Glutton for Punishment: "Best Buys" for X-Wing?

By MrTopHatJones, in X-Wing

Hey all,

Armada player here. I initially stayed away from X-Wing because I liked the nuance of Armada and the relatively larger battles.

I still do, but as my addiction grows I'm looking at X-Wing. Aside from the Core set, what will I need to be reasonably functional within the game? It's my understanding that there are three factions and about a million different ships/expacs, so I thought I'd ask here first.

Thanks!

My recommendation is always to find some friends, local group, etc. who have a variety of ships and try out EVERYTHING. It will help you figure out your preferences much faster than anonymous recommendations that don't have any context for how you like to play or aesthetic preferences. Give as many ships/builds a ride as you can, and I'm sure you'll develop some favorite ships and upgrades, which will in turn drive your purchases. You can grow from that base over time.

You need to buy ALL OF THEM!

My recommendation is to spend at least $100 at Miniatures Market or CoolStuff Inc. You'll get the biggest bang for your buck with the free shipping over buying a ship here and there on Amazon.

Also, I'd say stick with Rebel and Imperial at first.

Whatever you think looks good. Financially, after the core it makes sense to buy both aces packs. But the falcon is iconic an always good. Also the x and tie packs outside of the core are worth it early on.

if you're looking to buy in to the imperial navy the most value per ship you can buy is the tie f/o Blister it comes with a prebuilt 26 point Omega Leader complete with cards in pack Juke and Comms Relay. after that you can buy the Lambda Class Shuttle and fly it with cards in pack such as Darth Vader (Crew) for 24 points. and the Tie Phantom which you'll need a few other to make 'viable' but it comes mostly in pack and if you buy that you can put one of the crew cards on to the shuttle making it more of a disaster to be in arc of. and the ship can run you a value of 39-45 points bringing you near to the max, which yo can fill with assorted upgrades and maybe a tie fighter..

so my reccomendations come to

Tie F/o

Shuttle

Phantom

Core/Tie fighter

Whatever you think looks good. Financially, after the core it makes sense to buy both aces packs. But the falcon is iconic an always good. Also the x and tie packs outside of the core are worth it early on.

This is very true. Hanging around these forums you start thinking a lot about upgrade cards and things like that... but really, the real fun in this game (at first) is just having some sweet ships on the table. My favorite ships are the Defender, the Phantom, and that sweet looking red TIE Interceptor in the aces pack. My kids love the Millennium Falcon and Boba Fett's ship (I was proud of my four year old son for knowing what it was in the packaging). Keep it really simple at first and just get the stuff that looks cool (Rebel and Imperial).

Later on, start looking for upgrades and go down the Scummy road.

Also, I'd say stick with Rebel and Imperial at first.

second.

Depends on the environment that you're flying in. If you're just planning on friendly FLGS games for now, then most likely you can proxy upgrade cards, and so just need the pilot token, ship and dial to get a list on the table. If you want to jump right into tournament play (not a bad idea, just be prepared to lose a lot of games as you get started), then you'll probably need to spend $200 or $300 on a targeted, proven list to get the required upgrades.

Otherwise, I'd suggest the new core set over the old at first (better rules, better damage deck), but you'll want both eventually.

For imperials, I'd suggest a TIE Fighter, a TIE Adv. Prototype, and a TIE Bomber or Punisher. Ordnance is hot right now, and those ships plus a core set lets you dabble a bit in different flying styles.

For rebels, try rebel aces (A-Wing and B-Wing), plus a Y-Wing.

Remember, I'm expecting that you'll proxy cards heavily to start, so (for example) you could put BTL-A4, TLT, and R3-A2 on the Y-Wing, even though you don't have Most Wanted, K-Wings, or the Rebel Transport. Just get a printout from your favorite builder (I use Yet Another Squad Builder; it has card text).

Depends on the environment that you're flying in. If you're just planning on friendly FLGS games for now, then most likely you can proxy upgrade cards, and so just need the pilot token, ship and dial to get a list on the table. If you want to jump right into tournament play (not a bad idea, just be prepared to lose a lot of games as you get started), then you'll probably need to spend $200 or $300 on a targeted, proven list to get the required upgrades.

Otherwise, I'd suggest the new core set over the old at first (better rules, better damage deck), but you'll want both eventually.

