So, is there a quick and easy way to setup Dallas Parker's TIE Swarm? I want to move 5 forward with the first 4 TIES and 3 bank with the next Academy and Howlrunner. On Vassal, it seems easy, but in real life, it is quite tricky to get them perfectly lined up. Any tips?

Theoretical starting lineup:

Theoretical starting finish:

Anyone know how to make this easy to setup exactly in a real life match up?

Cheers!

Practice?

Figure out how to space it all using only the Range Ruler as reference.

Alternatively, go a little shorter, and come in with a Turn instead of a Bank. Easier to set up a 90* angle than a 45*

Although I appreciate the name, I have to pass credit to Piqsid over on BGG. He had posted a very good article a while back on formation flying, and goes into all the specifics. It was done back in wave one, but the geometry really hasn't changed. Take some time to read it through once (or three times), it will help your game quite a bit. He goes into how he sets up, and it looks like you have the hang of it. But yes, it is very tricky to get right, so make sure you give yourself extra wiggle room for 'human error'. Better to have a slightly more spaced out formation then to collide on the engagement turn.

http://files.geekdo.com/geekfile_download.php?filetype=application%2Fpdf&filename=Movement+Analysis.pdf&filecode=n3mlfko9y9&validationcode=3af3bdcf2be9e658a124badd5c03ea93

EDIT: I think you have to be logged in to BGG to view the link.

Also I have been using a version of the offset method.

Once you get the geometry down, just practice your setup at home, and you'll flying in style in no time!

So just watched his FFG Finals Match against Paul Heaver:

http://www.twitch.tv/ffglive/c/3620650

I saw him put a range 1 template next to his two front ships in order to line up the outtermost ships at a 45* angel like this:

Still trying to figure out how it works.

Looks like he lines up the diagonals with the front ends of the back row, and aims the center-line down to the corner of that template.

I use this formation quite a bit. Grab one of the longer movement templates and use that as a guide. First, have the gap between the two 'columns' of fighters that make up the block of four be the width of the movement template apart (not the range ruler as shown here). Then, when placing the guys on the side down, use the width of the movement template again for spacing, making sure the angle is correct (i.e the relevant front and back corners of the flanker should line up so that they are straight with the front side of the fighter they are next to.

This approach will ensure that a) the initial 5 forward 3 bank combo works perfectly and b) subsequent banks/turns don't lead to self inflicted bumping.

line them up from like:

T T

X T T Y

Move the T block forward 3/4/5. Move X and Y 1 less than the T block. Barrel roll X and Y in.

Can't mess up the angles this way. Only thing you need to figure out is how far out you put X and Y from the main block. Should be simple enough.

line them up from like:

T T

X T T Y

Move the T block forward 3/4/5. Move X and Y 1 less than the T block. Barrel roll X and Y in.

Can't mess up the angles this way. Only thing you need to figure out is how far out you put X and Y from the main block. Should be simple enough.

A 1 straight to the right or left of the main block for a clean barrel roll in.

I approach this differently: I run a 7 tie swarm (3x Academy, 3x Obsidian, Howlrunner + Stealth + PTL)

I start out with

A A A
0 0 O ^H

with Howlrunner facing the center of the pack, parallel to my side.

This gives me 2 different roll-outs:

Box of 6 heading Forward (3-4-3, or possibly 3-4-4), and Howlrunner does a 3-turn to get into the rear of the formation but at Range 1 of everyone.

Box of 6 pulling a mass Left-Bank of 3, with Howlrunner pulling a Right-Bank of 1-2 to fit alongside the back-rear Obsidian.

Yep, as stated above, for the formation in the OP, the 1-4 Ties are in a R1 by R1 block. Just note that in the original diagram, the 4 block is a little too narrow for my liking, don't think it will bank correctly IRL. Then, the other two (Tie 5 and howlrunner) are offset using the M1 template, and placed at a 45deg angle (diagonal corners of the base line up with the front edge of Ties 3 and 4). Could also line up the edge of firing arc instead but it might be less accurate.

Also, if the BGG link earlier isn't working, try: http://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/87723/movement

Have to click on the Movement Analysis.pdf link. I think you have to be logged into the BGG website in order to view however.