I started taking an interest in X-Wing in 2013, but really only started seriously building my collection up beyond a handful of ships last summer, and I only have about 20 games under my belt, almost all against the same opponent, who is as inexperienced.

I have mostly just been buying ships that I like rather than what seems to be competitive, but I'm really getting into the game and want to start looking for more opponents and will be looking for tournaments to enter.

Now I am not a guy who just plays the popular build of the month, but I would like to have as many of the better cards as I can get my hands on, so that no matter what ships I use I can at least challenge my opponents. What would be considered the "Must have" or m"Most useful" cards to have in the collection? I do intend to have a good amount of ships for all factions although currently I have no scum (unless you count my Y-Wings).

Well for imperial the veterans pack plus TIE defender gives you access to probably the best imp ship in the game. Also the Inquisitor's TIE is really good. The new Upsilon shuttle is also really good.

For scum, the most wanted pack is a good place to start, but actually not necessary unless you want to run that y-wing. What is good is the punishing one, hounds tooth, star viper for autothrusters, protectorate starfighter and the mist hunter.

Rebels, well the Ghost is just full of cards. Hero's of the resistance also has good cards and two very usable ships. The ARC-170 is a pretty ship and K-wings are now in fashion due to the Ghost with Sabine.

Thanks for the reply. Sounds like I have started my Imp collection well as I have all those you have listed bar the shuttle. I hadn't even considered the Ghost or HotR so I might look into them next.

So... I will only mention expansions with ships that are very relevant. I don't recommend buying expansions solely for cards when starting out. Until you hit the tourneys, people are usually fine with you proxying to try things out first

Imperial:

- Imperial Veterans: gives you Defender titles, Shuttle title, Crack shot, Long-range sensors

- TIE/fo expansion: gives you Omega Leader and all you need to field him (apart from Stealth device, maybe), especially JUKE (one of the best upgrades in the game, imho)

- Inquisitor's TIE: another strong expansion, also gives you Guidance Chips

- TIE phantom: still a solid, gives you recon specialist, FCS, tactician

If you focus on IMPS: decimator and UPS give you some very nice crew.

Rebels:

- Heroes of the Resistance: gives you good Tech, Finn and Rey, Integrated, great Astros... just good stuff over all.

- Old Core: R2D2 and Biggs are great

- Ghost: Gives you Sabine, Kanan crew, thermal detonators and the Ghost itself

- K-Wing: gives you TLT, Connor Net

- YT-2400 (Outrider): gives you Gunner, Lone Wolf, Debris fields, Experimental interface, Countermeasures, Proton Rockets,....

- YT-1300 Engine Upgrade, Veteran Instincts, Chewie crew (good on Attack Shuttles)

Scum: Scum expansions do not contain so many cards that are "universally good" on each ship, apart from Crackshot (Khiraxz), Autothrusters (Starviper) and Adaptability (JM5k). They do have, however, a lot of cards that are very good within their faction

- Jumpmaster, obviously, gives you Mindlink and is very strong... will be considered "jumping the bandwagon", however

- YV-666 a lot of good crew in here, also a very solid ship

- Protectorate starfighter (self-contained, but does not add much to other expansions)

- Misthunter: good Scum crew, Adaptability

Norra Wexley, Corran Horn, Miranda Doni, Warder K wing, Poe Dameron PS8, Lothal rebel, Biggs Darklighter, Gold squadron Ywing pilot, Han Solo (old) pilot, Rey pilot, Dash Rendar pilot, R2D2, R5P9, R3A2, integrated astromech, Finn, C3PO, Sabine crew, Kanan crew.

Ómicron Lamda pilot, the Inquisitor, Scimitar bomber piloto, Ryad, Vessery, Soontir Fel, Obsidiana Tie pilot, Howlrunner, Omega leader, Whisper, Chiraneau, Palpatine, Kylo Ren crew, General.Hux, Rebelión captive, , System Officer.

IG88B, IG88C, Manaroo, Dengar pilot, Asajj Ventress, Fenn Rau, Syndicate thug Ywing pilot, Boosk pilot, R4 agromech, IG88D, Zuckuss crew, Latts Razzi crew, Dengar Crew,Glitterstym, Fearlessness.

Tactician, Recon Specialist, Gunner, Crack shot, Dead eye, Juke, Predator, Push the limits, Swarm leader, Expertise, Guidance chips, Autothrusters, Engine Upgrade, Fire control System, Comm relay, Extra munitions, Protón torpedoes, Homming missiles, Clusters mines, Conner net, twin laser turret, Heavy láser cannon and the titles of the ships above.

