So I have finally bought the two starter sets, and I am wondering if these are good losts for a beginner. Obviously I need too buy a few expansions but here we go:

Imperial List

Darth Vader in TIE Advanced with Veteran Instincts 29 Points

Mauler Mithel in TIE Fighter 17 Points

Dark Curse in TIE Fighter 16 Points

Omega Ace in First Order TIE Fighter 20 Points

Omega Squadron Pilot in First Order TIE Fighter 17 Points

I originally had Juno Eclipse in the TIE Advanced but at the convention I bought, the X-Wing Tournament had lots of Vaders that were doing well in TIE Advances so I thought I'd change it.

And my Rebel List

Poe Dameron in a T70 X-Wing with Marksmanship, R2D2, Weapons Guidance and Proton Torpedoes 43 Points

Luke Skywalker in a X-Wing with Determination, Proton Torpedoes and R2 F2 36 Points

Green Squadron Pilot in an A-Wing with Determination 20 Points

Luke and Poe I think are fine not sure about the A-Wing though, I was thinking maybe dumping a few upgrades for two Bandit Squadron Pilots?

Thoughts?

In my opinion, Juno is highly underrated, though like every Advanced pilot she needs the x1 title (Vader can get by without it, but is vastly improved with it). Vader+miniswarm of mid-tier aces is a good time, though i would definitely give Omega Ace Push the Limit. TIEs have good pilots at all ends of the points spectrum, so that gives you some freedom to shuffle around. For your next buy, consider the TIE or TIE/fo expansions

You might indeed be better off replacing that Green Squadron Pilot with a pair of Bandits, running interference for your aces. If you want to run A-wings, I'd highly recommend getting the Rebel Aces box (which includes the all-important Chardaan Refit). Poe w/ BB-8 is a good candidate for Push the Limit. I'd discourage putting Proton Torps on Luke and Poe, and I'm not a huge fan of Weapons Guidance as it doesn't mesh well with the latter's ability.

I would take Marksmanship off Poe because of his ability. If you take the Marksmanship action you lose Poe's ability.

So I slightly modified my two lists:

Firstly, the list that was changed the most, the Rebels/Resistance.

PILOTS

Poe Dameron (38)
T-70 X-Wing (31), R2-D2 (4), Push the Limit (3)

Luke Skywalker (38)
X-Wing (28), R2-F2 (3), Proton Torpedoes (4), Marksmanship (3)

Bandit Squadron Pilot (12) x 2

So as advised I gave Poe Push the Limit, and dropped Proton Torpedoes and Marksmanship. Someone said BB-8 was good with Poe but I think that overall the Shield Regeneration will be useful and get R2's points back over and over.

With Luke I pretty much kept him the same, but dropped Determination in favour of Marksmanship. I originally had dropped the Proton Torpedoes for him, but after I gave him Marksmanship and 4 points left over, I thought if I had a Target Lock, using Marksmanship with the Proton Torpedoes could be very effective, meaning I only miss with blanks. At Range 1 this would be especially dangerous. R2 F2 will be useful for when Luke has taken damage or is at Range 1 (or will be coming into Range 1) of a powerful enemy ship.

Lastly I exchanged the Green Squadron Pilot in favour of two Z-95's, so they can act as distractions and cover, while also being able too damage if necessary.

Next we have the Imperials

PILOTS

“Mauler Mithel” (17)

“Dark Curse” (16)

“Omega Ace” (20)

Zeta Squadron Pilot (16)

Juno Eclipse (31)
TIE Advanced (28), TIE/x1 (0), Veteran Instincts (1), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1), Advanced Targeting Computer (5)

Pretty much the biggest change was I swapped out Vader for Juno (GASP). I know, but I think Vader is a bit over used honestly. So I gave her the Title TIE/x1 so she could get access too the Advanced Targeting Computer, the Veteran Instincts on her already Pilot Skill 8 makes her likely a lot higher then most higher tier pilots, and her special ability paired with the Twin Ion Engine MK II will make a deadly combo.

Thoughts?

I love that rebel list. I'd fly it. I don't fly imperial much, but it looks ok to me.

“Mauler Mithel” (17)

“Dark Curse” (16)

“Omega Ace” (20)

Zeta Squadron Pilot (16)

Juno Eclipse (31)

TIE Advanced (28), TIE/x1 (0), Veteran Instincts (1), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1), Advanced Targeting Computer (5)

Pretty much the biggest change was I swapped out Vader for Juno (GASP). I know, but I think Vader is a bit over used honestly. So I gave her the Title TIE/x1 so she could get access too the Advanced Targeting Computer, the Veteran Instincts on her already Pilot Skill 8 makes her likely a lot higher then most higher tier pilots, and her special ability paired with the Twin Ion Engine MK II will make a deadly combo.

Thoughts?

Rebel squad looks good- I'm not a huge fan of naked Omega Ace's- his effectiveness suffers when his ability requires a two-turn set-up. I would either

A) take Twin Ion Engine Mk. II off Juno, drop Zeta Sq. Pilot down to Epsilon, and replace Mauler with Backstabber or Nightbeast of somesuch and give Omega Ace PtL

or

B) Replace Omega Ace with Episol Leader, Zeta Ace, or Omega Sq. Pilot with an elite upgrade.

