While i understand fully the 'game mechanics' and the dynamics of having them in play it always seems a bit mental that whenever they are in the films its rare (geonosis slave 1/obiwan fight and the ESB falcon hide and seek) but every encounter in the game seems to be in an asteroid field!

I usually try and use the rebel transport to replace three of them (it just looks so muchbetter and looks like an 'objective' to fight over.

I'm really looking forwards to 'debris' from wave 5 to add variety (and scratch build some 3d markers) but i actually prefer games in 'open space'

Does anyone else prefer a clear board?

I'd also like to see some 'phenomenon' type space scenery to vary it up

like:

Dust clouds.. perhaps slow you down, reduce your damage output and increase your 'hull' temporarily as they absorb laser blast.

Small nebula... cant be target locked, +1 evade

Both of these would have to be asteroid type templates to work but could be physucally made 3d with colourd cotton wool for nebulas and coloured sand for dust clouds on the card bases...

etc

game balance wise, there is a huge effect on balancing when you lose asteroids.

i agree thematically that space battles should be open.

i actually only place 4 asteroids when i teach the game to a new player. and just tell them to not hit them. then i dont have to explain it hahah.

Yes because it's funny as heck watching my friend misjudged a move and land on one.

dark side is strong in u

My first three games of X-wing was without asteroids. And it was boring to the point where I almost stopped playing.

But then I entered a tournament (with asteroids of course) and saw for the first time how the game required lots of planning and careful maneuvering. I haven't played a game without all six asteroids since and that includes a lot of intro-games for new players where I tell them that they are essential to learning the game.

T

My first three games of X-wing was without asteroids. And it was boring to the point where I almost stopped playing.

But then I entered a tournament (with asteroids of course) and saw for the first time how the game required lots of planning and careful maneuvering. I haven't played a game without all six asteroids since and that includes a lot of intro-games for new players where I tell them that they are essential to learning the game.

This. Asteroids make the game significantly more interesting. I didn't use them when learning and the game felt a little lacking.

While i understand fully the 'game mechanics' and the dynamics of having them in play it always seems a bit mental that whenever they are in the films its rare (geonosis slave 1/obiwan fight and the ESB falcon hide and seek) but every encounter in the game seems to be in an asteroid field!

I usually try and use the rebel transport to replace three of them (it just looks so muchbetter and looks like an 'objective' to fight over.

I'm really looking forwards to 'debris' from wave 5 to add variety (and scratch build some 3d markers) but i actually prefer games in 'open space'

Does anyone else prefer a clear board?

I'd also like to see some 'phenomenon' type space scenery to vary it up

like:

Dust clouds.. perhaps slow you down, reduce your damage output and increase your 'hull' temporarily as they absorb laser blast.

Small nebula... cant be target locked, +1 evade

Both of these would have to be asteroid type templates to work but could be physucally made 3d with colourd cotton wool for nebulas and coloured sand for dust clouds on the card bases...

etc

Whilst I don't like a clear board at all, I do like some of your ideas for additional scenery/obstacles. The introduction of the debris cloud is hopefully an indication that obstacles are an area which will see further development.

I do want to make a Bespin board. Clouded mat rather than starfield and Tibanna storage platforms (a la rogue squadron games) as ersatz asteroids.

I really do wish FFG will be more creative in the terrain department.

We are finally getting debris to use as well as asteroids, but there could also be space stations, civilian freighters, disabled starships, mines, nebulas, asteroid bases, cargo containors, and many other things to float in space.

I mostly play Star Trek Attack Wing and we have planets, orbital weapons platforms, minefields, space stations, debris, destroyed starships, and many, many, many other terrain options to make the game interesting and enjoyable.

I would like to see FFG to release a terrain pack and allow the new terrain options to be tournie legal. I also think that the big ship templates that come with the Rebel Transport and Tantive should be tournie-legal.

I haven't ever played without them. And I don't really see a reason to try it. It would be like playing Mario without terrain.

i just find the same six asteroids repetetive and boring, its actually more interesting to play without them sometimes as it forces you to play differently.

Do we have confirmation that debris clouds will be tourney-legal? I like the way they did the TC Open. I agree that some new terrain will be refreshing.

Do we have confirmation that debris clouds will be tourney-legal? I like the way they did the TC Open. I agree that some new terrain will be refreshing.

No confirmation. No one seems to have asked the designers when they had the chance.

6 rocks there shall always be, never more, never less. Bah! The same 6 rocks on a 3'x3" at 100 points is boring over and over, again...

We already play several other space based games, so tend to play on larger star fields (usually 4'x6') and definitely incorporate other terrain features. Special rules for other terrain is pretty simple; usually it either blocks LOS or is counted as an obstruction. Minefields are proximity mines. If you pass nearby a planet (within 1/2 diameter) you can get a free cure/bank/straight boost in the appropriate direction.

