So I've recently decided to start playing X-wing and have two starter sets and a Millenium Falcon. I'm hoping to get my brother into the game so I don't have to go down to my LGS every time I want to play and I was wondering if the following was a good starting list to try to get him into the game.

Rebels

Rookie Pilot
-Shield Upgrade

Rookie Pilot
-Shield Upgrade

50 points total

Empire

Night Beast

Black Squadron Pilot
-Marksmanship

Black Squadron Pilot
-Marksmanship

49 points total

I've also got a Slave 1 in the mail but I'm wondering what would be some good ships to pick up when the models are back in stock?

Let him pick his own side and his own list. That interactivity will probably be more appealing than you just giving him a list he didn't make. I think that's the appealing part of X-Wing: you can play it with your favorite ships in the way you want.

Nemuril said:

it really doesn't hurt to get somebody started on a list though.. and for a small investment it could pay off in the end if his brother ends up loving the game enough to go and buy more ships

executor said:

That's what I was thinking. Just for the first game to streamline things a bit. Or I could do the quick-start rules in the starter but they frankly look rather dumbed down and X-wing isn't that complicated from what I can see.

I just wanted to make sure the lists seemed balanced enough to get someone interested in the game without giving undue advantage to one side. That way, I could let him choose his faction and not have to worry that he perhaps chose the army that's unbalanced in my favour too much.

how about luke vs two x-wings. use the name pilots you have. keep the upgrades to a minimum. r2d2 on luke and let the imperial player try and match those points (32). or play 3x academy (36points) and give Luke proton torps

I found that running the game with only the base level pilots like (Rookie Pilot) versus (Academy Pilot) games worked well as introductory battles. You only have to worry about the movement, shooting and damage phases while the battles can be as big or small as you want them to be.

Later we moved into using scenario's from the starter box and expansions, eventually using more complex custom builds. To be honest the game is great without worrying about playing to a 100 point limit and just creating battles based on a small collection of ships. My last game was the Falcon, 2 A-Wings and a X-Wing against Slave I, 3 Interceptors and Vader.

The rebels only just lost and the fight was really fun. I agree with Numeril in that you should let players pick their own list and go from there, if nothing else it's a learning experience as you both try out new lists, upgrades and scenarios.

"I found that running the game with only the base level pilots like (Rookie Pilot) versus (Academy Pilot) games worked well as introductory battles. You only have to worry about the movement, shooting and damage phases while the battles can be as big or small as you want them to be."

I agree with this.

I got in a bit over my head with my wife on trying to get started playing. I right away bought a bunch of extra ships and we ended up getting confused at all the rules combinations and possibilities of doing 100-pt matches with Vader and Han and Luke etc etc.

Starting out somebody who doesn't know the rules with base level pilots, 2 TIEs vs X-Wing, is a great way to get them accustomed to the rules. My wife and I started doing that and I have done this with a friend as well, and this way you learn those basic details before it gets too complex.

Having developed an innate understanding of how a "hit" is different than "taking damage" and what happens in each phase of the game, and in each phase of rolling, cancelling and resolving dice, and what "cancelling" dice means is really important later when you get into complex overlaps of rules where those things become less clear.

TIE Interceptors are one of my favorite ships and IMO a must.

yes i agree about keeping things simple. i think those of us that have been playing for close to a year forget that it is alot of rules to digets all at once so best you go for vanila ships

2x academy pilot vs rookie x-wing

resist the temptation to play any upgrades at first.

as u get familiar with the phases of planning, moving, selecting actions then firing/resolving damage.

playing with the basics for a while will not only make u appreciate the name pilots and new expansion ships more but give you a good understanding of what upgrades you would like to try out on what ships.

The_Brown_Bomber said:

the statement above couldn't be more true if it came from master yoda, himself