Say I have all 2.0 components to have a squad of 4 Imperial Tie Fighters. But I only have 2 physical Imperial Tie fighters and 2 physical First Order Tie fighters. Can I use those Tie/fo'sship minis as Imperial Tie Fighters?

Technically no. They're different miniatures with different ship names, they're not interchangeable (as opposed to Y Wings and z95s for instance, which are, or rebel; and imperial ties, ditto).

In most cases, I doubt anyone including TOs would care, because there's no longer a way for both sorts of TIE to appearin the same list anyone, so confusion should not be an issue.

Note that you *do* always need to be using the correct dials* and baseplates for the ships in your squad list regardless.

*if the ship name is identical, the dial is correct, even if it's not from the faction you're running.

Well, as always ask your TOs... a case can be made that some player would still get lost... and I'm one of them. If I see someone with only TIE/Fo, I would assume he is First Order, and even if the player tell me "I'm Empire", my brain could continue to work on a false assomption because I'm a visual kind of person.

Sure Y-Wing Rebel and Scum don't have the same look and I sometime get confused, but at least they are the same stats wise, so my confusion is way less of a problem there... Not the same thing when you assume the ships have more life or all 2 green and you play around that for no use...

The other reason to check with a TO ahead of time is that they also might say "Oh, I have some spare TIE Fighters I can loan you."

The only issue you might run into (other than someone who is a stickler for the rules) is having 2 of one, and 2 of the other. If you have all 4 the same, more people might be accommodating. But, like everyone stated, check with the TO or ask if anyone has 2 you can barrow. I am sure peeps have plenty to spare.

The spot where that might get sticky is if you were playing an imperial list with 2 Imperial and 2 FO and then your opponent was flying FOs it could get confusing. So I'd try to avoid it if you can but other than that what everyone said I pretty much agree with.

If you're concerned about people getting confused, you could always dash a bit of paint on all of them, and make yourself a little squadron. The sculpt difference is pretty tiny between the /LN and the /FO, so I doubt anybody could care if they look the same.

55 minutes ago, sharrrp said:

The spot where that might get sticky is if you were playing an imperial list with 2 Imperial and 2 FO and then your opponent was flying FOs it could get confusing. So I'd try to avoid it if you can but other than that what everyone said I pretty much agree with.

This isn't possible in 2e and I doubt many 1e tourneys are running any more...

29 minutes ago, thespaceinvader said:

This isn't possible in 2e and I doubt many 1e tourneys are running any more...

Today yes, but first order is going to be a faction again very soon.

What I was talking about was if he's running a pure Imperial squad but using a couple FO models out of necessity and then his opponent is running straight FO

6 hours ago, theBitterFig said:

The other reason to check with a TO ahead of time is that they also might say "Oh, I have some spare TIE Fighters I can loan you."

This,

Ask the TO, if its a small event i would say "ya that's fine" if its a bigger event i would say "how many tie fighters do you need? i will bring them for you so there is no issues"

Spray paint em all a nice grey. Grab a black sharpie and have fun That will make them all match.

Rule of thumb is always ask your Tournament runner. The best reasoning behind this is because the decision always comes to them. You can ask online but never take the answers you get there to heart because they are not the ones physically at the tournament with the power to turn you away (even if the person online is also a tourny runner). As pointed out, they may or may not care or they may care but want consent and let you do it anyway after checking what you have or they may have spares (many shop owners will have spares to let you use as tokens of goodwill since your purchases help them stay in business).

I come from 40k and have seen HUGE variety of such situations ranging from seeing models from totally different companies (many looked just as good or better) to places that would pull your models off the table if they knew you didnt use GW paints to paint them.

If they say it is cool, make sure your opponants know and remind them in case the visuals mislead them so that they dont make tactical mistakes due to this. Because if you see them doing it and dont point it out, your guilty of misleading them and it would be a jerk move or could cost your sportsmanship points. Itsone thing if they screw up on their own but if they make a mistake because of you substituting ships...Just something to keep in mind if the tourney runner lets you.