For imperials, I'd suggest a TIE Fighter, a TIE Adv. Prototype, and a TIE Bomber or Punisher. Ordnance is hot right now, and those ships plus a core set lets you dabble a bit in different flying styles.

For rebels, try rebel aces (A-Wing and B-Wing), plus a Y-Wing.

Remember, I'm expecting that you'll proxy cards heavily to start, so (for example) you could put BTL-A4, TLT, and R3-A2 on the Y-Wing, even though you don't have Most Wanted, K-Wings, or the Rebel Transport. Just get a printout from your favorite builder (I use Yet Another Squad Builder; it has card text).

Thanks for the help, everyone.

A group of friends and I play Armada pretty regularly; our group has gotten big enough that it'd be nice to have two games going on at once and X-Wing would fit that bill nicely since I only have one big table at my house.

We're big fans of proxying cards for Armada, so it shouldn't be any different for X-Wing :D

My recommendation is to spend at least $100 at Miniatures Market or CoolStuff Inc. You'll get the biggest bang for your buck with the free shipping over buying a ship here and there on Amazon.

Also, I'd say stick with Rebel and Imperial at first.

Any word on how much prices are going up for them April 2?

Hey all,

Armada player here. I initially stayed away from X-Wing because I liked the nuance of Armada and the relatively larger battles.

I still do, but as my addiction grows I'm looking at X-Wing. Aside from the Core set, what will I need to be reasonably functional within the game? It's my understanding that there are three factions and about a million different ships/expacs, so I thought I'd ask here first.

Thanks!

If you want all factions:

1) Start with both versions of the core set. You get 2 sets of different asteroids, dice, rulers, 2 Rebel and 4 Imperial ships.

2) Get a large ship for each faction. Currently I'd recommend the YT-2400 and Lambda-shuttle - but get whatever strike your fancy.

3) Get the aces: save up for the following 1 Rebel Aces, 1 A-Wing, 1 B-Wing, 1 Imperial Aces, 1 TIE Interceptor.

4) Get the scum that can be used with Rebels or Imperials: save up for the following 1 Most Wanted, 1 Z-95 Headhunter, 1 HWK-290, 1 Y-Wing, 1 Slave-1

From here on it depends what you really want to play.

If you want only Rebels:

1) Get 1 TFA core set - try trade the 2 TIEs for whatever you fancy.

2) Get 1 large ship (YT-2400 is the easiest to play currently)

3) Get 1 Rebel Aces, 1 A-Wing, 1 B-Wing

4) Get 1 Most Wanted, 1 Z-95 Headhunter, 1 Y-Wing

5) Get 1 K-Wing, 1 E-Wing, 1 T-70 X-Wing

From here on it depends what you really want to play: Rebel Transport has some nice upgrades and some new X-Wing pilots, X-Wing has rebel ace Wedge, Millenium Falcon and Ghost are fan favs and interesting upgrades, the original Core Set has Luke and Biggs in an X-Wing. Tantive IV is the poorest value expansion currently unless you really want to play Epic. Rebels can be expensive as their best pilot/upgrade combos are scattered all over verious expansions.

If you want only Imperials:
1) Start with both versions of the core set - try trade both X-Wings for whatever you fancy.
2) Get 1 large ship (Lambda-shuttle is currently the most popular imp large ship - has good upgrades as well).
3) Get 1 Imperial Aces, 1 TIE Interceptor.
4) Get at least 1 of the following: 1 TIE Fighter, 1 TIE Phantom, 1 Inquisitor's TIE, 1 TIE/fo
From here on it depends what you really want to play: the Imperial Assault Carrier gives you 2 more TIEs, new pilots & an Epic ship, more TIE Fighter and TIE/fos work well, so can more Lambda-shuttles. The Imperial Raider and TIE Advanced together is an expensive package, but includes 2 ships, a bunch of powerful pilots and upgrades. The TIE Defender and TIE Bomber will soon get an upgrade together with the Imperial Veterans. The VT-49 Decimator and Slave-1 aren't terribly popular now but are stil very playable.
If you want only Scum:
1) Get 1 TFA core set - (you need the rules, dice, cards, etc) try trade the 3 ships for whatever you fancy (try getting Y-Wings & Z-95s).

