduced agility to Omega Ace (which might allow him to deal more damage with his big bad pilot ability, especially with opportunist alongside it). May not be the best in the end, but oh well.

EDIT: whoops, Onyx doesn't have an elite slot.

Looking good, I may have to fly a few of these.