"Advice for an FFG X-Wing Noob?" Topic

I've just picked up the core set for X-Wing (bit behind the crowd perhaps) and like what I see. So, with shameless flattery, I'm calling on the great wisdom and insight of TMPs members to help with some pointers – mainly to prevent me splurging on expensive stuff that never gets used. First, whats a reasonable number of ships for an evening's friendly game – assuming I'm not tricking them out with every uber upgrade card I can get my hands on? Does the big stuff, like the Falcon, add anything to the game? And same question for the really big stuff – not that its in my budget range, but they are pretty? And talking of budget any tips on acquisistion (for the UK please – a really good bundle deal State-side will just make cry given the way the exchange rates been going). Looking at prices, 2nd hand on ebay seems about as pricy as new product and the starter looks to be the best way getting Tie's and X-Wings?

Sorry, you probably came to the wrong place.

My path is to buy everything and numerous copies of most everything on the smaller stands. I've played with everything at least once. It's a fun game. Play scenarios, make up you own, it's all good.

I use 20% off coupons at Barnes & noble here in the states, whether I need something or not. Like I said, I'm not a good role model.

Have fun.

Hello!
I'm hoping someone with a little more XP will get back to you. But I'm going to tell you there are variables to your question.
First off are you interested in Rebels/Scum/or Imperials?
Secondly, are you looking to pick up games at a shop, or play solo. I play quite a bit of solo. Herkybird has some nice rules for solo play on his website. Sometimes I just bust out 3-4 X-wings and 6 or so Ties and have a go.
That being said, I don't know what the "meta" builds are for the game right now. I've not played competitively for quite some time. Not the games fault mind you.
I have found all the ships quite fun to play, and usually pretty flavorful. Most can be competitive if you play them with some skill. Still, new cards and upgrades are coming out faster than I can keep up.
I would stay away from the Epic version right now. Meaning the Corvette, the Imperial Raider, and the other epic based size ships. All others are a go I'd think. The epic game is seldom played at shops as pick up games.
If you go to FFG's forum, they are usually all about what ships and combos are hot at the moment, plus there are several apps out there for a smart phone to help you play with builds. You can also find the info on upgrade cards so you don't have to buy every ship, as long as you just play at home or non competitively.
I wish you luck, it really is a great game. Watch some of the videos on youtube, you can learn a lot!
Anthon

If you're not doing competition play, then yes you can very much enjoy X-Wing on a budget.

Casual play with little to no upgrade cards on the ships works very well. Each player can easily handle up to 6 fighters.

The Falcon, etc, do add fun flair to the game.

My advice for casual gaming: pick a theme to guide your buying — Original Trilogy, Force Awakens, Clone Wars, favourite computer game, etc. and build to match.

As a long-time player, here are my thoughts:

Ideally, I think the game plays best with a group of 4-8, with each player controlling one ship. It's a dogfight game and the whole "you're the pilot" theme naturally favors that approach. Plus, the scramble to communicate back and forth so as to try to coordinate actions has a way of echoing the "radio chatter" of the films (especially as players are likely to quote appropriately throughout). With that caveat, however, a single player can fairly easily handle multiple ships, such as a small squadron of four, or perhaps a pairing of one or two fighters with a larger vessel like the Falcon, Slave 1, or an Imperial Lambda Shuttle.

As for ship choices, I find that all of the classic star fighters from the original films naturally fall into distinctive roles matching the same, bringing a nice richness of tactics. The Y-wing is slow, but built like a tank. The X-wing is versatile, the A-wing lightning fast and nimble, the B-wing an impressive mix of heavy hitting with maneuverability, and so on. And, of course, TIEs get swatted about like the blaster-fodder they are meant to be, but are so dirt cheap that the points match up system usually winds up with a deadly numerical superiority favoring the Empire. Which is as it should be!

I personally favor the dichotomy of the original film setting, that is Empire and Rebels. My only "Scum and Villainy" ship is the Slave 1, which I typically use as an Imperial ally. I have expanded into Extended Universe models with the awesome fighters copied from the classic TIE Fighter flight simulator-- I just couldn't resist having a few TIE Defenders on the tabletop to make the Rebels squeal for mercy.

I highly recommend the larger ships like the Falcon, Slave 1, and yes, the Lambda. The unique abilities and upgrade cards included with these ships really add spice to the game, and none are merely "oversized fighters" or even cosmetic copies of each other. Even the Lambda, which one might think of as a dubious fighting machine, can be surprisingly effective, especially in its role as a command-and-control vessel, boosting the actions and capabilities of its allied forces. It is also uniquely the only vessel that can actually stop in space, a maneuvering choice that can wreak delightful havoc on the plotted paths of its adversaries.

I do have two of the huge "epic" vessels— the Rebel Transport and the Imperial Assault Cruiser— but I've yet to use these in battle, so I can't comment on their versatility. But you certainly don't have to have them, and they are a budget hit.

I've been fortunate to have generous family who've supplied me with gift cards, which have paid for much of my fleet. And like others, I too use discount coupons wherever possible.

If I were to recommend a basic, versatile set up, I'd say spring for two of the starter sets, giving you two X-wings and four TIEs (plus extra dice, too). Then, if you can, gradually pick up two of the other classic fighters: 2 A-wings, 2 Y-wings, 2 TIE Interceptors, 2 TIE Bombers, and the Falcon. The standard TIE and X-wing expansion packs are good choices, too, as they include more unique pilots and upgrade cards that greatly enhance the flexibility and tactics of the game. Then, dream up scenarios beyond just "fights to the death," choosing unusual objectives that provide both a built-in time limit and encourage imaginative maneuvers. My last recommendation is to buy or make a suitable space playing mat. Even a simple black tablecloth with splattered on "stars" enhances the look and feel of the game immensely. (I use black glitter felt.)

X-Wing is a great game, so don't be afraid to dive in.
And May the Force be with you!

Buying the original boxed set is probably the best way to get more fighters, plus templates, chits, etc., for the least amount of money (or it used to be).

I like the original fighters from the A New Hope movie.

There are now, many, many releases, some of which aren't even in the movies, and I'm not up to speed on them.

If you just want the minis, and can use the current cards, you can buy some of the Micromachines fighters. There are 4 – 5 in a pack, including some from the latest movies, which you can get for about $2 USD – $2.50 USD each ($10 for the set of 4 – 5 fighters, which is a bargain). You'll need aftermarket stands, and extra cards and chits, but that's a lot cheaper way to go to get new minis for large games.

If you're not playing competitively, and can find the card info on-line, the Action Fleet, Millenium Falcon is much larger (about 8" – 10" long), and more accurately in scale with the fighters, if running your own scenarios at home, or the local club.

Thanks for advice in the face of some fairly nebulous questions! Played the quick start game last night with my 8-year old daughter and watched both my Tie's get turned into expanding vapour clouds…

I'd already thought about a 'theme'. Out of the blue I serendipitously got invited to join a club X-wing game this week so I'll check out what other people are playing before I settle on a faction.

@Mako, Micromachine may be good for making up an opposition for playing games at home. I take it your not talking about the blind bag ones? Though a quick check a with one of my sons blind bag X-Wings showed them to be suprisingly similar in size to the FFG one. I'm also curious about how you mount them?

Litko sells compatible stands, or you can buy the official stands (in colors) separately.

Drill and/or glue should be enough to get the job done.

Also… in my experience, the large ships add some other options to the game, but are really not required to have some fun.