Hey everyone. Some thoughts from a newish player. Know the intermediate basics but not the rest just yet kinda deal.

For several months I played X-Wing very very casually. Fell for it immediatly. Recently to learn more and get more games in I started using Squadron Benchmark against the computer....helped a ton to learn "complicated" things i didnt even know existed. And to try stuff before buying it.

Then a few weeks ago I tried out Vassal. Its incredible. Rolled my way to a record of 1-15 against "real" opponents. Have had fun in every game for the most part. Big shout out to everyone on there. Such an incredibly helpful & chill group. Ran into some players who seemed obviously in another talent universe but dang if it isnt a quick way to learn the hard way losing in 2-5 rounds in several cases.

Through 10 games i destroyed maybe 3 ships? But now things are starting to make more and more sense.

I have been flying many variations of the below list for all but one match when i swapped the firespray for a defender. I want to keep some consitency to learn the nuances of only 2-3 ships mechanics first and expand from there.

For maybe 4 games I ran navigator on both ships instead of Recon Spec. This helped me learn big time. Cant emphasize this enough. If your a new player...run navigator on ships with crews for a few games.

I know most people run FCS/Kalus on Whisper but having tried it....its far to unforgiving for my current skill level. Advanced Sensors and Recon Spec seem to work alot better for me. Just more balanced overall and your able to dodge some dodgey situations and maintain more control.

As for the firespray....well what can i say...its really really cool, but really difficult to fly and dies faster than its stat line looks at first glance. I find it harder to keep it alive than whisper at this point. Though Whispy turns into popcorn real quick to. That said im not giving up, i think i can make it more consistent. Kath seems the best option so far.

Played a cool dude on vassal running something like this on the Firespray.

Lets you push through a stress on every missed crit shot and then reroll with gunner. Really neat! And maybe somethig ill try to make work.

Somewhat rambling at this point but a few quick notes to summarize the new player experience and tips

1. Dont buy alot of ships to soon or to fast: Spend time on Squadron Benchmark against the computer first to learn the basics and try stuff. Spend time on Vassal after that if your interested and play real people in person with w/e you have from the core set plus an aces pack or two. Then buy everything that moves if thats what makes ya happy.

2. Fly two ship lists.

3. Fly with Navigator crew.

4. Set mini-objectives each game other than winning. This is what I have aimed for in order.....first dont hit a rock, then dont overlap my other ship unintentionally, then survive longer than 5 combat rounds. Then destroy 1 ship, then destroy 2 ships...next is to keep it "close" against an opponent with a turret. After that maybe my goal will be winning. But thats a ways off before thats the main priority.

5. Dont be afraid of playing against the competitive "stuff". Its good to fly casual but playing against competitive people who fly tournament quality stuff...it helps you see the best nuances and depth the game has to offer. Dont get me wrong...TLT and Biggs are frustrating but I can see how there are ways around them...attacks from R1 to take down TLT carriers...torps and missles and bombs for avoiding Biggs, etc.

Some ( Unearned ) Opinions:

1. Not sure about turrets, feels like movements dont matter much against a ship with certain kinds of them. Or maybe movement matters "more" and range against turrets is king? Odd that some ships have 360 primaries that work from range 1-3 or are equippable turrets that do the same. Its sorta confusing. I know they maybe have to exist so the game doesnt just devolve into an endless pt bid where who ever moves last wins. The Bossk 180 arc is neat and encourages flanking. The Shadowcaster "action" to move the turret side is thematic and maybe how every turret should work so arcs not just range are always relevant. The Falcon turret is neat because of the arc synergy on rey/han. Though 3 dice attacks every turn are absolutely brutal. Turrets in some form should exist but 360, with dice focus or TL mods, with secondary weapon range def ignorance...im just to new to wrap my head around how to fly against it. I need to get more losses under my belt before forming a complete opinion on this. Maybe aggressively targeting an opponents big turret low agi ships from close range is the answer. Or maybe bombs are the answer.

2. Bombs can be just as tough to play against. But even the times when i get blocked and have a bomb dropped on me they seem a little less frustrating than turrets. Maybe thats just because they are not as prevelant but im thinking its probably because they seem to take so much planning on the part of the opponent. Getting caught in a trap 2-3 rounds in the making is less frustrating than starting in one every round before you even place your dial.

