Hi, I just got the core set and am going to be looking into expansions, but I was wondering how they were organized? There doesnt appear to be any wave type system like FFGs other minis games, so is there an easy way to know how the sets go chronologically?

There are waves, just as with the other two Star Wars miniature games.

Check out the Boardwars image database here http://cards.boardwars.eu/

Waves are listed here:

https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/164153/star-wars-imperial-assault/wiki

Also see

https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/star-wars-imperial-assault/

Generally there are "boxed waves" and "reinforcement waves". The former contains a boxed expansion and associated figure packs that need tiles from the boxed expansion, and the latter only require the core set (with the exception of the Bantha Rider - which is an exception in more ways than one).

Some of the waves were out at the same times as a box expansion (with more map tiles, a new campaign, and - typically - some added rule elements).

Twin Shadows w/ Wave 2

Return to Hoth w/ Wave 5

Bespin Gambit w/ Wave 6

Jabba's Realm w/ Wave 8

Wave 4, though, was delayed as far as I recall and was thus not chronologically between 3 and 5.

Big difference with Waves in IA vs "waves" in Armada and X-Wing: You need the boxed set in a wave to access other figures in it.

With X-Wing, you can buy the Core box, then pick out whatever you'd like after that. With Imperial Assault, you can buy the core box but if there's a figure you want outside of Wave 1 (Let's say Boba Fett) you'll need the boxed set that came with his wave first (Twin Shadows, Wave 2).

Only if you want to use them in campaigns right? Near as I could tell, my Leia, Dengar etc. all came with duplicates of their skirmish info.

1 hour ago, TauntaunScout said:

Only if you want to use them in campaigns right? Near as I could tell, my Leia, Dengar etc. all came with duplicates of their skirmish info.

Yes and no.

You need the tiles in the boxes for the maps in the packs. I think most of them allow you to do one side of the insert (campaign or skirmish) with just the core.

Right but in skirmish, you don't have to use that map. It's not like in campaign where you play a specific scenario to "unlock" the ally.

23 hours ago, TauntaunScout said:

Right but in skirmish, you don't have to use that map. It's not like in campaign where you play a specific scenario to "unlock" the ally.

Yeah, it's primarily an issue for tournaments, where they use specific maps. So if 'Ally Xs' map is in rotation, you'll need to be able to play on that map, so may need expansion tiles.

i bought the core and twin shadows. i also just bought wave 2 and realised all the cards i already had so maybe its better to buy the expansion campaigns and figures that fall 'inbetween' first. that way you get the full range. saying that i just ordered han and chewie. i mean they are iconic and chances are my players are likely to run into them right?

13 minutes ago, Corver said:

i bought the core and twin shadows. i also just bought wave 2 and realised all the cards i already had so maybe its better to buy the expansion campaigns and figures that fall 'inbetween' first. that way you get the full range. saying that i just ordered han and chewie. i mean they are iconic and chances are my players are likely to run into them right?

In the core campaign there's a pretty good chance you'll run into Han, as there are a few missions that feature him. I think there might only be one with Chewie? Although if you bought his pack and the rebels want to see him they can include the side mission from his ally pack.

Cool, i forgot that the players get to add green objectives so when i start my next campaign tonight he can put the R2D2 and C3PO mission in but will have to pick something to go out. but even then theres a chance they wont come up.

Yeah I thought like you did, trying to get all the stuff that could come up in a campaign. But I decided to narrow my focus and just try to make sure I had a reasonable 3D proxy for everything. For example, using the ANH Luke for the ROTJ Luke. The core game uses a squad of 3 rebels NPC's, as well as a squad of 2 rebel NPC's, so as long as I have a distinct squad of 3 and 2, I'm not going to worry about buying the "correct" ones. And so on and so forth and what have you. Unless I want them for skirmish or just really like the models. I will admit I only bought Twin Shadows cause I like Sand People.

The first models I got were the 3 biggest boxes, Leia and General Weiss. Then I added all the ally/villain packs for Hoth/Jabba, and got Chewie and R2/3PO just cause they automatically look right for the Hoth setting and the rebel line of snowpropriate figures is small. Then I picked up Twin Shadows, and a Reaper figure case big enough for all this stuff and realized I'm doing "it" again and need to slow down... Just "need" to get a bantha and another dewback and Boba Fett and Samos and then I'm done "for now," I swear... but the wookie warriors would be Hoth-compatible... hmm....

I saw the local group are doing a tournament and need more players. I didn't intend on getting into skirmish as the campaign looks great and I play alot of other wargames. I though well I can make it so I'll give it a go.

I just realised to play I need jabbas realm, bespin as well as jabba. Obi one and isb capt!

It's quite a steep curve to get into tournament play. Not even read the skirmish rules yet so I would probablyhave been slaughtered anyway.

