Is it necessary to have the main game to play the expansions ?

i mean for example if i want to play jabba's realm expansion first do i need the original to play it ? is just an expansion is cheaper than the original game and i kinda want to try this but im not sure if the expansions here can be like stand-alones

Yes, you must have the core game to play IA, hence why they're called "expansions". You won't have anything to play without the Core

For example: 1st campaign mission of Jabba's realm requires maybe only 4 map tiles from JR (which you'll have), but it'll require the other 12 map tiles from Core (which you won't have); it'll require regular Stormtoopers and they're nowhere to be found in JR (they're in Core)

Same goes for skirmish mode. You build the campaign/skirmish map from Core map tile + expansion XYZ's map tile

The good (or bad?) news is: there are no cross-prerequisite for map constructions. So you know JR's campaign + skirmish map only requires map from Core+JR and not let's say Core+JR+Twin Shadows

Bad = some people that actually bought everything wants bigger map. I mean you can easily use JR + Twin Shadow + Core to create Tatooine skirmish map

On that last point; Yes, we want bigger maps to play skirmish and campaign; however, as a business decision, it is rather nice of them to not cross pollinate with all the expansions. I'm guessing someone at a meeting said "GW would do this..."and the Big Kahuna would have said "Then let's not do that!"

8 hours ago, TheEldarGuy said:

On that last point; Yes, we want bigger maps to play skirmish and campaign; however, as a business decision, it is rather nice of them to not cross pollinate with all the expansions. I'm guessing someone at a meeting said "GW would do this..."and the Big Kahuna would have said "Then let's not do that!"

I can see why they are keeping expansion content separate from each other, and at this point, that's pretty much company policy since that's the way they do it for all their game lines that have multiple expansions.

However, I wouldn't say no to FFG releasing a separate product, say something like the Heirs of Blood campaign for Descent, with missions that integrate cross-expansion content. Could be a physical book or even a paid .pdf. Heck, it could even be an app that contained a campaign tracker interface and the mission layouts.

The app for descent has multiple maps for different scenarios based on what expansions you own. So with the app (when, if it's released) there's the potential to have map cross pollination. Otherwise I think it's doubtful.

-ryanjamal

You need the core game to play any expansion. Can't do anything without the core game.

After that, (with a few minor expansions) each wave is its own independent entity. So, for instance, you'll need Jabba's Realm to use Jabba's blister pack fully. However, you will not need to own Return to Hoth to use Jabba's Realm.

Look up the waves, and what constitutes each one. As I said, for the most part, each wave is independent.

Also, just to add to what others have said, if you aren't playing skirmish, you don't NEED the figure packs that get released with and/or between the box expansions. Most of the figure expansions exist to replace the cardboard tokens you get in the core or the expansion. If you are only interested in campaigns, you won't need any of those (but trust me, you will likely still get some if you do buy in).

Figure packs give you new options for the campaigns (like agendas and side missions) but they are not strictly necessary. Something worth thinking about to save some money when starting out.