Beginner

= Path = Three foci: fleet, raid, arena - in order of importance. Fleet is most important because it is easy crystals.

Pros

 * easier progression of arena teams (Phoenix -> Bastilla -> JKR)
 * JKR one of the best raid and arena teams. Phoenix a useful raid team and double use in rebel fleet.

Cons

 * High amount of gearing and multiple teams that are underused: Phoenix, Rogue One (Cassian and Bistan's Uwing), Bounty Hunters (for MILF), Old Republic toons (Mission, Zaalbaar, T2-M2)

Pros

 * Geos are great arena team at mid level, but not so good later. Eventually will wall Clonetroopers or another team to replace.
 * Geos don't require farming Bounty Hunters and then MILF. Much less gearing than Rebel fleet.
 * Shaak Ti is a long farm, but it is not legendary. Can use Cody lead in the near term.
 * Clonetroopers better in raids than JKR

Cons

 * Geo farming more difficult than Phoenix, but less farming and gearing overall for Geos
 * Geos are a poor raid team, so really want to use Clonetroopers - Geos not even considered for use in raids

= First team? =

Phoenix or Separatist/Geos
Is Phoenix or Separatists/Geos the best beginner route?

For Separatists

 * New Best Beginner Free-to-Play Team to Farm in Galaxy of Heroes! Separatists vs Phoenix!
 * Geos/Tarkin or Geos/Thrawn can take out MILFs fairly reliably with they don't have Sun Fac/Clone Sargeant reinforcement
 * Geos and Separatists much better end game
 * Less accessible farming
 * Geos with GBA wreck Phoenix

Against Separatists

 * Geos are mediocre for raids
 * Only unlocks Padme

For Phoenix

 * Parallel, accessible farming of characters in different places
 * The best team for Galactic war due to health/protect regen
 * Rebel fleet okay until MILF, but once MILF is available it is meta until Negotiators/Malevolences appears. With Cassian's Uwing it can take out Negotiator/Malevolence with RNG, less RNG with Bistan's Uwing.
 * Unlocks Thrawn and EP, helps unlock GMY
 * Okay for phase 2 of raids

Against Phoenix

 * Not good at PVP