SO I don't want to be a nark, but I do have a thing about rules. Games makers make rules for a reason, so why don't people just follow them? Annoyingly FFG have a section in the rules FAQ that they call "competitive play". It says when playing in tourneys you have to be strict to the rules. Well this is as much as saying "when you are not in a tourney you can take liberties and cheat a bit".

Example 1:

My best buddy introduced me to xwing a few months back, mostly so he could practice beating me at it before tournaments!! When measuring moving his ships he used to happily wave around his range ruler and grin "yeah im er, just measuring to see if there are any target locks about??..lol" Explaining that the rebels get to have a bit of a cheat there. A week or so ago I pointed out to him the FAQ about target locks - if you measure one and it IS in range you HAVE to target lock that ship. He now behaves himself but tells me he does miss having a bit of a cheat with the ruler.

Example 2:

Im playing x-wing on vassal. Ok so I am not in a tourney but I do want people to play fairly. My opponent sticks on all his ships fire arcs at once. Works out who can shoot who then starts shooting. I complain and he tells me that all his ships are at same pilot skill (PS4) so he can do that. I know from the FAQ that he is supposed to do his ships one at a time.

Example 3:

Also on vassal, my opponent sticks on his Target Lock range finder and then says, hmm, I will target Academy pilot 1. Whereas I know he is supposed to decide and nominate his "victim" first and then see if the TL is in range.

I guess my question is, do you pull people up on the target lock rules or not? I never mind if I lose a game (I learn loads from those games), but I always play to win as competitively as poss, in a friendly way. I would prefer consistency on rules..

Games makers make rules for a reason,

Yes they do. That reason is to make sure that both players have an equal understanding of how to play the game. It is perfectly OK for players to mutually decide to change a rule, enact house rules or allow some sort of short cuts. That said, it does need to be by mutual consent and the examples you gave are really taking things too far and breaking the spirit of the rules, at least in real life, face to face play. I have only limited experience playing on Vassal, and never X-Wing, but the realities of the computer interface do make some of formalities of the rules more tedious than beneficial, and I personally would cut people considerably more slack in that venue than I would in real life, I would also expect them to allow me the same level of slack, so if I were you, I would see if the people your playing object to you doing the same things they are. If they do (and continue to do so after you call them on it) they are being jerks and you should probably avoid playing them again, if they are OK with it, then it is likely just differing social contracts and you should have a talk with them about it out of game when there isn't a victory on the line.

Games makers make rules for a reason,

Yes they do. That reason is to make sure that both players have an equal understanding of how to play the game. It is perfectly OK for players to mutually decide to change a rule, enact house rules or allow some sort of short cuts. That said, it does need to be by mutual consent and the examples you gave are really taking things too far and breaking the spirit of the rules, at least in real life, face to face play. I have only limited experience playing on Vassal, and never X-Wing, but the realities of the computer interface do make some of formalities of the rules more tedious than beneficial, and I personally would cut people considerably more slack in that venue than I would in real life.

Thanks for your input. Id argue against the "the realities of the computer interface do make some of formalities of the rules more tedious than beneficial" idea though. At least on vassal.

example:

They type: "TL from B1 to howlie" - then presses CTRL+L

I watch it. If its in range, its a lock. If it isnt, they chose another action.

Not much different to when taking a shot. Or any of the other things that happen, such as "Wedge using SwarmT, Biggs now PS9"

Thanks for your input. Id argue against the "the realities of the computer interface do make some of formalities of the rules more tedious than beneficial" idea though. At least on vassal.

That is entirely possible. Like I said, my experience with Vassal is very limited, and I am extrapolating from my experiences with other software.

I personally would cut people considerably more slack in that venue than I would in real life, I would also expect them to allow me the same level of slack, so if I were you, I would see if the people your playing object to you doing the same things they are.

This is the thing, isn't it. I DONT play "slack rules". I dont always play well either, I forget to do actions, I frequently forget to use howlrunner's re-roll effect, etc. But I don't ask for freebies such as "can i have that focus I forgot to put on", and I don't wave range rulers around early, pretending I am looking for target locks.

Whilst in theory you can have a checklist of "allowed slackness" that is discussed before a game, in reality you set up and play it, whether online or not. The checklist of what is allowed or not is already in place, no? The gamemaker wrote it!

