Hey everyone! I am new to X wing (My wife and I started playing a few weeks ago - good way to resolve arguments ) and I had a quick question.

I hear some people talk about how good swarm tactics is - but I don't get it. If combat resolves simultaneously, why does it matter if I get to shoot first? Say I blow her X wing out of the water (or space) - she still gets to resolve her combat against me and potentially hit me. Can someone maybe elaborate on the strategic advantage of Swarm Tactics for me? Thanks!

First, welcome and hope you enjoy the game!

Combat is not resolved simultaneously. Higher pilot skill pilots shoot first. They only get return fire if they have the same pilot skill and even then, any crits or other affects received apply. So, in your example your wife only gets to return fire if her pilot is the exact same skill as the one that destroyed hers.

Swarm tactics is ideal when you have a wide pilot skill disparity. For example I use it with Wedge and a Rookie or Howlrunner and Alpha interceptors.

The simultaneous combat rule only applies to ships with the same pilot skill (PS). If Wedge (PS9) kills an Academy Pilot (PS1), the TIE Fighter is simply removed from the play area; it doesn't get to shoot back. So the value of Swarm Tactics is that your Darth Vader (PS9) may not quite kill a Rookie Pilot (PS2) by himself--but if he has Swarm Tactics equipped, he can let a nearby Alpha Squadron Pilot (normally PS1) take an early shot at the X-wing and maybe take it out before its turn comes around.

Combat does not resolve simultaneously. Combat only resolves in order of pilot skill, highest to lowest. So Swarm Tactics (you are talking about the upgrade card with that title, yes?) allows a low PS ship to attack before a mid-range PS ship.

The only time attacks are considered simultaneous is if the Piloting Skill of the two ships is the same.

Heh. That'll teach us to post without refreshing...

Ohhh wow - ok I guess we've been doing it wrong for a bit. That makes a huge difference. Thanks so much! We do enjoy the game - I am heading to my first local game store for their Xwing night tomorrow, so I am looking forward to seeing how other people play. Thanks everyone!