Hey there guys. X Wing is a game I wanted to get into when I first saw it, but life happened, I forgot it existed, etc..

One of my local game shops is holding a Hyperspace Tournament on the 23rd, and as it happens I just got paid. A friend of mine has sold me a 1st ed Core Set and so I have that on the way. Without breaking the bank, how would you suggest I go from here to make a Hyperspace list with either the X Wing or the TIE Fighters I'll already have? And is there any important accessories I need to get to play as well?

Thank you!

How many ships do you have right now, besides the kit that is on the way?

My first suggestion would be to get the 2nd Edition core set, which will give you the 2nd edition damage deck and a few cards that are only available from there (including Luke and R2-D2), as well as a second x-wing and two more TIE fighters. I'd play a few games with just that before spending a ton of money, but assuming that you already know you like playing the game....

Next, I would suggest playing around with an online Squad Builder to get a feel for what a Rebel or Imperial Hyperspace list would look like and maybe pick a faction to concentrate on for the 23rd. I'm partial to Rebels, so if I went with that faction, I'd pick up expansions in this order (skipping things that don't interest you and depending on how much money you want to spend):

1. Y-Wing Expansion
2. B-Wing Expansion
3. X-Wing Expansion (has pilots not found in the Core set, such as Thane Kyrell and Wedge)
4. A-Wing Expansion
5. Millennium Falcon Expansion

With any duplicates of the ships added in there to fill out any specific lists that I like.

For Imperials, I'd pick up expansions in this order (skipping things that don't interest you and depending on how much money you want to spend):

1. TIE Advanced x1 Expansion
2. TIE/ln Fighter Expansion (has pilots not found in the Core set, such as "Mauler" Mithel and Gideon Hask)
3. TIE/sk Striker Expansion
4. VT-49 Decimator Expansion
5. TIE Reaper

With any duplicates of the ships added in there to fill out any specific lists that I like. Also note that the TIE Reaper might be hard to find, as it was released at the end of 1st edition but also included 2nd edition cards.

Once you expand outside of hyperspace, there's a lot more stuff (and more factions) you could add.

Your local event is almost certainly second edition. You'll need the 2.0 core set.

A super, super cheap hyperspace list you can run is:

• Luke Skywalker (core set), Lando Calrissian w/ Nien Numb crew (Falcon), Braylen Stramm (B-Wing)

Those two extra boxes, plus a dice pack, are about a cheap an entry point as exists. You could also replace the Falcon above with:

• Jake Farrell (A-Wing) and Norra Wexley w/ Ion Cannon Turret and Expert Handling talent (Y-Wing)

for the same price, if you prefer those ships or more smaller ships from a theme/iconic standpoint. In either case, make sure all are 2.0 (black cardboard boxes) versions, and don't forget the dice pack (core set's dice aren't quite enough). Using your first edition core set would mean, at minimum, buying a conversion set ($50) for rebels or empire, plus you'd still need to source a 2nd edition damage deck off ebay and buying a set of 2.0 compatible templates, so, it'd be a real hassle.

If you prefer Empire, Darth Vader (TIE /x1 Advanced) and Rear Admiral Chiraneau with Grand Inquisitor crew (VT49 Decimator) plus two Academy Pilots (core set) seems ok and pretty cheap, but I'll confess I'm not as confident in in vs the rebel list above.

Hyperspace is for 2.0 only, so your 1.0 core set won't have much of use besides learning the basics and having more dice. You'll need a Second Edition Core Set, and from there it depends on what faction you want, what kind of squads you want to fly, how much you can spend, etc.

If you're looking for the cheapest way to get a semi-viable squad for that Hyperspace tournament, a Second Edition Core Set and Rebel Millennium Falcon (make sure it isn't Resistance or Scum!) should be enough to start with.

