So once again, the highest tier of X-wing gaming has come to an end with the defending World Champion, Paul Heaver, retaining his title. As this season closes we are able to look back at 2014 in a much different light than the 2013 competitive season thanks in no small part to the Herculean efforts of those X-wing math wizards Major Juggler and Rakky Wistol who compiled data for the Store, Regional, National, and World Championships. The 2014 season has passed by and left plenty of hard data in its wake thanks to those two and the many others who supported them.

With the release of wave 5 upon us and the release of a third faction looming just before the beginning of the 2015 season, there is no doubt in my mind that there will be another shift or two in the meta and maybe some surprising new strategies that might develop because of them. The future of X-wing is most certainly clouded and ever changing thanks to the crafty developers who continuously come up with new ships, upgrades, and abilities that result in never ending changes to play styles and tactics of even the most veteran gamers in X-wing. My hat goes off to them for the brilliant game they have given us.

In retrospect, 2014 gave us many things that some enjoyed and others did not, but it was with those changes that our game was able to evolve and generate a great many ways to play this game. In the ever-changing competitive meta, the forefront of a lot of change has been made on the Vassal Tournaments which became a testing ground of sorts for what we might have seen if wave 5 had been legal. The commentary provided by NOVA squadron and Team Covenant continues to teach new and experienced players alike how to push the limit of each individual ship they run. On the cutting edge of X-wing, these guys are the tip of the spear.

So you ask, "what is the point of your rambling Brendan"? It's simple. As we eagerly anticipate the next year's competitions and championships, we can use the time in between to grow our community and foster new players who unlike the previous two years, have access to mountains of data and how-to guides to get them ready for next year. Who knows, the next world champion may be someone from work or school who has been dying for you to ask them for a game!

Fly Casual!

I'm hoping 2015 is the year of no meta and people just fly what they like/are good at. No more trying to find the one or two best lists that many will then play and everyone else will try to beat.

There will always be a meta. Such a perfect balance is impossible. Quite frankly, it is about as good as you can hope.

I'm hoping 2015 is the year of no meta and people just fly what they like/are good at. No more trying to find the one or two best lists that many will then play and everyone else will try to beat.

Its a competitive game, unfortunately thats the nature of the beast.

Looking forward to scum and the chaos that so many new ships will bring to tournament play. I'll buy into scum but my heart is Rebel.

I fully intend to spend the next couple of months bringing my game up to a competitive level and trying my hand at the tournament scene. I'll see you all for the 2015 Store Championship season, and you will know you're in for a fight when you see Ragnarok Squadron across the table!

There will always be a meta, and there will always be certain "groups" of players. There will be innovators like Aaron Bonar and SableGryphon who come up with stuff nobody thinks of out of ships that people say can't compete. There will be meta players who fly lists that they know are competitive. There will be swarms of rebels and ties (lots and lots and lots of ties at worlds this year, trust me, I know). And most importantly, there will be the group of people that say that squad X is OP and can't be beat.

The day I see and xwing forum without an OP list is the day...... well, that's simply never going to happen.

But I still love it.

I do intend to be a part of 2015 as my first competitive season.

Looking forward to seeing Scum ships.

A wish to you all that you don't yourself in my shoes. An itch to play and time to play but no one or no where to do so! Hope everyone has great times.

Don't worry I'm looking for new approach vectors on this problem.

I'm hoping 2015 is the year of no meta and people just fly what they like/are good at. No more trying to find the one or two best lists that many will then play and everyone else will try to beat.

Its a competitive game, unfortunately thats the nature of the beast.

It's only as competitive as each group wants to make it.

That's why I love my group...competitiveness is not really a concern...and my group is happier for it

I do intend to be a part of 2015 as my first competitive season.

Enjoy it. The 'competitive' scene in this game is incredibly laid back and fun.

To the OP.

Well written post. Well done.

Cheers

Thanks! I felt a lot of hubris after watching the championship play out on twitch. I thought about how far the game has progressed since last year and I figured why not share the excitement for next year with friends. I have recently introduced the game to a friend so I don't have to drive an hour and a half to play. The learning curve is pretty steep for him right now, but he has a firm grasp on the tactics involved. With all of the information out there to help him, I figured that highlighting the teaching and mentoring portion of this game should also be something we look forward to.

Thanks! I felt a lot of hubris after watching the championship play out on twitch. I thought about how far the game has progressed since last year and I figured why not share the excitement for next year with friends. I have recently introduced the game to a friend so I don't have to drive an hour and a half to play. The learning curve is pretty steep for him right now, but he has a firm grasp on the tactics involved. With all of the information out there to help him, I figured that highlighting the teaching and mentoring portion of this game should also be something we look forward to.

I understand where your coming from. I'm privvy to only a handful of players in my local area also (5 others at maximum depending). I'd be lucky to play 1 or 2 days a week, and even then only 1 or 2 games at a time, unless the LGS hosts a Kit tourney (as it did on Saturday).

I'd be eager to travel to play if it wasn't for the fact that my closest capital city is 5+hrs away. Nearest other place to play is 3+hrs away.

Anyways, as I said, well written post.

Cheers

Thanks! I felt a lot of hubris after watching the championship play out on twitch. I thought about how far the game has progressed since last year and I figured why not share the excitement for next year with friends. I have recently introduced the game to a friend so I don't have to drive an hour and a half to play. The learning curve is pretty steep for him right now, but he has a firm grasp on the tactics involved. With all of the information out there to help him, I figured that highlighting the teaching and mentoring portion of this game should also be something we look forward to.

I understand where your coming from. I'm privvy to only a handful of players in my local area also (5 others at maximum depending). I'd be lucky to play 1 or 2 days a week, and even then only 1 or 2 games at a time, unless the LGS hosts a Kit tourney (as it did on Saturday).

I'd be eager to travel to play if it wasn't for the fact that my closest capital city is 5+hrs away. Nearest other place to play is 3+hrs away.

Anyways, as I said, well written post.

Cheers

Anyway we can help you? what is your location?

@ Hidatom; I'm in the sticks dude. Bundaberg, Qld, Australia.

This was a great competitive season, but I am glad it is over so we can slow down a bit and take a break. I know I need one.

I will be abstaining from any competitive tournaments for 2015 and the foreseeable future. These just simply require too much time out of my day than I have or care to offer.

I can't wait to get involved in the competitive scene next year! been to a few local tournaments (even ran a couple) this year but am definitely looking to go to regionals & nationals this year & maybe, just maybe get to the states for worlds!

If you're in England & see a group of players from Bristol Vanguard come say Hi! =D

I am looking forward to what Wave 5 and 6 will do to the meta and wondering where we will be for Worlds 2015! Is there a Wave 7 we may see in play by that time? Another Aces-like pack? Who knows!

It is going to be exciting. I am hopeful the Regional schedule is kind and I do not have to drive several hours to get to play in one, and with any luck, I can play in more then one!

I've played in a couple of local tournaments and I'm due to play in a couple more this month. My first experiences of the tournament scene have been very positive. After watching the World Championship on Twitch I am even more up for the store, regional and national tournaments next year if possible. Love this game and the community and I look forward to further participating in it.

I am looking forward to what Wave 5 and 6 will do to the meta and wondering where we will be for Worlds 2015! Is there a Wave 7 we may see in play by that time? Another Aces-like pack? Who knows!

It is going to be exciting. I am hopeful the Regional schedule is kind and I do not have to drive several hours to get to play in one, and with any luck, I can play in more then one!

I hope so too.