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After finding out that there's a nearby shop that stocks and holds events for X-Wing, Armada, and Imperial Assault (as well as other games, duh ), I'd like to start one of the three.

So I need your help Dakka:
Can someone give me a quick rundown of each game? As well as how each compares to each other and which you consider to be "the best"?
I'd also like to know which one is cheapest to get into/continue, so I can actually fund my army or whatever.

Thanks Dakka

X-Wing is most likely the cheapest and easiest to start with, and has fairly simple rules, generally games are 3-5 ships, maybe higher for a pure 'swarm' (ie generic TIE fighters), most games are 100pt last ship standing dogfights

Armada is slightly more complex than X-Wing and has the issue of the starter box being somewhat steep in price (although for whats in the box its not bad value), its a slower more tactical game than X-Wing and most matches are objective / mission based

Imperial Assault, I've only played the Co-Op campaign mode rather than the 1 vs 1 skirmish version, the rules seem solid and again most matches are again mission based

My personal fav is X-Wing as I only get to game once a week so being able to get in 2 or more games appeals, I liked IA but a lot of that was the fun of playing a Co-op social game, I didn't really get on with Armada, although I only had the starter box and found it all a bit too fiddly physically

If you have a local FLGS supporting all three maybe try to get someone to give you a demo game of each ?

Yeah, I'd probably suggest X-Wing as a first pick. I like the game a lot and it's pretty cheap to start. Though I will admit, there are some slightly annoying issues with desirable upgrade cards being spread across expansions, but all three of these FFG games have that.

There's also about to be the new "Heroes of the Resistance" box, which when combined with the Force Awakens version of the core set should be able to make a pretty good 100 point squadron on its own.

Thanks guys for the replies.

I'll see what I can get at my FLGS for the cheapest

I've only really played the beginner game to date, but recently I've been buying up some X-Wing stuff without "lists" in mind, and no intention of competitive play, but....

Is there any point to having two of any of the larger ships? Imperial Assault Carrier/Tantive/Rebel Transport/etc?

What about the mid-sized ships, like Hound's Tooth, YT-2400 or IG-2000?

Money's not an issue. Just fun gameplay. As in reasonably balanced but not TFG/WAAC/Hyper-competitive list-building.

 Azazelx wrote:
I've only really played the beginner game to date, but recently I've been buying up some X-Wing stuff without "lists" in mind, and no intention of competitive play, but....

Is there any point to having two of any of the larger ships? Imperial Assault Carrier/Tantive/Rebel Transport/etc?

What about the mid-sized ships, like Hound's Tooth, YT-2400 or IG-2000?

Money's not an issue. Just fun gameplay. As in reasonably balanced but not TFG/WAAC/Hyper-competitive list-building.

Not really, the only one that really gets any benefit of duplication is the IG-2000 due to the ability sharing

What did you like most about Star Wars?

Do you like the idea of starfighters flying about, trying to blast each other like in Episode IV? Then I would go with X-Wing.

Did you like the idea of overseeing a massive space battle like in Episode VI? Then I would go with Armada.

Did you like the idea of taking command of a small group of infantry? Then I would go with Imperial Assault.

This is a fairly simplistic overview of each game system but it gives you a rough basis on what to go with, based on your interests.

 Azazelx wrote:
I've only really played the beginner game to date, but recently I've been buying up some X-Wing stuff without "lists" in mind, and no intention of competitive play, but....

Is there any point to having two of any of the larger ships? Imperial Assault Carrier/Tantive/Rebel Transport/etc?

What about the mid-sized ships, like Hound's Tooth, YT-2400 or IG-2000?

Money's not an issue. Just fun gameplay. As in reasonably balanced but not TFG/WAAC/Hyper-competitive list-building.

Duel IG-2000 was all the rage about a year ago. I think from memory most people ran IG-88 B and C pilots, autothrusher, HLC or mangler cannons, and a few other things. I'm not sure if it's as popular now,been out of the loop

It's not popular, per se, but well flown it can still take care of business.

Azazelx: You only really want one of each huge ships, for the few times you'll play with them. I think I once mentionned a list with 4 Lambda shuttles, but more in jest. Two VCX-100 sounds fun, but they die rather quickly.

I've heard of a few lists with two Decimators or firesprays (Boba Fett's ship), but nothing with the bigger ships.

Kool and the Gang in that case. I'll stick to one of each and be happy with that.

Redeemer31 wrote:
What did you like most about Star Wars?

Do you like the idea of starfighters flying about, trying to blast each other like in Episode IV? Then I would go with X-Wing.

Did you like the idea of overseeing a massive space battle like in Episode VI? Then I would go with Armada.

Did you like the idea of taking command of a small group of infantry? Then I would go with Imperial Assault.

This is a fairly simplistic overview of each game system but it gives you a rough basis on what to go with, based on your interests.

Good suggestion.

Personally I enjoy the Imperial Assault game, I find that X-Wing can get a bit WAAC in the tourney scene because of upgrade cards but I find with IA, its more skill based and you get to play your fave charcters, like Vader, Fett, Luke, Hand and Chewie and pit them against the likes of Wampas and Rancors. Good fun all around imo

No idea on Armada though, never tried although I love the idea of fleet battles