I have been eyeing some x-wing ships for quite sometime with intent to buy these as replicas rather than as "game pieces".

I have never been much of a gamer, and I doubt I have the time now, even though I live in the same area as Fantasy Flight and could partake in all the big events here.

I am torn as what to do though as many of the individual ships are very cheap without all the cards and game pieces. On the other hand, I would hate to amass a bunch of ships without the game pieces and one day decide to give the game a try.

A good example of a set I am conflicted about is the Imperial Assault Carrier. I don't know if the TIEs are exclusive to the set . Can other TIEs be attached to the carrier or only those with the set?

I would appreciate any advice.

I don't know if the TIEs are exclusive to the set . Can other TIEs be attached to the carrier or only those with the set?

If you're talking about what can be physically attached. Any tie could I think other then maybe punishers, because the punisher is too big.

Per the rules you may dock up to 4 TIE fighters, TIE Interceptors, TIE bombers, or TIE Advanced to this ship. All of these ships must have the same ship type.

As to the larger question. I'd buy the pack with the cards and everything, in case you ever did want to play. X-Wing games can be played in about an hour and if you live in the twin cities area we have a very active X-Wing community, with lots of places playing games.

So I'd at least give it a try first and see if playing is something you can swing. If you can't then you could very likely sell off most of the cards to help recoup the cost. But if you buy just the ships then you can't ever play and if you find you want to you're now stuck with models you don't have much use for.

The four ships on the cargo card fit i know that for a fact, but all the others i personally have tried did not fit.

TIE Bombers don't fit the Gonzanti, either, even though they are on the card.

Possibly a year or two back I had thought of grabbing myself Slave 1 as an ornament at my computer desk without really knowing anything about the game itself. Now that I finally have a demo and a few friendly games under my belt which have been easy to pickup and great fun, I really wished I had picked one up back then instead of waiting so long! The sad thing is, I had only wanted one or two as ornaments which would have been a great start to the collection, now I want lots more because of their upgrade cards and game variety!

I would absolutely get them with all their gaming bits, it'll certainly add to their re-selling factor as well as any future possibilities. On a well known re-selling site, some of the ships without their gaming accessories aren't exactly much cheaper than those retailers who have the heaviest base discounts for new products, same goes quite often for second hand stuff. When you consider the cost of buying the accessories and cards extra to just the ships when 'split' buying, you might just as well pick up the item new and complete.

With regards to the Assault Carrier, I'd definitely think about picking up the Original (red label) Core Starter set (for the additional two TIE-Fighters, providing they do fit ?). The old Core starter also contains one of the better Rebel ship components (Biggs + R2), plus you'll get the full ruleset / dice / rulers etc to try the game for yourself (why not!).

Once you go down that path, forever will it dominate your destiny!

I know because I originally picked up a couple of ships because I thought they'd look cool. Then ...

Probably one of my favourite little cartoons - so accurate in depiction

This cartoon could so very easily be re-used on so very many things... Sad thing is, you can tell how early into X-Wing this was drawn by the limited types of ships in it hehe!

I have been eyeing some x-wing ships for quite sometime with intent to buy these as replicas rather than as "game pieces".

That's the fun of playing/collecting games with painted minatures. Even when they are not in use you can still get enjoyment out of whatching them displayed. I personally have about two shelves worth of Monsterpocalypse, Krossmaster and Horrorclix in my room. (many of wich haven't been used in a game...yet.)