Hi guys, pretty new to the X-wing minis game. I've only just started my collection and I'm trying to put together lists for casual play with my limited resources. I'm not expecting to be super competitive, since I only have 7 minis total at the moment, but I wanted to see if anyone had any tips for putting together combos I hadn't thought of.

The sets I have access to right now are:

-Core set

-Millennium Falcon

-K-wing

-Imperial Aces

REBEL 100:

YT-1300 [28] : Outer Rim Scout + Millennium Falcon

X-Wing [37] : Luke Skywalker + R2-D2 + Proton Torpedoes

K-Wing [35] : Miranda Doni + TLT

...The idea here is to fly Miranda around poking with the TLT, then using Luke to take out the biggest threat followed by cleanup duty. However, I'm less than thrilled with this list because the Outer Rim Scout seems like a pretty crappy way to fly the Falcon. Maybe I could switch the ptorps out for Concussion Missiles to give the Falcon a little punch, or go with a rookie in the X-wing to let me fly Chewie + Draw Their Fire or something. Or just drop the X-wing and fly with two loaded up ships, but... meh. Meh! Definitely open to suggestions here.

IMPERIAL 100:

TIE Interceptor [31] : Carnor Jax + Shield Upgrade + Veteran Instincts

TIE Interceptor [29] : Kir Kanos + Shield Upgrade + Determination

TIE/ln [24] : "Mauler Mithel" + Engine Upgrade + PTL

TIE/ln [16] : "Dark Curse"

...I'm happier with this list, even knowing that Shield Upgrades are generally not worth, but with only two fighters and two interceptors to work with I have a lot of squad points to spend and I think that adding a bit of beef helps this group a lot. Jax is there to do Jax things, and Mauler's TIE is souped up to make him a bit stickier. I could free up some points by dropping the engine upgrade and swapping the PTL with Jax's VI but I'm not sure what else I'd want to use the points for. Again any tips would be appreciated! I'm sure there are a ton of interactions I'm not yet familiar with.

***

Also open to suggestions on which packs are best to pursue for a beginner. I've got my eye on Rebel Aces, Imp Vets, and the Inquisitor's TIE as well as the FA core set, but I don't know how soon I'll be able to add all of that into my collection. Rebel Aces in particular seems pretty hard to find. I'd like to have a decent list of Imps and Rebels before I delve into the Scum faction. Suggestions on what to make a priority would be very much appreciated!

Kir Kanos actually doesn't have an EPT slot, which makes me sad.

So TIE Interceptors, because they're so fragile, pretty much have to be able to use both their repositioning actions (boost and barrel roll) to stay alive, or, barring that, both their defensive actions (focus and evade). This means that Push the Limit is essentially stapled to them. Autothrusters, for Range 3 and anti-turret defence, is also stapled to them, but you don't have that and Push the Limit is much more important, so don't worry about it. Taking this into account, I'd run your second list like this:

Tetran Cowall (24)
Push the Limit (3)
Hull Upgrade (3)
Targeting Computer (2)
Royal Guard TIE (0)

Carnor Jax (26)
Push the Limit (3)
Hull Upgrade (3)
Targeting Computer (2)
Royal Guard TIE (0)

"Dark Curse" (16)

"Mauler Mithel" (17)
Veteran Instincts (1)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Or you could drop Dark Curse down to an Academy Pilot and make the Targeting Computers Shield Upgrades.

Soontir Fel is the best TIE Interceptor pilot (followed by Carnor Jax); he's in the standalone TIE Interceptor expansion. The Inquisitor is also great and has the exact same playstyle. Be warned that while TIE Interceptors are great fun (my favourites), they're hard to learn and rather unfavoured in the tournament meta right now -- if your casual play takes place at a store and the other players run certain high-performing ships (anything with a bomb and anything with higher Pilot Skill than you), you may be in trouble. The TIE Defender in Imperial Veterans is much more forgiving.

Oh, since I mentioned upgrade card availability -- many players in non-tournament settings will 'proxy' upgrade cards, i.e., pretend to have them. In the absence of a big collection, this could improve your casual lists immensely. You can use a list-building app like the one in the link above for the card text. Just talk to your opponents; they will probably be fine with it!

So where you're starting I recommend that you use a builder such as x-wing.fabpsb.net, xwing-builder.co.uk/build#, or something of the like. You can print off the list, which will let you "proxy" cards that you don't have. That should help you in guiding you as to what are the next ships that you need. The cards you're using should be the next sets that you buy, as they usually capitalize on the skills and cards you're using.

