A few several weeks I had been contemplating whether or not to get x-wing, it was something I really wanted to play however I was worried that no-one would play with me as no one in my family is too big on miniature games (I tried to get them to play warhammer once, it didn't go down so well). Eventually I said screw it and bought TFA core set with the mentality that if no-one would play with me than at least I would have some purdy miniatures, much to my surprise they enjoyed it and at first I was able to get two people who wanted to play. When I first contemplated getting the game I knew I wanted to play empire however one of the people who agreed to play also wanted empire, the other wanting rebels. Of course this didn't specifically mean I couldn't play empire but it would be **** hard to play against any one else other than the rebel player. So I figured the best option would be scum and villainy, having done extensive research on the empire faction I had a good sense of what was good and what was not so I set to work building the empire list for my brother ( this task fell to me as he is rather young and wouldn't understand everything there is to squad building). This is the list I came up with

Tie Advanced Prototype

-The Inquisitor

-Push the limit

-Tie/v1

-Hull upgrade

-XX-23

Tie interceptor

-Carnor Jax

-Push the limit

-Shield upgrade

Tie interceptor

-Turr Phennir

-Opportunist

-Shield upgrade

I'm not too sure how this list will handle, especially in the hands of a beginner however I figure it could be a good learning curve, now onto scum and villainy. I'm not too sure what route to take with scum and villainy as I haven't played with any of their ships and I was rather reluctant to choose them as a faction in the first place. I understand that the G-1A is terrible and I should steer clear of that, however I wouldn't like to be that guy who plays a list like dengaroo or brobots so I really don't know what to get. I do really enjoy thematic lists though so I was thinking something along the lines of a black sun squad with a starviper and a headhunter mini swarm, not too sure if that will win though. I would prefer it if I did t have to buy expansions I won't use just for a card (I am however open to proxy) so any help with what expansions to buy for scum would be much appreciated, Most Wanted seems like a must thought.

If anyone made it this far I thank you and would like to apologise for telling you my whole life story in the squad list forum, perhaps I should've posted this in another forum. To make matters worse (but in a way better) I managed to get someone else to play, but they too want to play Empire so I suppose the day that I get the empire squad I want is now farahead of me, oh well. Kamikazee pirates on steroids can't be that bad right?

-Thanks

Specifically, if you are to the point you are playing 100pt dog-fights, there is no real reason not to play Imp vs Imp. Happens all the time at the competitive level. That being said there are a lot of options. The starviper is a fun ship to fly, but typically too expensive for the points. Autothrusters is a must for a lot of competitive lists, though. For beginners I personally recommend getting a K-Wing. Not only is it a solid and flexible Rebel ship, it comes with (2) TLT's that will make scum Y-Wings very useful. Currently 1 Tie Defender and 1 Imp Vet pack can put together a really solid list. Just thoughts...... Welcome to the Addiction!!!!

As somebody relatively new to the game myself and somebody who's been playing with interceptors and the Inquisitor--they're finicky ships to fly. The big maneuver dials give a new player as many ways to get into trouble as to get out of trouble. Maneuvering seems so fundamental to the game that overloading options early could be problematic.

Have been in a similar situation myself having recently discovered the game, so I've been trying to find some good combos of expansions to get multiple effective lists without buying everything just for the cards.

If you're willing to proxy and you don't want the ships from Most Wanted, then I'd say just see what you do want and check for the effective net cost. I grabbed Slave 1 and picked up the two sets of pilot cards/tokens for the ships from Most Wanted on that well known auction site. Since I would be extremely happy to grab another Firespray in the future, getting the Most Wanted later on would not be an issue with duplication (I'd just proxy the other cards I might need from it in the meanwhile). You could go double Jumpmaster and your personal preference of third Ace fighter for an Attanni Mindlink list. I'm going to be trying my Shadow Caster and Firespray together until I can afford to expand my options with the Punishing One and Protectorate fighter whilst on the lookout for a third mindlink card.

After doing more research myself, I'll also put a shout out to JSwindy's choice of Imperial Veterans + TIE/Defender (which I also grabbed too). For the same price as a starter box you get a full 3 ship Imperial list capable of being competitive. To make it better in terms of cards, you might need Imp Aces and the TIE Punisher for some choice upgrades.

Something that might swing things for you is to check the Stat lines for the Interceptor versus the Defender. If you find that whoever plays the Interceptors is having trouble surviving due to lack of shields (ie requires skillful play style etc), you'd at least be able to give each list both a defender and an interceptor and allow each other to pick between bomber or Adv.PT. Not only that but you would have access to a lot more competitive cards specifically for your Imperial collection, whereas buying Scum as well means you'd end up doubling your required purchases if ever you did need the cards in the future. It's one of the reasons I only have 2 ships for the beginnings of my beloved Mandalorian collection (something which will change) - curse you Defenders and half price Decimator...

*edit: minor words*

Specifically, if you are to the point you are playing 100pt dog-fights, there is no real reason not to play Imp vs Imp. Happens all the time at the competitive level. That being said there are a lot of options. The starviper is a fun ship to fly, but typically too expensive for the points. Autothrusters is a must for a lot of competitive lists, though. For beginners I personally recommend getting a K-Wing. Not only is it a solid and flexible Rebel ship, it comes with (2) TLT's that will make scum Y-Wings very useful. Currently 1 Tie Defender and 1 Imp Vet pack can put together a really solid list. Just thoughts...... Welcome to the Addiction!!!!

Thanks for the advice, I really like the Imperial veterans and Defender idea and that's the one I'll probably go with. The only thing really holding me back was that I kept looking at it from a lore perspective, however I guess the battle could represent the infighting amongst the warlords in the imperial remnant after the battle of Endor.

How does this list sound

Tie Defender

-Colnel Vessery

-Predator

-Ion canon

-Tie/D

Tie Defender

-Countess Ryad

-Predator

-Ion canon

-Tie/D

Tie Bomber

-Tie shuttle

-Twin ion engine Mk II

-Systems officer

-Thanks

Below are 2 options I am toying with. You won't have all the upgrades, but I have done well with them. At least one Deffender should be x/7 really. And, as cool as it seemed, the Tie shuttle support ship just usually last long enough to be worth the points. Good news is it will be the first target. I would play with Proxy or toy around with what munitions you do have available.

Deathfire and his defenders- 2 (100)

"Deathfire" (28) - TIE Bomber

Homing Missiles (5), Conner Net (4), Extra Munitions (2), Long-Range Scanners (0)

Colonel Vessery (36) - TIE Defender

Trick Shot (0), TIE/D (0), Tractor Beam (1)

Countess Ryad (36) - TIE Defender

Push The Limit (3), TIE/x7 (-2), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

Deathfire and his defenders (100)

"Deathfire" (26) - TIE Bomber

Homing Missiles (5), Conner Net (4), Long-Range Scanners (0)

Colonel Vessery (35) - TIE Defender

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

Countess Ryad (39) - TIE Defender

Push The Limit (3), TIE/x7 (-2), Engine Upgrade (4)