I have recently started to play X-wing and have gotten the TFA Core Set. I have played 2 games at my local store as they were extremely nice and let me borrow ships. I played 3 Defenders one day and some wacky "five ways to tractor beam people" list the other. I really liked playing Ryad with a PTL, Tie Ion Mk II, and T/x7 and I like the look of Vader in the Tie Advanced. I don't like the feel of Rebel or Scum that much but if anyone has any cool lists for them I am willing to change my mind. Thanks for the help!

This is the first list i played after playing just the core set stuff and i was instantly hooked on Empire for a long time.

Darth Vader (29)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Advanced Targeting Computer (1)
Engine Upgrade (4)
TIE/x1 (0)

"Howlrunner" (18)
Crack Shot (1)

Black Squadron Pilot (14)
Crack Shot (1)

Black Squadron Pilot (14)
Crack Shot (1)

Black Squadron Pilot (14)
Crack Shot (1)

Total: 99

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

On 27/08/2017 at 2:04 AM, llamalord9 said:

I really liked playing Ryad with a PTL, Tie Ion Mk II, and T/x7

Who doesn't she's amazing the Imperial Veterans pack is a good starter for you in this case.

The TIE/SF does pretty well these days and Vader is always good. I'm really liking the TIE Striker also. If you get competitive you'll need to have the cards (important to note that the TIE/x1 card for Vader can only be found in the Raider or you can buy individual cards on eBay) but when you're starting out or flying casual there's nothing wrong with proxying them.

Let us know how you get on. Sounds like a nice friendly store there.

the list that won me second place at last years local convention was very simple,

X4 tie Advanced Storm Squadron pilots

Tie x1 upgrade, thread tracer missiles, Advanced Targeting Comps, and Guidance chips.

the only problem is getting some of the cards the title card and sensor is in the imp raider box. but they make the advanced loads of fun

Welcome to the game! Here are three of my most fun/solid Imperial lists:

- Countess Ryad (Push the Limit, TIE/x7, Twin Ion Engine Mk. II)

- The Inquisitor (Push the Limit, TIE/v1, Proton Rockets, Autothrusters)

- Omega Leader (Juke, Comm Relay, Stealth Device)

99 points

- Rexler Brath (Expertise, TIE/x7, Twin Ion Engine Mk. II)

- Rear Admiral Chiraneau (Determination/Veteran Instincst, Kylo Ren, Gunner, Engine Upgrade)

99 points

- Quickdraw (Adaptability, Fire-Control System, Special Ops Training, Lightweight Frame)

- Backdraft (Veteran Instincts, Fire-Control System, Special Ops Training, Lightweight Frame)

- Colonel Vessery (Veteran Instincts, TIE/x7, Twin Ion Engine MK. II)

100 points

I like the idea of Vader. Is there anyway that Ryad + Vader would work?

55 minutes ago, llamalord9 said:

I like the idea of Vader. Is there anyway that Ryad + Vader would work?

Darth Vader + TIE/x1 + Adaptability + Engine Upgrade + Advanced Targeting Computer (34)
Countess Ryad + Push the Limit + TIE/x7 + Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (36)
Epsilon Squadron Pilot (15)
Epsilon Squadron Pilot (15)
100 points

You'll need to borrow or buy adaptability as it only comes in the Mist Hunter (according to my builder), the TIE/X1 and ATC on vader are from the Raider, the TIE MK2 is from the Punisher, and the other upgrades you can get from events or buy singly with cool alt art (PTL, Engine Upgrade) Could be a pretty fun list to fly, especially since you should be using the Epsilons to force blocks so vader and Ryad can hit pretty hard.

I like that idea a lot. I will look into it. Thanks so much!

I'm using this list

"Whisper" — TIE Phantom32

Veteran Instincts1

Fire-Control System2

Navigator3

Advanced Cloaking Device4

Ship Total: 42

"Zeta Leader" — TIE/fo Fighter20

Wired1

Primed Thrusters1

Ship Total: 22

Captain Yorr — Lambda-Class Shuttle24

"Mangler" Cannon4

Kylo Ren3

Mara Jade3

Ship Total: 34

Assuming you are happy to play without correct cards (getting them all can be an expensive undertaking), you could try:

Vader: Vereren Instincts, Title, Advanced Targeting Computer, Engine Upgrade, Cruise Missile

Countess Ryad: Swarm Leader, x7, Stealth Device

Academy Tie

Acadamy Tie

This list has most basic elements in (arc dodger, ordinance, blocking, working as a squad) and should be fun, but also isn't "soft".

Plus it has enough firepower to potentially take out "Nym" or Miranda in a single salvo - always a plus to keep those rebels honest.".

Note the aggressive version if wanted swaps Ryad and Stealth for Vessary.

On 2017-08-26 at 9:04 PM, llamalord9 said:

I have recently started to play X-wing and have gotten the TFA Core Set. I have played 2 games at my local store as they were extremely nice and let me borrow ships. I played 3 Defenders one day and some wacky "five ways to tractor beam people" list the other. I really liked playing Ryad with a PTL, Tie Ion Mk II, and T/x7 and I like the look of Vader in the Tie Advanced. I don't like the feel of Rebel or Scum that much but if anyone has any cool lists for them I am willing to change my mind. Thanks for the help!

For someone who wants to start the game as an Imperial, i give one warning: they are usually harder to play and have some trouble competing with the powerful material available to Scums and Rebels. That being said they can still be fun to fly and when you decide to try a 2nd faction, you will feel like playing in EZ mode :-)

IMO best (and cheapest) way for that player to get competitive and have fun rapidly is to buy a core set and 4 Tie Aggressor pack. Then you make a 4x Tie Aggressor + TLT + Lightweight frame squad. Some people wont agree with me but IMO it's the most beginner friendly build:

- With a turret you wont have to care about keeping ships in you arc. It forgive some beginner mistakes you might make and let you focus on learning the basic mechanics.

- You will learn how to fly in formation and when it's time to break it.

- You will learn how to use obstacles to maintain a distance between you and your opponent. You really dont want him to get at range 1 of your ships.

When you are comfortable with that squad you can move to more difficult ships to fly. I would go with this order: Defenders, Tie/SF, Tie/FO (for Omega Leader), Decimator, Tie advanced prototype, Tie Bomber,Tie Phantom and Tie advanced.

You can always try more fragile ships like the Tie Striker or Tie Interceptor but currently they dont perform that well even when you are really good at flying them. Thats when i would suggest to start getting material from another faction instead...

No matter what you do, dont buy a Tie Punisher :-)