Hello everyone,

Just my two cents for the hype train rolling out of wave 5 spoilers. Instead of two awesome looking ships I want to discuss the six debris fields that come with the two ships. Are these going to be alternatives to asteroids for standard play? This is something that while most people may not care or note, I feel is lacking somewhat. I have been wondering for a while when some more variety in "terrain" would happen other than using the transport for casual play obstacle.

While it is entirely possible that they are included in them for scenario play, there are a couple details to offer conjecture. First, they are specifically noted in FF's description while the other misc. tokens are not, such as the small black and blueish grey tokens with the Outrider. Second, if they are meant for scenario play, why include two distinct sets in two different ships? I don't know of any others that are different versions of the same thing, seems pretty unnecessary. Third, between both ships you would have a comparable, and little more flavorful, set of obstacles to use in a game and offer just one more element of dynamics to the game.

Finally, the debris cloud tokens are listed as separate items, distinct from any scenarios. "With its two high-powered new starships, multitude of upgrades, debris cloud tokens, and new missions, the fifth wave of X-Wing expansions is destined to make a massive impact when it blasts into action across gaming tables everywhere."

These tokens beyond style and just plain having something to break up monotony, look to have the same area but are more erratic is spreading out, thus offering some new options in maneuvering around them and lanes of fire. If this is the case I am very pleased, and if it is not will probably just use them in that capacity anyways. What are your thoughts? Am I the only one who is excited to get some new "terrain" for X-Wing/.

I think the most likely explanation is cool and flavorful scenario pieces, they mentioned the tokens because they are pretty cool tokens.

It's the most simple explanation, and has prior evidence in the other scenario tokens they have released.

I doubt they will be for standard play because everyone would have to have them (forcing people to buy these expansions) so probably for optional rules or for the scenario. Unless you could sub out an asteroid for one of the new obstacles.

you aren't the only one

the first thing i noticed was the debris fields and my excitement started to rise

the question will remain as to whether or not they become tournament legal obstacles

and i for one hope that they do become usable in the tournament scene

I doubt they will be for standard play because everyone would have to have them (forcing people to buy these expansions) so probably for optional rules or for the scenario. Unless you could sub out an asteroid for one of the new obstacles.

i don't believe that everyone would have to own them to use them

but give players the option to choose during asteroid placement if they'd like to put down one or multiple of their debris fields instead

and you wouldn't have to own either of those ships to experience the game play of debris fields because you are likely to see them anyways from other people who will buy them

I doubt they will be for standard play because everyone would have to have them (forcing people to buy these expansions) so probably for optional rules or for the scenario. Unless you could sub out an asteroid for one of the new obstacles.

I wouldn't anticipate everyone having to own them, but them being an option to use instead of the standard asteroids. That way those who want to can, but it in no way requires people to purchase the ships if they don't want them.

I doubt they will be for standard play because everyone would have to have them (forcing people to buy these expansions) so probably for optional rules or for the scenario. Unless you could sub out an asteroid for one of the new obstacles.

i don't believe that everyone would have to own them to use them

but give players the option to choose during asteroid placement if they'd like to put down one or multiple of their debris fields instead

and you wouldn't have to own either of those ships to experience the game play of debris fields because you are likely to see them anyways from other people who will buy them

This is kind of what I was thinking. Something to offer a little more variety.

They are most likely scenario tokens. FFG is really good about keeping the core set the only actual requirement for any expansion. That makes it easier to sell more of the individual expansions.

you aren't the only one

the first thing i noticed was the debris fields and my excitement started to rise

the question will remain as to whether or not they become tournament legal obstacles

and i for one hope that they do become usable in the tournament scene

Glad to see I wasn't the only one getting excited.

They are most likely scenario tokens. FFG is really good about keeping the core set the only actual requirement for any expansion. That makes it easier to sell more of the individual expansions.

And while I agree with that, these wouldn't be a requirement any more than the ship they come with, or the upgrade cards that are used across multiple ships. No one has to use these. Like at all. But for those who want to, it is another option. There is a pretty common precedent with including upgrade cards that are exclusive to a particular expansion but can be used with many, many others (R2 Astromech, Draw Their Fire to name two off the top of my head). Again, buying the expansion is not mandatory, but if people would like to use different obstacles the option is there...

