Ok, experienced list tinkerers, I need your advice. Considering getting back into X Wing and I want to do it as cheaply as possible (at least to start with). So, here is the challenge!

Build the best list you can, using the following conditions:

- 100pts

- Imperials

- Must use the two T/Fs from the starter box (original, not TFA)

- Maximum of two additional ships (can be large or small)

- Use only those upgrade cards found in the starter box plus with whichever ships are chosen

So far, playing around with Squad Builder has given me a couple of lists involving 3 T/Fs and either a T/B or T/D. But I'm sure you can do better!

If you only buy Imperial veterans, then this list might work for you, it's not optimal but it won't be that expensive

"Dark Curse" — TIE Fighter 16
Ship Total: 16

"Mauler Mithel" — TIE Fighter 17
Ship Total: 17

Countess Ryad — TIE Defender 34
Marksmanship 3
TIE/x7 -2
Ship Total: 35

Tomax Bren — TIE Bomber 24
Crack Shot 1
Proton Torpedoes 4
Proximity Mines 3
Ship Total: 32

Imp Vets and Tie/FO (for Juke)

Maarek Stele (36)
TIE Defender (35), Marksmanship (3), TIE/x7 (-2)

Countess Ryad (34)
TIE Defender (34), Juke (2), TIE/x7 (-2)

“Mauler Mithel” (18)
TIE Fighter (17), Crack Shot (1)

Academy Pilot (12)

Imp Vets and Tie/FO (for Juke)

Maarek Stele (36)

TIE Defender (35), Marksmanship (3), TIE/x7 (-2)

Countess Ryad (34)

TIE Defender (34), Juke (2), TIE/x7 (-2)

“Mauler Mithel” (18)

TIE Fighter (17), Crack Shot (1)

Academy Pilot (12)

Doesn't work, unless I buy two lots of Imp Vets...

If you only buy Imperial veterans, then this list might work for you, it's not optimal but it won't be that expensive

"Dark Curse" — TIE Fighter 16

Ship Total: 16

"Mauler Mithel" — TIE Fighter 17

Ship Total: 17

Countess Ryad — TIE Defender 34

Marksmanship 3

TIE/x7 -2

Ship Total: 35

Tomax Bren — TIE Bomber 24

Crack Shot 1

Proton Torpedoes 4

Proximity Mines 3

Ship Total: 32

If you're buying exactly two ships and want to utilize nothing but the core set and the upgrades that comes with your purchases, I agree that Imperial Vets is the ticket. My only real change to this list is that Marksmanship is so bad, I'd rather use Determination in that slot and run a 98pt list. Also, I think that with the above listed Tomax Bren setup, no real reason not to put Long Range Scanners on him and gain a bit of action efficiency.

From there, all you need to do is buy a second Defender later on in order to give yourself access to Predator and Vessery, who will help you make efficient use of your second x7 title.

Whisper (32)

Advanced cloak (4)

Fire control (2)

Tactician (2)

[40]

Imp vets Steele (35)

*x7 (-2)

*crackshot (1)

[34]

2 obsidian squaddies [26]

Alternative is another x7 (vets has 2 titles) by getting the tie defender expac. Roll crackshot on vess (34) and predator on steele (36)

Then combine any two ties as you like

Imp Vets and Tie/FO (for Juke)

Maarek Stele (36)

TIE Defender (35), Marksmanship (3), TIE/x7 (-2)Countess Ryad (34)

TIE Defender (34), Juke (2), TIE/x7 (-2)“Mauler Mithel” (18)

TIE Fighter (17), Crack Shot (1)Academy Pilot (12)

Doesn't work, unless I buy two lots of Imp Vets...

Edit: haha, okay I just realized you need a second defender.

Easy fix, get a second defender instead of FO, then run Ryad with Outmaneuver, Maarek with predator, drop crack from mauler. See, easy

Is Juke actually worth me buying a whole ship for, when I'm not actually using said ship?

Thanks to everyone who's replied so far, some good ideas

Imo juke is great but if youre buying the FO you should be using the rather perfect contents of

Juke relay omega leader

Amazing A+ pilot who is stupid economical; will fight foes many times their cost and still win

Basically the honey badger of xwing

Whisper (32)

Advanced cloak (4)

Fire control (2)

Tactician (2)

[40]

Imp vets Steele (35)

*x7 (-2)

*crackshot (1)

[34]

2 obsidian squaddies [26]

Alternative is another x7 (vets has 2 titles) by getting the tie defender expac. Roll crackshot on vess (34) and predator on steele (36)

Then combine any two ties as you like

Good ones, the best part: Technical you can get veteran instincts for "free" as that card was handed out plentiful in this year's spring tournament kits, which means you can upgrade Whisper to her well deserved veteran instincts.

I will throw in now my own starting squad (though I could use TIE/FOs instead of TIE/LN as fillers). You need Imperial Aces and the Slave One expansion for this, the TIE/LN are fillers and can be replaced based on personal preferences, personally I think two Black's with Crack Shot would do best, just in case you get into card proxing.

And yeah, you really do buy that Slave-One Expansion just for Stealth Device, after that you replace Turr Phenir with his Squad Leader Soontir Fel, buy a Lambda, proxy Palpatine, buy a raider and Starviper and welcome to plastic crack ;-)