Couldn't disagree more. Play for the love of Star Wars. You don't need Jabba, Obi-Wan, or anything else besides 40 points worth of models from the same faction. To be competitive via army selection is the lowest form of generalship. Deployment and maneuver are what matters, especially now that the internet means everyone has access to the same math tricks as everyone else. Getting "slaughtered" just shows you have a more well rounded existence than other players. I long for a tournament scene that involves things randomized special rules that utterly hamstring some units and help others, with no one knowing what which units will be hurt or helped before the game starts.

Winning is for losers.

16 minutes ago, TauntaunScout said:

I long for a tournament scene that involves things randomized special rules that utterly hamstring some units and help others, with no one knowing what which units will be hurt or helped before the game starts.

That is more or less what the random selection of a mission from the 3 tournament maps does. You have compromises to make. Your army cannot be optimal for any of the missions if you want it to be 'good enough' for the majority of them, and even then, your army will probably be less than average for a few of them.

This is emphasized even more if you draw missions from all available missions instead of just the 6 organized play missions.

Well that's pretty cool, I am glad to hear that. I just play with my friends and at local stores. I kinda turned my back on all organized miniatures tournaments in college. It just got weird.

12 hours ago, TauntaunScout said:

Couldn't disagree more. Play for the love of Star Wars. You don't need Jabba, Obi-Wan, or anything else besides 40 points worth of models from the same faction. To be competitive via army selection is the lowest form of generalship. Deployment and maneuver are what matters, especially now that the internet means everyone has access to the same math tricks as everyone else. Getting "slaughtered" just shows you have a more well rounded existence than other players. I long for a tournament scene that involves things randomized special rules that utterly hamstring some units and help others, with no one knowing what which units will be hurt or helped before the game starts.

Winning is for losers.

I Agree With You. But in order to take part in the tournament I need the right map tiles and missions right?

That's why I listed the expansions above. I never even tested skirmish yet so have 0 chance of winning but that's fine winning is for losers ?

Well only half the people need the right maps. If it's at a store or wherever they should have at least some maps? The allure of snagging a new person should be somewhat serious to the organizer, even if it means you play on a borrowed map?

Ok so to take part you don't need the maps and missions in the tournament rotation then?

I guess you are right if my opponent has the tiles we should be ok. Chances are though I'm gonna run into another noob at the lower tables who also might not have the maps/missions needed.

Xwing and Armada don't have this issue except of course you can't build a tournament list with the core box alone.

Depends on whether you play in game nights or tournaments, and even then depends on the organizer whether they'll supply the maps. You will need to ask.

Yeah I've asked. Thanks for the advice. I'm going to get all the boxed expansions so better sooner than later right?

so my advice for new players is that if you want to take part in skirmish better get core, bespin and jabbas realm as that's the tiles you need for current rotation.

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

conveniently i made this:

§ Luke Skywalker Ally Pack (included in Core Set)

§ Darth Vader Villain Pack (included in Core Set)

§ Han Solo Ally Pack core

§ Chewbacca Ally Pack core

§ Rebel Troopers Ally Pack core

§ Rebel Saboteurs Ally Pack core

§ General Weiss Villain Pack core

§ Royal Guard Champion Villain Pack core

§ IG-88 Villain Pack core

§ R2-D2 and C-3PO Ally Pack wave 2 TS

§ Boba Fett Villain Pack wave 2 Core! Yay!

§ Kayn Somos Villain Pack wave 2 TS

§ Wookiee Warriors Ally Pack wave 3 core

§ Hired Guns Villain Pack core max 1 for the entire 11 missions

§ Stormtroopers Villain Pack wave 3, 2 regular and 1 elite per mission core

§ Alliance Smuggler Ally Pack wave 4

§ Bantha Rider Villain Pack wave 4 TS

§ Leia Organa Ally Pack Hoth

§ Echo Base Troopers Ally Pack hoth

§ Dengar Villain Pack Hoth

§ General Sorin Villain Pack Hoth

§ Lando Calrissian Ally Pack Bespin Gambt

§ Bossk Villain Pack Bespin Gambt

§ Agent Blaise Villain Pack Bespin Gambt

§ ISB Infiltrators Villain Pack Bespin Gambt

§ Obi-Wan Kenobi Ally Pack core

§ The Grand Inquisitor Villain Pack core

§ Greedo Villain Pack core

§ Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight Ally Pack Jaba

§ Alliance Rangers Ally Pack jaba

§ Captain Terro Villain Pack jaba

§ Jabba the Hutt Villain Pack lets assume Jaba

§ BT-1 and 0-0-0 Villain Pack

§ Jawa Scavenger Villain Pack These will probably be the same/\ \/

§ Hera Syndulla and C1-10P Ally Pack

i hope you find this helpful, No more guessing which packs require what!

9 minutes ago, ATM2100 said:

i hope you find this helpful, No more guessing which packs require what!

I appreciate the effort, but once this thread gets buried another will be made.

What we really need is to sticky this.