I always thought it would b cool if wen a ship is destroyed it leaves debris, maybe they cud b used like that, but that probably would b a scenario rule.

I've been toying around with the idea of having markers for blown up ships. Even if they had no or minimal impact on play I like the idea of how the tabletop would look after successive ships get destroyed.

I'm excited to see what FFG do with the new tokens.

One idea would be to have them cause stress to fly through or shoot through, to represent possible friendly pilots.

I think they will be optionally able to sub in for asteroids and will like be a risk/reward option whereby you can get better positioning but risk getting stressed. Maybe roll a green dice and receive a stress if you don't roll an evade or something.

Perhaps it's a new optional mechanic where destroyed ships leave obstacles in their place?

I might have missed this but no one seems to have mentioned what the debris actually depicts, ie that 2400 debris is 3 different destroyed Ties and the VT-49 has wreckage of a Bwing, Xwing and also a HWK.

Perhaps this is because the wreckage fields are the result of destroying an opponent's ship?

I don't believe they are scenario tokens. Never have scenario tokens been specifically called out in a components list as anything other than "scenario tokens". They are listed as if they are something to be excited about on their own.

In addition there is this line:

Until then, keep your eyes open for more X-Wing news, including previews of these new hard-hitting expansion packs, which will look more closely at their various unique pilots, their new debris cloud tokens, and their missions!

It almost sounds like the debris fields will get their own blog post on what they add to the game all on their own.

The Outrider has TIE fighter's wing in one, a Bomber's cockpit in another, and who knows what in the last one.

The Decimator has a TIE interceptor's wing in one, a B-wing in another and an X-wing in the last one.

They could also be (and likely are) double sided.

I'm also excited by this. An alternative to asteroids would be great. As others have mentioned, they can't make them mandatory, but having an option to place different types of obstacle (with different rules) instead of asteroids will certainly add variety to the game.

I also like the idea of placing them after a ship is destroyed, but if used with 6 asteroids the play area might be too cluttered. However, this would depend on how debris actually works.

Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing how it works and how it will add to the game.

Asteroid/debris movement would b cool if they moved the one template either player choice or in a certain direction, thtd really change the game around n I rekon its b fun

I also like the idea of placing them after a ship is destroyed, but if used with 6 asteroids the play area might be too cluttered.

Unless they're removed when hit (freeing them up to be used on more destroyed ships)

One use I can think of is for the purpose of breaking tightly bunch swarms and add some new wrinkles to movement.

Imagine a tightly bunch swarm coming at your ships, you take out one or two of the leading ships. This now creates a barrier for the back ships to shoot through. Also the next round, the swarm and perhaps your ship has to dodged the destroyed ships - after that the debris is removed from play.

I'm hoping they let you reroll defense die if you are in them but you gain a stress if you don't roll an evade when you start in them. That + standard obstacle rules would add a new level of tactics to maneuvering and set up. That's what the game really needs, not more turrets!

I doubt they will be for standard play because everyone would have to have them (forcing people to buy these expansions) so probably for optional rules or for the scenario. Unless you could sub out an asteroid for one of the new obstacles.

i don't believe that everyone would have to own them to use them

but give players the option to choose during asteroid placement if they'd like to put down one or multiple of their debris fields instead

and you wouldn't have to own either of those ships to experience the game play of debris fields because you are likely to see them anyways from other people who will buy them

My money is on this. Optional placement instead of asteroids. They add visual variety as well as tactical variety with the new shapes. Of course, this doesn't preclude them from being used in the accompanying scenarios, either. In fact, I'd be surprised if they weren't used in the included scenarios.

Could be something new for standard play, indeed! Or at least we can use them to make up our own rules and create some spin off standard play types.

I personally hope that when you work out who has the initiative the person who does can choose whether to use 6 asteroids or 6 debris for that match and not much more than that, extra rules on top of that I find unlikely unless they then make the rules a free download after release but then it would definitely be casual play only.

I personally hope that when you work out who has the initiative the person who does can choose whether to use 6 asteroids or 6 debris for that match and not much more than that, extra rules on top of that I find unlikely unless they then make the rules a free download after release but then it would definitely be casual play only.

I would guess it's an option available to each player whether they want their 3 asteroids, or to place debris tokens instead, and they have to pick the ones that come with their factions ship. But that could just be me.