Sorry if this is a wall of text....

I've been wanting to get into this game for a few months but decided to hold off for Christmas. Waiting paid off, I ended upgetting one Core, One Tie, One Tie Advanced, The Falcon, and Slave 1. So far I've been mainly playing my wife, who rolls her eyes more than the dice and a friend for a few games. Options have been limited to reach a 100 point game. Falcon and an X wing with pretty much maxed pilots,skills, and mods,but with the Empire having a bit more flexibility.

A local gaming store is having a Tournament this coming Saturday and I want to play, if for no other reason, play against more experianced players to see various tactics in action. I'm well aware I'm going to likely be obliterated rather handily, but I want to at least give myself a fighting chance. Who knows I might catch my opposition underestimating the power of the Dark Side.

I figure decked out Falcon and one X Wing is prettymuch a fast track to the spectator area so I'm exploring my Imperial options.

One Squad that I found someone discussing on another forum that would work with what I have is:
Darth Vader w/ Swarm Tactics and concussion missile
Night Beast
Bounty Hunter w/ Gunner
Academy Pilot

In Theory Vader Keeps the Acadmy Pilot at its side to take advantage of ST and at worst trade the AP for one better ship in the opposition and then hoping that Vader and BH will be able to outlast from there.

I was wondering if Boost would be a better option for Vader for Maximum board coverage, but I know that the AP won't be able to keep up. I'd welcome any thoughts on this squad or if there's another option with the ships I have available that I'm missing.

I generally run with the school that thinks more ships > ships with upgrades, and as a beginning pilot having less variety in PS numbers should help avoid bumping. You'll also have more luck taking actions, which will be important to survival and to deal damage. So if you handed me those restrictions, I'd be tempted to run:

• Darth Vader w/ Swarm Tactics
• Bounty Hunter
• Academy Pilot x 3

Bounty Hunter would fly separately, while the TIEs kept a square-ish formation with Vader at the back. That gives you Vader and one of the APs shooting first, enables you to get in the way of your opponents with the three Academy Pilots that move first, and maximizes your total guns available on the board (11 lasers, fairly agile ships, 18 hull, and 6 shields should keep you around a while and let you dish out some damage). Don't forget to take advantage of the rear guns on that spray - they're a nice alternative to k-turning in many circumstances.

Have fun and good luck whatever you end up flying!

Have you considered Boba Fett or Kath Scarlett with Expert Handling? Firespray Barrel Rolls are MASSIVE.

Am I reading it right that you have purchased the Tie Expansion?

Although this may sound whiny, "if only you had another Rebel Fighter!" I mean the Falcon can be amazing but with only one Core X-Wing supporting it you'll probably run into situations where you just find you can't deal damage fast enough. While you can try two ships it is certainly an uphill battle.

This leaves your Imperials and you probably should field all three if you can. If you leave one off I'd actually look at kicking the Advanced but I'm not sure the rest will make a good squad.

do u have howlrunner? i agree that running a maximum number of ships is recommended. ur original squad looks fine tho.

I'm not much more experienced than you are, but I would try a list like

Krasis Trelix w/ Heavy Laser Cannon

Tempest Squadron Pilot

Academy Pilot x3

Use the ties as a small swarm to attack with Krasis as artillery/sniper in support. I don't know how well it will work, but it looks fun to me. Also have a blast at your tournament.

To follow up I do have a TIE expansion which means yes I do have Howlrunner, and had considered putting him inthe mix. I'm liking the look of what ManOnAWire recommended for max lazers in the opening engagement. I'll be weighing it against DFocke's and my first thought.

I wish I did have another Rebel Ship to put inthe mix with Falcon and X-Wing but I just spent the last of the fun money on a Plano box for carrying all this around.

That does hurt. Although some may say the HWK will work just adding any other Rebel ship to the mix would have made a decent Rebel squad.

I'm not much more experienced than you are, but I would try a list like

Krasis Trelix w/ Heavy Laser Cannon

Tempest Squadron Pilot

Academy Pilot x3

Use the ties as a small swarm to attack with Krasis as artillery/sniper in support. I don't know how well it will work, but it looks fun to me. Also have a blast at your tournament.

i like this list. its solid. if flying that many ships scares u maybe go with some name tie-firghters and drop the advanced?

not sure on this tho. u dont have quite enough ties/intercepters to make a solid swam list