Hey all, new player here. I got myself both core sets and... so far that's it.

Being a veteran of the old X-Wing PC games, this tabletop game is a huge hoot to me, and so naturally I want everything... but obviously reality says different, so I have to strategize.

I've been reading around and I've been seeing what I'd suspected - potential power creep, ships being considered "no longer useful" by this person or that person, and the like.

Now I'm not planning to play in any tournaments - it'll probably just be my friends and wife. I had planned my first purchase beyond the core set to be the Y-wing, A-wing, TIE bomber and TIE interceptor, and probably the Rebel Aces and Imperial Veterans packs after that. Maybe a YT freighter, the HWK, and the Lambda next. It means something to me to have the ships that I used to fly in the PC games - heck, just having Maarek Stele and Keyan Farlander in the game at all is a real kick.

But I also don't want to buy things that end up collecting dust. They're too expensive for that! Probably due to my insane dogfights in the PC game way back when, I feel like I'd like big fights and scenarios.

(Anyone else remember flying a B-wing and having to destroy four Nebulon-B frigates in one mission? Or simply ramming a TIE bomber to take it out quickly because it and seven others are launching torpedoes at the ship I'm protecting? Or back in the days when mines fired turbolasers at you?)

Anyone have any advice for an old hat PC X-wing pilot just now getting into this game? Just not quite sure what to buy. Should I not worry about it and just get what I want?

If you are playing casually... with friends and family... buy what you like. Buy what you like from PC Xwing or movies or books etc.

That said, it becomes addictive and when you have friends playing with you... it's not a bad habit to have. What could be better than playing live table top games and not looking at a screen (something we all do a bit too much now days).

I am a completist, so I tend to buy at LEAST one of everything and often more than one of anything that I think I can use in a 100pt squad. Once you build up a bit of a collection... you can start playing Heroes of the Aturi Cluster campaign which is the ultimate fun in casual play (IMHO). AND when you have a few experienced players and are trying to show a new person to xwing miniatures... HotAC is probably the BEST way to be introduced to this game.

Just get whatever you want, which eventually will be everything.

I need this on copy + paste

for empire, the two best purchases are imperial veterans and the Tie/FO expansions

Imperial veterans is just any Tie/x7 title defender with the included crackshot. Forgiving and powerful, perfect for every beginner, AND top tier competitive to boot

the Tie/FO gives you Omega Leader (juke + relay, optimal competitive build out of the box) and zeta Leader (weapons guidance and wired) and epsilon ace for the two FOs from the core set

the four together (tie/x7 defender in this case being Mr. Steele) make an easy 100 point squad of perfection

Anyone have any advice for an old hat PC X-wing pilot just now getting into this game? Just not quite sure what to buy. Should I not worry about it and just get what I want?

If you're playing with friends, then proxying cards should absolutely be something you do - there isn't a reason to go out and buy a whole Imperial Raider to get the TIE/x1 Title if you want to fly Maarek Stele in an Advanced!

Through that lens, you don't need to worry too much about what ships you start with. There are some good buying guides out there (like this one), so I won't linger too long on that. I will say, however, that the problem in X-Wing for me has not been "power creep" I came into this game by flying Echo and Chiraneau and they're still pretty good! The problem is that some ships have always been bad. So, if you're proxying cards, I'd avoid stinkers like:

• TIE Punisher - like a TIE Bomber, but worse
• StarViper - great cards, bad ship
• M-3A Scyk - Perhaps the most infamous ship in the entire game
• Khiraxz fighter - all the vices of the X-Wing with none of the virtues or the charm

I think you could start with almost anything else and still have fun! Along with the ships you listed though I'd definitely suggest you pick up Imperial Veterans since it's an outstanding box with another Maarek Stele pilot option!

I need this on copy + paste

for empire, the two best purchases are imperial veterans and the Tie/FO expansions

Imperial veterans is just any Tie/x7 title defender with the included crackshot. Forgiving and powerful, perfect for every beginner, AND top tier competitive to boot

the Tie/FO gives you Omega Leader (juke + relay, optimal competitive build out of the box) and zeta Leader (weapons guidance and wired) and epsilon ace for the two FOs from the core set

the four together (tie/x7 defender in this case being Mr. Steele) make an easy 100 point squad of perfection

If you're going for sheer value, this can't be beat.

