So I added the main game on my amazon wishlist, and then went through and added every expansion pack I could find. I have a question though.

What's the difference between the expansions like "Bantha raider, Han Solo, General WHeiis", etc and ones like "The Bespin Gambit, Twilight on Hoth" etc? Those latter ones look like entier games themselves. Do they come with some of the individual expansions or something?

It's all about catching those sweet waves, man.

Seriously, though, look at the Waves. The Core Box opens up Wave 1 for you, so you can get packs like Solo, Weiss, Royal Guard Champ, Chewie, Reb Troopers and Sabs, and IG-88.

Then, you'll need the Twin Shadows box to open up Wave 2 for packs like Boba Fett, r2D2, C3P0, etc.

Return to Hoth opens up Wave 5, The Bespin Gambit Opens up Wave 6, and Jabba's Realm opens up Wave 8. Waves 3, 4, and 7 are pretty much compatible with the core game, though I'd check them out on an individual basis.

For a complete list, check out this page.

Basically the boxed expansions contain more stuff.

If you're interested in playing the campaign mode, the boxed expansions each offer entirely new campaigns that can be played separately from the one in the core box (although these are smaller, mini-campaigns in the case of Twin Shadows and Bespin). Each of these boxes comes with a bunch of new plastic figures, but also some cardboard chits representing some of the big name characters (Leia, Han, R2-D2, etc.). The figure packs let you replace that Han Solo cardboard token with a plastic miniature and also let you add an optional side mission to one of your other campaigns.

If you're interested in playing the skirmish mode, the draw of the boxed expansions is that they offer a whole bunch of plastic figures all at once (at the risk of getting a few that you might not care about). If you want to play with any of the other characters like Han in skirmish, you need to buy the associated ally pack specifically.

Edit: And as Subtrendy pointed out, different Ally/Villain packs (waves) are associated with different expansion campaigns. So if you buy, say, the Hoth campaign you'll end up with a Leia token and a General Sorin token, etc., and buying those packs will give you the plastic figure to play with. For campaign play you're usually better off getting the boxed expansion before getting the associated ally/villain packs (and sometimes you need to in order to have the map tiles you need to build their map)

For campaign play you're usually better off getting the boxed expansion before getting the associated ally/villain packs (and sometimes you need to in order to have the map tiles you need to build their map)

To be honest, there's almost no reason to buy an Ally/Villain pack from Waves 1, 2, 5, 6, or 8 without having its corresponding boxed expansion if you're into campaign. Skirmish wouldn't be as affected, though it's possible that the character's contributed skirmish map may require tiles from its wave.

GAMES

there are actually 2 different games that each set is supporting, so it depends on what you want play as to what is actually useful and worthwhile for you to purchase.

Unless you are hard core into campaigning with your friends, I'd probably just buy the core set and play it a couple of times and see if you actually like it. All the expansion campaigns come with tokens and figures so you really don't need the ally packs to play the game. They just add a mission or special weapon/item card is all.

If you're playing skirmish, then pick the guys you like and think you'd want to play. Pick up the army builder apps and build a couple of lists or post some lists in the skirmish forum instead of the general forum. Get some feedback and play a few games with a friend if you know someone locally that plays.

1. Core Game. Gotta have it.

2. Expansions. These are the boxes with an additional campaign and a lot of figures included.

3. Ally/Villian packs. They are not technically the same as expansions, but close. These have 1-3 figures in them, a mission or two, and some cards.

Best advice I can give has already been mentioned above;

Campaign: Get the core box and try playing the campaign in that with 4 other friends, to see if the game is enjoyable.

- Villan/Ally pack are only needed if you want to replace some cardboard tokens with miniatures. They are not mandatory.

Skirmish: Get the core box and try playing a game or two against 1 other friend, to see if the game is enjoyable.

- Villain/Ally packs are only really needed to bloster squad choices, mainly for Rebel or Scum as Core Imperials get good stuff.

- Maybe look at getting Rebel Saboteur pack, or R2-D2 & C-3P0, or Leia Packs. (for Rebel)

- Maybe look at getting Bantha Rider or Hired Guns Packs (for Scum)

After a few games of Skirmish or Campaign, look at getting the next Box Set (Twin Shadows).

Maybe look at picking up some Ally/Villain packs to give more options for skirmish/campaign.

Then repeat this process for next Box Sets (Return to Hoth, Bespin Gambit & Jabba's Realm)

If you like it and have a regular group of friends who enjoy playing too, you'll really get enjoyment out of the wide variety of figures and cards the packs can offer.

This is a fairly helpful site.

http://boardwars.eu/ally-and-villain-packs-for-star-wars-imperial-assault/