General rule, start with a blue core set, if you want older not as useful (non tie swarm) go red.

After that I would tell you any of the box sets give a lot of bang for the buck and are all great. I personally don't think I have ever been disappointed by one. If your playing for fun and have a small ship and a large based ship, proxy play. Find what you like and start there. If you want to play a torny two imp vets and a third defender is a strong list.

37 minutes ago, MaxPower said:

- YT-1300: gives you Gunner, Lone Wolf, Debris fields, Experimental interface, Countermeasures, Proton Rockets,....

I think this is supposed to say YT-2400 otherwise known as the Outrider.

The actual Falcon/YT-1300 Expansion gives you Luke instead of Gunner, Engine Upgrade (x2), Veteran Instincts, and of course other things.

I will tell you one other thing, Crackshot is amazing on just about anything, it is a card to build a list around.

2 hours ago, MaxPower said:

So... I will only mention expansions with ships that are very relevant. I don't recommend buying expansions solely for cards when starting out. Until you hit the tourneys, people are usually fine with you proxying to try things out first

Imperial:

- Imperial Veterans: gives you Defender titles, Shuttle title, Crack shot, Long-range sensors

- TIE/fo expansion: gives you Omega Leader and all you need to field him (apart from Stealth device, maybe), especially JUKE (one of the best upgrades in the game, imho)

- Inquisitor's TIE: another strong expansion, also gives you Guidance Chips

- TIE phantom: still a solid, gives you recon specialist, FCS, tactician

If you focus on IMPS: decimator and UPS give you some very nice crew.

Rebels:

- Heroes of the Resistance: gives you good Tech, Finn and Rey etc.

- Old Core: R2D2 and Biggs are great

- Ghost: Gives you Sabine, Kanan crew, thermal detonators and the Ghost itself

- K-Wing: gives you TLT, Connor Net

- YT-1300: gives you Gunner, Lone Wolf, Debris fields, Experimental interface, Countermeasures, Proton Rockets,....

Scum: Scum expansions do not contain so many cards that are "universally good" on each ship, apart from Crackshot (Khiraxz), Autothrusters (Starviper) and Adaptability (JM5k). They do have, however, a lot of cards that are very good within their faction

- Jumpmaster, obviously, gives you Mindlink, Adaptability and is very strong... will be considered "jumping the bandwagon", however

- YV-666 a lot of good crew in here, also a very solid ship

- Protectorate starfighter (self-contained, but does not add much to other expansions)

Errrr sorry to point this out but Adaptability came with the Mist Hunter NOT Jumpmaster

Arrrgh. Yes. Of course to both replys about my post.

Anyhow. This is how I'd attack things.

If you wanna focus on Imps, solid advice has been given. Get Imperial Vets, Inquisitor's TIE, TIE/fo and a Defender. I'd recommend Decimator and TIE Phantom next.

If you wanna play a good Rebel list quickly, get Biggs (Old Core), Ghost and a K-Wing. Then start from there. I'd recommend Y-Wing, Heroes and T-70 next.

If you wanna get into Scum, buy a YV-666, Protectorate, Misthunter and a JM5k. I'd recommend Most Wanted and a Starviper (Autothrusters, Guri for fun matches) next.

If you wanna mix things up... mix things up and get most wanted earlier, as well as that Y-Wing and K-Wing (gives you 2 TLT-YWIngs for both Rebels and Scum, thats a solid part of a list and you shouldn't play more than 2 in a list to avoid boredom and our opponents anger)

Just putting this out here cause I haven't seen it listed but if you can find a Most Wanted box

the sheer number of cards and ships for the price is amazing not to mention the paint jobs are pretty darn good compared to the originals. It also give you upgrades that can also be used for rebel ships as well, and gives you the better versions of the Slave 1 pilots

Snarky answer...Buy anything that doesn't look like a star wars ship.

Slightly more helpful answer....The fella above recommending imp vets and a defender is spot on. That's good stuff.

Hopefully useful additional reply...Two copies of the aggressor is still a strong setup.

Alternative theory....Study video reports of current games. See what specific setup appeals to you . Banter about it here on the forums and see if it's something you want to fly.

Research will give you a real goal. If sporadically buying ships isn't to your taste.( That's how I do it...I'm in it to get them all) but you can save money and time if you have a clear goal and work to that. But see what's out there.see what works and most important see what you like.

Right now I think Scum provides the best flexibility with the least cost, with a purchase of 1 each you have the ultimate flexibility of builds. Only missing a Rebel Hawk and Imperial Firespray and you are DONE. While expensive, you meet the requirements for being competitive.