So I'm new, just bought the FA core set and a TIE Punisher. I decided to move away from Warhammer 40k and start something less expensive. That being said, I'm not looking to add massively to my collection of plastic as I have enough projects with my AC, MS, TIE model I need painting, and a small Plague Marine army I still need to get assembled.

I was thinking of running Deathrain or Redline, but I want to budget off only the important purchases, and not frivelously buy another two to three ships for a card upgrade. I don't particularly see myself going to tourneys and going cheesy, but I don't want to slap a crapstick together even if player skill is more important in XW then it is 40k.

Got any recommendations for a boot?

First if your not doing tournaments just proxy cards there are several excellent squad builders use them.

Second buy some defenders they have an imperial veterans pack on the way and they are going to be awesome you want the aces from the expansion.

Bombers are also going to be good with incoming upgrades.

Really you can buy what you like for casual play.

Unlike GW ffg put effort into balance and don't leave things obsolete for five years at a time if something underperforms they will get around to fixing it.

Welcome to the forces of law and order together we'll rid the galaxy of criminals and terrorists.

A separate TIE/fo expansion would give you some new pilots and a bit more cheap bulk. The TIE Phantom is a very powerful piece, although it can be difficult to use well, and it's fairly self-contained.

First if your not doing tournaments just proxy cards there are several excellent squad builders use them.

Second buy some defenders they have an imperial veterans pack on the way and they are going to be awesome you want the aces from the expansion.

Bombers are also going to be good with incoming upgrades.

Really you can buy what you like for casual play.

Unlike GW ffg put effort into balance and don't leave things obsolete for five years at a time if something underperforms they will get around to fixing it.

Welcome to the forces of law and order together we'll rid the galaxy of criminals and terrorists.

As long as I get the tingly feeling of point blanking a B-Wing with a proton bomb like in the old days, I'll be happy. At the very least I won't have to worry about being csm'd to death.

I was looking at the Phantom, but I definitely have a mind for the Vet's package. It's a likely purchase just for goodies and a friend for my punisher. My biggest problem with list building is figuring out synergy, while worrying about going overboard hunting down stuff.

Buy the single TIE/fo expansion.

Buy Imperial Aces and a single TIE Interceptor Expansion.

A Lambda shuttle wouldn't be bad either.

A Starviper and Hound's Tooth have some good upgrades. Buy them if you can get them cheap.

I can see the justification for the squints, but why the single /fo expansion?

I can see the justification for the squints, but why the single /fo expansion?

3 more unique TIE/fo pilot cards he can use with the 2 TIE/fos that came in the starter set.

One of those new pilots is Omega Leader, he is the only pilot skill 8 TIE/fo pilot. And his ability is amazing.

Also includes a copy of Comm Relay and Juke. Combined with Omega Leader, makes a serious threat.

Also buy some of those plastic Plano containers from Walmart.

You can buy the little plastic bins on their own for 4 bucks each if you don't want to buy this whole thing. They store small ships and even non-Hound's Tooth large ships perfectly.

For Imperials, you'd be remiss to not pick up a Lambda Shuttle. Iconic, comes with a slew of excellent upgrades for ships large and small, and will certainly make you feel like an Imperial player.

If you aren't going to purchase the Raider anytime soon, TIE/Advanced expansions may not be worth it yet.

I would also strongly agree with purchasing the TIE/FO expansion. The ships and aces are fantastic and add a fun playstyle.

However, for the ultimate Imperial ace, you definitely want the TIE/Interceptor expansion for Soontir Fel. But, without Push the Limit (included in the A-Wing expansion or Imperial Aces expansion), his pilot ability doesn't quite shine so much.

TIE/Defenders and Bombers will receive some incredible upgrades, but the due date for Imperial Veterans is currently unknown (most expect 4~6 months after the announcement) and, taken as they are, are incredibly expensive for you wanting to run the Punisher.

