I now have at least one of expansion but the Interdictor (and I'm sure I'll have that too before long), but I thought this could be a fun challenge for veterans, and also give a nice road map for beginners. The idea is pretty simple: make the best fleet you can, with access to only the Core set, and 4 expansions or less. I don't think it will be easy, but I think it could be helpful for people deciding their purchase strategies, and to see that you don't need every expansion there is to do well.

I know it was very daunting starting out when people would tell me to use X card, when I did not have, and did not plan to get expansion with X card anytime soon. (pretty quickly I stopped caring about having the actual card in casual games, and all of my opponents were perfectly fine with it, and you should be too!)

I'm working on my idea for my challenge in my head, but so far it involves 2 CR90s, an MC80, Rebels squads 1, and a flotilla.

Is that four types of expansions, or four expansions total?

Core Set Victory + TIE's

Quasar

Gozanti

Interdictor

Imperial Squadrons 1

8 TIE's, VIC II with D-Caps, Sloane as Commander, Turtle up around Interdictor with Targeting Scrambler.

@Snipafist and his Imps

http://cannotgetyourshipout.blogspot.com/2017/03/building-imperial-fleet-on-cheap-250.html?m=1

Me and my Rebels

http://cannotgetyourshipout.blogspot.com/2017/03/building-fleet-for-cheap-2-rebel.html?m=1

15 minutes ago, Maturin said:

Is that four types of expansions, or four expansions total?

Four expansions total! (Or at least as close as you can)

16 minutes ago, geek19 said:

@Snipafist and his Imps

http://cannotgetyourshipout.blogspot.com/2017/03/building-imperial-fleet-on-cheap-250.html?m=1

Me and my Rebels

http://cannotgetyourshipout.blogspot.com/2017/03/building-fleet-for-cheap-2-rebel.html?m=1

Very nice! I figured I wasn't the first to think about this. Solid list, looks fun too. I like garm for newer folk since he gives so many options.

Do you have to stick to the cards available in the expansions or can they be proxied?

IF I can proxy, this is close to using the Core and 4 expansions. (a few cards may be from other sets)

(X-wings = Core. MC-80. Hammerheads. GR-75 Transports. Rebel Fighters II)

Battle Fleet Organa II
Author: Englishpete

Faction: Rebel Alliance
Points: 398/400

Commander: Leia Organa

Assault Objective: Advanced Gunnery
Defense Objective: Hyperspace Assault
Navigation Objective: Sensor Net

GR-75 Medium Transports (18 points)
- Bright Hope ( 2 points)
- Repair Crews ( 4 points)
= 24 total ship cost

[ flagship ] MC80 Assault Cruiser (114 points)
- Leia Organa ( 38 points)
- Defiance ( 5 points)
- Engineering Captain ( 6 points)
- Nav Team ( 4 points)
- Electronic Countermeasures ( 7 points)
- Reinforced Blast Doors ( 5 points)
- X17 Turbolasers ( 6 points)
- Leading Shots ( 4 points)
= 189 total ship cost

Hammerhead Torpedo Corvette (36 points)
- Ordnance Experts ( 4 points)
- External Racks ( 3 points)
= 43 total ship cost

Hammerhead Torpedo Corvette (36 points)
- Ordnance Experts ( 4 points)
- Flechette Torpedoes ( 3 points)
= 43 total ship cost

2 E-Wing Squadrons ( 30 points)
1 VCX-100 Freighter ( 15 points)
2 X-Wing Squadrons ( 26 points)
1 Hera Syndulla ( 28 points)

I got this:

Challenge Accepted. . .
Author: ForceGhostofNobodyInParticular

Faction: Rebel Alliance
Points: 398/400

Commander: General Dodonna

Assault Objective: Advanced Gunnery
Defense Objective: Contested Outpost
Navigation Objective: Superior Positions

[ flagship ] MC80 Assault Cruiser (114 points)

- General Dodonna ( 20 points)
- Walex Blissex ( 5 points)
- Engineering Team ( 5 points)
- Redundant Shields ( 8 points)
- Electronic Countermeasures ( 7 points)
= 159 total ship cost

MC30c Torpedo Frigate (63 points)
- Admonition ( 8 points)
- Ordnance Experts ( 4 points)
- Assault Proton Torpedoes ( 5 points)
= 80 total ship cost

MC30c Torpedo Frigate (63 points)
- Foresight ( 8 points)
- Ordnance Experts ( 4 points)
- Assault Proton Torpedoes ( 5 points)
= 80 total ship cost

GR-75 Medium Transports (18 points)
- Expanded Hangar Bay ( 5 points)
- Repair Crews ( 4 points)
= 27 total ship cost

4 X-Wing Squadrons ( 52 points)

Card view link

Fleet created with Armada Warlords

It uses Core, MC80, MC30, MC30, GR75. If duplicates don't count toward the 4 expansions limit, then I'd do:

Challenge Accepted V2. . .