I picked up IA a while ago just to paint the miniatures, and have yet to actually play the game (or even read the rulebook or punch out the tokens). There's some growing interest in my area now, though, and I'm going to get to play for the first time tomorrow at a FLGS skirmish tournament.

Any recommendations on a good list to bring that will be relatively easy to pick up and learn?

I have one of each expansion up through Return to Hoth (so no Bespin release stuff yet). I'd prefer Rebels, or maybe Scum (something with Boba Fett would be cool; he's my favorite mini so far). Doesn't have to be a top tier list, but I'd like to avoid something frustratingly auto-lose becaue I just don't know anything about squad building yet.

Thanks!

Some units are better, if you have more than one. If you want to play Rebels, I recommend a 2nd set of Saboteurs and Echo Base Troopers. Under the "one of each"-premise:

Gideon

+ On a Diplomatic Mission

C-3PO

Rebel High Command

Leia

Wookies

Elite Echo Base Troopers

Elite Soboteurs

+ Targeting Computer

Gideon and C-3PO focus the Saboteurs, the rest should be obvious.

By the way; Empire is most easy to pick up and learn.

Hmmm ... my Stormtrooper paints look kind of derpy, but if they're easier to pick up, any recomendations there for Imperials?

And what about the command cards/command deck?

So thanks for the advice! I decided to go with a modified version of the Rebel list after I realized I had two sets of Echo Base Troopers. This was my list:

Deployment Cards

---------------------------

▪ Leia Organa

▪ Gideon Argus

▪ On a Diplomatic Mission

▪ R2-D2

▪ C-3PO

Echo Base Trooper

Elite Echo Base Trooper

Elite Rebel Saboteur

▪ Rebel High Command

Command Cards

------------------------

Celebration

Deadeye

Element of Surprise

Emergency Aid

Explosive Weaponry

Grenadier

Inspiring Speech

Take Cover

Urgency

Take it Down

Terminal Network

Rank and File

Set a Trap

Against the Odds

Hit and Run

I actually ended up second place in our skirmish tournament, winning two and losing one. Not too bad for a first attempt. I forgot a lot of abilities (like the Echo troopers abilities) and the command deck needs some significant revision as I was only able to effectively employ a couple of cards, but things like Gideon On a Diplomatic Mission won me a game. I do wonder if I need more effective fighting strength, though R2-D2 was fun when I focused him up to attack a Bantha.

First round -- won against a four hero Rebel list (Luke/Han/Chewie/R2-D2) in Drinks and Dealings (the droids did a lot of Victory Point drinking).

Second Round -- lost to an Imperial Tank/Stormtrooper/Infiltrator/Officer list in Battlefield Engineering. Felt like I got outgunned badly (but R2-D2 almost took down the tank!)

Third Round -- won a close game against a Bossk/Bantha/Tusken Raider list in Reprogrammed. Gideon generating victory points really put me over the top.

Much fun was had.