So I have been a long time lurker of FFG's communities, including this group. I finally committed to Destiny and I really love the game. Before I got a hold of Destiny product I almost committed to X-wing. FFG's are a pricey investment but this game seems so awesome!

If I were to buy an Awakening or 2. What 100pt quads would you guys recommend. One or 2 core sets. Rebels, imperials, scums? Big ships, small ships?

Advise would be great!!!

The second core set for sure. Easiest way to the normal hundred point game after that is one of the big boxes. Pick one for whatever faction you like the most. Maybe stay away from the Scum faction until you're sure you like the game. It doesn't have any ships in the core box, so it'll take more purchases to get to 100.

Heroes of the Resistance pack is good for Rebels. You get a Falcon and Poe's Xwing along with a good number of very useful cards.

Imperial Veterans for Empire provides 2 good ships and upgrades.

Most Wanted pack comes with a Scum Ywing and Z95 along with cards for the Firespray and HWK models to be used.

You can get a lot more info about what is included with each pack here: http://xwing-miniatures.wikia.com/wiki/Products

Definitely buy a core set to get started. Not only do you get everything you need to get started (damage cards, movement templates, etc), you're getting 3 ships for basically the cost of 2. After that? Pick any of the Rebel/Imperial sets you think look cool (but I'd highly recommend Heroes of the Resistance and Imperial Veterans) and you'll have a decent variety for both sides of a game. From there, go nuts with what you like.

Thanks guys. I was hoping to stay clear of a big ship like Falcon, although I know it is recommended. Maybe an x-wing squad. What about Dashes ship?

What's your goal? Tournaments or casual play? For casual play, x wing t-70 squad should be viable. If you want to stay away from big ships you surely can.

2 hours ago, DJRAZZ said:

So I have been a long time lurker of FFG's communities, including this group. I finally committed to Destiny and I really love the game. Before I got a hold of Destiny product I almost committed to X-wing. FFG's are a pricey investment but this game seems so awesome!

If I were to buy an Awakening or 2. What 100pt quads would you guys recommend. One or 2 core sets. Rebels, imperials, scums? Big ships, small ships?

Advise would be great!!!

There is few FFG articles about X-Wing $101, there is some good stuff, but I always recommend to buy expansions that you think that are cool and you want to play them visually. I would buy the newest Core Set and there you will get T70 X-Wing and two TIE/FO's, so there it would make sense to go either Rebels or Empire because you will get some ships anyway. Scum is my favorite faction, but then you need almost Most Wanted expansion, it's not mandatory, but it will open some Rebel and Empire ships for Scum. But I would just buy what ever feels good and if you like the game you can always expand your collection.

My favorite ships from Scum are Kihraxz, Star Viper and Protectorate.

I hope this helps you to get some ideas for expansion to buy.

1 hour ago, Zura said:

What's your goal? Tournaments or casual play? For casual play, x wing t-70 squad should be viable. If you want to stay away from big ships you surely can.

Casual play. But when I play and like a game like this I get into the serious builds/decks, so forth. I am not new to CCG's but I am new to miniature games. But this seems different. It has more of a LCG feel to it and not so much role playing. Am I correct in my assumption?

I have moved on from MTG, Yugioh, and Pokemon, and have sold all my cards to fund Destiny. I have not regretted it. I am having more fun than I have had in years with these type games. I really missed the old Decipher Star Wars CCG. And all the hype of the new movies has rejuvenated my Star Wars fandom/geekdom. So it is either X-wing or Legos.

I think the T-70 looks like a good place to start. Is this considered an Ace ship? Should I get another T-70 or some A-wings, Y-wings, B-wings? Is there a new more current line-up that is more meta viable? I have to admit all the new Scum ships look cool in Wave 10&11. I guess bigger ships like the Falcon are better for beginners but they looks kind of boring. But what do I know.

Do I need 1 or 2 core sets? I am guessing the better pilots and upgrades are in other sets.

One of each core set or two force awakens cores is a general standard for a good start in.

After.thay just get whatever ships you think look cool. When you want to get more serious those ships can be kitted out to be more competitive with add one. But at first just fly what you like and have fun with them.

It will.matter less about what's hyper tuned out when you have become good with a ship.

People.here say ...such and such is a bad ship... But then there's always SOMEONE who just KNOWS how that ship works and is a monster with it.

I'm.tellimg you...fly.what you love...a lot. And sweat the tuning later on

Thank-you guys....

If you like Imperials get a TIE/fo (the standalone expansion) and a TIE Phantom. Both solid ships, and more importantly you can put together strong builds out of the box.

I think the first Core set is also worth considering.

The main negative is that you get the old damage deck, which is more unforgiving than the new one.

There are however several positives:

- T-65 X-wings (mainly Biggs) and TIE Fighters (mainly Academy and Black Squadron) are generally more useful than T-70 and TIE/fo. The good TIE/fo (Omega Leader and Zeta Leader) are found in the TIE/fo expansion and most good T-70s (including a the PS9 version of Poe) are found in the Heroes of the Resistance expansion.