2) Get 2 Most Wanted, 1 HWK-290, 1 Slave-1

3) Get 1 StarViper, 1 Hound's Tooth, 1 Kihraxz Fighter, 1 Punishing One, 1 Mist Hunter

From here on it depends what you really want to play: more Most Wanted expansions gives you more Y-Wings & Z-95s which you can field 4 and 8 respectively, a second Slave-1, Hound's Tooth is not unreasonable - nor is up to 3 Punishing Ones or Kihraxz Fighters. It's currently hard to use more than 1 StarViper, Mist Hunter or M-3A Scyk.

Unless you go the "a bit of everything" route you will find a few upgrades difficult to get, each faction has a few upgrades that are universal but exclusively and a few that are deirable but don't come with their ships, You'll have to buy or trade for these.

Rebels - Exclusive: Experimental Interface, Bombardier, Dorsal Turret, Proton Rockets, Twin Laser Turret; Lack: Guidance Chips, Tractor Beam

Imperial - Exclusive: Navigator, Intimidation, Juke, Opportunist, Sensor Jammer; Lack: Engine Upgrade, Lone Wolf, Wingman

Scum - Exclusive: Autothrusters, Adaptability, Crack Shot, Rage, "Mangler" Cannon, Accuracy Corrector, Electronic Baffle; Lack: Stygium Particle Accelerator, Weapons Engineer, Deadeye, Marksmanship, Push The Limit, Concussion Missiles, Proton Torpedo, Advanced Sensors, Fire Control System

You need to buy ALL OF THEM!

Sounds about right. One of each and then maybe a few extra. Though with one of each you get enough for a TIE-Swarm as well, get two Advanced as well, so a lot of the same ship lists are covered as well.

Leaves you with a second IG-2000 for brobots (don't buy any if you are not interested in that list),

There are a few lists of generics which require buying a few extra Headhunters, two extra X-Wings, two extra Y-Wings, 3 extra A-Wings, etc but those are rather special list and mostly not even competitive.

One of each it is :)

Oh if you buy 1 of each expansion you will have:

3 X-Wings

2 Y-Wings

5 TIE Fighters

2 TIE Advanced

1 YT-1300

2 A-Wings

3 TIE Interceptors

1 Firespray-31

1 HWK-290

2 B-Wings

1 Lambda-class Shuttle

1 (2 soon) TIE Bomber

3 Z-95 Headhunters

1 E-Wing

1 (2 soon) TIE Defender

1 TIE Phantom

1 YT-2400

1 VT-49 Decimator

1 M3-A Scyk Interceptor

1 StarViper

1 IG-2000 (This ship I seriously recommend getting a second one - and maybe up to 4 if you are really into Epic)

1 YV-666

1 Kihraxz Fighter

1 K-Wing

1 TIE Punisher

2 T-70 Xwings

1 VCX-100

1 Attack Shuttle

3 TIE/fo Fighters

1 TIE Adv. Prototype

1 G-1A Starfighter

1 JumpMaster 5000

4 Epic Ships

Unless you plan to build a very specific list this more than most ppl would need :)

Edited by Hantheman

EVERYTHING!
Plastic crack!

Your only options are really the TIE Punisher and the Jumpmaster (ie Punishing One)

Easier to say what is not currently worth a purchase. Scum is tricky as the majority of their ships are underwhelming (Scyk, Kihraxz) or require greater skill to leverage effectively (Aggressor, Starviper).

If you are just playing friendlies and will proxy like crazy then just about all other ships are going to do OK. Even Imperial Firesprays and Tie Bombers are going to be effective with all the new shinies coming out. Until you want to play in organized tourneys you don't need to worry about Tie Advanced titles (Raider) or Autothrusters (Starviper) so just buy the models that sound like fun to fly. Build your list online and print it out.

I know you already have a lot of replies to this thread but just wanted to give my two cents. I personally don't think you should restrict yourself to a single faction. Get a working number of ships so you can list build for all three factions. The way I would approach your purchases would be as follows:

Original core set

TFA core set

Imp aces

Rebel aces

Most wanted

These sets give you the most bang for your buck and you can start doing some early list building. Your lists will likely not be quite optimal but it's a good base. After those sets I'd start filling in with expansions for the ships that came with those expansions to expand your pilot lists for those ships:

X-wing

TIE fighter

T-70 x-wing

TIE fo

TIE interceptor

B-wing

A-wing

Y-wing

Z-95 headhunter

You could also buy a HWK-290 and a Firespray to go with the pilots that came with Most Wanted.

