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OK so I have just taken delivery of my two starter sets (Yay! Twelve weeks delivery to Hong Kong!) and after a quick game with the missus, I have to say it is awesome. Even my better half liked it, which is saying something since board games are not really her cup of tea.

But anyway, to further my experience I am going to be joining a local club to play some more games and generally learn more about the depth of the game. To this end, I was wondering what would be a good list to take from the combined starter sets? I don't want to cheese my opponents (is this even possible with two starter sets?) but rather would like a list that will cover all the bases in terms of game play and wont have me out of the game by turn 3.

Any suggestions? Rebel or Imperial, I don't really mind.

About the fastest way to make a 100 point list with 2 starters is to get a 3rd X-Wing.
Then you can play a Super Friends list; Wedge, Luke, Biggs. Plus room for upgrades.
A 4th X-Wing can let you do things like 4 Red squad with R2 mechs or a named pilot (Luke, Wedge, Biggs, etc) with 3 Rookies.

You're probably not going to be able to make a viable list with just two starter sets. Normal games are 100 points, and you just don't have enough ships to get anywhere near that. So either you'll need to wait and see what models/upgrades the club can let you borrow, or arrange a lower-point game where your available models are sufficient. Either way we can't really help you much since the best list is going to depend on what the other club members offer as a solution.

Yeah, pretty much what I though - I'm more than willing to buy the expansion sets but the main issue here in Hong Long is the long delivery time, normally 8-12 weeks

Shops don't hold much stock here, but the 'in stock' items I could go with to expand immediately are:

Rebel Transport Expansion Pack (worth the $$$?)
TY-2400 Expansion Pack
Z-95 Headhunter Expansion Pack
Lambda Class Shuttle Expansion Pack
HWK-290 Expansion Pack
or another Core Set (which seems excessive to me)

Give those choices, what would you recommend?

YT-2400 would probably be the best IMO from that list followed by Z-95 Headhunter if you like Rebels.

Lambda if you prefer Empire.

So, based on what's in stock it looks like you're committed to playing rebels for now. If all you can buy is the shuttle for imperials then it's going to be very difficult to build a viable list. As for the individual expansions:

 Iapedus wrote:
Rebel Transport Expansion Pack (worth the $$$?)

Depends on your budget. R3-A2 is really powerful and the other x-wing pilots and upgrade cards can be useful. The transport itself isn't legal in normal games (only in the high-point "epic" variant) so you have to ask yourself whether you're willing to spend that much money but only use half the stuff in the box.

TY-2400 Expansion Pack

Very good. Dash is great, and fixes your "don't have enough ships to play at 100 points" problem in a single purchase. The main problem would be that you won't have some of the upgrade cards that the popular Dash setups use. Can you proxy cards? If so a good list to start with would be 58 Dash* and a pair of rookie x-wings.

*Push the limit, heavy laser cannon, Kyle crew, engine upgrade, Outrider title

Z-95 Headhunter Expansion Pack

Good, but you need multiple copies of them if you want to use them effectively. In the long run you'll probably want at least 3-4 but I'm not sure if you want to spend that much money right away. I'd probably save this one for later unless you're willing to commit to buying all four at once.

Lambda Class Shuttle Expansion Pack

Not really worth it now that you can get advanced sensors in the e-wing expansion. Shuttles are fairly cheap, but they have a terrible dial and they're really a niche-role ship. Maybe you'll want one eventually, but it's not a priority.

HWK-290 Expansion Pack

Worth getting one and only one. Roark with an ion turret is a useful anti-phantom tool, but otherwise they're kind of disappointing.

or another Core Set (which seems excessive to me)

It probably is excessive. The only reason I'd suggest buying more core sets right now is if you can't get access to the x-wing and TIE fighter expansions. But they are pretty reasonably priced, unless prices in your part of the world aren't the same as elsewhere. You're essentially buying three expansions at once and getting all of the other stuff for free. So if you need lots of TIE fighters (and you can take up to eight at once) it's not a bad way to get them.

Give those choices, what would you recommend?

My suggestion would be either:

1) The YT-2400 if you like the ship and can proxy the cards you're missing, which gives you the 58 Dash + 2x rookie list I mentioned above.

2) The transport and a HWK, which gives you three x-wings (pick your combination of pilots and upgrades, but be sure to include R3-A2) and Roark.

Don't forget the missus... Tie Swarm (6 Tie Fighters) is the shark of the meta... it is as old as the game and is so good that it doesn't need to evolve much. To accomplish this, I'd try to get 2 of the Tie Fighter expansions rather than another core. You get different pilots and upgrades in those expansions (same goes for the X-Wing). WOuld be worth the wait.
A Shuttle is also really good.

Peregrine wrote:My suggestion would be either:

1) The YT-2400 if you like the ship and can proxy the cards you're missing, which gives you the 58 Dash + 2x rookie list I mentioned above.

2) The transport and a HWK, which gives you three x-wings (pick your combination of pilots and upgrades, but be sure to include R3-A2) and Roark.

Great, thanks for this - pretty much the exact kind of feedback I was hoping for. I think I will be going for the YT-2400 and put an X=Wing + 2 Tie on order.

Anpu-adom wrote:Don't forget the missus...

Ha ha, as if this were possible I will order the Ties so we can both give Tie swarm a go!

Cheers guys!

Ah, right, so having decided on going for the YT-2400 I have just found a box of Rebel Aces gathering dust at the back of the shelf...

...so, given the choice between the two, would you still suggest the YT-2400 or does Rebel Aces offer more variety for a beginner like me?

Undoubtedly more options in Rebel Aces, the B Wing has always been good, and the A Wing modifications you get really help it, it isn't bleeding edge, but the modifications you get with this box and the introduction of Autothrusters with the new wave of Scum ships has started to make it look viable.

That's looking at it from a tournament perspective though, but on the grounds of you sound more fun orientated, at least for now, I'd still say two different ships is better.

Really though, I'd buy both!

 Azreal13 wrote:
Really though, I'd buy both!

*sigh* I know. This is how it starts, isn't it?

 Iapedus wrote:
Ah, right, so having decided on going for the YT-2400 I have just found a box of Rebel Aces gathering dust at the back of the shelf...

...so, given the choice between the two, would you still suggest the YT-2400 or does Rebel Aces offer more variety for a beginner like me?

Probably the YT-2400 since it immediately gives you a decent 100-point list while rebel aces gives you some niche tools that may or may not go well with your existing models. It's probably worth getting both though since you have such severe supply issues and you may not get another chance at rebel aces. It's a good expansion in the long run, it's just not an immediate 100-point list with a limited budget.

Hey, if your looking for more ships, ive a bunch listed well under the rrp on the swap page. Inc Reb aces, ywings, interceptor, advanced. Great ships to get your collection going.

Peregrine wrote:Probably the YT-2400 since it immediately gives you a decent 100-point list while rebel aces gives you some niche tools that may or may not go well with your existing models. It's probably worth getting both though since you have such severe supply issues and you may not get another chance at rebel aces. It's a good expansion in the long run, it's just not an immediate 100-point list with a limited budget.

OK, went with YT-2400 in the end, but will probably pick up rebel aces end of the week too. Have also ordered an XWing and Tie expansions.

Annnnnnnnnd so the addiction begins

BigRedStandingBy wrote:Hey, if your looking for more ships, ive a bunch listed well under the rrp on the swap page. Inc Reb aces, ywings, interceptor, advanced. Great ships to get your collection going.

Thanks for this, will take a look.