What started out as a mere inquiry into who wanted to play an epic game, resulted in an event (not a tournament) at our store consisting of seven players and 1000 points a side. (Let me finish before you start blasting this post, please).

The game was not supposed to be this setup. And again, its was NOT an organized tournament.

On Thursday July 3, seven players appeared at our local game store responding to my inquiry into who wanted to play an epic game. I wanted to play 250 points per side, people would post their attendance, post their side and we could organize this, simple. Sounded simple. Communication was via our Long Island facebook page that links multiple stores and their events for x-wing.

Initially, we thought the store would be empty being July 3. However, the store was packed and we had only one table to play on (this really affected everything). We thought the store would be empty, and people would be off on Friday, so the idea sounded good. Game was to start at 6:00. Prior to this nobody had played an epic game.

A 4x6-1/2 foot game table was used. Borders were the edges of the table. 16 asteroids were used. Players played 250 points each, and the sides were four empire players vs. three rebel players. Nobody was turned away, and it was just a friendly game. Asteroid set-up was done by their owners, who tried to be fair, but had to speed up set-up. Rebel players received extra points to even the points per side. So the 1000 points vs 1000 point game was born.

FYI, game was ended, incomplete, at 11:18 p.m.

Players started off on the long edges, and every inch of the long side was filled, ships side by side. A true fleet.

Lessons learned:

1. First, the event/game needs to be organized, almost tournament like, if more than three or four people are appearing.

1b. you have to have your list prepared well in advance. While I requested people to have a list prepared and pick a side, most people built their list there. Sides were determined at the store. This used up lots of time.

2. Sides and teams should be chosen prior to appearing, so the games can be organized, if several people want to play.

2b. You could also have everyone prepare two lists, one rebel and one empire, and have the Event Host just pick sides. Say mix lists and draw contenders.

3. on multiple player games, a "caller" really works. We used a caller system and it slowed the game, but there were no mistakes, etc.

4. Someone needs to take charge, know the attendance and then reserve tables ahead of time so that you are prepared for what the games will be like.

5. If multiple people are playing per sides, the points should be lowered. Multiple players really slow down the pace of the game.

6. I am sure there are more lessons learned.

Overall, everyone really enjoyed the game, and it made an impression. People wanted to do this again, and everyone realized that just showing up, was not the way to go.

Organization is really the key.

Again, this was NOT a tournament, just the over attendance of a game inquiry.

Hope this helps anyone looking to play an epic level game event at their club. If its just you and a friend, only a few of these tips are relevant.

Based on your experience with this format, if there were 3-4 players per side, how many points per player would you recommend?

150 per player at least, so you can bring the tantive and load it out. Cuz that is what epic is about after all.

With 3-4 per side i would agree with around 150 per person...250 points is about 12 ships for a person, that alot to maneuver. You will still have alot of fun. If the players are all experienced you can up the points, but the higher you go the game slows.

I would really break it into two games so each can play 250.

We did not use huge ships because the owners were not familiar with them. A Tantive loadout can top 150 points or so. With a few escourts.

I also think a 4x6 space is good, allows some maneuvering.

We are going to try this again.

I wonder if a house rule might work out for this format.

All ships PS 4 or lower move at the same time.

1. All players move their ships PS 4 or lower,

2. If there is an overlap, both ships loose actions.

3. After all have been moved. do actions for those ships.

4. Proceed in PS order for the rest of the turn.

Might speed things up a bit as you can move a bunch of ships at the same time.

The only epic game I played in so far, we had 5 Rebel players and 6 Imperial. 100 points per person with a bonus 50 for the two Rebel players with huge ships. Most of us had already picked our ships ahead of time and we played named pilots only. This might have been a slight disadvantage to the Imperials because it would be very different from most Imperial lists, but everyone could coordinate dials.

We had a markerboard with all pilots listed by skill level so it was easier to go through the list of players. Still played for 3+ hours and had to quit because the store closed.

We played on a double 3'x3' board with 3 sets of asteroids, but they ended up more heavily on my end of the board. Made the mistake of having the huge ships too far apart because we basically just lined each edge.

1b. you have to have your list prepared well in advance. While I requested people to have a list prepared and pick a side, most people built their list there. Sides were determined at the store. This used up lots of time.

I don't know how many times as a DM i've said "come to the game with your character sheet ready" only to blow 4.5 out of 7 hours having people make characters. I know your pain bro, I know your pain.