- R2-D2 is in general one of the most useful astromechs, much better than BB-8.

20 minutes ago, LordBlades said:

- T-65 X-wings (mainly Biggs) and TIE Fighters (mainly Academy and Black Squadron) are generally more useful than T-70 and TIE/fo. The good TIE/fo (Omega Leader and Zeta Leader) are found in the TIE/fo expansion and most good T-70s (including a the PS9 version of Poe) are found in the Heroes of the Resistance expansion.

Biggs is the only usable t-65. All t-70 are pretty decent. None of them touches biggs level, but with autothrusters, additional shield and 3-sharp kturn they have a lot more potential for plays. Only really bad t70 is blue ace. All t65 except biggs are really bad.

Do you have other players to play with? If you are going to be the one that brings the game so to speak, you need 2 core sets unfortunatley. You need two damage decks to play if you are to play by the rules. For strict casual one will do though.

My recommendation for a really good start that is easy to build on for the future in Force awakens core set, Heroes of the resistance and Imperial veterans. It is an awesome setup that gives you pretty much all the best T70 pilots and a big turret with good pilots and great upgrades for the rebels and also gives you the awesome Tie Defender with titles as well as access to bombs for the imperials. The expansions are pretty expensive, but you really get great value out of them. But FTR, the T70 is not really top of the line apart from perhaps Jess. Defenders and some of the bombers however are if not at the top at least close to the top.

If you want to lower the cost, I would go Core set + K-wing + Special forces tie I think. But it is hard to reach 100 points in any faction with smaller packs. Even maxed out with upgrades, hitting 100 points with 2 small ships in rebels and 2 ties plus another small ship in Imperial will be tricky. And then you may need more packs and then we are close to the cost of the bigger packs anyway.

If you want cheapest competative I would probably go old core set to get Biggs, and 2 K-wings for Miranda and a warden. Its not complest in any way, but its not bad. You need to find a new damage deck somewhere though.

If you want to be competative though, the Punishing one is the best ship at the moment. But then you need to go scum and they are not even included in the core sets...

34 minutes ago, Zura said:

Biggs is the only usable t-65 ... All t65 except biggs are really bad.

This is patently false. For the most part, the other T-65's aren't competitive in the tourny meta (although Wes Janson has his place). For casual play, most players will find a place for them.

1 hour ago, Zura said:

Biggs is the only usable t-65. All t-70 are pretty decent. None of them touches biggs level, but with autothrusters, additional shield and 3-sharp kturn they have a lot more potential for plays. Only really bad t70 is blue ace. All t65 except biggs are really bad.

IMO the decent T70s are in the HotR pack. The one in the Core set are pretty bad.

Also, remember this is giving advice to a new player, who probably won't buy the Starviper just for Autothrusters any time soon.

My Recomendations (For Starters, and taking account if you like Star Wars lore):

FOR REBELS: You can start flying X Wing T70, A Wing and B Wing; three of the most iconic rebel ships. Considering that X Wing T70 is an X Wing with a good variety of pilots and options to play with. Maybe, you will lack of certain Upgrades which can make "shine" those three ship, but you can start printing the upgrades you need and play them casual, before going to Tournaments. This option does not require a great starting investment and lets you play very casual and funny games.

Maybe, if you enjoyed The Force Awakening , you can buy Heroes of the Resistance, in which you find another X Wing T70 and the Falcon, but almost every pilot in there is from the Episode VII. But I have to recognize that in "Heroes of the Resistance" box, you will find better usable Upgrades, both in competitive and casual play.

-X Wing The Force awakening core Set.

-Rebel Aces / Heroes of the Resistance

FOR IMPS: You can start flying Two Ties and Two ships. Both for competitive game and casual game, I think the best starting with imps is Imperial Veterans, because it gaves you the Tie Defender (one of the best imperial ships in competitive game in the last years, now is a Little bit downgraded but it still be good), and a Tie Bomber which also is a good ship (and maybe now with the reléase of the tie aggressor can be quite better). Between the two starter box, I don't know which is better for imps, but I think both are Ok, at least in the starter game. So... the result is:

-X Wing The Force awakening core Set.

-Imperial Veterans.

FOR SCUM: The "starter pack" for Scum is "Most Wanted" pack. But probably with Most Wanted you still be needing some ship to complement, because Most Wanted has only 3 ships (Y Wing and 2 Z95), I started with Scum, I get the starter set and I sold to Friends the Ties and the X Wing, at next, I get Most Wanted and Khiraxz Fighter, but now I recommend you the M3-A Interceptor ("Scyk" for Friends), and the Most Wanted, you will get some good Upgrades Options, to play with those 4 ships. It is true that if you consider to get something that you will need in competitive game, maybe the Shadow Caster Expansion pack or the Jumpmaster 5000 are better options, those are two of the best ships right now. Maybe the Shadow Caster is more funny to play with. In my case, the feelings for the lore picked me and I buyed the Slave I.