Im glad its not just me finding the 6 rock 100 point deathmatch lacking in depth

i just find the same six asteroids repetetive and boring, its actually more interesting to play without them sometimes as it forces you to play differently.

I just don't see how having asteroids is more boring and repetitive than none? They should be in different positions each game... And the ONLY thing that no asteroids does is make it easy mode for swarms. If there is nothing on the board then why turn? While I understand some folks like just jousting, it's not a very interesting game experience.

As for other terrain types, yes please! More variation and tactical considerations will just add depth to the game. I'd love to eventually see enough tourney legal terrain pieces that you can't ever really be certain which ones will be played in any given game.

A more accurate portrayal would be for the game to have absolutely nothing but space and ships. The rocks are okay, but they should not be in every game and a variety would certainly be nice.

How about a nice nebula that makes shields and target locks unusable? Rebels would love that!

A bit off topic but I just recalled there was a game of xwing at last convention I was at a few weeks ago that used altered rules and included elevation movement also.

I enjoy using rocks when playing 1v1, I do also get bored with the lack of options. different rocks would make for more varied flying.

I almost always fly with rocks on the field, it makes it more challenging for planning and for flight.

The few times I don't are when teaching someone the very basics (first game) then their second game I introduce rocks. Also, when I'm playing a three-for-all or some other more than 2 player game we all agree whether to use them or not. Depends on the multiplayer game, but even then, mostly rocks abound.

I hope they make some variants in the future that can be tourney legal, it would make for much different gameplay. I.E. Ion Clouds, fly through get an ion token, etc.

I even flew all Adv. TIE, oh the horror!

Some larger terrain greatly changes tactics

How about a nice black hole or worm hole?

Not all Rokks are so harmless... this is custom ork Space Hulk for BFG (used as double Hulk and would be broekn down into several Rokks for custom scenario 'ala Sink the Bismarck)

But if are a die hard fan of asteroids, at least get some colors going on

In a pinch you can use some cut felt or glass beads to represent astral phenomenon

i just find the same six asteroids repetetive and boring, its actually more interesting to play without them sometimes as it forces you to play differently.

I just don't see how having asteroids is more boring and repetitive than none? They should be in different positions each game... And the ONLY thing that no asteroids does is make it easy mode for swarms. If there is nothing on the board then why turn? While I understand some folks like just jousting, it's not a very interesting game experience.

Not interesting for you... sometimes its nice to have open space so you can really push the faster ships to the max and roar about. not every game but occasionally its cool to have a clear field. But every game with six rocks *is* dull. There are far more creative ways to provide 'terrain' as others have mentioned.

Like in many of the scenaios the asteroids mount research stations or concealed mines... its a lot more interesting then having them as glorified traffic cones.

I even flew all Adv. TIE, oh the horror!

Some larger terrain greatly changes tactics

How about a nice black hole or worm hole?

Not all Rokks are so harmless... this is custom ork Space Hulk for BFG (used as double Hulk and would be broekn down into several Rokks for custom scenario 'ala Sink the Bismarck)

But if are a die hard fan of asteroids, at least get some colors going on

In a pinch you can use some cut felt or glass beads to represent astral phenomenon

Gloat time... i've got some of the original design studio BFG stuff in my wargames room

One of the bits is a large blue planet. it looks great and works great at BFGs scale but i do think planets look a bit weird at xwings scale. If i used them i'd use the flat card ones out of the BFG main box to represent flying *waaay* over them.

To be in scale enough to have any game effect you'd need half a basket ball on the table.

I play with them more than without, but sometimes we play without because, as has been mentioned, variety is nice. Non-100pt games are nice too, I like 75 and 120.

Its also quite fun to play in really dense asteroid fields. Sometimes I play with 8-10 asteroids. Also makes you feel

Good when you manage to fly your lambda right through it unscathed. It also surprises your opponent because he thought flying a lambda through it would be crazy.

Agreed, i've got two core sets like a lot of people so often play with dense debris fields.

Its not asteroids i object to its just the same six everytime with pretty predicatble placement patterns once you know what each other are flying.

If xwing had some form of direction die, i'd love to see moving asterids that moved one MU (a ships base, not the range for weapons '1') ina random direction each turn.

*that* would be challenging.

Question is would they move at the end or the start of a round, makes little difference i guess.

Agreed, i've got two core sets like a lot of people so often play with dense debris fields.

Its not asteroids i object to its just the same six everytime with pretty predicatble placement patterns once you know what each other are flying.

If xwing had some form of direction die, i'd love to see moving asterids that moved one MU (a ships base, not the range for weapons '1') ina random direction each turn.

*that* would be challenging.

Question is would they move at the end or the start of a round, makes little difference i guess.

Shouldn't they move constant directions until they hit something?