Greetings commanders!

Although I owned a copy of the starter set since release, I never really did anything with it. A couple of weeks ago there was a gaming convention in town so I let one of the vendors there make me a deal on everything in Wave 1 and Wave 2. Unfortunately he didn't have a GSD, so I got a Ghost for X-Wing instead. Anyway, using ships and upgrades I now own, I've made a couple of lists. I would like to hear your thoughts on them. Any input is very much appreciated!

Rebel list:

http://armadawarlords.hivelabs.solutions/view_list.php?token=29319

Imperial list:

http://armadawarlords.hivelabs.solutions/view_list.php?token=29314

Thanks a lot in advance!

Rebel list: This is a really good start. My sense from reading this is you've played a few other customizable games and thus have a decent sense on how to create synergy. My sense is almost that you've got too much in the first list. Independence/Yavaris are amazing as it is. The Assault Frigate just looks overupgraded. XX-9 synergizes with Dodonna, but the Independence really wants to fling your fighters far and wide while the Gallant Haven wants to keep them close. You'll activate well enough from Independence and Yavaris without the need for another carrier. I'd see if you can cheapen it up a bit by running the Nebulon-B/Salvation with either slaved turrets or turbolaser reroute circuits. Salvation works well with Dodonna since you want crits with Salvation anyway. That will give you a few more points for squadrons, which honestly is where your build is going. For as much as you're putting into squadrons, you really want 8 of them. Yavaris can also do a bit more if it can pick squadron tokens, and in this respect, you can take one on turn-1, then spend it on what will likely be the critical turn-2, allowing you to activate 3. A Veteran captain might let you do that again on the critical turn-3. Depending upon how an opponent maneuvers, this might get pushed back a round or two, but you basically want a couple of good Yavaris double-taps on your B-wings.

Imperial list: This is definitely where you run into the problem of building out of what you have, when the Gladiator is such a superb Imperial ship. The setup on the Imperial is not bad. The forum isn't too hot on Devastator, but at least has spent some time discussing ideas on how to make it work better. Since you've at least got the raider, I'd look at playing it instead of your second victory, if only to get used to playing a different ship. Then take some additional squadrons. Your imperial list doesn't nearly have as much going for it as the Rebel list, but if you want to grab a buddy and play the two fleets against each other, I think you'll both learn a lot. I do notice you have 5 squadrons, and I'd recommend aiming for an even number. This can have a huge impact on deployment where you can stall placing your ships by placing two squadrons instead. In your case, you might be better off putting down the victory, then putting down a bunch of squadrons, then a Raider, and finally your ISD, which is aiming to drop the hammer on someone. If you look at your objectives after examining your fleet, Opening Salvo would be better if you had more ships that could exploit the benefits and it works against your big ship, since all the opponent has to do is damage your ISD to pick up half its cost. Your best bet is probably to trade out for that Raider and use Most Wanted for the red objective. You pick the Most Wanted ships as 2nd player, which allows you to place it on your raider, which you can fly off into the sunset if you'd like. Contested outpost is going to be good for you. Intel Sweep would again be better with the Raider.

I hope that helps. Experience is the best teacher. So much of this game extends well beyond the list to how you fly it and how you make decisions.

Thanks for the wise advise, Vergillius!

You know, I had some very similar feelings you expressed while looking over them while before I posted. I made the changes that you suggested. Please check out how they are in their current form:

Imperial:

http://armadawarlords.hivelabs.solutions/view_list.php?token=29314

Rebel:

http://armadawarlords.hivelabs.solutions/view_list.php?token=29377

Regarding the Rebels I wished I can find space to put XX-9 on the Yavaris, since it combos with Dodanna and since its going to be sticking close to the squadrons it probably won't have much use for its Evade defense token. For the Imperials, I kid of wish I could have even more squadrons, which might necessitate me not using the Raider at all, but, as you said, experience is the best teacher, and I'll know better about that once I've had a chance to play a few games.

I'd keep Adar on Independence. Otherwise, I'd take them for a whirl and see what you learn.