Props for going with Juno! She would also probably be a good ordnance carrier (I'm thinking Proton Rockets mainly)- if you need to shave off points, the TIE Mk. II isn't essential (but I won't deny it's convenient on the Advanced)

Ok, how about this for Imperials? From the feedback I'm getting the Rebel list is fine, but is this better for the Empire?

Juno Eclipse 33 Points

TIE /x1, Proton Rockets, Veteran Instincts, Advanced Targeting Computer

Zeta Ace 20 Points

Swarm Tactics

Epsilon Ace 17 Points

Mauler Mithel 17 Points

Obsidian Squadron Pilot 13 Points

Looks pretty good to me! VI Juno makes a great alpha striker. You might want to give Swarm Tactics to Mauler, despite being more frail than Zeta Ace- not only does he have higher PS, but his ability might be more conducive to staying in a formation.

Juno Eclipse 33 Points

TIE /x1, Proton Rockets, Veteran Instincts, Advanced Targeting Computer

Zeta Ace 18 Points

Epsilon Ace 17 Points

Mauler Mithel 19 Points

Swarm Tactics

Obsidian Squadron Pilot 13 Points

Is this better? I'm trying too make my lists as effective as possible.

PILOTS

Poe Dameron (38)

T-70 X-Wing (31), R2-D2 (4), Push the Limit (3)

Luke Skywalker (38)

X-Wing (28), R2-F2 (3), Proton Torpedoes (4), Marksmanship (3)

Bandit Squadron Pilot (12) x 2

So as advised I gave Poe Push the Limit, and dropped Proton Torpedoes and Marksmanship. Someone said BB-8 was good with Poe but I think that overall the Shield Regeneration will be useful and get R2's points back over and over.

With Luke I pretty much kept him the same, but dropped Determination in favour of Marksmanship. I originally had dropped the Proton Torpedoes for him, but after I gave him Marksmanship and 4 points left over, I thought if I had a Target Lock, using Marksmanship with the Proton Torpedoes could be very effective, meaning I only miss with blanks. At Range 1 this would be especially dangerous.

I should point out that Proton Torpedoes have a range of 2-3 so you actually can't use them in Range 1. Also the phrase "At Range 1 this would be especially dangerous." makes me think that you may have another rules misinterpretation: you only get the Range 1 bonus attack die when attacking with your primary weapon. Proton torpedoes are secondary weapons.

If R2-D2 is used up, I like Luke with BB-8 over R2-F2. This would come down to your personal preference, but fly the rebel list and see how often you want to spend your action on the droid...especially true if you have to choose between marksmanship or taking a TL for the Proton Torpedoes. For example, if you lowered Luke's droid to BB-8 and replaced Marksmanship with a passive EPT, such as determination, you could upgrade both of your bandits to Talas and have one point for an obscure initiative bid.

Fly it a few times and see how much mileage you get out of those cards that have action headers. You could even just drop marksmanship for Determination and turtle up with luke...3 Agility + pilot ability + ignoring Pilot crits...not too shabby.

If youre only using one regeneration droid, because you dont have r5p9, i like it on luke. It pairs nicely with his natural ability. Bb8 works well with poe, especially using veteran instincts. Being able to move last with him and potentially doing a barrel roll, focus and boost all in one turn can be deadly. It does require a push the limit card though.

PILOTS

Poe Dameron (38)

T-70 X-Wing (31), R2-D2 (4), Push the Limit (3)

Luke Skywalker (38)

X-Wing (28), R2-F2 (3), Proton Torpedoes (4), Marksmanship (3)

Bandit Squadron Pilot (12) x 2

So as advised I gave Poe Push the Limit, and dropped Proton Torpedoes and Marksmanship. Someone said BB-8 was good with Poe but I think that overall the Shield Regeneration will be useful and get R2's points back over and over.

With Luke I pretty much kept him the same, but dropped Determination in favour of Marksmanship. I originally had dropped the Proton Torpedoes for him, but after I gave him Marksmanship and 4 points left over, I thought if I had a Target Lock, using Marksmanship with the Proton Torpedoes could be very effective, meaning I only miss with blanks. At Range 1 this would be especially dangerous.

I should point out that Proton Torpedoes have a range of 2-3 so you actually can't use them in Range 1. Also the phrase "At Range 1 this would be especially dangerous." makes me think that you may have another rules misinterpretation: you only get the Range 1 bonus attack die when attacking with your primary weapon. Proton torpedoes are secondary weapons.

If R2-D2 is used up, I like Luke with BB-8 over R2-F2. This would come down to your personal preference, but fly the rebel list and see how often you want to spend your action on the droid...especially true if you have to choose between marksmanship or taking a TL for the Proton Torpedoes. For example, if you lowered Luke's droid to BB-8 and replaced Marksmanship with a passive EPT, such as determination, you could upgrade both of your bandits to Talas and have one point for an obscure initiative bid.

Fly it a few times and see how much mileage you get out of those cards that have action headers. You could even just drop marksmanship for Determination and turtle up with luke...3 Agility + pilot ability + ignoring Pilot crits...not too shabby.

If youre only using one regeneration droid, because you dont have r5p9, i like it on luke. It pairs nicely with his natural ability. Bb8 works well with poe, especially using veteran instincts. Being able to move last with him and potentially doing a barrel roll, focus and boost all in one turn can be deadly. It does require a push the limit card though.