This guide is for beginners.  I know a lot of people look at this guide and think well I know all of this.  That is why it is for beginners.  My sons and I love this game and we have learned some of the pitfalls in collecting these minis.   Most of the pitfalls are because we screwed up when we first started.  Hopefully this will help you the beginner not do the same thing.  Some of the information in this guide maybe common knowledge to most but it wasn't when we first started our collection.  Please read through because it might save you some money.  Especially if you are looking for the expansion missions books with the maps (please don't spend $30.00 on them).  I just hope everyone can enjoy this game as much as we do.  If you havn't tried a tournament do so it is great fun and usually free.  The more people that play the sanctioned tournaments and get DCI numbers the more different sets that will be created.  Please let me know if any bit of information helped in this guide ( I will tweek it if you make suggestions).  WE are just trying to make Star Wars miniatures enjoyable for everyone.

So now you have decided to start playing I am sure like me you look at the prices and cry.  This can be expensive and if you don't know what is going on you think this may not be worth it.  I reccommend  starting with a starter set.  It comes with two rares and six other minis from common to uncommon.  This is enough to get started.  Find someone else and play with what you have.  Break them into groups.  Don't worry about Seperatists or Republic just try the game.  Your starter set should have enough to that if you want to go to a 100 pt. tournament you have that.  Most leagues aren't jerks if they know you have just started they will understand that you just have a few to play and be very accomidating.  The card up above is like one you recieve for each figure.  The upper right corner has a number that is the point value for that figure you add those up to 100, 150 or 200 points and then you have what is called a squad.  The card also will list special abilities, force powers, the attack, the defense and hit points for the figure.  This information is important as you read it to determine the strengths and weaknesses of each figure.  So know this info.  Then just play and see if you enjoy it or not.  If you do then worry about adding new figures to your collection.  The next paragraph deals with that. 

No matter how large your collection or if you are just starting ebay is the place to buy.  You have to be careful though because everything is not as advertised.  To play the game you must have the stat card.  No ifs or buts so if the seller has no card the piece is worthless.  Second look for bargains.  Don't get caught up in what you don't have look for a good deal.  The main reasoning is you can always trade with someone.  Leagues and tournaments are a great place to trade.  So is the wizards website.  The easiest way to accomplish this is to search on Star Wars miniatures and check the prices on the those items that are about to end.  A lot of times I find rares and very rares that have not been bid with two minutes left.  These are bargains.  If you are new let me explain the Wizards of the Coast (the game maker a division of Hasbro) rating system for the figures.  There is very rare, rare, uncommon and common.  It is important that you go to the Wizards of the Coast website if you don't which figures are which.  There is a list there that will tell you which ones are rare and common.  This is important because I can't tell you how many times I have seen a seller stating that his item is rare.  If you are new this sounds good, but Abyssin Black Sun Thugs are not rare.  In fact a friend of mine has a bag of seventy he will be glad to give you if you pay the shipping.  Sellers do this quite often and this really gets new people.  So it is very important you know the rating system (the Boba Fett pictured above is a very rare).  So once you check the items ending soonest see if there are any bargains.  Today I purchased Stass Allie and Shaak Ti (both are rares) for a dollar each.  I didn't need them but they normally sell for way much more.  I know someone who does and so I can trade them.  If you are desperate for one particular figure (to complete a set or whatever) I recommend using the ebay stores or the wizards message board.  If the prices are reasonable and shipping is also this is a great avenue to find that one particular figure.  You want to also consider what set it comes from.  Clone Strike is out print so all the prices are inflated for these figures.  A good way to see if you are getting a fair price is to search on the particular figure you are looking for.  It should normally pull up several choices.  Then you can look and see the ballpark average of what people are charging.  Be sure to add in shipping because sometimes shipping will make the cost outrageous.  If you are wanting to buy a whole bunch of figures from one set (like Rebel Storm).  Do a search for Rebel Storm Booster cases or Universe Booster cases.  Sometimes this is the cheapest way to go.  If you are just starting a collection and have almost no figures this is a great way to get started.  A case  (12) normally sells for $89-$105 (for sets still in print).  If you purchase the same amount of boosters at a store the costs would be $156 plus tax.  On Universe and the new Bounty Hunter sets this is different.  These sets contain large/huge figures and so there are only 6 per case.  Going the retail route it is $120.00.  Using ebay I normally spend $65.00 plus shipping for the same case.  E bay is a great way to build a set especially if you are two three figures away from completing the set.  If you are brand new to Star Wars miniatures game you will have to have a starter set because you need a gameboard of some sort.  You can still find Revenge of the Sith starter sets relatively cheap on ebay.  You buy them retail at Books-a-Million, Hastings, Barnes & Noble and Borders stores.  If you dont want to buy a starter set you get maps/game boards through the expansion sets.  These have mission and maps but they are normally around $30.00 (which I think is way to much).  I can tell you I have found luck finding these using Amazon.  I found the Clone Strike expansion and missions for $3.00 from a bookstore in New York.  They are selling them on Amazon because they can't get rid of them at their store.  So look around on the net sometimes you can find major bargains.  You can also find bargains in major retailers.  I bought the equivalent of a case of Universe boosters at Suncoast.  They normally retail for $19.99,  they were on clearance for $8.00 a piece.  So look around but you won't find them in Wal-Mart or Toys R Us.  You will be better off checking comic book stores and book stores.  These local stores are great too for looking for that one particular and usually there are games run there.  If they aren't running a game at your local store ask them about it it may be because no one has asked and they aren't aware there is an interest.  My local store usually sells their loose rares and very rares for a flat fee $6.00 for rare and $12.00 for very rare.  If you go in the store at the right time this is a heck of a bargain because other than Mon Mothma a very rare at $12.00 is more than great.  The local stores are also great for army building because they usually carry some loose uncommons and commons.  Anyone looking for an extra Jedi Weapons Master doesn't really want to pay $4.00 shipping and handling for him.  Also sometimes your local store will sell their cases for the same as the cases on ebay.  You will pay tax of course but usually that is a little less than shipping and handling.  So visit your local store and if you don't have one use the net.

