So, I just got the game on Friday. Haven't had a chance to play yet because of my work schedule. But already I find myself eyeing up packs. My question is: Will all ally and villain packs work with the core game? Or do I need the corresponding expansion? Like can I buy Boba Fett without the Twin Shadows expansion or is that a waste of money? Thanks in advance.

The " need the corresponding expansion" mostly comes from needing the map tiles for their respective missions

Cross-posting my response from BGG forum here:

If you're playing campaign, you can safely buy these without needing extra map tiles:

all of wave 1,3,7, wave 2 Boba Fett, wave 4 Alliance Smuggler

If you're playing skirmish though, you can safely buy:

all of wave 1,3,4,7, wave 2 R2D2&C-3PO, wave 2 Kayn Somos

Thanks so much! I greatly appreciate it!

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

This is a review of the utility of various ally and villain packs for skirmish and campaign.

Start here when choosing which you want to buy.

So, I just got the game on Friday. Haven't had a chance to play yet because of my work schedule. But already I find myself eyeing up packs. My question is: Will all ally and villain packs work with the core game? Or do I need the corresponding expansion? Like can I buy Boba Fett without the Twin Shadows expansion or is that a waste of money? Thanks in advance.

Generally speaking, the packs work within their waves. Boba needs Twin Shadows tiles, Leia needs Hoth, etc. The exceptions are the waves that aren't connected to a box: Wookiee Warriors, Stormtroopers, Hired Gun, Bantha, Alliance Smuggler, Greedo, Obi Wan, and the Grand Inquisitor can be added to any campaign and they ask use core tiles..

The Bantha Rider is an exception to the rule, it is from a Reinforcement Wave, but does need Twin Shadows tiles for the campaign mission.

The other side of the coin is that even the figure expansions that are associated with boxed expansions may not use other than core set tiles for the campaign mission or the skirmish map. Some of them, however, use the tiles from the associated boxed expansions for both.

So, double-check the details of the figure expansion you are considering.

Thanks for all the info, guys! This is part of why I love the FFG community.

So if you only have the core set, you can't use Leia?

I realize this is a basic question, but I too have the game, but haven't managed to play yet.

So if you only have the core set, you can't use Leia?

I realize this is a basic question, but I too have the game, but haven't managed to play yet.

In Skirmish you can, you just can't use the map that comes with her. In the campaign you won't be able to play her mission to gain her as an ally... But you could always just houserule her into the campaign. To play her maps you need the Return to Hoth expansion.