Luke Skywalker (62)
Instinctive Aim (1)
Proton Torpedoes (13)
R2-D2 (8)
Hull Upgrade (5)
Servomotor S-Foils (0)
Ship Total: 89

Han Solo (80)
Lando Calrissian (2)
Leia Organa (7)
Hull Upgrade (3)
Engine Upgrade (7)
Millennium Falcon (3)
Ship Total: 102

List Total: 191
Click this to see the list in the Raithos Squad Builder

When I introduce new players to the game, after learning the basics I have them fly a similar list to the list above against real opponents until they're ready to branch off and make their own lists. I've modified it to be Hyperspace legal and only use what you would get from the Second Edition Core Set and Millennium Falcon expansion. While it won't be a top tier list, it should be an effective budget list while you are still learning the ropes without spending too much money.

If you end up using this list, remember this about Han: his pilot ability gives him the ability to reroll dice when next to an obstacle, and it applies to ANY and ALL times Han rolls dice. This is one of the strongest abilities in the game, so you want to keep him close to obstacles.

3 minutes ago, Enigami said:

When I introduce new players to the game, after learning the basics I have them fly a similar list to the list above

You give brand new players 7 distinct active upgrades to remember to use? Doesn't that seem... bad, to you?

@Penniwhistle this guide has everything you need to know about getting started in second edition. It includes a guide to each faction, sample squads, explanations of all the ships, etc.

https://stayontheleader.blogspot.com/2019/11/x-wing-buying-guide-introduction.html

(some of the lists have gone slightly over 200pts with the latest points change, but that can easily be fixed by adjusting a few upgrades)

Things from your 1st ed core set you can use in 2nd ed:

• Dice
• Obstacles
• Ship models (but you'll need other 2nd-ed components to go with them, either from a conversion kit, secondhand, or borrowed off a friend)
• Extra tokens if needed, they look a bit different but nobody will care, lots of people use 3rd-party acrylic tokens anyway.

Things you need:

• 2nd ed compatible templates (the ones from 1st edition are the same shape but lack some markings that are used in 2nd ed)
• 2nd ed damage deck
• 2nd ed components for the squad you want to fly:
  • Base tokens
  • Dials
  • Pilot cards
  • Upgrade cards

As others have said, you probably want a 2nd edition core set to start with. This will give you the templates and damage deck you need, along with some extra dice - nice to have since you'll often roll more than three. It also includes two TIE/lns and one T-65 X-wing, the 2nd-ed components you'll need for them, and a bunch of upgrade cards.

From there you'll need enough ships to fill out your list. To use the models from your 1st ed starter, you could buy a conversion kit for your preferred faction. You could then buy 1st ed ships for that faction since you have the components from the conversion kit, which can work out a bit cheaper in the long term. However, the conversion kit on its own costs a fair amount and will come with a lot of components for ships you don't (currently) own. Alternatively, you can skip the conversion kit for now, and just buy second edition ships.

Although you could just buy a Rebel Millennium falcon and make a two-ship list, you might be better off getting another ship or two so you don't have to remember a million upgrades when you're just starting out (and don't have all your eggs in one basket). A Falcon and one other hyperspace-legal small ship would be enough to make a decent list, I'd say probably get another T-65 as they're a good solid ship and don't need too many upgrades to work. Some factions have ships which look very similar to Rebel ships, so be careful when buying - make sure you're getting the Rebel version (Scum and Resistance both have the Falcon as well, Republic has a BTL-B Y-Wing, Resistance has T-70 X-Wings and RZ-2 A-Wings).

If you want to fly Imperial, I'd say maybe get a TIE Advanced X1 for Vader, and then either a Decimator or a couple of Strikers? I'm not an Imperial player myself though. One of the players at my local was flying a hyperspace list with three TIE/lns, a Decimator, and a single Striker this week, if that's any help.

offtopic but I recently put all my 1e stuff into a box to put away. Very interesting mix of emotions. gratitude, yet uselessness.

If you have just the 1.0 core I would reccomend keeping things as economical as possible. The last thing you want to do is invest too much in one faction and then realize after the tournament you prefer the other.

I recomend buying the core set and a b wing (the falcon is fine too) and seeing if you can borrow an x wing dial. The below list isn't great and dont worry if you forget your ordinance or regen it happens. But it is cheap.