The main thing when buying is not get in any rush.  You don't have to get it this second.  That is the great thing about ebay is that someone is selling it.  I have tested it by purchasing an Avalon Hill game that is over 26 years old that I used to play as a kid. (By the way General Windu is a rare).  So don't get in a rush take your time.  My last tip I can give a buyer is to pay attention to the feedback ratings.  If their rating is high and they have 99-100% positive feedback then they are not going to ruin that reputation for just one sale.  This is a great way to make sure you trust this seller.  But a reminder if you buy something leave feedback.  If you sell something leave feedback.  It is how you can feel safe as a buyer and a seller on ebay.  Also watch out for sellers that don't accept a credit card or paypal.  I have been ripped off by the money order only people.  A hint Ebay only protects a purchase over twenty five dollars.  So a five dollar figure won't be covered.  If you are going to use a seller that only accepts money orders check his feedback.  I got burned by someone who had good feedback up until I mailed the money order and then the negative feedback came rolling in.  So be careful

Star Wars miniatures is a great game.  It gives you the chance to recreate battles from the movies and universe.  It also allows you to see how the Rebellion would fare against the Republic.  There are leagues and tournaments going on everywhere and it can played on a table (even a tailgate as my son and I did waiting for the drive movie to start).  You will need to be able to build a two hundred point or one hundred point army depending on the type of tournament going on.  Entry is normally free and with Star Wars it is normally a constructed army tournament.  Constructed just means a built army.  Normally your army must consist of the same faction.  It is important to build a well rounded army for the entire tournament and not just the opponent sitting in front of you.  This army cannot be changed throughout the tournament and there is no telling what you will be facing in the next round.  Most people like the Imperial faction for tournament play especially using At-St's.  That is why you must build a well rounded army.  Because if you are new to the game you are going to most likely run into a person using the Imperials.  Most of the time this won't be a very pretty outcome.  If you are a new gamer and want to play in the tournaments and do well then Imperial is the way to go.  Usually a dangerous Imperial army in a 200 point constructed game consists of 2 AT-STs, General Veers, 2 Stormtrooper Commanders, 1 Imperial Officer, 1 Probe Droid, 1 Heavy Stormtrooper.  Something like that the main thing is the 2 AT-STs and the Stormtrooper Commander's, and Imperial Officer.  If you read their cards you will kind of get the why this works so well.  If not have someone use this army against you and then you will see, it is very hard to beat.  It is a chance for young or old to play and you don't have to be a Star Wars fanatic.  Wizards also makes a Dungeons and Dragons set and Axis & Allies set if you don't like Star Wars. 

 Finally selling miniatures.  (there is the Black Sun Thug it is a common, very common)  When selling all I can say is be fair.  Treat others like you want to be treated.  If there is a problem fix it.  I recently overcharged a buyer shipping because it was going internationally.  She emailed me and asked about it.  Normally I really am not that fond of going international but I try.  I have undercharged people on international stuff and lost money.  So when she asked how muck to ship international I estimated to high.  So I sent her and her son some figures on me no charge.  Because in the end the golden rule is important.  Most of your buyers if you are selling are children and grandchildren buying with their parents help.  So be fair.  I know one buyer who's son has a disability, she emailed me and said that her son uses the miniatures to help communicate with her.  So you never know why or who is buying, but you always want to be fair with them on price and shipping.  This is a great game system and ebay makes it really easy to find what your looking for so don't abuse it.  And where was ebay when I was a kid buying football and baseball cards trying to finish sets.  One final thought if you like Star Wars miniatures there is a guy on the Wizards Message Board named Saber Creator.  Check out his custom miniatures they are great especially if you play Knights of the Old Republic 1 or 2.  He makes a great Darth Revan.  You cannot use him in the tournaments but it is just awesome.