Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hello! My friend and I are getting into X-Wing and we are looking to build squads competitive enough for tournament play. We currrently have both starter sets purchased, along with the Millenium Falcon and Lamda Shuttle. We would like to be able to compete with the top tier lists, but don't want to break the bank.

What is recommended for new players to purchase in order to keep up with the current meta in X-Wing, without breaking the bank (yet)?

As top of my head suggestions;

A couple of Y-Wings
A couple of Z95's or A-Wings
TIE Phantom
TIE Interceptor
Either (or both) of the Aces boxes
The Most Wanted box

I wouldn't worry too much about upgrade cards as you can proxy them outside of tournys until you have a feel for the game, although if you do decide to take the plunge this squad builder tells which upgrades come with which ships

http://xwing-builder.co.uk/build

Finally a link to the 2015 Worlds results to give an impression of whats currently hot, although the next wave of ships could shake this up

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/192577-2015-worlds-results/

Here is a price list for the Top 8 a Worlds this year. They ranged anywhere from a little over $100 to almost $300, but keep in mind that I don't think these numbers factor in the cost of the core set (which you already have).

If you want to know what a list will cost, use a squadron builder and then import it to Han Shopped First.

I have a couple of "starter lists" that I use to demonstrate core game concepts to new players, using the minimum of expansions. Neither is particularly competitive, but they're well-matched against each other. The only things you need access to are:
The original core set
the Millennium Falcon
the X-Wing clamshell
the Slave
The TIE Interceptor clamshell
...which, by Amazon's current prices, will set you back $80. These are ships you would buy anyways if you really get into the game, and will give you a good idea of the various styles of play that are required.

Lando Calrissian (44)
Nien Nunb (1)
Millennium Falcon (1)

Wedge Antilles (29)
Determination (1)

Red Squadron Pilot (23)
R5 Astromech (1)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Krassis Trelix (36)
Heavy Laser Cannon (7)
Seismic Charges (2)
Mercenary Copilot (2)

Academy Pilot (12)

Academy Pilot (12)

Soontir Fel (27)
Elusiveness (2)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Look at my list that I just posted I'm new too but I did pretty well with it. Not sure how experienced you are, but synergy is key in this game. That and knowing what maneuvers will bring you where.

Agreed with above. I plan on buying a couple ships for their cards mostly(K-wing)

For rebels, you can't go wrong with rebel aces and A-wings. They're pretty decent cheap ships, very maneuverable, and Tycho is like THE Rebel Ace. Z-95s are good ships for filling up points. The World champ did one for exactly that in his list as you can probably see in the above link. HWK are support ships that can equip turrets, but if you want a straight up turret ship Y-wings are better for their cost, since they're tougher and more maneuverable. And if you're running turret ships, you want a K-wing for Twin Laser Turrets. Almost everyone uses them since they're pretty much the most consistent damage-dealing guns in the game.

Imperials, Interceptors are decent. Imperial Aces gives you 2 Push the Limit which is one of the better upgrades in the game, and some decent Aces. The Interceptor pack itself gives you Soontir Fel, who is basically the most popular Imperial Ace. I'm not sure about most of the other ships, I have Boba Fett on order just because I love the Slave 1. Who doesn't love the Fett man? It also gives Stealth devices which are good on Agility 3 ships that you need to keep alive. I'm pretty sure TIE advanced are always a good buy, because Vader is a solid Ace, and they're also decent ships.

Jake Farrell is the best A-Wing ace, methinks.

The problem with TIE Interceptors and TIE Advanced on a budget is that you probably want Autothrusters and the Advanced title. Those add to the purchase cost.

Also, I'm not sure I would recommend going too heavy on Interceptors for a new player. They can definitely work, but they're heavily based on precision dodging and therefore have a pretty high learning curve to not die horribly.

Here are my current purchases:
-Lamda Shuttle
-Falcon
-Both Starter Sets

Here's what I am considering getting next:
-Both Aces Sets
-Y-Wing
-TIE Advanced
-MAYBE a Slave 1

Should I be getting something else before getting the above, or am I on the right track? Again, I'm looking to build 2 competitive squads for tournament play.

Don't bother with the TIE advanced if you aren't going to buy the Raider (or buy the title card and ATC from someone who did), it's a terrible ship without the buffs the Raider gives it. And I probably wouldn't get the TIE interceptor (aces or normal) unless you're willing to buy a Starviper to get autothrusters.

 Peregrine wrote:
And I probably wouldn't get the TIE interceptor (aces or normal) unless you're willing to buy a Starviper to get autothrusters.

I would agree but the Imperial Aces set is the only way to get 2x Push The Limit cards, otherwise you have to buy the A-wing expansion to get 1 card. But that's if you need push the limit, which you likely will...