Aside from the period references of mounted combat in the lists...how does this term apply to X-Wing?

I've seen the phrase "jousting value" used quite a bit but don't quite understand how the value is calculated or what it actually refers to.

Thanks in advance!

PS apologies for typos...can't edit subject and touchscreens love typos...

It refers to the tactic of flying straight at your opponent, then K-turning past them and repeating the process. When both players get into it they end up making constant back-and-forth strafing runs, which rather closely resemble an actual joust. Hence the name.

Jousting value is how efficient ships are at this tactic, which is a very rough gauge of how much value you can expect to get out of them. I'll let others explain the actual calculations behind it.

The "jousting value" is basically a straight up comparison of attack and defense dice while completely ignoring maneuverability. I mean if an Interceptor flies straight at a B-Wing and vise-versa the difference in their dials doesn't make much difference. You're left with a relatively straight up comparison of attack dice, defense dice, and hull/shield strength.

One might hasten to add that many Imperial craft are… ill-suited to jousting...

Then there is Jousting against a Firespray which is also called "Tilting at Windmills"

One might hasten to add that many Imperial craft are… ill-suited to jousting...

I don't know about that. Jousting against a TIE swarm is usually a surefire way to lose a match.

The "jousting value" is basically a straight up comparison of attack and defense dice while completely ignoring maneuverability.

And why does anyone think that is a valuable comparison? Maneuverability is pretty much the most important element in this game. What makes the game so amazing is the movement system and how different ships can play differently even when their combat stats are equal. So what is the perceived benefit of comparing jousting values?

One might hasten to add that many Imperial craft are… ill-suited to jousting...

Save for the Defender.

The "jousting value" is basically a straight up comparison of attack and defense dice while completely ignoring maneuverability.

And why does anyone think that is a valuable comparison? Maneuverability is pretty much the most important element in this game. What makes the game so amazing is the movement system and how different ships can play differently even when their combat stats are equal. So what is the perceived benefit of comparing jousting values?

The "valid" parts of the comparisons are usually just the raw dice calculations. When "jousting" they come into play quickly and easily but once the maneuver game gets played they get used less.

I don't know what the numbers actually say but looking at "Jousting values" I believe a B-Wing will take out an Interceptor before the Interceptor should take it out. In some ways it can represent how many attacks it takes to destroy a ship when using attack value X where maneuverability would represent how hard it is to get those shots while preventing your opponent from getting them.

One might hasten to add that many Imperial craft are… ill-suited to jousting...

Save for the Defender.

"many". Not "all".

Why calculate jousting values?

Intellectual masturbation to hold you over until your next game of X-wing

As a mathematical modelling exercise - for those who insist on such things - it's just easier.

Modelling dials rather than dice - i.e. how many shots you get relative to one another - is a lot harder to balance, and, of course, this is where Interceptors, Phantoms and A-wings really shine.

I wouldn't bother yourself over 'jousting value' too much - in a game, it's pretty obvious when you don't want to accept a head-to-head engagement. A TIE interceptor doesn't wish to go head to head with a B-wing, a B-wing doesn't wish to go head to head with a flock of half-a-dozen TIE fighters.

The problem with jousting is that it's difficult to escape from - if you're stuck with a head-to-head pass, it's often difficult to break off from it without letting your opponent drop in on your tail, which can be even worse....

Jousting ^^

Jousting in X-wing.

don't do it against 3 B-wings, just ... don't... even.. try.

They will reduce a 5 hull 5 shield shuttle to scrap in a single turn.

And why does anyone think that is a valuable comparison?

Three reasons:

1) It's the best you can get if you want to compare the strength of various options with any objective numbers. Those other factors matter, but it's very difficult to quantify them in any meaningful way.

2) It's very often a good approximation, especially if you consider list vs. list rather than ship vs. ship. In a typical game you'll have a lot of turns where every ship has a target and your whole list is exchanging fire with their whole list. Obviously this isn't perfectly accurate, but it's usually going to be close enough to help you answer your list-building question.

3) It tells you how well you need to out-fly your opponent to win. If your opponent's jousting numbers are X% better then you need your maneuvering advantage to give significantly more than X% to justify taking a much more skill and luck demanding list. And it's the same with other upgrades: spending an additional X points on a higher-PS generic reduces jousting efficiency by Y%, do you think that this is an acceptable price to pay?