3. Ion and Tractor and Stress - Opponents with these can mess up my plans real fast! There temporary issues for the most part and often dodegable. Still working out what it is im supposed to do against Assajj but ill get there. Guess the same thing your always supposed to do. Blow **** up as quick as possible

4. Just initial impressions as I encounter stuff for the very first time is all. Need to play more.

Not really sure why I posted this. Game is tons of fun and I think any of my complaints so far are maybe just more about not knowing how to counter stuff properly. A ship like the Firespray is just going to die against 360 arcs without something to help out that doesnt involve arcs or does something else weird.

Looking forward to many many many many more games. Thanks for all the tips from the people I have played so far!

Shout out to montana from the OCX podcast in particular for the tips on vassal.

28 minutes ago, Boom Owl said:

Spend time on Squadron Benchmark against the computer

But the computer doesn't quote parts of the movies. Or look sad when you blow up its ships.

Jut recognise that firesprays are a terrible ship overall. While the double arc is nice, it's got a poor dial and low efficiency. You'll have to accept that you'll lose many more games than you win, playing with it.

The turrets are something you either hate or use too often to hate. If you're having a big problem with them fly:
Soontir Fel (35)
Push The Limit, Stealth Device, Autothrusers, Royal Guard TIE
Soontir in this configuration will destroy most of the game's turret ships.

The good news is that ion is virtually nonexistent in the meta, tractor is rarely seen (the exception being Ketsu shadowcaster). Stress is a big mechanic though, so until you learn to deal with it adding an Inspiring Recruit to your list might be a good idea.

I can recommend you purchase a protectorate Starfighter, Imperial Veterans and a K-wing to expend your collection. They're cheap packs with strong cards for all three factions, TLT, Crack Shot and Fenn Rau being the most notable.

8 hours ago, Sasajak said:

But the computer doesn't quote parts of the movies. Or look sad when you blow up its ships.

It is however subject to unexpected glitches when losing, and occassionally flies it's own ships off the board in a fit of pique.

I'd actually advise new players NOT to use Navigator. Learning to predict your opponent's movements and match you own to them is the most important part of the game, and navigator is a huge crutch that stops you being able to build that skill so quickly.

It also means you're not using something better, and your opponent is, and your lists will feel accordingly less powerful by comparison.

I have never found a Firespray build to work better for me than this one:

Boba Fett
Push The Limit (3)
Ysanne Isard (4)
Engine Upgrade (4)
Total: 50

Being able to PTL into a boost off of Isard's evade action is fantastic. Usually throw in some bombs too. Bomlet Generater will be stapled to this as soon as it comes out!

The balancing trade-off for turrets is point cost.

For instance:

2 X Blue Squadron B-Wings = 2 3-die, arc-bound guns with 16 hp = 44 pts

1 Resistance Sympathizer = 1 3-die, 360° gun with 13 hp = 38 pts

Obviously, unique pilot abilities, upgrade options, and player skill will affect the effectiveness of either ship, but 2 Blue Squadron Pilots are actually played while I've never seen the Sympathizer run by anyone.

@Stevey86

That build is neat! Thanks for sharing. Would not have considered PTL

NEW GUY IS DOING IT RIGHT!!!

try everything,lose a bunch, and have fun learning as you go!

It's worked for me for two years!

Carry on soldier.

13 minutes ago, Boom Owl said:

@Stevey86

That build is neat! Thanks for sharing. Would not have considered PTL

Yeah the lack of greens on the dial is usually not a good match for PTL, but with Isard it works.

1 hour ago, Stevey86 said:

I have never found a Firespray build to work better for me than this one:

Boba Fett
Push The Limit (3)
Ysanne Isard (4)
Engine Upgrade (4)
Total: 50

Being able to PTL into a boost off of Isard's evade action is fantastic. Usually throw in some bombs too. Bomlet Generater will be stapled to this as soon as it comes out!

Nice and classic! What do you like as squad mates?

Just now, clanofwolves said:

Nice and classic! What do you like as squad mates?

Usually Whisper. Keeps the attention off Boba.

2 minutes ago, Stevey86 said:

Usually Whisper. Keeps the attention off Boba.

I've run Boba kinda like that with two Interceptors; they really keep your enemy in a bind as they fly so differently from the Firespray and hit pretty well ?

12 hours ago, Boom Owl said:

Recently to learn more and get more games in I started using Squadron Benchmark against the computer....helped a ton to learn "complicated" things i didnt even know existed. And to try stuff before buying it.

Your post is ace in general but I had no idea Squadron Benchmark existed. It's exactly what I wanted for those oh-so-lonely nights!

Thank you so much!

QS =D