My wife bought me a couple of Core sets for Father's Day. Between then and now, I read a little theory and watched a couple games to understand how the flow of the game went, and picked up a lot more expansion packs than I should have. (Collecting is a bad, bad habit.)

We played our first game tonight, and decided to keep it simple - three X-wings vs six TIE fighters. (Wedge, Wes, and Luke filled out the Rebel side; Winged Gundark, Backstabber, one more named pilot I'm forgetting, and academy pilots filled out the Imperial side). We forewent any upgrades for our first game.

I was amazed at how much the game went back and forth - it ended with my wife parking her last X-wing, Luke, on top of an asteroid after we'd both missguessed the other's moves and my two-hull-remaining, solo Winged Gundark emerged victorious.

It was a blast, though dice are fickle creations and I really, really need to play more games so I can learn to judge better where a maneuver is going to carry me!

Another accolyte. Welcome.

Congratulations on getting into the game!

You're right, the main idea behind the game is maneuvering. The games where it's a constant back-and-forth between who has the upper hand keeps them thrilling, and the games where someone pulls off a sweet maneuver are both fun to do and to see the other side pull off. Even in squads that are built to be very generous to fly, if you can't get your ships in the right position, you're not winning any games. So well-executed maneuvers make for a very exciting game.

Best of luck to you in your future experiences!

Wow, I was going to post a similar story! I played a couple small games at family Christmas, then got the TFA core set for my birthday! I've had just enough table time to get a feel for the game, but I've read a LOT of theory on the forums. Also, I may have developed an addiction to buying these ships...

Welcome to the x-wing galaxy! It is not so "far far away"!!

My advice is to play 2-3 matches more, with just 50-70 points, without any upgrade as you did.

Then add them and enjoy the game!

Remember to download the faqs to be sure to have the latest explanations of some upgrade/pilots.

See you in Naboo!

Welcome to the game and to the forums. Glad you enjoyed your first game.

Heh heh - I've seen that comic before. Also, one of the shelves in a glass-and-mirrors cabinet we have mounted on the wall upstairs is now filled with X-wing minis. With the mirror at the back, it looks like we have a /lot/ of ships.

Welcome! Enjoy your empty wallet.

If you want to get better at maneuvering, here's an incredible guide , and resident inventor SableGryphon has also suggested flying a few games using only 2-speed maneuvers: every ship in the game has those maneuvers, and once you know those by heart the 1- and 3-speed moves are only slight variations on those.

I really, really need to play more games so I can learn to judge better where a maneuver is going to carry me!

To the rules of thumb!

http://community.fantasyflightgames.com/index.php?/topic/110115-earning-your-wings-a-guide-for-understanding-movment/

Seriously. It makes everything so much easier it's untrue!

Welcome friend, this video is super good for understanding the game, it explains a thing called the "rule of 11"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX6SOM7HR0I

There are a ton of good podcasts to listen to about the game that are both for hardcore torny play ( http://novasquadronradio.com/ ) ( http://scumvillainy.podbean.com/ ) ( http://www.backtodials.com/ ) ( http://mynockpodcast.libsyn.com/ ) and friendly play ( http://shuttletydirium.podbean.com/ )

Also the forum is a huge place for lots of good information, ask questions I promise we don't bite and all have been there before.

Good places to buy X-wing online are miniature market, rollforcrit. Barns and Noble is excellent for stuff (and most coupon deals work). Targets are getting rid of X-wing starter sets so go pick up a Force Awakens set for less then 20. (it is better to find a local shop and buy there but online is good when you don't)

Welcome friend.

Also each side has something great to offer for friendly games and each side is balanced.

Pro tip start your collection with what you find entrusting. Comp Play is a bit different as Imperial (list is aces) and Scum (three jumpmasters) are more of go to with Rebels being a bit less played, though a lot of people bring more then just that, those lists tend to be more known and accepted as the lists to beat in order to win.