How to Build a Star Trek Attack Wing Fleet: A Beginner's Guide

Quick answer

Start by choosing one faction and a point limit, usually 100 points for a standard game. Buy a core set or starter, then add one or two expansion packs that match your faction. Spend most points on ships, leave room for upgrades, and play a test game before buying more.

Building your first Star Trek Attack Wing fleet can feel overwhelming with so many ships and upgrades. The good news is that a solid fleet follows a simple process: pick a faction, set a point limit, choose ships, add upgrades, and test it on the table.

This guide walks you through that process step by step, with practical tips and common mistakes to avoid. Whether you are starting from a core set or expanding an existing collection, these steps will help you build a fleet that is fun to play and easy to improve.

Step 1: Choose Your Faction and Point Limit

Before you buy anything, decide which faction you want to play. Star Trek Attack Wing factions include Federation, Klingon, Romulan, Dominion, Borg, and others. Each faction has a distinct playstyle: Federation tends to be balanced and defensive, Klingons favor aggression, Romulans use cloaking and precision, and Borg are resilient but expensive. Pick the one that matches how you like to play, not just what looks cool.

Next, agree on a point limit with your opponent. The most common format is 100 points, but 50-point skirmishes are great for learning. Your point limit determines how many ships and upgrades you can bring, so set it before you start list-building.

• Common mistake: Choosing a faction based only on a single powerful ship. Make sure you like the faction's overall style before committing.
• Checkpoint: Can you describe your faction's main strength in one sentence? If not, read a little more before buying.

Step 2: Pick a Core Set or Starter

If you are brand new, start with a core set or starter that includes everything you need to play: ships, maneuver templates, dice, and rulebook. A core set gives you two factions to try, which helps you decide which one you prefer. If you already know your faction, a faction-specific starter is a better buy because it includes ships and upgrades that work together.

For example, the Dungeons & Dragons Onslaught: Red Wizards Faction Pack is a faction expansion that requires a core set to play. That model applies to many miniatures games: buy the core first, then expand with faction packs. The same logic applies to Attack Wing—get the foundational rules and components before adding specialized ships.

• Common mistake: Buying multiple expansion packs before playing a single game. You may end up with ships you never use.
• Checkpoint: Does your starting purchase include dice, templates, and a rulebook? If not, you will need those too.

Step 3: Choose Ships That Fill Roles

A good fleet has ships that do different jobs. Think in terms of roles: a heavy hitter to deal damage, a support ship to help allies, and a nimble ship to harass or block. At 100 points, two to four ships is typical. Avoid taking only one big ship unless you have a specific plan, because a single ship can be overwhelmed.

When selecting ships, look at their stats: attack, defense, hull, and shields. Also check their maneuver dial and actions. A ship with high attack but poor maneuverability may struggle to bring guns to bear. Balance is more important than raw power.

• Common mistake: Taking too many small ships with low attack. They may not punch through enemy defenses.
• Checkpoint: Can each ship in your fleet do something useful in most turns? If not, swap it out.

Step 4: Add Upgrades Without Overloading

Upgrades are where fleets become unique. They include crew, tech, weapons, and talents. Each ship has a limited number of upgrade slots, and each upgrade costs points. A common beginner trap is spending so many points on upgrades that you have too few ships. A good rule of thumb is to spend about 20-30% of your total points on upgrades, but this varies by faction and strategy.

Prioritize upgrades that cover your fleet's weaknesses. If your ships are fragile, add defensive upgrades. If you struggle to hit, add accuracy or re-roll effects. Avoid stacking multiple upgrades that do the same thing; diversity is usually better.

• Common mistake: Putting all upgrades on one ship. If that ship is destroyed, you lose most of your investment.
• Checkpoint: Does each upgrade have a clear purpose in your plan? If you cannot explain why it is there, cut it.

Step 5: Test and Adjust Your Fleet

Your first fleet will not be perfect, and that is fine. Play a game or two against a friend or yourself. Pay attention to which ships performed well and which upgrades never triggered. After each game, make one or two changes rather than rebuilding from scratch. This iterative approach helps you learn what works.

If you want to expand later, look for expansion packs that add new options for your faction. The Star Trek Attack Wing expansion pack guide principle is simple: buy expansions that fill gaps in your current fleet, not just because they look exciting. A focused collection is easier to master and often more effective.

• Common mistake: Changing too many things at once. You will not know what made the difference.
• Checkpoint: After three games, can you name your fleet's biggest weakness? If yes, you know what to fix next.

Your Step-by-Step Attack Wing Fleet Checklist

1. Pick a faction and point limit: Choose a faction that matches your preferred playstyle and agree on a point limit, usually 100 points, with your opponent. Checkpoint: You can state your faction's main strength in one sentence.
2. Start with a core set or starter: Buy a core set or faction starter that includes ships, dice, templates, and rules. This gives you a playable fleet immediately. Checkpoint: You have everything needed for a basic game.
3. Select ships for different roles: Include a mix of heavy hitters, support ships, and nimble ships. Aim for two to four ships at 100 points. Checkpoint: Each ship has a clear job in your plan.
4. Add upgrades with purpose: Spend roughly 20-30% of your points on upgrades that cover weaknesses. Avoid duplicating effects and spreading upgrades too thin. Checkpoint: You can explain why each upgrade is in your fleet.
5. Test and refine: Play a few games, note what worked, and make one or two changes at a time. Expand with faction packs that fill gaps. Checkpoint: After three games, you know your fleet's biggest weakness.

WizKids Products That Support Fleet Building

• Dungeons & Dragons Onslaught: Red Wizards Faction Pack: This faction pack expands your games with six new characters and requires a Dungeons & Dragons Onslaught: Core Set to play. It shows how faction packs work in miniatures games: you need a core set first, then you can add specialized factions. The same principle applies to Attack Wing expansions.
• WizKids Deep Cuts - Black 50mm Round Base - 10 ct.: These 50mm round bases are black and come in a pack of 10. If you customize or rebase miniatures, having the right bases keeps your ships stable and consistent on the table.

Building a Star Trek Attack Wing fleet is a process of small, informed decisions. Start with a faction and core set, choose ships that work together, add upgrades that matter, and test your list on the table. Each game teaches you something new, and your fleet will improve with every adjustment.