As some of you might know, I am fairly new to X-Wing. I am thinking of playing in some local events soon (not Regionals, more like casual play or store tournaments), and I am wondering:

How bad are cliques in X-Wing?

Obviously, I know it probably differs from place to place. But, I am just curious to know whether you have run into any clique problems in X-Wing.

By clique problems, I mean a situation where there is a group (usually no more than 5-10 people) who are considered the local "elite players." They only talk among themselves and they treat outsiders with disrespect, mocking outsiders' mistakes and flaunting their own successes. Most of them are younger (around high school age), though some could be college-age and beyond. Their attitude is more than just "play to win." Rather, they have a "play to demoralize the opponent" attitude.

As an illustration, there was this a clique for some other game (not X-Wing). The people in the clique all wore similar jackets and have their own unusual manners of speech. Most of them are quite rude - they slam game pieces, shout their actions, and glare at their opponent. Some engage in intentionally distracting actions like picking their teeth while playing or whistling or flipping through cards madly. Overall, they make the gaming experience very unpleasant.

Anything like that in X-Wing?

I have seen it in most games that get competitive. People that think they invented the game that they play, are the only source of knowledge on the subject and KNOW they are an EXPERT and if you are lucky they will help you out. Just take all advice with a grain of salt and consider the source. The worst part about people like that in any game is the condescending attitude that accompanies them. Persevere and have fun.

I can't speak to other communities, but my community in Portland is very inviting. The more skilled players are happy to talk to more novice players about how to improve their game.

While some people do seem to know some players better than others, this seems to just be a function of your length of time playing. I've been playing for maybe 2 months now, and have yet to know of an exclusive clique. It is the case that those people who go to more than one FLGSs to play tend to meet more members of the community more often. But that's just natural, and doesn't suggest clique formation in terms of out-group exclusion.

If anything, I try to make sure that new people have an opportunity to play ahead of me, if there is an odd number of people available for play. If I'm playing a game, and I see someone I don't recognize showing interest, I invite them to step closer and check it out. I'll ask them if they've played before, etc. I also let them know about our Facebook group.

If anything, it seems like our community doesn't know itself well enough to have really formed cliques. It's all just ad hoc. Now, maybe it's because some people I just don't see except when there's a tournament playing, because they're from the other side of the river (the Columbia) or something, and they play up there more often than down here.

Regarding the age dynamic, while the plurality of players are in their 20s, there's a fair number of us in our 30s, 40s and 50s. Maybe even a guy in his 60s. It doesn't seem like people of a certain age prefer to play within their age group.

I can't speak for everywhere, but I've yet to encounter anything resembling what you describe. It was mentioned in another thread, but the higher average age of X-wing players (I've yet to actually meet a player under 20) leads to, usually, a higher level of maturity in the playing groups. Just head down to the shop and see who you meet.

Sadly it doesn't matter what game you play these players creep out of the woodwork.

Your best bet is to pretend to be a noob then wipe them out - but don't get cocky just look surprised.

If you get a thrashing watch how they play so you can get them next time.

I just play with my friends. I'm not big into playing with strangers.

What annoys me most is the power-gamer, these are the creeps that always play like its a big competition, when its just a friendly or a demo game. One guy in my community in Geelong, called nevetS who bee lines to a newbie or a little kid just to smash him and gloat then belittles the unfortunate with patronising language. I'm not a very good player and this guy is an easy to beat player, but during matches, he bumps models around with big fat hands, creeps, cribs and argues rules always to his favour and against yours, he will plead to change his dial because he turned the wrong way, but then deny you any grace if you make an error, it makes for a very frustrating game. After one match nobody wants to play with him again, so he hangs about to watch other peoples games and then starts nit picking the players moves and tactics. I am so clueless why the owner of the store doesn't ban him, guess he spends enough money to qualify for a get out of jail card. Its not just this game this guy does it, its every game I have seen him play.

X-wing (and most FFG games in general) seems to have a very laid back community. When it's not a game with huge money on the line or a younger demographic, that helps as well. Myself and my friends are some of the best players in our corner of the country it would seem, so people that are newer to the game ask us for advice often, and I try to help them along instead of just looking down on them. Instead of saying their build is terrible for example I might just talk about how a couple of their choices interact with each other, and with stuff that other people tend to play, and maybe offer a suggestion on a different upgrade they might want to try or something. I've got a post in the tournament reminder thread that talks about helping these players out with their actions from time to time as well. The number one thing in a game that isn't magic or w/e is just to try to keep people playing and grow the game.

Not as bad as MtG.

