So, I think I’ve finally got a regular group going and have been thinking about expansions. Do they have to be played in order of release? If not, is it preferable due to say, mechanics complexity or story? Or is it really okay to just jump in wherever? I ask because Heart of the Empire looks like a blast and the Hero/Villain packs are of some of my favorite characters.

2 hours ago, Rogue Thirteen said:

Do they have to be played in order of release? If not, is it preferable due to say, mechanics complexity or story?

Not necessarily

Twin Shadow is on Tatooine, introduces Weaken condition

Hoth is on...well, Hoth, introduces Boon/Bane mission (Rebels get penalized forever until it's done, but if they win they'll be rewarded in future story missions) and some map explorations (only lay down tiles XYZ in the beginning)

Bespin is on Cloud city, introduces Hidden condition

Jabba is back to Tatooine again, more map exploration/swapping out

HotE is on Coruscant, introduces power tokens

Most of Ally/Villain packs requires their corresponding boxed expansions though

Yeah, I knew about the Hero/Villain packs. I assume that instructions for later expansions would also explain previously new concepts like Weaken?

1 hour ago, Rogue Thirteen said:

Yeah, I knew about the Hero/Villain packs. I assume that instructions for later expansions would also explain previously new concepts like Weaken?

If you get Heart of the Empire you'll get everything you need to play it. So feel free to jump straight in and get the other expansions later.

Thanks for the info, guys. The girlfriend has declared she wants to play Return to Hoth next, so I guess Heart of the Empire will be after that. ?

11 hours ago, Rogue Thirteen said:

Yeah, I knew about the Hero/Villain packs. I assume that instructions for later expansions would also explain previously new concepts like Weaken?

You should get cards for conditions in each expansion, too- and the conditions will be explained on the cards.

Same goes for the Hidden condition.

So I just got the base game for Christmas, are you saying I should hold of on the newer Ally packs until I have those expansions and just focus on the original Ally/Villian packs?

1 hour ago, Loosie said:

So I just got the base game for Christmas, are you saying I should hold of on the newer Ally packs until I have those expansions and just focus on the original Ally/Villian packs?

Probably. Ally packs often are associated with a certain boxed set. I think Boardwars does a pretty good job of explaining which packs need expansion box sets, but basically if you only have the core set you can get:

All wave 1 stuff:

Han

Chewie

Rebel Troopers

Rebel Saboteurs

IG-88

Royal Guard Champ

Weiss

Any packs not associated with another wave (only need core tiles):

Wookie Warriors

Hired Guns

Stormtroopers

Alliance Smuggler

Bantha Rider (need Twin Shadows to play either his skirmish or agenda mission, though, I forget which)

Obi Wan Kenobi

Greedo

Grand Inquisitor

Hera and Chopper

Jawas

0-0-0 and BT-1

Any packs of Imperial generic units that are associated with a box wave (you still won't be able to use their agenda mission or skirmish map, but can use as open groups) :

ISB Infiltraitors

Dewback Rider (Not Terro, though)

And if you're into Skirmish, as long as you have the map tiles you need I guess you could technically get about anything, just know that some packs will have maps you'll be unable to make without getting expansions.

7 hours ago, Rogue Thirteen said:

Thanks for the info, guys. The girlfriend has declared she wants to play Return to Hoth next, so I guess Heart of the Empire will be after that. ?

You are quite lucky! My experience playing IA with my wife summarizes to the intro mission (not the Aftermath mission of the core box, but the one in the learn to play guide!)

5 hours ago, Loosie said:

So I just got the base game for Christmas, are you saying I should hold of on the newer Ally packs until I have those expansions and just focus on the original Ally/Villian packs?

Subtrendy2 hit the mark on advice. However, I did get a few extra packs other than wave 1. I really wanted Obi-wan and greedo (those are two figures you can use in Campaign even if you only have the core set), and there are no issues. If there is a figure you like or really want - go for it, just remember to use the list subtrendy2 posted make sure that figure can be mixed into the campaign without needing expansion tiles. I found that even 2 or 3 extras really went a long way to adding a little spice and option/flavor to the Campaign.

I will say it becomes addictive. It’s so easy to keep grabbing figures, before you know it - you’ll need a new storage solution! That totally happened to me, but it’s fine because we also play disorganized Skirmish (my two kids and I ) so it’s pretty nice to be able to play around and build different armies.

Welcome to the club!

1 hour ago, IanSolo_FFG said:

You are quite lucky! My experience playing IA with my wife summarizes to the intro mission (not the Aftermath mission of the core box, but the one in the learn to play guide!)

Aw, that's too bad.

My wife has been a part of every campaign game that we've played.

We did Core with her as the only Rebel player with two heroes, a Core with her and one of my friends as the rebels (one hero each), and Core with my siblings (3 players, four heroes).

Then, we did Return to Hoth (two players, four Rebels) and now she's part of a full Rebel squad on Jabba's Realm (four players, four Rebels)

I have also been very fortunate that my wife has played in two core campaigns and a return to Hoth campaign. She was incredibly skeptical at first, and was a bit overwhelmed by the rules, but she really got into it soon. It’s been a fun family activity for us - except that they have beaten me each Campaign!

The Empire is not deterred by these “setbacks” - Jabba’s Realm is up next!

5 hours ago, IanSolo_FFG said:

You are quite lucky! My experience playing IA with my wife summarizes to the intro mission (not the Aftermath mission of the core box, but the one in the learn to play guide!)

My wife and 8-year old son (nearly 9) played with two other friends when we broke the game in, we played a couple of missions. I didn't do the setup of the campaign correctly. She enjoyed, but she's also not one to play long games so I have a feeling it will be played sparingly as a family (especially since my other son is only 4, so his 'playing' is limited to rolling the dice)

I do love the app though as it allows my son and I to play together, and he's getting pretty decent with strategy.

7 hours ago, IanSolo_FFG said:

You are quite lucky! My experience playing IA with my wife summarizes to the intro mission (not the Aftermath mission of the core box, but the one in the learn to play guide!)

I am lucky! She’s rad as ****! She also plays Age of Rebellion with us (a Twi’lek smuggler)! Couldn’t get her into X-Wing, though (though she’ll still buy me ships for birthdays/Christmas.)

5 minutes ago, Rogue Thirteen said:

(though she’ll still buy me ships for birthdays/Christmas.)

Oh for that I'm quite lucky. Last year she bought me for roughly 150$ of IA stuff for christmas! She's 100% forgiven for not playing the game with me. ?

12 hours ago, Rogue Thirteen said:

I am lucky! She’s rad as ****! She also plays Age of Rebellion with us (a Twi’lek smuggler)! Couldn’t get her into X-Wing, though (though she’ll still buy me ships for birthdays/Christmas.)

Same, we didn't even finish the first game of X-Wing we tried. And she doesn't love skirmish, either.

Even though she's more into Eurogames, she loves Imperial Assault for its storytelling.

Got Han Solo and Royal Guard Champion from my wife for my birthday!

On 1/9/2018 at 10:36 AM, subtrendy2 said:

Same, we didn't even finish the first game of X-Wing we tried. And she doesn't love skirmish, either.

Even though she's more into Eurogames, she loves Imperial Assault for its storytelling.

I can talk her into playing X-Wing on occasion but usually we just play IA instead since we both enjoy it.

Last Christmas she got me the Ghost and U-Wing. This Christmas I didn’t get any ships but she got me the Sphero R2-D2, I’m still calling it a win. ?

On 1/20/2018 at 9:53 AM, Loosie said:

Got Han Solo and Royal Guard Champion from my wife for my birthday!

And now the Grand Inquisitor from her parents.