1 hour ago, DJRAZZ said:

Casual play. But when I play and like a game like this I get into the serious builds/decks, so forth. I am not new to CCG's but I am new to miniature games. But this seems different. It has more of a LCG feel to it and not so much role playing. Am I correct in my assumption?

I have moved on from MTG, Yugioh, and Pokemon, and have sold all my cards to fund Destiny. I have not regretted it. I am having more fun than I have had in years with these type games. I really missed the old Decipher Star Wars CCG. And all the hype of the new movies has rejuvenated my Star Wars fandom/geekdom. So it is either X-wing or Legos.

I'd go with the following expansions after the original core set:

1. Rebel Aces + Imperial Aces. They're exactly balanced, while also providing crucial cards in large quantities.
2. Most Wanted and a Shadowcaster. Give you the scum "starter kit" with which you can win games.
3. E-wing, TIE Phantom and Protectorate Starfighter.
4. Starviper. Autothrusters may be the best card in the game, and this pack has the only way to get it.

With these you have the essential building blocks (and mechanics) of the three factions - Rebel Regen, Imperial Arc-Dodging and Scum Shenanigans. I'd recommend the following lists:

Here's a scum starter list that could win you can mess with your friends with. Try to end a game in a tie with dead man's switch.

Here's a rebel list that has their greatest pilot - Corran Horn, alongside Biggs and a B-wing. That's pretty much most of the Rebel competitive scene...

Here's an Imperial list with two powerful aces and a couple filler TIEs. Carnor and Whisper are both devastating end-game ships (Whisper more so).

You can fly any of those three against each other and they'll work out fairly well. I'd say the Imperial list is most competitive for tournaments. Don't feel obliged to buy everything, and play whatever you want, not what will guarantee a win.

X.Wing or Lego's? Go with both ..

I've made a few damage deck holders out of Lego, and a maneuver template holder ...

Don't get two of the same cores set. Get both core sets. Then decide which faction you like best. Sticking to one faction is cheaper. The parooze the forum for a list you like and get the stuff necessary for it. Don't just buy what looks cool. You will regret it later.

Start with the "force awakens" core set unless you really just don't like Ep7. Play the missions included with it.

If you like Rebels...

Heroes of the Resistance is an excellent buy for the Falcon and some great t70 pilots and upgrades. Rey + Poe is a great casual list and even does pretty well in some tourneys - a store championship yesterday had one go pretty far. Maybe buy a t70 expansion if you want to fly three of the xwings at once. The ARC170 is a rebel ship I like flying.

If you like Imperials...

Buy one TIE FO expansion so you can fly more ties including one of the best pocket aces in the game, Omega leader. Also look at imperial aces for a tie defender and bomber.

The rest is going to be based on what you like and where you want to go next. Lots of great choices.

I would caution you to avoid scum unless you're going all in on the game. I really like them but as they have nothing out of the core set they can use (outside of key things needed to play like dice or templates) it's a bigger investment to play.

HUGE piece of advice -- do NOT buy a pack just for the cards. Not until you've gotten so deep into this you want to play at "real" tournaments. Every casual fun game I've been in allows proxy cards you can get out of a squad builder website. Just buy ships you actually want to fly.

6 hours ago, DJRAZZ said:

Do I need 1 or 2 core sets? I am guessing the better pilots and upgrades are in other sets.

I would just go one Force Awakens Core Set, later on for some reason or another you might end up buying second Core, but until then I would just go with one.

If you go with the Rebel faction, might be good idea to buy one T70 X-Wing expansion pack, gives you nice boost with pilots, then you have pilots of Core Set and those others. Now you need maybe one or two more ships, up to you what they are going be. E-Wing is ton of fun and powerful, A-Wing also very classy ace of space, B-Wing is hard hitter, has fun movements, if you like K-turns, they do very hard ones, with speed of two. B-Wing and E-Wing both introduce you some new upgrade slots, the sensors, very "high-tech" upgrades to help you get edge over your opponent.

Out of these I would buy B-Wing or E-Wing, the B is visually one of my favorite ships from Rebels and I like that Cannon Slot also and that would give you bit different ship out of T70 X-Wings. E-Wing is bit closer to the T70's, more agile and hard hitting, but visually similar to T70.

4 hours ago, LordBlades said:

IMO the decent T70s are in the HotR pack. The one in the Core set are pretty bad.

Also, remember this is giving advice to a new player, who probably won't buy the Starviper just for Autothrusters any time soon.

Well I would not worry about the most effective pilots, nor all the upgrades that you could end up buying from opposite factions. I admire the casual games that he will be enjoying for some time, just fly what is fun and appealing.

I said Star Viper just for the reason that my opinion is it is insanely beautiful design, not for the upgrades that it would hold in. Just wanted to offer him an Scum option, if he decides to go with them.