I am looking to expand my collection, and I want some general advice. In particular, which units do you almost always play as a 1-of? Likewise, which units do you almost never play as a 1-of? In other words, are there any units that are not worth fielding unless you are going to bring 2+?

In particular, I am trying to decide if I should double-up on Specialists, E-webs, Scout Troopers, Commandos, Snowtroopers, Fleet Troopers, or Pathfinders. Usually, I would prefer variety—get one of each. But are there any units where the 1-of buying strategy is counter-productive? I am trying to use my money and limited painting time wisely.

For reference, I have two cores, most of the characters, a third AT-RT, an AT-ST, a T-47, and 1-of Snowies, Fleeties, Scouts, and Commandos.

An extra Scout Troopers and Rebel commandoes is nice because you can field two teams from each box. Past that it depends on what kind of lists you run. I have only one each of fleets and snowies but preordered three Death Troopers because that sounds fun to run.

I've found that I only need one Imperial Royal Guard (to run with Palpatine).

I think its smart to run at least 2 Snowtroopers and/or 2 E-web blaster teams.

2 commandos/scouts is also recommended.

I like to run a variety of lists. I am trying to figure out how to get the most diversity of experiences for the least investment.

So, I am thinking in terms of archetypes—how can I build the most different archetypes? If I need to double- or even triple-up a unit in order to open up a really fun archetype, I would consider it. I also don’t want to buy one E-web if it is only worthwhile to have two. Then I would buy 0 or 2.

So I generally buy everything for Rebels and if its suitably interesting, I'll buy multiples. In that regards, I have a lower buying threshold than most people that play this game. Current things I own:

All characters, 3x AT-RTs, 2x T-47s, 6x Troopers, 2x Fleet troopers, 3x Commandos, 1x Wookie, 1x Pathfinder, 2x Specialists and 2x 1.4FD

So to put down my thoughts on everything that I don't own the maximum number field-able of:

Fleet Troopers- I run double min a lot just because they're cheap bodies that still throw enough damage to be effective. They're a great cheap, but still effective solution for getting bodies, activations and damage. That being said, the reduced range does mean they aren't applicable for all situations i.e. worse at holding objectives away from enemy attention because they can't do that while contributing damage. In that respect, I don't see using more than 2, but I'm glad I have them.

Wookies- Eh, I haven't been sufficiently impressed by this unit and, honestly, I rarely use the 1 I have.

Specialists- I'm debating more, but until I really come up with an interesting idea to use more than 2x specialists, I'll probably stick with 2. Haven't found myself pining for triples of any of them yet, but I do use 2 quite frequently.

1.4 FD- It's really tempting to go up to 3, but that just feels like too much of a good thing. I've used them as pairs frequently and they're typically worth it, but I'm not convinced a third would really bring the same value.

Pathfinders- Since they basically need Duck and Cover and really like Recon Intel and their config, the unit works best as large as possible to get some of that upgrade value back. In that regard, I really don't see 3 because both of the heavy weapons are characters. I'm also not sold on Bistan right now just because of how inconsequential vehicles and the Armor keyword are int he meta. In that regard, I'll probably stick with 1, 2 in the realms of possibility, but I'm really skeptical about a third.

Commandos- I like having 3 because trip Saboteurs is fun, cheap and effective and trip snipers is still a good choice. They're some of the best filler units that will still have a solid battlefield impact like the min Fleet Troopers.

Literally the only reason I have trip RT's and 6x Troopers is because I got the Rebel part of 3x core sets basically for nothing. I rarely use the RT's anymore, FDs are just better, and the basic troopers are still good, but are no longer the backbone of the army as more options open up. I have 2 T-47's because I like T-47's and for no other reason.

If you have only 3 stormies, absolutely buy a second snow.

Multiple commandos seems to be a good call. Same for scouts.

Eweb you can do either way - you can look at it as filler for when you can’t fit another DLT storm unit, or you can actively make them a bigger part of the plan. I have only one, and so far no real desire to buy more.

Look at what the pros run

57 minutes ago, Docgimmethenews said:

Look at what the pros run

There aren't really "pros" right now. Give the game another year or 2 and maybe.

Ok...those that are winning tourneys...

Whatever...

12 minutes ago, Docgimmethenews said:

Ok...those that are winning tourneys...

Whatever...

Again, there aren't any, at least not enough in terms of sample size to be used as a real metric.

Adepticon, LVO, local tourneys that others have been posting.

There is plenty to go off of

3 minutes ago, Docgimmethenews said:

Adepticon, LVO, local tourneys that others have been posting.

There is plenty to go off of

Except they’ve been different enough that it’s hard to get an exact handle. The main argument is “don’t bring big vehicles” and beyond that a little of everything has done well. Wonder Twins, Palp, Veers-Boba, Veers bikes did well for a long time until the triple snipers became big....

Like @MasterShake2 said, there simply hasn’t been enough events with enough consistency to gather any significant data. My argument stands that most list builds can be competitive as long as they’re played to best effect.

Eh. I think there is plenty in the thousands of posts, hours of podcasts, several local and large tourneys, to get an idea of what works and what doesn't.