If you really like Maarek Stele, then I recommend picking up the Tie Defender expansion, as well as Imperial Veterans that comes with new upgrade cards specifically for the defender. I can't remember exactly which one Maarek comes in, but Defenders are a pretty competitive ship right now in terms of power, so you shouldn't have to worry about it collecting dust. Keyan Farlander in the B-Wing isn't so great comparatively, but if you're just playing for fun and aren't expecting to go to a tournament or anything he should do alright. I believe Keyan comes in Rebel Aces, so what you could do is buy both Imperial Veterans and Tie Defender expansions, then get Rebel aces and the B-wing expansion. This would allow you to setup 2 somewhat balanced squads if you were facing a friend (two defenders and a bomber vs. two b-wings and an a-wing).

Certain things are becoming obsolete on the competitive scene due to power creep. Your home games don't necessarily have to have anything to do with that.

If you're going to own all the ships and prep all the games for you, your wife, and your friends, buy whatever ships are the most fun for you, then come back here and the friendly folks on the squad building forums (where I also lurk) will help you fine tune lists that aren't tournament competitive, but which are balanced against each other and which contain the ships you have so much nostalgia for.

It doesn't matter what ships you put on the table, so long as the two lists you end up with are balanced against each other, you and your friends will have a great time.

Welcome to your new addiction.

Buy what you like and have fun.

Hold off on getting the Millennium Falcon expansion because Heroes of the Resistance has a new Falcon. The old box has some good cards too though.

A third Core Set of either variety will give you enough ships for basic (but far from optimal) 100pt. list for each side. I would also consider getting the single X-pac for each of the ships you already have.

As already mentioned, the Tie/FO gets you Omega Leader with upgrades. T-70 gets you Integrated Astro plus Red Ace. Ello is more situational. X-wing single gets you Wedge. TIE/ln gets you Howlrunner. You really wants these folks in your squads.

With Heroes of the Resistance coming soon, I would also consider making that my next Rebel buy. Match with Imps of your choice.

As you can see lots of different ways to make this work for you. As a guy who is still flying only Core material there is lots of fun to be had.

As suggested, Buy what you like. For home games, flying the ships you know is the best thing. Forum talks tends to be a bit onesided, as often anything thats not immediately ready to compete with the top tier lists is deemed out. Still we see people from time to time win games using scyks or whatever.

Enjoy it

For casual play don't worry about what's considered strong or weak that only matters when you're facing tournament builds.

Except the punisher that's a turn no amount of polishing will make shine.

Also for casual at home play, don't be afraid to proxy cards .. maybe you don't have the extra money for a Starviper which includes auto thrusters ... yet it's a great card for a few ships, such as the a.wing and tie interceptor..

So, I mostly play at 300 points, so this is my spin on large brawls. . .it won't necessarily hold up for 100 points.

For the Imps, the ships that are good are the Defender x7 (so you will want the Veterans pack)

the TIE Adv. Prototype (for generic Barons)

TIE Bombers, and maybe a single Punisher for fun.

The Lambda Shuttle is good for support.

The TIE Adv does well with the x1 title, but then you need a Raider.

I just tried out the TIE/sf and was pleased.

TIE/ln, TIE/fo, TIE Int amd TIE ADv (sans title) are glass cannons and die fast in large fights.

For Rebels, the Falcon, X-Wings, B-Wings, X-70s are all solid and reliable

Y-Wings with TLT are great

Z-95, A-Wing, and E-Wing are all a little more glass cannons.

K-Wings are fun and solid

For Scum

I love the YV-666

Fangs are great fighters

and this is where you should ue the Firespray

Y-Wing again a good TLT gunship

Scyk and Khiraz are weak

For group play, you typically want a number of solid generics and a few aces/named pilots as "heroes." To get started, play a couple of 100 point games, but remember than it all changes when you bump up the point totals.

Once you are completely hooked, get the capital ships for even more fun!

Hopefully this is more helpful than just "get what you like," but in the end, get what you like

For example, while I recognized the Scyk is subpar, I love having fun trying to make it work!

Also, this is my favorite online squad builder:

http://xwing-builder.co.uk/build

With it you can proxy everything, and can even see what upgrades came in which packs easily. I suppose you could even build a list first, and buy the ships needed second. Since I don't tourney, all of my cards (save the damage deck) are lost in the back of my closet somewhere. I build, print and play. When it's OK but not great, I reload, tweak, reprint, and replay.

Everyone has a different view so there is no wrong way to collecting if that makes sense. Your going to get three answers if your shooting for Torny, Fun or Collecting ships filter based on again what you want.

I will say welcome to the forum and enjoy, ask questions when you feel lost and I will tell you buy extra dice. Too many dice for this game is never a problem.

Welcome! Everyone's advice is right on as "Have fun" seems to be in all the first few sentances. If you are not going to go out and compete just buy what you like and print out proxy stuff as needed. You only NEED to have all the official bits if it's a sanctioned event. Please check out the "Heroes of the Aturi Cluster" campaign rules though, you might just squeee yourself.