In order, I'd recommend:

TIE/FO (you may want 2 of these, honestly -- they're awesome and complement many Imperial lists)

TIE/Fighter (the aces, especially Howlrunner, are awesome from this pack)

Lambda-Class Shuttle -OR- TIE/Defender -OR- TIE/Interceptor (you can't go wrong with any of these)

VT-49 Decimator -OR- Firespray-31 (good crews, solid, beefy ships, lots of upgrades you can use for your Imperials in either of these packs)

TIE/Bomber (you can make excellent use out of the ordnance the expansion gives you if you have your heart set on Punishers)

TIE/Phantom (you get some good crew cards in this, and the ship itself is powerful, but it has a high learning curve)

TIE/Advanced (this becomes priority #1 if you buy the Raider -- if not, you can wait awhile on it)

Okay, if you're really on a budget...

Firstly, I don't recommend the Phantom unless you get or proxy Veteran Instincts, which comes in the Falcon or Slave 1.

2. Don't get the slave 1. Not good Imperial.

3. I recommend not getting the Defeder expo yet, since the really pretty defender and its fixes will come in the Imperial Veterans pack. YOU SHOULD GET THIS.

4. Dont buy the advanced, unless you plan to proxy the fix cards.

Get:

1 Tie/fo. Comes with more pilots. Ship is competitive. Ship is FUN. High skill ceiling.

I do recommend the Decimator for new players who want 1 big ship. Comes with good crew and upgrades. Also, makes it really easy to make a list.

Imperial Aces. You can hold off on the single interceptor expo for a little bit by asking for extra soontir fel cards. That's the only really useful one. PTL comes with this, and you want that for your FOs and your decimator at times.

Eventually phantom for fun.

And the tie adv prototype: comes with guidance chips fixing your bombers, and it likes PTL, and its mostly self contained. You'll have fun with those ships.

But I say raider.

It's epic

It's beautiful.
It comes with greatest fix ever

If you want to, you can sell the fix cards and raider may even come at 0 bucks

First if your not doing tournaments just proxy cards there are several excellent squad builders use them.

Second buy some defenders they have an imperial veterans pack on the way and they are going to be awesome you want the aces from the expansion.

Bombers are also going to be good with incoming upgrades.

Really you can buy what you like for casual play.

Unlike GW ffg put effort into balance and don't leave things obsolete for five years at a time if something underperforms they will get around to fixing it.

Welcome to the forces of law and order together we'll rid the galaxy of criminals and terrorists.

As long as I get the tingly feeling of point blanking a B-Wing with a proton bomb like in the old days, I'll be happy. At the very least I won't have to worry about being csm'd to death.

I was looking at the Phantom, but I definitely have a mind for the Vet's package. It's a likely purchase just for goodies and a friend for my punisher. My biggest problem with list building is figuring out synergy, while worrying about going overboard hunting down stuff.

We as imps don't use the s word that's a filthy terrorist thing, our aces act individually and triumph thanks to superior academy training.

The only imperial pilot that needs support is vessery everyone else is stand alone.

Okay, if you're really on a budget...

Firstly, I don't recommend the Phantom unless you get or proxy Veteran Instincts, which comes in the Falcon or Slave 1.

2. Don't get the slave 1. Not good Imperial.

3. I recommend not getting the Defeder expo yet, since the really pretty defender and its fixes will come in the Imperial Veterans pack. YOU SHOULD GET THIS.

4. Dont buy the advanced, unless you plan to proxy the fix cards.

Get:

1 Tie/fo. Comes with more pilots. Ship is competitive. Ship is FUN. High skill ceiling.

I do recommend the Decimator for new players who want 1 big ship. Comes with good crew and upgrades. Also, makes it really easy to make a list.

Imperial Aces. You can hold off on the single interceptor expo for a little bit by asking for extra soontir fel cards. That's the only really useful one. PTL comes with this, and you want that for your FOs and your decimator at times.

Eventually phantom for fun.

And the tie adv prototype: comes with guidance chips fixing your bombers, and it likes PTL, and its mostly self contained. You'll have fun with those ships.

Alright, I'm almost sold on another /FO. The squints are what I'm looking at first and I see myself getting the Phantom for the FCS eventually. I don't see myself getting Slave 1 anytime soon for proximity, so I'll probably stick to a Redline as it sounds like an easier budget.

I'm prone to changing my mind, I spent three months alone changing Chaos Warband backgrounds before assembly, which is why I have such a massive backlog. I think I'll wait until I get my ships before I come up with a color scheme and Squadron group.