So I've ALWAYS liked Armada a lot better than X-Wing. It seems like a much more balanced game, more relevant to the real fights of the Star Wars universe, and (with the reveal of campaign books coming out for it!) much more thoughtfully supported as well.

...But I haven't convinced ANYONE to buy a core and swap unused factions with me, so it looks like I'll have to simply own up to needing both factions.

So, what should I get to have a balanced but small game with both the Alliance and Imperials, aside from the core box? At this point I don't have much of a preference, aside from thinking that a lot of Rebel ships don't look very... well... interesting compared to the Imperial ships.

Gods, I wish they sold single-faction starters.

Welcome!

A lot of players have settled on one thing, and that is both Wave 1 large ships (the ISD and the Home One expansion). These will really make your table pop, and emphasize the strengths of each faction (Rebels are flexible, defensive, cheap and capable of tricky plays if coordinated well; Imperials are direct, aggressive, expensive, and take solid planning to ensure everything is working as intended).

Is also suggest one squadron pack from each faction, and one Rogues and Villains pack.

If your players are new, they won't need the options from wave 3/4 yet.

Rule of cool!

The game is balanced really well. It will come down more to the players themselves than what they are taking

play the 200 point version. =)

So I've ALWAYS liked Armada a lot better than X-Wing. It seems like a much more balanced game, more relevant to the real fights of the Star Wars universe, and (with the reveal of campaign books coming out for it!) much more thoughtfully supported as well.

...But I haven't convinced ANYONE to buy a core and swap unused factions with me, so it looks like I'll have to simply own up to needing both factions.

So, what should I get to have a balanced but small game with both the Alliance and Imperials, aside from the core box? At this point I don't have much of a preference, aside from thinking that a lot of Rebel ships don't look very... well... interesting compared to the Imperial ships.

Gods, I wish they sold single-faction starters.

I bought both sides, so I can invite anyone to play with me. Had a great game with someone never playing a tabletop before:

From my games with people that dont own Armada themself I can tell that I had plenty of fun and VERY balanced games just adding:

Rebels

Assualt Frigate MK. II

Rebel Fighters

Imperials:

Imperial Fighters

Raider (cursed be this abdomination)

Yesterday we played:

REBEL FLEET 197

1 • Assault Frigate Mark II B - Assault Frigate Mark II (72)

• Total : 72 • Code : r8

2 • Nebulon-B Escort Frigate - Nebulon-B Frigate (57) - Engine Techs (8)

• Total : 65 • Code : r3s3

3 • X-wing Squadron - X-wing (13)

• Total : 13 • Code : r6

4 • X-wing Squadron - X-wing (13)

• Total : 13 • Code : r6

5 • X-wing Squadron - X-wing (13)

• Total : 13 • Code : r6

6 • Y-wing Squadron - Y-wing (10)

• Total : 10 • Code : r9

7 • A-wing Squadron - A-wing (11)

• Total : 11 • Code : r13

EMPIRE FLEET 197 -

1 • Victory II-class Star Destroyer - Victory-class Star Destroyer (85)

• Total : 85 • Code : e2

2 • Raider II-class corvette - Raider class corvette (48)

• Total : 48 • Code : e24

3 • TIE Fighter Squadron - TIE Fighter (8)

• Total : 8 • Code : e4

4 • TIE Fighter Squadron - TIE Fighter (8)

• Total : 8 • Code : e4

5 • TIE Fighter Squadron - TIE Fighter (8)

• Total : 8 • Code : e4

6 • TIE Interceptor Squadron - TIE Interceptor (11)

• Total : 11 • Code : e7

7 • TIE Interceptor Squadron - TIE Interceptor (11)

• Total : 11 • Code : e7

8 • TIE Bomber Squadron - TIE Bomber (9)

• Total : 9 • Code : e9

9 • TIE Bomber Squadron - TIE Bomber (9)

• Total : 9 • Code : e9

And it was a very close game with a lot of fun. Had a similar list for other games.

I have however another Neb-B, Cr90 and an ISD, but they are really not needed for the start.