So I played a vassal game last night. I'm pretty smooth with the mechanics now having played on it a dozen times or so. I'm curious what the etiquette is with regards to the chat function and speed, because the game took forrreeeeeeevvvvvveeerrrrrrr. Granted, my opponent was brand new to vassal, and it was a fun game, but you know.

Do you chat out your moves. IE: Vader attacks Biggs (then I measure using the cone), range 1 (then I roll 4 die) Target Lock reroll (then I reroll) etc etc.

I was actually typing out my moves because I thought it would make it easier to understand than simply playing in order without explanation. Is that a normal thing?

Is there typical time limits in vassal games? Probably not, I assume.

So the big picture question is, "how much explaining do you do in chat while you're playing?"

Usually there is a minimal amount of chatter regarding moves as the dials are visible.

Actions are typically denoted either by tokens, or more commonly using the shift or control+A shortcut which tags your ship's actions as a flag on the side of the base; so very little discussion about actions is required. By the new rules, it's probably best to announce your boost or barrel roll directions. In the same vein now it is probably best to announce your intended target lock.

When combat happens, it's customary to type the attacker (not always needed because you can show this with the firing arcs visible), the target and the dice involved. So "AP1 @ Biggs 2v2" is commonly how it's done.

It is also good to let your opponent know you have completed your actions/movement/shooting/asteroid or ship placement by saying "set" or "ok".

It is also typical that when a collision occurs that you ask your opponent if your placement of the moving ship is accurate. Veteran players who are familiar with their opponents often have no need for this though.

Quoting lines from the movies that fit the situations you are in is mandatory for successful play.

Do you typically declare your target before opening up the firing arc? I was curious about this because I know some people in live play are very sticky about not measuring before you declare a target. Once you open up that target arc, it's pretty clear to see who's in what range.

I think, by the rules, you are allowed to measure before you declare a target once the ship activates to shoot.

So no, I always check range before declaring a target. So have all of my opponents.

EDIT: From the new FAQ

When a ship becomes the active ship during the combat phase, the active player can measure range from the active ship to any enemy ships before declaring one as its target.

Yeah, on Vassal nobody has really made a big deal about it. The info they gain from displaying the full Target Lock range can be just as helpful to me, so I think it evens out. Usually the locker has a pretty good idea of who to target, so it goes by quickly. Declaring a target and measuring range with the LOS might take longer. And I heard that the LOS had a malfunction, but it might have been fixed in version 5.

Personally I try to minimize the amount of chat activity required for game mechanics. To keep my intentions clear, what I do is turn on the fire/target lock arc for the ship that is firing and leave it on until the attack is resolved, and/or use the measuring tools to draw a line from my attacker to his target.

Yea games on vassal can be long. Part of it is distractions: family, phone call, tv, other stuff open on computer, etc. Crashing also really slows it down as it can take awhile to reposition your ship.

My limit has been the crappy old monitor combined with the nuance of woring with Ubuntu. I have switched to Mint 16 and have yet to reload Vassal. An interesting part of the Vassal system is the nano-meter precision on the moves. Part of what I like about the table top play is the variability that would somewhat exist in nature. Sure we don't have X-Wings and Tie Fighters in real life but if we did I highly doubt they could maneuver in 3 dimensional space in perfect formation.

Vassal is great if you are isolated or are unable to get to someone's house to play. I was playing a friend who lives about 20 minutes away when it is too late to drive or we just want to play quick (relative quick, not actual quick )