A/SF-01 B-wing - •Braylen Stramm - 61
•Braylen Stramm - Blade Leader (52)
Plasma Torpedoes (9)

T-65 X-wing - •Jek Porkins - 52
•Jek Porkins - Red Six (45)
R2 Astromech (7)

T-65 X-wing - •Luke Skywalker - 84
•Luke Skywalker - Red Five (62)
Proton Torpedoes (13)
•R2-D2 (8)
Instinctive Aim (1)

Total: 197/200

View in the X-Wing Squad Builder

The falcon list would be easier to learn but it is more expensive.

T-65 X-wing - •Jek Porkins - 45
•Jek Porkins - Red Six (45)

T-65 X-wing - •Luke Skywalker - 69
•Luke Skywalker - Red Five (62)
R2 Astromech (7)

Modified YT-1300 Light Freighter - •Lando Calrissian - 84
•Lando Calrissian - General of the Alliance (79)
•Nien Nunb (5)

Total: 198/200

View in the X-Wing Squad Builder

The best piece of advice I can give is pay attention to the different lists and factions and try and decide if one matches your preferred playstyle or strategy.

Core set, Xwing Expansion, Ywing Expansion

One of the best and easiest squads for new players is pure joust like 4-6 small ships (which can be costly for just getting started), or an alpha strike (CHEAP!!!).

Rebel Alpha:

Luke Skywalker (62)
Proton Torpedoes (13)
Servomotor S-Foils (0)

“Dutch” Vander (40)
Ion Cannon Turret (5)
Proton Torpedoes (13)
Seismic Charges (3)

Thane Kyrell (48)
Proton Torpedoes (13)
Servomotor S-Foils (0)
Total: 197

Just plod them along toward the enemy. Luke locks and has force for mods. Thane focuses. Dutch gives Thane and himself a lock. Then you just kill stuff. No need for fancy maneuvers, or trying to block experienced players. Just point,shoot, and kill.

Jousty list: Core set, Xwing Exp, Bwing Exp, Bwing, Exp

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

Thane Kyrell (48)
Servomotor S-Foils (0)

Blade Squadron Veteran (42)
Selfless (3)

Blade Squadron Veteran (42)
Selfless (3)
Total: 200

Just keep them in a loose formation. Use selfless on bwings to spread the damage around. You want to keep four ships on the board for as long as possible and shoot things. When damage cards start appearing Thane becomes a beast, so keep him alive with selfless. During some matchups where Luke moves last, you can use Luke as a flanker and keep thane with the bwings to joust.

For Hyperspace Empire. You could go Core Set, Tie Adv x1, Tie Fighter Exp x4

Vader and 6 Tie Fighters. Basically just joust and block and make a mess with the tie fighters. Vader cleans up. Dont get Vader involved too early. Let the scrum begin and enemy ships scatter. Vader does not want to be in 3+ enemy arcs.

Another good list is called Tie Salad (Tid Av x1, Tie Reaper, Tie Fighter Exp, Tie Striker):

Darth Vader (67)
Fire-Control System (2)

Major Vermeil (49)
Death Troopers (6)

Gideon Hask (30)

“Countdown” (44)
Total: 198

Take the Reaper, Striker and Gideon head on into the enemy. Vader cleans up. Vader DOES NOT need to be engaged early. If there are too many ships he can be kept back to clean up after your jousters. Death Troopers is key in certain matchups like against Fenn Raus or Poes. Once a costly ship gets a stress, keep Vermeil close by and they cant get rid of it.

Thank you very much for the replies guys! Seems I for sure need Core Set 2.0, and I'll go from there.

Another thing you can do is try to see if you can bum some 2.0 dials off people to make your 1.0 ships flyable. Could hit up the trade thread, or eBay, or your local community to check for options. The Rebel conversion kit actually includes 2 TIE Fighter dials & pilots as well as stuff to convert several Xs. Granted, the whole Rebel conversion kit might be overkill for what you need. I had pretty good luck finding inexpensive Rebel TIE conversion parts on eBay, though.

Also, it could get a little more expensive, but a list that looks very good in the hyperspace format, AND has less mechanics and interactions to learn is 5 X-Wings. No upgrades, no filler, all killer.

