Firstly I need to make it clear I only have a very limited number of imperial ships at the moment, so am restricted in what I can take.

The ships own are as follows: ISD, 2 x VSD, 2 x GSD, Raider, Gozanti, lots of tie fighters.

Up until now I’ve always taken the ISD in the very few games I’ve played.

Thought I’d go for something a little different this time.

Raider 1, Ordnance Experts

GSD 1, Intel Officer, Ordnance Experts, Engine Techs, Assault Concussion Missiles, Demolisher

GSD 1, Intel Officer, Ordnance Experts, Engine Techs, Assault Concussion Missiles

Gozanti cruisers, Comms Net

VSD 2, Admiral Screed, Gunnery Team, Leading Shots, XI7 Turbolasers

3 Tie fighters

399 points.

Initial plan at this stage is to fly the VSD slightly ahead of the GSDs at the start in an echelon. The GSDs can then catch up once the shooting starts. The Gozantis just add an activation and will let me pass on tokens, while I plan to use the Raider and fighters to try to cover one flank.

Having seen how important activation can be from my handful of other games, and watching YouTube, and picking up on the last/first thing, I hope this will give me a chance with activations.

I’m happy with all the ships, except maybe the VSD, and also wonder whether the 14 points on 2 Intel Agents is worthwhile.

I could save points swapping them out, and maybe switch to Assault Proton Missiles to save another few points, but other than a tie fighter, not sure what I could put in for the Intel Agents.

Would welcome constructive criticism on the list and possible alternative builds if I’ve made a schoolboy error.

However, please don’t suggest another Raider or an Arquitens as I don’t have them.

Thanks in advance.

If you have screed might as well get ACM or APTs for the raider. VSD could also use a crit weapon such as OL Pulse or Heavy Ion Emplacements but I don't think you have the kits for the latter upgrade. Disposable capacitors is a must for VSD2s. Screed may not be the best for you here as OE should get you the black crits. Moff Jerjerrod looks tempting.

If you could find one more point after dropping the Intel Officers, Howlrunner with three ties is a pretty solid squad screen.

Thanks @Mad Cat and @ta5erface.

I did get Howlrunner with three ties, having dropped the Intel Officers.

Played a game on Monday with that change (but no ACM/APT or anything else on the VSD). I was up against a very experienced player, and lo and behold, got my backside handed to me, but in a nice way!

My oppo was very good in explaining what he was doing and we had a good chat afterwards, and I want to play him again for the huge learning experience this game was.

I chose completely the wrong objective and got hammered because of it (in my defence it was my first ever game using objectives). However I did have the morale victory of getting first blood - I destroyed a named fighter squadron (can't remember which one - A wings possibly?). But my highlight was unloading from the side arc of the last GSD into the MC75, using External Racks. Only rolled one miss, which I could reroll and then getting a hit. This took out the MC75.

In return for losing all fighters(Howlrunner and three ties), the VSD, the Demolisher GSD and the Raider, I got the named fighters above, Shara Bey (my God she's a tough nut to crack!) and an MC75. I manage to limp off my remaining GSD and the Gozantis. My oppo had two Transports, two YT2400 and an MC80 (I think) left.

Lots of tactical errors on my part, but as this was only my 5th or 6th game, still got lots to learn and refine (at the moment more learning than refining LOL)