Mostly I've made scenario squads for my small gaming group. I would like to learn to build a few competitive squads. Now before we go any further I'm fairly to the site here. I don't know all the acronym's yet. IE flobi and Lotf <----that one I figured out So when you say something like "filler" <---- not sure what that is yet please explain so a putz like myself understands what your telling me.

Yes, filler is the small points pieces that can be changed out without affecting the core focus of the squad. If you have no filler, then you'll probably have more heavy-hitter pieces but will be out-activated. If you are out-activated, then your opponent will be able to wait and then move all his major pieces at the end of the round without worrying about your immediate response - a strong advantage.

Besides providing extra activations, filler also usually serves other roles in a squad:

* Door control - Ugnaughts and R7s make it so you can't get locked in a room, which of course would be devastating. Every competitive squad needs some sort of door control (override, satchel charge, or shatterbeam)
* Spreading CEs - Mouse droids are probably the most popular filler because they are so hard to kill (24 defense in cover) and are so useful to any faction that doesn't have Mas Amedda.
* Swap fodder - If you're running a swap squad (Thrawn, Panaka) then you want some low-point pieces you can swap with your powerful pieces
* Gambit pieces - Diplomats and Gran Raiders are popular pieces to use to gain gambit points, although I think the latest rules changes made it so Gran Raiders no longer qualify for gaining gambit points.
* Miscellaneous tech pieces - All of the above pieces can be considered "tech" pieces since their primary purpose is to support the squad in ways other than combat. There are also other tech pieces. Droids for Repair, Targeting, and getting around SuperStealth. Czerkas Scientists. Low-cost commanders (10-15 points).
* Support combat pieces - All of the above pieces are mainly tech pieces. Some filler pieces may also be combat pieces (e.g. how many stormtroopers do you need vs R7 droids?)