But in a sense you are right. Any list can work. Just be one with the force!

3 hours ago, Docgimmethenews said:

Look at what the pros run

Yes net deck it's what all the cool kids are doing......

Thank you, everyone, for the advice. I am not too interested in netdecking to compete in tournaments. I am looking for interesting units to add to my collection to compete with friends. To rephrase my question: what fun and not-terrible (but not necessarily min-maxed) lists are opened up by taking certain units in multiples?

I have the same question so thanks OP for posting this. Currently I have the only thing I have 2 of is cores. I have many expansions still in purchased.

From what I've read and the limited games I've been able to play, the alternate corps units (snowies, fleets) are the only expansions you might want to go 0 or 2 of.

Well then let me tell you!!!!

ATRT

Commandos

Pathfinders, but no more than three because Bistan and Pao are named heavies so you cant have more than one of them. You could have a 4 mini pathfinder unit after that, but honestly I'd rather have a sniper, demo, or commando unit to fill that SF slor.

Wookies are great too, if you like the up close and personal route.

11 hours ago, chemnitz said:

Thank you, everyone, for the advice. I am not too interested in netdecking to compete in tournaments. I am looking for interesting units to add to my collection to compete with friends. To rephrase my question: what fun and not-terrible (but not necessarily min-maxed) lists are opened up by taking certain units in multiples?

6 snowtroopers and 3 e-webs led by Veers is fun.

40 minutes ago, TauntaunScout said:

6 snowtroopers and 3 e-webs led by Veers is fun.

That sounds fun. Most people I've played are too constrained by budget to not use Stormtroopers, but I'd love to fight your Blizzard Force.

I ended up with 3 Snowtrooper sets to start things off. Painting them more generalist though so they look the part on normal tables. I wanted to have aggressive infantry, and the free shoot action after a move suits that bill for me. Pretty sure Pathfinders are going to fall into that category for me as well. 2 Units in forward positions should be fun. Though I think the trick will be is not leaving them hung out to dry long ahead of my force. Maybe T-47s will now be in a good position to race to their support early game.

I find E-Webs work great in pairs, though you have to play them like WWI heavy machine guns. Not a fan of bikes or Sniper teams because they seem so fragile, and the local meta usually has them being taken off round one by Leia's coordinated bombardment/other snipers. I enjoy the AT-ST as a fun unit to play, but I can't imagine running more than one of them, ever.

I thought Imperial Snipers were going to be a thing, so I bought 3 - but in reality I find them too fragile and too unreliable.

Wookies on the other hand in a death ball of 3 are fearesome!

Two speeder bikes squads are super fun, hard to make em last and have impact, but if you can keep your powder dry the first two turns and hidden from Leia they can mess with folks who are not used to them. Just don't let them get focused fired!

Two E-Webs have been super fun for me in my Vader list since I am short on points for activations. They are my hang back defensive units, just keep them in cover and give them overlapping fields of fire. Your opponents will melt in their kill zone, or be directed towards Vader's path.

I wanted to like Vader with two guards, but found them overkill. Better to pair guards with snowtroopers and medics and they all help each other...

I also wanted to like a pair of Fleets, but it's usually too many points for their effect. I've had more fun with two or three Wookies as I said above. I Can't wait to pair my Wookie ball with a couple Trooper squads with med droids!

Just my random experiences...

Thanks! These responses are very helpful.

How about a quick straw-poll:

1. Which would you rather own:

A. 2 x Imp/Reb Specialists; 1 x Snowies/Fleeties

B. 1 x Imp/Reb Specialists; 2 x Snowies/Fleeties

2. Which would you rather own:

A. 2 x E-web

B. 3 x E-web

C. Palpatine; 1 x Royal Guards

3. Which would you rather own:

A. 2 x Pathfinders

B. 1 x Pathfinders; 1 x Wookiees

C. 2 x Wookiees

D. 1 x Pathfinders; 1 x 1.4 FD

28 minutes ago, chemnitz said:

Thanks! These responses are very helpful.

How about a quick straw-poll:

1. Which would you rather own:

A. 2 x Imp/Reb Specialists; 1 x Snowies/Fleeties

B. 1 x Imp/Reb Specialists; 2 x Snowies/Fleeties

2. Which would you rather own:

A. 2 x E-web

B. 3 x E-web

C. Palpatine; 1 x Royal Guards

3. Which would you rather own:

A. 2 x Pathfinders

B. 1 x Pathfinders; 1 x Wookiees

C. 2 x Wookiees

D. 1 x Pathfinders; 1 x 1.4 FD

1. A, specialists offer a lot of chances to allow your corps to fill more specific roles. I'd prioritize second of them over second snow/fleet unit

2. No comment really, don't play empire

3. D, Pathfinders and 1.4FD are good. I'm not sold on wookies or double PFs yet, but I'm definitely sold in single PF and 1.4s are really solid.

I’d say 1a, 2a, 3b. It gives you good versatility, without being too expensive. Also, I like my combined-arms force and with those E-webs and just a few troops you can cram in an at-st with some miscellaneous special forces and Veers. Plus the specialist are just helpful to own.