Hi everyone,

I own everything for Imperial Assault and have painted nearly all of the figures. My friends and I have played through the base Campaign and we're about to start a mash-up of Twin Shadows and The Bespin Gambit, which we're looking forward to. However, my best friend and I love the game and want to start playing Skirmish mode when the rest of the guys can't make it for game night. Here's the catch...

Because I own all of the expansions, I have all of the cards. In reading through the Skirmish Guide, it says that for our first game the Imperial player should use "Force Lighting, Lure of the Dark Side, and 1 copy of each 0 cost card." For the Rebel player we should use "Deflection, Son of Skywalker, and 1 copy of each 0 cost card." But I don't know which 0-cost cards to use because now I have lots...

Can anyone help a poor guy out?! Thanks!!

I've done some searching through my decks and based on the fact that I have repeats of certain cards here's my guess for which cards they want me to use for the starting game:

Sit Tight, Expose Weakness, Recovery, Take Initiative, Rally, To the Limit, Fleet Footed, Take Cover, Deadeye, Celebration, Urgency, Element of Surprise, and Planning.

Did I find the right ones for our first game? Thanks!

Use whatever you want. I just started playing. 40 pts of Mercs or Rebels or Imperials.

15pts and 15 cards for command cards. Build a map and play a mission. You'll catch on quick.

And you'll have a blast.

2 hours ago, buckero0 said:

Use whatever you want. I just started playing. 40 pts of Mercs or Rebels or Imperials.

15pts and 15 cards for command cards. Build a map and play a mission. You'll catch on quick.

And you'll have a blast.

Good point! Because we know the game pretty well, we could probably start with just about anything to try the system out.

As a point of interest, are there certain Rebel units that you like to have multiple copies of for your builds? I have one of everything but can see how it might be fun to have multiple copies of certain units for skirmish mode.

Rebels are the faction that don't really need multiples. A good Rebels list consist of Gideon, 3PO, R2 or Chopper, maybe Hera, 1-3 Smugglers, maybe Han, maybe Jedi Luke, 1-2 Rangers, maybe Rebel High Command, maybe On a diplomatic Mission (for Gideon). You will be able to make a strong list without multiples.

But Mercs absolutely need 2 sets of Elite Weequays. The Empire needs multiple sets of certain Troopers.

I don't think there is any reason to invest in multiple of the big boxes before you know, if you're heavily invested in skirmish. I play a good deal, and go to tournaments occasionally. I can't see myself getting a second copy of Jabba's Realm anytime soon. Perhaps if I went all in and wanted to play at the highest level. I could see myself getting another smuggler, for when I play with rebels - but that's absolutely also a different investment compared to a second copy of Jabba's Realm (for just a single deployment card).

https://tabletopadmiral.com/imperialassault/latestlists/1

Here is a skirmish list builder, specifically linked to list people have recently built/saved. Should give you some good insight into the cards that are used the most often.

Also, there is a lot of good reading for skirmish in the pinned thread of this skirmish sub-forum!

Side note, play in your local tournaments. They are great fun and you get cool swag. Hopefully one day we'll see you at worlds!

If you're supplying copies for 2 people and get serious about playing in tournies, then you'll definately get 2 copies of Jabba's Realm. People like to play Onar, Jet troopers x2, weequays x2, etc. and the command cards are fairly useful. If you stay with one faction doubling up is not required but there may be some command cards you may want duplicates of at some point. I think there are enough options and variety that it's probably the only duplicates I'd recommend at the start.

Thanks for the advice! I don't know that I'm going to get into any tournaments (aside from maybe checking out the local Game Store) so for now I think I'm good with the stuff I own.

Anyone care to share your favorite list? I'm sure I can find lists somewhere else on this forums but if you don't mind bragging a bit I would love to see some competitive lists!

I honestly tell new players to decide which figures (and/or faction) you like best. Since it's not a competitive tournament, it doesn't really matter since you're just learning skirmish. Then I say try to make your squad around 1 or maybe 2 different trait types. Like all "Hunters" or "Force Users", etc. Then start looking at the cards that match those trait types. I think start picking command cards from the highest cost and then down, being aware of the 15pts for 15 cards rule. When you get down to the filler cards or zeroes, you'll want the same ones almost every time. Like I MUST have "Element of Surprise" and "Mitigate" and if I have "Leaders" I like "Officer's Training". You can always adjust up as well, meaning drop a higher point card to fit in the lower point cards.