Anyway, my question - in practice what do you usually do, do you pull people up on it? Mention it at all? or say nothing?

In practice, I will usually overlook something the first time they do it, chalking it up to forgetfulness or an error or the like. Second time it happens I say something like "You know your supposed to do it this way, right? It's fine for now, I don't really care, but some people might." Then, if it keeps up, I keep up with the gentle reminders. Most people make the effort to correct sloppy play once it is pointed out to them. If it is becoming chronic though, I make a mental note about that player to be a little more attentive in the future.

Basically, I will point out an error to my opponent, but let them get away with it for that specific instance so that I don't come across like I am just out for the win.

The examples you gave though are pretty serious and would get a lot less leeway.

When I first stared playing, I was guilty of "looking for target locks" a few times myself. Now I play much more strictly, including with barrel rolls and boosts. If the template gets lined up, even if the ship hasn't moved, it has to take that action. Premeasuring was helpful when I first started playing to help learn how to fly and judge distances, and at the time, the other guy who was playing was doing the same thing because he was learning also. Now we both agree that since we are more experienced we need to hold ourselves to a higher standard (also includes missing out on forgotten actions).

Yeah the missing out on forgotten actions is a bit more forgiving - I usually let one or two pass, but I've been stung on that when at the end of the match after handing one out earlier i needed a "forgive" myself and was told no! lol

As for example two, I've never called anyone out on doing that, and I do it myself. Equal PS pilots people frequently measure to see ranges and firing arcs then declare the attacks. I'd have to look at the rulebook to see if it's technically allowed but it doesn't bother me.

Defined in the Rulebook, Page 10, Combat Phase, Step 1, First Paragraph and the Errata, Page 5, Competitive Play, Measuring Range, First Bullet. Your currently active ship may measure ranges to all potential targets and select which you want to fire at before officially declaring a target. Once the active attacking ship has declared its target, it may only measure to that target.

You choose an active ship, then may measure to possible targets for that ship. You're explicitly allowed to check range to multiple targets before choosing who you're going to fire at, but you can't measure multiple targets for both Luke and Tycho before deciding that you want Tycho to go first.

On the original topic... For whatever reason, measurement in X-wing has always been a contentious issue. The recent FAQ has clarified it rather nicely, and you should just come to a mutual agreement with your opponent as to what level you're going to play at. Most players I know just stick to the Competitive play level, since that's what they can expect to see during events and it's better to play consistently. But there are also those out there who will fight that tooth and nail. <shrug> Agree beforehand what you're playing, and you have a standard for everyone to adhere to, and you should be fine.

If your opponent flat-out refuses to play competitive, then you have a decision to make.

Yes the nice visual firing/target locks on vassal are both a blessing and curse. Mainly they are a blessing as there is no doubt when someone is in range or not. However as you said some players, usually newer ones to vassal, abuse this feature to decide their actions and what not.

The worst is if they do it to see if someone would be able to shoot them or not and if so then do a barrel roll or boost or whatever to get out of range.

It depends on how long my opponent has been playing the game. If they're new to the game, then I cut them some slack, explaining the proper way to TL a target. If they are a vet then I go strictly by the rules.

+1 on the newbie/vet rule. I expect no quarter given to myself as well. I forget, it doesn't happen.

Playing against a new player, I want them to learn the proper rules and will point out something they may have missed doing or doing/did incorrectly.

It sounds like you need to agree with your opponent how you want to play. The Standard rules are for Casual play. Casual play allows you more leeway, and usually gaming with a friend would be a casual game. Unless you specifically agree to play by strict rules, to practice for a competitive or premier event. The object of a casual game after all is to have fun, not to win.

Is sounds like you want to play by the strict rules, and that is fine. Just make sure you agree with your opponent beforehand.

Now within casual rules there are still thinks you can and can't do. A missed action is still a missed action, and I only ever let people go back, if I am trying to introduce or teach them the game mechanics. Once people get a few games under their belt we play bu the rules. I would always allow them to measure for a target lock before deciding if they want to take that action since this is allowed within the casual rules. And so is pre measuring a barrel role or boost to check if you can perform it. This is one place where the strick rules differ, and as long as you agree you can play it either way

I never played on vassal, but have seen some screen shots of the range measuring feature. Activating it for any ship other than the active ship I would never allow. If your opponent tries that and you point it out. they should stop, or you should quit playing that opponent.