I've never seen what the OP is describing; everywhere I've been, the atmosphere has been open and relaxed.

Let's be honest two types play board games geeks and nerds I count myself in the former group, and some are better at socializing than others it's less about being an elitist and more about being awkward around New people.

Some people take the game too seriously because it's the one thing they are really good at, most will mature and grow out of such behaviour but a few never do staying introverted in public and being obnoxious in gaming groups.

OP don't be afraid to dip your toe in the water all you can do is give it a go, the good thing about a solid rule set is you get few arguments during a game.

I have never come across a group of players like that, individuals but never a group. "Fly Casual" is a big concept in SWXWM. I travel quite a bit for me job and this leads me to being the outsider all the time. I often find the local game shops and drop in to see if any players are around. Everywhere I go its seems I can find X-Wing players and they are so eager to play someone new. I often don't even have to bring a fleet as they will build one for me to play. As far as your local area none of us could know if this element exists at your local game store. I would think it's highly unlikely. Get out and enjoy the fun, you may even make some new friends.

The X-wing group have always been really good fun to play against. Even the supposed "bad players" have been good fun to fight!

It's a very relaxed crowd.

The group you are describing sound like the worst of the socially-inept nerds. I mean, any group that wears the same jackets... You have a problem there.

Well i help run a local gaming society out of a university. We have over 200 members on our facebook group and have different turn outs for each club evening, ranging from 5 or 6 up to 30 to 40 players. Yeah there are some people like that but there's a great way to deal with them - organize games with other people. Eventually they'll be the minority and will try and blend back into the gaming culture/society that is prevalent at the time.

I've not seen cliques in X-Wing. From my experience, cliques kind of phase out as people grow older, and since the typical X-Wing player is usually a little older than your average gamer, people tend to be very friendly and accepting.

I personally try to always talk to any new players that show up at our weekly games and make them feel welcome. I love that the game is growing and it doesn't matter to me how "cool" someone is... I just want more people to play with.

Truthfully I have not run into anyone locally that is too jerky, in fact I love my gaming peeps. I think though people will always be people and I don't put stock in humankind being kind without it being taught. There are and always will be jerks and evil people (try playing cod for more then 1 hour) that live on this earth.

It's funny I played 40k for a long time and had a person threaten to kill me before for playing at a different store then the one they owned. I have never run into people like this playing x-wing but I am sure give it enough time and the crowd cause much disliking will surface.

The group you are describing sound like the worst of the socially-inept nerds. I mean, any group that wears the same jackets... You have a problem there.

I would insist a group wearing the same jacket come walking into every tournament snapping thier fingers walking in step just like the Sharks gang in West Side Story.......................

I've not seen cliques in X-Wing. From my experience, cliques kind of phase out as people grow older, and since the typical X-Wing player is usually a little older than your average gamer, people tend to be very friendly and accepting.

I personally try to always talk to any new players that show up at our weekly games and make them feel welcome. I love that the game is growing and it doesn't matter to me how "cool" someone is... I just want more people to play with.

Crabbok let me give you a kudos, I love the content you post on YouTube and what you bring to the forums. In fact a lot of the people that make video series and media content bring a lot of goodness to this forum.

Also the people that posted above on the forum have a desire to see this game continue to be great which is such a good way to combat that which we dislike. Kindness and willingness to help make X-wing a blast.

40k rules are so vague and badly worded its a wonder every game does not degenerate into fist fights.

You will get this group with every game you pick up. It just changes with each game

I've not seen cliques in X-Wing. From my experience, cliques kind of phase out as people grow older, and since the typical X-Wing player is usually a little older than your average gamer, people tend to be very friendly and accepting.

I personally try to always talk to any new players that show up at our weekly games and make them feel welcome. I love that the game is growing and it doesn't matter to me how "cool" someone is... I just want more people to play with.

Crabbok let me give you a kudos, I love the content you post on YouTube and what you bring to the forums. In fact a lot of the people that make video series and media content bring a lot of goodness to this forum.

Also the people that posted above on the forum have a desire to see this game continue to be great which is such a good way to combat that which we dislike. Kindness and willingness to help make X-wing a blast.

thx man!

40k rules are so vague and badly worded its a wonder every game does not degenerate into fist fights.

Soooo much truth.

40k rules are so vague and badly worded its a wonder every game does not degenerate into fist fights.

I know with my wife when she does not understand the rules to a game she get super defensive when I start winning. It's not a fault it's just the way she is and I believe with dice games it makes it that much worse.

I have not encountered any of that in New York City. Good group of folks.

I do believe the average age of player has much to do with it.