Received a core set recently in a board game trade and played with a friend and we caught the itch. I'm looking into expanding so I can build my own customized list. I'm drawn to the Imperials always have been when it comes to Star Wars. I'm looking at what sets I should pick up to make a good Imperial list that isn't Tie Swarm. I'm highly competitive so a list that would also do well at a LGS tournament is a must. Thanks for any feedback and I'll answer any questions you have.

If you don't want to go with a swarm, then consider Interceptors, the Slave 1 expansion, and/or the Lambda expansion. All strong ships.

Personally I like the Slave 1 the best out of those three.

Search on the forums, there are plenty of similar requests. But they all go along the lines of "get a second core set, get a TIE/ln expansion for some of the best TIE pilots, (and X wing if you want to collect evenly)" And then they vary abit. If you're looking for the least investment to start being competitive with the empire, I'd say probably a Firespray. You can fly that with the 5 TIEs you have for a mini swarm + big ship, or reduce it to 3-4 TIEs for a well loaded Firespray.

Pretty much any ship will add to your possibilities, but no 1 additional ship (besides possibly a 6th TIE for a Named TIE swarm) would give you competitive lists... given, the FS costs the same as 2 small ships, which could be any combo really, besides 2 advanced. You will likely eventually want to get both sides for competitive play so you have the cards that are rebel exclusive (fire control system and what not). But they're not needed right away.

Firespray is a must for you if you are not looking to run swarm. 2 Firesprays perhaps...

Advanced is ok, but mainly for Darth Vader only (there are numerous threads on this)

Shuttle can get nasty when equipped a'la Sable-style.

Bombers are my new hotness at the moment.

Interceptors are squishy, but pack a punch.

The base answer is always, two starter sets and one of every expansion. To be more specific to your request

A Tie Fighter expansion so you can use Howlrunner, he is great with swarms or with big ships

A second starter set for the two extra tie fighters

Then whatever strikes your fancy. But I still would be wary of buying more than one of anything other than the starter set if your trying to go cheap. You may assume you'll love it, only to find you prefer something else.

The only ship I might stay away from right off is the Advanced, it has limited uses.

There are lots of competitive lists, it's a well balanced game, everytime I think a ship stinks I end up changing my mind. Winning isn't always the better pilot, nor is it always the better dice roller (though that helps alot). What's good in one game may not be in the next.

I'm a huge proponent of the Lambda. It's a highly potent craft. I just don't recommend it to the inexperienced. It really takes a lot of skill to fly right and it needs upgrades from the following lists to be viable: Millenium Falcon, Slave 1, B-Wing. As you can see, those are two large (and expensive) craft plus a B-Wing for each shuttle you want to fly effectively.

When you are looking for a challenge and you are steady at maneuvering, then pick up the Lambda, pull up one of my many threads on the subject, and learn how to fly it. It's not easy, but it is rewarding. Until then, follow the venerable advice from above.

Thanks, sorry for the repetitive post I'm sure you see it all the time. I appreciate the advice and will look into getting an extra core and one of some of the recommended ships above. I'm really looking forward to the Imperial Aces set those ships look amazing.

Thanks, sorry for the repetitive post I'm sure you see it all the time. I appreciate the advice and will look into getting an extra core and one of some of the recommended ships above. I'm really looking forward to the Imperial Aces set those ships look amazing.

And that there would be my advice. We should be less then one month away from the aces. Pick up two and you have the making of a very solid Tie Intercepotor squad. 4 royal guards all with Push the Limits hits right at 100 pts and is compedative. this reduces the need to buy additional expansion packs just for upgrades.

Even if you don't want to run a swarm, I would still recommend a second core set (You could even share the cost with your friend and he could keep the tokens etc.?) because more TIE's are never a bad thing. I would also advise at least 1x TIE expansion to get the additional unique pilots.

From there, it's whatever takes your fancy! The Firespray-31 is one of my favourite expansions, but a bomber or two wouldn't go amiss...!