I bought my first single ship recently to check the quality on them and was very happy with the one I got. I really like how each one can be used as different ships instead of having to buy multiple nearly identical ships. What I wanted to know was are the X-Wing and TIE in the single packs the same as those in the boxed set or do they have different pilot cards?

You've got it: different pilot cards. And pretty good ones at that. I love Wedge Antilles in the X-wing and "Howlrunner" In the TIE fighter.

The pilot and upgrade cards in the Core Set are different from the cards that come in the expansions.

The great thing about the game is that even if you do field generic pilots (IE, Rookie and Academy pilots) there are markers to help distinguish them from one another.

Thanks for the help. I had originally planned to buy the TIE Advanced, then if the quality on it was decent, to later pick up the main game so I could at least display the Regular TIE's and Advanced following the X-Wing on its trench run. After opening the TIE Advanced though I really liked the look of the whole set up and plan to get at least 1 of each ship or set they put out just on the odd chance I might find somebody/somewhere to play the game.

I don't play with mine….thier in a display case…..for games I use micro machine or Star Wars Battle ships