Is it possible? I really want to get into the game (I'm a longtime fan of X-Wing), but the cheapest I've found a Core Set for is $85. I'd rather see that money go to expansions (not two Rebel scum ships) so is there any way to play the game without the Core Set?

Not unless you are able to purchase a Damage Deck (hard), Obstacles (Moderate) and Range Ruler (easier) separately.

And of course, you miss out on Core-Set exclusive upgrades.

If you can score those 3 things, then everything else - Dice, Maneuver Tool, Etc, are available separately already.

You need objectives and a damage deck from the core set. There are also some upgrades unique to the core (I think just admirals, possibly titles too), but you can get started without it if you can eBay those two things.

That said, you'd need to buy a maneuver tool and dice, as well as a third party ruler. By the tine you've bought all that stuff individually, it's probably gonna be more cost effective to buy the core set and then resell the faction you don't want.

Imo check ebay for folks selling out, sometimes there are great deals there

Check eBay. I was browsing a few days ago and saw some stuff on there from the core set.

I feel like even if you're only playing Imperials, you're getting a good deal out of the box. A Measurement and dice run you $20, the VSD is $40. My LGS was selling core sets for $50 at one point to get people into the game.

I don't know if you'll be able to find a damage deck. You could also split with someone who only wants Rebels and get a second VSD and TIE fighters.

Technically you could just run Corellian Conflict objectives.

Welcome to the game. You should probably actually get the core set, second hand or not.

Obligatory shameless blog post new player's guide: http://xwingtactics.blogspot.com/p/welcome-to-armada-new-players-resource.html

2 minutes ago, BiggsIRL said:

Technically you could just run Corellian Conflict objectives.

Yes, but you're still lacking Debris Fields because they'r enot duplicated in the CC box

Just now, Drasnighta said:

Yes, but you're still lacking Debris Fields because they'r enot duplicated in the CC box

Which is not an objective card, so I'm technically correct.

1 minute ago, BiggsIRL said:

Which is not an objective card, so I'm technically correct.

I also didn't list objectives on my Must-Haves from the Core Set, so I was right first

@Ardaedhel was the incorrect one.

6 minutes ago, BiggsIRL said:

@Ardaedhel was the incorrect one.

SHUN! SHUN!

8 minutes ago, BiggsIRL said:

@Ardaedhel was the incorrect one.

Generally true.

17 minutes ago, BiggsIRL said:

Technically you could just run Corellian Conflict objectives.

Technically you can just park at speed 0 for the whole game and never shoot, eliminating the need for a maneuver tool or range ruler too.

Technically if you are always first player you don't need objectives or obstacles. The second player is supposed to have those.

1 minute ago, Undeadguy said:

Technically if you are always first player you don't need objectives or obstacles. The second player is supposed to have those.

Solution: run with 100-point bids, deploy at 1, invariably slow to 0 on round 1, never shoot, spam engineering, and hope the other guy rams himself to death in your stationary hulls. Then all you need is a damage deck.

9 minutes ago, Ardaedhel said:

Solution: run with 100-point bids, deploy at 1, invariably slow to 0 on round 1, never shoot, spam engineering, and hope the other guy rams himself to death in your stationary hulls. Then all you need is a damage deck.

Or you just run Demo and call your fleet Demo Derby. Your opponent will be so excited to be in a demo derby he will crash all his ships into each other. Then you move Demo in and blow everything up.

28 minutes ago, Ardaedhel said:

Technically you can just park at speed 0 for the whole game and never shoot, eliminating the need for a maneuver tool or range ruler too.

Well, you have to Deploy at Speed 1 unless your opponent says so.

So technically not the whole game. Just the vast majority of it

35 minutes ago, Ardaedhel said:

Technically you can just park at speed 0 for the whole game and never shoot, eliminating the need for a maneuver tool or range ruler too.

What if you deploy at speed 1, and they Admiral Tidus you to Speed 2?

Edit: Nevermind. Ozzel can solve that problem. No need for Core Set Tarkin to feed nav tokens to everyone to prevent such a trap.

27 minutes ago, Drasnighta said:

Well, you have to Deploy at Speed 1 unless your opponent says so.

So technically not the whole game. Just the vast majority of it

You never have to move at speed 1, though.

Assuming you brought Ozzel, fleet-wide Veteran Captains, nuLeia, or an EF Pelta. Or Raymus/Veteran Captain on Tantive IV/Comms Net. Or an AA Tarkin.

Way to scare off the new player gents

I strongly recommend ebay for someone starting new. They have some impressive lots available. Some Reb some Imp, some both.

2 hours ago, Ardaedhel said:

You need objectives

Not with 50+ points bid and playing choosing always first

Just now, ovinomanc3r said:

Not with 50+ points bid and playing choosing always first

Well, to be fair, you can't go to most tournaments without Objectives - they are a legal part of your list, even if you never use/reference them.

Watch the different Facebook trade groups, check craigslist, boardgamegeeks, here and reddit for deals. I bought a core for a friend off of craigslist for $20 and have seen some locally on Facebook for $40-60.

1 hour ago, Drasnighta said:

Well, to be fair, you can't go to most tournaments without Objectives - they are a legal part of your list, even if you never use/reference them.

You put them on the list. Who is going to ask for them?