So I got into X-wing really to collect the ships first and to play second. I'm a newer player, and honestly, I found X-wing AFTER finding out about Legion. I have a buddy who's into SW, but really didnt know anything about miniature gaming until i came along. He likes to play, but he won't start purchasing the ships on his own (time and money). Between the two of us, with his 8 month old and now my 2 month old kids, time is also not on our side.

I have been purchasing and collecting the ships, and we play maybe about once every other month in between Legion games. The issue with that is, since he really doesn't know the ships and upgrades and all that like i SORT of do, it takes him a longer time trying to drum up a squadron he wants to play. This can take anywhere between 15-45 mintutes with setup, which really cuts into the 3-4 hours of playing time we get for this (MAYBE) once a month event.

So my bottom line is: I'm looking for a resource or site where I can find pre-made squadron lists that (ideally) also have some sort of cliff notes or summary as to how they play. Such as "2x Tie Bomber, 2x Punisher - With this list, the idea is to run your Punishers blah blah blah". Or "4 Y-wings - The TORPEDO ASSAULT list". Something I can print out so when he glances over it he can say, "Yeah that sounds cool, let me try that."

Can anyone help me out with this?

Thanks

Are you playing first edition or second edition? If you’re playing second edition, you definitely need to go the Quick Build route. Pre-designed ship builds and you choose a “threat level” and match a squad to that level. If you’re playing first edition, I’d recommend just taking time one day instead of playing to put together 5-10 unique lists that you can pull out in the future without having to configure them on the spot.

2 hours ago, kempokid said:

Are you playing first edition or second edition? If you’re playing second edition, you definitely need to go the Quick Build route. Pre-designed ship builds and you choose a “threat level” and match a squad to that level. If you’re playing first edition, I’d recommend just taking time one day instead of playing to put together 5-10 unique lists that you can pull out in the future without having to configure them on the spot.

So i guess both? I started buying when it was still first ed. Bought the conversions for Imp and Reb. The quick build cards HAVE indeed been a godsend. But again, for my friend, he basically knows nothing about the upgrades listed on the cards, which leaded to referencing the binders i've made to house the cards, which leaded to understanding what they were getting at, yada yada, haha.

So so far its been, "What ships do you want to fly? Ok, put together 8 levels worth of that. Couldn't tell you if they will have any synergy or tactics to them or not, but have at it."

I remember the first time he flew a B-wing was a disaster because (pre-2nd ed) he (we) didnt know what to equip it with to make it good.

I’m not meaning this with any ill-intent at all, but if your friend wants to play the game, they need to learn what the cards do. It takes more time and effort outside of playing but it will make both setting up the game and actual in-game interactions easier.

If it’s too much for them or you to commit to learning all the cards you have, maybe stick to mini-swarms with all the same upgrades. A couple of generic x-wings with protons is viable. So are TIE swarms.

I get you want to add flavor to the game too. It’s just a balance. If you read these squad building forums you should get a small sense of what is and isn’t viable.

Edit: Also, a lot of us here could help provide some viable lists if we knew what your collection was. Having the rebel and empire conversion kits is handy. There’s also the Hyperspace format right now that limits what is legal so that could be a good route to take. Just know that empire is kinda struggling right now in Hyperspace

20 hours ago, kempokid said:

I’m not meaning this with any ill-intent at all, but if your friend wants to play the game, they need to learn what the cards do. It takes more time and effort outside of playing but it will make both setting up the game and actual in-game interactions easier.

If it’s too much for them or you to commit to learning all the cards you have, maybe stick to mini-swarms with all the same upgrades. A couple of generic x-wings with protons is viable. So are TIE swarms.

I get you want to add flavor to the game too. It’s just a balance. If you read these squad building forums you should get a small sense of what is and isn’t viable.

Edit: Also, a lot of us here could help provide some viable lists if we knew what your collection was. Having the rebel and empire conversion kits is handy. There’s also the Hyperspace format right now that limits what is legal so that could be a good route to take. Just know that empire is kinda struggling right now in Hyperspace

No, I hear ya, its all good. Cause I do agree, him learning on his own is really the only way to get where I'm trying to go with this. Which is why now Ive now thought of just lending him the binders to keep at home for a while to look at when he can.

I am currently making a website/blog that focuses on newer players. I think this is a good addition I can do on my site. Simple fast squads with flight explanations for people who dont play much. I will see what I can add. I will make a few squads per faction with a mix of iconic ships.

Have him use the Xwing squad builder app at home. Then just show up and play. Dont even need the cards on the table. Just reference their abilities on your phone/tablet.

Easy fun squads to do are naked aces like Luke,Garven,Generic Xwing, Z95,z95 where you only have a couple simple pilot abilities to remember, not 5 upgrades all with different triggers and requirements:

Luke Skywalker (62)
Servomotor S-foils (0)

Blue Squadron Escort (41)
Servomotor S-foils (0)

Garven Dreis (X-Wing) (47)
Servomotor S-foils (0)

Tala Squadron Pilot (25)

Tala Squadron Pilot (25)
Total: 200

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

or New hope Death Star Trench Squad:

Luke Skywalker (62)
Servomotor S-foils (0)

Wedge Antilles (52)
Servomotor S-foils (0)

Biggs Darklighter (48)
Servomotor S-foils (0)

Gray Squadron Bomber (31)
Ion Cannon Turret (4)
Seismic Charges (3)
Total: 200

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

Fly these rebels squads together like you see in the movies and focus fire on one ship. They dont have action economy (except luke with force) to self survive, so they need to combine red attack dice power.