Also, jumping straight in with a tournament is bold. Good luck! Also, make sure your opponents know that you are learning the game, so even if they don’t go easy on you, they will understand if your turns take a little time.

32 minutes ago, FatherTurin said:

Also, it could get a little more expensive, but a list that looks very good in the hyperspace format, AND has less mechanics and interactions to learn is 5 X-Wings. No upgrades, no filler, all killer.

But also an easy list to just borrow from people. Everyone has extra Xwings lying around. If you are in a facebook group, or something Im sure people will just bring you Xwings to fly.

1 hour ago, wurms said:

But also an easy list to just borrow from people. Everyone has extra Xwings lying around. If you are in a facebook group, or something Im sure people will just bring you Xwings to fly.

In fact, the thing I would recommend most is to talk to the local players first.

Get to know people. I am 100% confident that an X-Wing play group of any size will have plenty of ships to loan out for a test game.

Play some games - BEFORE the tournament! You don't need to be competitive to have fun, and you don't need to be an expert in two weeks, but knowing the basic rules, as well as having some idea of how to fly the ships you bring, will make your games more enjoyable for both sides.

On 2/6/2020 at 8:04 AM, Penniwhistle said:

One of my local game shops is holding a Hyperspace Tournament on the 23rd,

A friend of mine has sold me a 1st ed Core Set

And is there any important accessories

The Le Mans is on the 23rd.

My friend just got me a horse.

Anything else I'll need?

😂

But seriously, welcome to the fold. It's a great game and I wish you well.

Something important a lot of new players miss is that the more ships you use to play the more the game costs. for example the Millenium Falcon expansion seems expensive at $40, but its ussually around 100 points out of the 200 points you get to build a squad, wheras most $20 expsnsions are 30-70 points of your squad. so flying 1 x-wing from the core set, the falcon, and a 3rd small ship (any $20 rebel expansion) gives you great options without spending more than $100 (though you'll probably need a 40 dollar play mat and extra dice.)

Alternately the 2.0 Core set, Saws Renegades, and the 1.0 core set youve got would give you 3 X-wings and a U-wing, which can also give you good options if you dont like the Falcon.

Flying multiples of the same ship makes manuevering easier because you dont have ro remember what each one can do, and memorizing your options is a big component of the game

First thing I would get is a 2nd job. This is going to get pricey.

On 2/7/2020 at 7:36 AM, wurms said:

Jousty list: Core set, Xwing Exp, Bwing Exp, Bwing, Exp

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

Thane Kyrell (48)
Servomotor S-Foils (0)

Blade Squadron Veteran (42)
Selfless (3)

Blade Squadron Veteran (42)
Selfless (3)
Total: 200

Not to toot my own horn, but this list just made top 8 in Texas System Open (was red squad vet xwings instead of bwings, but same thing really). Its not all the list, as AC Yager is a great player. But there is now proof and video of the list in top form Cheap Xwing entry for a good, capable list.

On 2/6/2020 at 8:12 PM, svelok said:

You give brand new players 7 distinct active upgrades to remember to use? Doesn't that seem... bad, to you?

Well, not quite brand new, I set them up with some basic games first to show them the ropes, the Luke+Han list is for when they know how to fly and work with upgrades, but haven't moved on to building their own 200pt lists yet. Those also aren't the upgrades I set them up with, the list I posted is working within the limitations of Hyperspace + only Core Set + Millennium Falcon expansion. Plus they're flying with actual characters they'll know from the movies in that list instead of randoms.

At I5+ with a bid, they also don't have to worry as much about repositioning aces like Ani/Obi/Plo lists that are popular in my area as they would if they had a bunch of low initiative front arc ships. Getting arc dodged and picked apart is something I'd prefer they'd not have to experience that early on. The list might be a... little heavier on text than some, but there's also only 2 ships to worry about, and so far the new players got a handle on things just fine and even won games against the regulars in their first 'real' games.

I hadn't thought about X-Wing + 2x B-Wings lists for OP though, Core Set + 2 B-Wings costs the same amount of money as Core Set + Rebel Millenium Falcon and should be a viable list.