I own 1 of most ships and 2 TIE's see below, and I have someone coming over to visit.

Help me set up an Empire and a Rebel fleet of 100 points that is forgiving, easy to fly and fairly balanced.

(TIE's and X are from core set)

Id do empire: Advance with Vader and push the limit, Shooter Fell with push the limit, Then either a Bounter hunter or two ties Dark curse, and Mauler Mithril.

Rebel: Chewbacca with Gunner is an easy start. Plus 2 wookies one ship. Anything could happen. Skywalker with R2D2, And Itsabitsam with push the limit.

Both builds offer some options when it comes to defense and attacking that are not over complex. Not 100 points so some room for improvement.

Forget the 100 points and just go for 50 points.

Rebels: Chewbacca (42) + Gunner (5) + Marksmanship (3)

Imperials:

Turr (25) + Determination (1)

Academy Pilots (12) x2

The Falcon is pretty easy to fly and your guest, whom I'm assuming is a newbie, will not get frustrated by not being able to take shots and/or missing all the time; additionally he doesn't need to worry about the complexity of any critical hits that may happen. Of course with the Imperials you have your two lambs and then you have Turr who could be a royal pain if he can stay out of range plus he has a little critical protection himself.

The way I originally saw this set-up had the Imperials with three named TIE fighters but when you don't have them I figure this will do instead. I could put in Vader instead of Turr but that pushes the points a bit higher although it really may not matter that much here.

I'm saying go with 50 points as it is much easier to do than 100 points and keeps things simple. You could easily push 100 points with the rebels but getting that with a "simple" Imperial squad will be much more challenging.

the list StevenO posted is good for a starter. Give the newbie the Falcon, and prepare to loose with your imperials (the odds are very against them here, Turrs ability is almost useless against a Falcon/YT, unless you are very good at flying). But then you don't want to frustrate the newbie.

I normally give the newbie 2 Rebel ships, most of the times 2 X-wing, crewed by Reds or a named if he wants to. Then I fill the imperial side up to the point of those Rebels. It mostly comes out at 55 - 60 points (they always want a named pilot).

The game is more "even" out then, I don't want to give the impression that it is a game of pure luck where a newbie can easily beat a experienced player, so he kinda has to work for it (I tend to use TIe Fighter mainly, nothing too fancy and not too many to not swarm him).

I've always taught new people with the squads suggested in the rulebook- Luke vs Night Beast and an Obsidian. Usually works out great, they get a firm grasp on most of the rules, and it's over pretty quick so if they want you've still got time to show them a higher points game.

to demonstrate the game to a newbie I would go by 3 rules:

1. not too many upgrades to keep track of (nice thing about the rules, by selecting the lists you can simplify the game without changing any rules)

2. choose the most iconic/known characters (one of the core features of the game is the used theme)

3. show the common difference in term of ship count for rebels and imperials

so with the given selection of ships and a bit of time I would go for:

Luke+R2D2, Han Solo

vs.

Vader, Soontir Fel, 2x Academy TIEs

Don't know if it is totally balanced, but that is almost beside the point in an introductory run, which is unbalanced by the players anyhow.

Fun to play would be...

Soontir Fell + Push the Limit (30)

Darth Vader + Engine Upgrade + Concussion Missiles (37)

Bounty Hunter (33)

All 3 ships can operate independently of each other so no need for precision formation flying.

Vader and Fell both can boost and take a 2nd action every turn if needed making them very tricky to get free shots on (they will usually return fire or get out of enemy firing arcs altogether).

as for rebels id go with 3 name pilots for your XYB.

Luke + Shield Upgrade + R2D2 (36)

Horton + Ion Cannon (30)

Ibitsam + Fire Control System + PTL (33)

imo easy to play means less ships to control and ships that dont depend on formation flying to be effective.

great lists everyone. I think I have an entire night of X-Wing planned.... now for my friend to head up from Florida.