My first list should run you about $120 from Miniature Market. It's a good start and, as I said earlier, a great deal as far as bang for your buck.

I know you already have a lot of replies to this thread but just wanted to give my two cents. I personally don't think you should restrict yourself to a single faction. Get a working number of ships so you can list build for all three factions. The way I would approach your purchases would be as follows:

Original core set

TFA core set

Imp aces

Rebel aces

Most wanted

These sets give you the most bang for your buck and you can start doing some early list building. Your lists will likely not be quite optimal but it's a good base. After those sets I'd start filling in with expansions for the ships that came with those expansions to expand your pilot lists for those ships:

X-wing

TIE fighter

T-70 x-wing

TIE fo

TIE interceptor

B-wing

A-wing

Y-wing

Z-95 headhunter

You could also buy a HWK-290 and a Firespray to go with the pilots that came with Most Wanted.

My first list should run you about $120 from Miniature Market. It's a good start and, as I said earlier, a great deal as far as bang for your buck.

I second this. Start with the first five sets and then see what direction your preferences take you.

Easier to say what is not currently worth a purchase. Scum is tricky as the majority of their ships are underwhelming (Scyk, Kihraxz) or require greater skill to leverage effectively (Aggressor, Starviper).

If you are just playing friendlies and will proxy like crazy then just about all other ships are going to do OK. Even Imperial Firesprays and Tie Bombers are going to be effective with all the new shinies coming out. Until you want to play in organized tourneys you don't need to worry about Tie Advanced titles (Raider) or Autothrusters (Starviper) so just buy the models that sound like fun to fly. Build your list online and print it out.

Well this is true - to me the following ships / expansions are really underwhelming or not more than 1 usually is fielded and it's hard to justify getting more than 1 (for unique pilots or upgrades):

X-Wing Expansion - the X-Wing isn't in a terribly good spot now and they come in 3 different packages (each with different pilots/upgrades)

*TIE Bomber Expansion - the TIE Bomber is pretty underwhelming now but should become more viable after Imperial Veterans (which comes with a TIE Bomber as well) - may be more viable to get your models from Imperial Veterans - wait for Veterans to see if its better to get more than 2 ships via the Veterans expansion.

*TIE Defender Expansion - similar to the TIE Bomber, it is currently underwhelming but gets a boost with Imperial Veterans - which may be the better way to get Defenders if you want to play more than 2.

E-Wing Expansion - other than Corran Horn the other pilots are not really that popular / effective - getting 1 should be more than enough for this ship.

M3-A Scyk Interceptor Expansion - currently considered the poorest performing ship. Can be nasty if geared right - but almost no list uses more than 1.

StarViper Expansion - powerful but only with the unique title - this ship is currently not worth getting more than 1 unless you really want to try a fringe list.

G-1A Starfighter Expansion - another ship thats kinda awesome with the unique title but undewhelming without - again this ship is currently not worth getting more than 1 unless you really want to try a fringe list.

Millenium Falcon, VT-49 Decimator, Ghost Expansions- powerful but expensive ships. Hard to fit more than 1 in a standard 100 point list. Unless you are playing past the standard 100 point lists on a regular basis, or enjoy fringe lists, you might want to focus your purchases elsewhere before getting a second of these ships.

Tantive IV, Imerial Raider Expansion - You can't field more than 1 of each of these huge ships.

I would ask this question,

"Are you playing casual or competitive"
If casual I would tell you buy what entrusts you. Make proxs of ships and test them, http://x-wing.fabpsb.net/is a great place for building lists and such I would use it to build out lists and fly around,
If your playing competitively your going to want at least one of everything, maybe closure to two of the non epic/non core stuff. There is a meta that changes quickly and you need upgrade cards from every set seems these days. Most of the winning Worlds winning lists over the have more then 1 of a type of ship in it, your looking at something like 750 for one of everything.

hope that helps and welcome aboard.