@TheHumanHydra beat me to it

Proxy cards like others have said. Casual play at local game stores is mostly proxy. Some people just like having the cards though and dont proxy, so if this is you, then:

Rebels:

Ghost - probably has some of the best upgrade cards in the game (especially for Miranda), and with TLT, which you have, it can be a force with the docked phantom giving it a double shot. Miranda/Ghost is not a bad combo either. Ghost is a fun ship to fly as well and can be built in a billion different ways. Easily worth the purchase.

YT-2400 - Dash is fun and powerful and with just Kwing + YT2400 you can make a decently competitive list if that is what you are looking for. But these two ships take practice or can burn down fast.

Heroes of Resistance - you already have a falcon, but the upgrades and pilots in this expansion are some of the best the rebels have with Rey/PS9 Poe/Snap/Nien Nunb.

Sheathipede - great little ship with Flight Assist Astromech that makes Xwings fun again. Luke with Veterans Instinct + Flight Assist is a decent PS10 ace for a mere 30pts.

Imperials:

Tie F/O - a complete package for the best pocket ace in the game, Omega Leader + Juke + Comm Relay. The 1v1 champion

Imperial Veterans - Everything is this package is awesome and should be top of any imperial players buy list.

Tie S/F - Probably the top imperial ship in the game at the moment, and is fun to fly. Get your hands on a Fire Control Systems upgrade card (Bwing,Tie Phantom, ebay, trade thread on this forum) if you are not proxying. It is used a lot in Xwing and stapled to the S/Fs pretty much.

Tie Striker - FUN FUN FUN! Just put these on the table and smile.

Extremely helpful! Thanks much!

7 hours ago, TheHumanHydra said:

Kir Kanos actually doesn't have an EPT slot, which makes me sad.

So TIE Interceptors, because they're so fragile, pretty much have to be able to use both their repositioning actions (boost and barrel roll) to stay alive, or, barring that, both their defensive actions (focus and evade). This means that Push the Limit is essentially stapled to them. Autothrusters, for Range 3 and anti-turret defence, is also stapled to them, but you don't have that and Push the Limit is much more important, so don't worry about it. Taking this into account, I'd run your second list like this:

Tetran Cowall (24)
Push the Limit (3)
Hull Upgrade (3)
Targeting Computer (2)
Royal Guard TIE (0)

Carnor Jax (26)
Push the Limit (3)
Hull Upgrade (3)
Targeting Computer (2)
Royal Guard TIE (0)

"Dark Curse" (16)

"Mauler Mithel" (17)
Veteran Instincts (1)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Or you could drop Dark Curse down to an Academy Pilot and make the Targeting Computers Shield Upgrades.

Soontir Fel is the best TIE Interceptor pilot (followed by Carnor Jax); he's in the standalone TIE Interceptor expansion. The Inquisitor is also great and has the exact same playstyle. Be warned that while TIE Interceptors are great fun (my favourites), they're hard to learn and rather unfavoured in the tournament meta right now -- if your casual play takes place at a store and the other players run certain high-performing ships (anything with a bomb and anything with higher Pilot Skill than you), you may be in trouble. The TIE Defender in Imperial Veterans is much more forgiving.

Oh, since I mentioned upgrade card availability -- many players in non-tournament settings will 'proxy' upgrade cards, i.e., pretend to have them. In the absence of a big collection, this could improve your casual lists immensely. You can use a list-building app like the one in the link above for the card text. Just talk to your opponents; they will probably be fine with it!

I would do this except drop Dark curse to a Black Squadron Pilot, proxy snap shot, and then proxy Crack shot for the black squadron pilot

Welcome to the game, friend!

I agree that you should freely proxy cards as you have need! It's a much more engaging play experience. As for building a list with what you have, I'm a rebel player, so I'll forward this:

Chewbacca

Predator

Rey

R2-D2

Millenium Falcon (Evade Version)

Smuggling Compartment

Scavenger Crane

Countermeasures

Miranda Doni

TLT

C-3PO

Bomblet Generator

This list is predicated upon survival. Miranda and Chewie both have Regen and a guaranteed evade result every turn. Bomblet Generator protects the rear and offers some more damage from Mirandas useful but not overly powerful TLT shots. Between Rey and Predator, Chewie can modify his shots, leaving him the likely first target. However, between his ability to ignore crits and careful use of countermeasures (maybe even multiple times, what with the crane), killing him becomes very hard.

I would agree that HotR is probably your best next purchase on the rebel side. The Ghost is also a really good one.