With the upcoming wave, how many of each expansion should I purchase to be able to field all possible optimal build lists for skirmish? As work has kept me away from following developments a crib sheet of how many of each would be fantastic. Shipping is a huge cost for me so I'd rather overbuy than underbuy. Thanks for the help!

There is no optimal.

(And "all possible optimal" is an oxymoron. )

It totally depends on what kind of armies you want to play.

I was wanting to start a this same exact thread, I'm wanting to try to get a full collection of Imperial Assault, but then there's Armada and Destiny I want to try too. So who knows lol

I've made due with one copy of everything. I decided to pick up another ISB infiltrators because I love them as a unit, but only needed 1 more because the elites are great, the regs not so much. I would probably pick up another set of rebel sabs or echo base troopers if I played rebels at all. I will also probably pick up two sets of the dewbacks and the alliance rangers.

Is it actually still necessary to get multiple copies of things for skirmish? With all the variations you get now... I've never played skirmish much, only campaign, and I've been happy with 1 of everything and 2 of hired guns and ISB.

Stormtrooper Villain Pack is pretty essential for Imperials, to get that second Elite Stormtrooper group

I get one of each boxed expansion, one of each unique blister and two of each non-unique blister (except Bantha and Stormtroopers). I've never felt gimped in Skirmish play, though once in a blue moon I borrow an extra deployment card from someone.

Technically, if you want to be able to use every single possible combination of units (so 1 unique, 2 elites, 4 regulars), then your buy list would be:

2 Jabba's Realms

1 Luke

1 Jabba

2 Captain Terro

4 Alliance Rangers

I have a second Hoth for the HKs.

I agree with that there is no optimal choice here, there are enough choices out there that you will be fine with a collection of "older" figures, especially since you are limited to 40 points.

Locally the idea for buying is:
1 Luke

1 Jabba

2 Rangers

2 Terros

1-2 Jabba's Realm boxes.

Some people want 3 Terros/dewbacks but more often than not you will probably choose to bring more troopers/officers/merc creatures instead of a second or third Dewback. The idea behind only grabbing 2 rangers is is same as the dewbacks, you could field more but you can easily fill the remaining points with other great figures or support. Getting more than 1 Jabba's realm could make sense in that you gain 2 elite/regular pirates, gamorreans, jet roopers, and rancors(probably only want to run 1 of these just like a bantha.)

24 Lukes.

Technically, if you want to be able to use every single possible combination of units (so 1 unique, 2 elites, 4 regulars), then your buy list would be:

2 Jabba's Realms

1 Luke

1 Jabba

2 Captain Terro

4 Alliance Rangers

Actually 3 Terros. You can play Cpt Terro and TWO Dewbacks.

~D

This has confused me in the past, if I buy a Storm Trooper expansion set does that mean I can run 2 sets of elite stormies in campaign mode? Or are you guys talking for Skirmish?

Aren't you limited to basically what came with the core?

This has confused me in the past, if I buy a Storm Trooper expansion set does that mean I can run 2 sets of elite stormies in campaign mode? Or are you guys talking for Skirmish?

Aren't you limited to basically what came with the core?

I don't think you're limited to what's in the box. I think it's someting like 4 grey cards and 1 (or is it 2?) red ones per team.

They talk about skirmish (mainly).

How each expansion is integrated is specified in the rulesheet of that expansion.

In the campaign you can run only two regular and one elite Stormtrooper group. The Stormtrooper Villain pack doesn't allow you to have any more.

Some other examples for the campaign: there is no limit to the number of AT-STs, and you can use both deployment cards of Hired Guns and ISB Infiltrators, i.e. two packs worth of figures.

Ahh yes ok I found some examples:

Note: In a campaign, players are limited to the number of figures included in this expansion. For example, the Imperial player is limited to two regular and two elite Tusken Raider figures, even if he owns multiple copies of this expansion.

Note: In a campaign, players are limited to the number of figures included in this expansion. For example, the Imperial player is limited to three regular and three elite Snowtrooper figures, even if he owns multiple copies of this expansion.

Note: In a campaign, players are limited to the number of figures included in this expansion. For example, the Imperial player is limited to two regular and one elite Ugnaught Tinkerer figures, even if he owns multiple copies of this expansion.

So I am sure for packs like Hired Guns and ISB it has a similar tidbit about how you can only have as many deployment cards in a campaign as are included in a single pack, however you need to buy another pack to be able to actually have elites and regulars out at the same time.. or just proxy.

And here it is for skirmish:

Name Restriction: Each army is limited to a number of Deployment cards with the same name as follows: - Maximum of 1 of each unique Deployment card. These cards are identified by a bullet before the name (for example, “• Darth Vader”).

- Maximum of 2 of each elite (red) Deployment card.

- Maximum of 4 of each regular (gray) Deployment card