There is also a huge repaint/mod community here too if you enjoy the creative side. From home-made uglies to prequel stuff or 3D printed ships, this system is a great base to let your creative mind wander.

MTFBWY

and I will tell you buy extra dice. Too many dice for this game is never a problem.

I can't remember how many dice come in a set, but I will say that 5 of each is nice to have at hand. And a set of rulers for each player. Also, be aware that the "improved" damage deck is in the Force Awakens Core set.

I never bought extra dice as a separate item cuz I just bought another core set instead!

And download this:

https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/40/b4/40b44d5f-7a06-406c-ae6e-183c5297e796/swx36_rulesreference.pdf

Very helpful, and alphabetized!

For casual play don't worry about what's considered strong or weak that only matters when you're facing tournament builds.

Except the punisher that's a turn no amount of polishing will make shine.

Especially if you're playing just for fun, Deathrain is hilarious. Get a Punisher, you won't regret it.

Please check out the "Heroes of the Aturi Cluster" campaign rules though, you might just squeee yourself.

This was going to be my suggestion also.

This is what you are looking for trust us.

To add my 2 cents, if you dont want to play tournaments from the start just use one of the squadron builders and proxy the cards. Most of them have what the cards do. Is a good way to practice while you build up your collection.

Welcome fellow X-Wing Space Combat Simulator veteran!

All suggestions given above are great, and most come from some of the best people in our community here, so listen to them.

My suggestions are of other kind.

Do you have a nearby game store or club where with enthusiast players you plan to play this game at?

If the answer is yes, congratulations! Re-read the posts above and below and have the fun of your life! Stop reading here.

If the answer is no, and you rely on your family or close friends to play with, there are two important points to take into consideration.
- Are they not really into competitive games?

- Are they sore losers?

If the answer of any of those two is yes, then I recommend you to pick up the ships whose miniatures look best, or that you feel fondest of from the PC games, and forget about all suggestions that tell you that this and this ship is competitive or these are the best value for your money, or that tell you to proxy stuff. Otherwise, you will end with ships that are really good at what they do, but will make games unfun with your family and friends.

Also, avoid: Stress dealing mechanics. Ion dealing mechanics. Bombs. Mines. PS 9 arc dodgers, or in general anything PS9 with reposition abilities (boost, barrel roll, cloak). TIE Defenders with title x7. Biggs. The "Punishing One" expansion pack altogether.

The casual game can be great without any restrictions. But if you are as unlucky as I am and don't have anyone in the right competitive mindset to play with, it's better to veer as much as you want away from anything remotely competitive.

Alternatively, the "Heroes of Aturi Cluster" fan-made campaign is cooperative and avoides this problem totally.

If you're playing with friends, then proxying cards should absolutely be something you do - there isn't a reason to go out and buy a whole Imperial Raider to get the TIE/x1 Title if you want to fly Maarek Stele in an Advanced!

<p><p><p>The problem is that some ships have always been bad. So, if you're proxying cards, I'd avoid stinkers like:

• TIE Punisher - like a TIE Bomber, but worse
• StarViper - great cards, bad ship
• M-3A Scyk - Perhaps the most infamous ship in the entire game
• Khiraxz fighter - all the vices of the X-Wing with none of the virtues or the charm

For casual play don't worry about what's considered strong or weak that only matters when you're facing tournament builds.

Except the punisher that's a turn no amount of polishing will make shine.

the Punisher destroyed my palp-less "between to aces, with omicron group pilot" list, I only won because my TIE defender had two hull left after the cluster mine fest...

TIE Punisher is not unplayable. Get it if you like ridiculous looking ships and remember to not overload it when you field it.

In general buy the ships that you like and want to play. Don't worry about the meta, only go deeper into squadbuilding when you see that one player is at a disadvantage. If you get the Imperial Veterans expansions you will have very strong TIE Defenders. Consider not using the x7 title if that becomes a problem, as it is highly efficient and therefor hard to counter without a strong build.

Thanks for your input, everyone! Now I have one more question... in terms of this game's mechanics, what things to buy in order to keep both the Rebels and the Imperials reasonably balanced? Basically I figure I want to make small orders over time but try to keep things reasonably equal across the factions with each order. Or should I not bother worrying about that?

As an aside, a friend of mine bought both the CR90 and the Raider just because he liked them as models (basically he only plans to play with us, thus his not needing a core set... yet). So the bottom line is we all got to try out the huge ships already! It's... tiring! Six hours later I ended up winning the match by accidentally swinging the crippled, burning badonkadonk of my CR90 back into my wife's last TIE advanced as I did a 1-speed bank maneuver. It was... definitely not how I'd expected the match to end!