Empire:

Delta Squadron Pilot (70)

Delta Squadron Pilot (70)

Soontir Fel (52)
Predator (2)
Total: 194

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

I always recommend defenders for newer players cuz they are simple to fly, super fun, and beefy AF. Send the defenders in to kill things, and keep Soontir on the flank to clean up or pick off any stragglers. He doesnt want to get into a scrum. Wait for a weak ship to fly away from the crowd and Soontir can pounce on them. Let the Defenders do the dirty work inside.

Another empire list:

Darth Vader (65)

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (30)
Barrage Rockets (7)

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (30)
Barrage Rockets (7)

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (30)
Barrage Rockets (7)

Academy Pilot (23)
Total: 199

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

Simple: like the Soontir list above. Let the bombers go to town and do what they can with Vader flanking. Use that academy out front of the bombers to block ships so bombers missiles can get more damage in.

On 2/25/2019 at 10:22 AM, wurms said:

I am currently making a website/blog that focuses on newer players. I think this is a good addition I can do on my site. Simple fast squads with flight explanations for people who dont play much. I will see what I can add. I will make a few squads per faction with a mix of iconic ships.

Have him use the Xwing squad builder app at home. Then just show up and play. Dont even need the cards on the table. Just reference their abilities on your phone/tablet.

Easy fun squads to do are naked aces like Luke,Garven,Generic Xwing, Z95,z95 where you only have a couple simple pilot abilities to remember, not 5 upgrades all with different triggers and requirements:

Luke Skywalker (62)
Servomotor S-foils (0)

Blue Squadron Escort (41)
Servomotor S-foils (0)

Garven Dreis (X-Wing) (47)
Servomotor S-foils (0)

Tala Squadron Pilot (25)

Tala Squadron Pilot (25)
Total: 200

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

or New hope Death Star Trench Squad:

Luke Skywalker (62)
Servomotor S-foils (0)

Wedge Antilles (52)
Servomotor S-foils (0)

Biggs Darklighter (48)
Servomotor S-foils (0)

Gray Squadron Bomber (31)
Ion Cannon Turret (4)
Seismic Charges (3)
Total: 200

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

Fly these rebels squads together like you see in the movies and focus fire on one ship. They dont have action economy (except luke with force) to self survive, so they need to combine red attack dice power.

Empire:

Delta Squadron Pilot (70)

Delta Squadron Pilot (70)

Soontir Fel (52)
Predator (2)
Total: 194

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

I always recommend defenders for newer players cuz they are simple to fly, super fun, and beefy AF. Send the defenders in to kill things, and keep Soontir on the flank to clean up or pick off any stragglers. He doesnt want to get into a scrum. Wait for a weak ship to fly away from the crowd and Soontir can pounce on them. Let the Defenders do the dirty work inside.

Another empire list:

Darth Vader (65)

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (30)
Barrage Rockets (7)

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (30)
Barrage Rockets (7)

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (30)
Barrage Rockets (7)

Academy Pilot (23)
Total: 199

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

Simple: like the Soontir list above. Let the bombers go to town and do what they can with Vader flanking. Use that academy out front of the bombers to block ships so bombers missiles can get more damage in.

Many Thanks, wurms. I appreciate it. Do you have a web address place holder or something up and available now?

On 2/24/2019 at 9:28 AM, Galahax said:

I have been purchasing and collecting the ships, and we play maybe about once every other month in between Legion games. The issue with that is, since he really doesn't know the ships and upgrades and all that like i SORT of do, it takes him a longer time trying to drum up a squadron he wants to play. This can take anywhere between 15-45 mintutes with setup, which really cuts into the 3-4 hours of playing time we get for this (MAYBE) once a month event.

I think you're exactly the sort of players the quick-build system had in mind. If you don't want to or can't make lists before gameday then going with quick-build is going to be... well... quicker.

The other thing is with the official online squad-builder and not official builders and the various wikis he doesn't need your card binders. Everything is there for constructed lists.

You can pull up and read the various upgrades in the card database and can build lists without having the cards. Since it is online he can access it at the play location on gameday and you just have to pull the cards and ships. Or he can send it to you beforehand via a pdf. As long as he has some time to look at the internet he can look at the cards and make lists. I do a lot of squad-building on my lunch hour at work.

I have found out that less is more when learning the game because it focuses you to learn how your ships around the board and avoid the obstacles. Whenever I play simpler lists I find myself playing better because I don’t have much to remember or get confused over upgrades.

I am just starting X-Wing, had a few games, lost most. Don't care. The best games were with few ships. The Escalation game in the 2nd edition rule book is quite good for learning and keeping it clean and clear. It uses Quick Build and you can do it with the core set.

Other games with two planes each were a lot of fun and useful in learning how to maneuver. Using naked aces helps as well. The intercepter works well naked, as do defenders. Smaller craft like the A-Wings have a lot of inherent actions. Good training craft.