Running a skirmish tournament? Rules?

By LESHIPPY, in Star Wars: Imperial Assault

So, I am looking for tournament rules for running the skirmish game at my LGS. Can anyone help me out?

What I am wondering about is the set up time if every match has to make their own map. I was thinking of picking one map for the tournament after everyone is there and then each round players roll for objective A or B.

Time limit 45 minutes?

Tournament software out there to track stuff?

Ran a ton of WOTC SWM in my day and just trying to get this all figured out. Thanks for any help.

Good question.

It is possible that--if there's enough space--you could have several copies of each map assembled before the tournament starts. Then you could have opponents randomly determine their mission and then move to the location where that map is already set up for them. Chances are that you will have all the maps covered most of the time. But you will need the space. You'll also need a way to have everyone get their stuff back again afterward without getting things mixed up.

I'd really like to get an official statement from FFG about this. I think that using 1 (or maybe 2) specific maps for the entire tournament would be a good way to go, if that would fit with the "official" tournament rules.

There was a news article about retailers having the chance to order the spring tournament kits, but it expired December 29. There is supposed to be guidelines for running a tournament in the packet with their spring season schedule to start in March. I'm guessing FFG will posthat the rules in a month or so before the March season starts.

In the meantime, I like the idea of setting up maps in advance. If you had large pieces of cardboard or poster board, you could set one up on each piece, then you could stack the maps on top of each other at the tables. Just shuffle the correct one to the top for the round. Haven't actually counted pieces to see if you can set up all three at the same time from one starter box or if there is too much overlap.

Perhaps FFG would have a problem with this, but I doubt it, but you could scan in the maps and print them out at your local print shop on large sheets of paper, and then the tiles wouldn't even be necessary at the tournament. It would cost a few bucks, but would make setup quick and easy, and allow for multiple map setups.

Thanks all.

Having all the maps out sounds like a good idea for a small tournament. Still not sure that we have that much space at the LGS

Perhaps FFG would have a problem with this, but I doubt it, but you could scan in the maps and print them out at your local print shop on large sheets of paper, and then the tiles wouldn't even be necessary at the tournament. It would cost a few bucks, but would make setup quick and easy, and allow for multiple map setups.

Actually, what I want to do (when my wallet recovers from buying the core set) is to get each map printed on one of those rubberized playmats that CCGs use. If the print quality is clear enough, it will be awesome! From my initial research, it looks like it'll be around $20-25 per map, or so. The thing is, I'm not really sure if it would be legal for tournaments; it would be nice, though.

So I'm planning to get one printed to start with, and then see if it's worthwhile to have it done for other maps too.

Seeing as how skirmish maps come with the core set and expansions I would assume that tourney maps will most likely be either the 2 from the core set or more likely 1 specific map/ objective that the release with the tourney rules. Kinda like xwing the big ships come with missions but those aren't used in tournaments

So guess we should assume that everyone will need their own core set for tournaments. That eliminates the splitting of core sets...lol

Well you could assume that your opponent would have the map I guess.

Thanks all.

Having all the maps out sounds like a good idea for a small tournament. Still not sure that we have that much space at the LGS

If you have the space to play, then you surely have the space to set the games up? You don't need to set up all scenarios on every table, just one per table and players can move from table to table to play.

Here is what I would until we have rules:

Setup a map for half as many players you will have(Tape a piece of paper who owns the map that is on each table)

Each player cant play the same mission back to back or close to it. 45 min rounds, an hour if there is setup.

Since Wave 1 was play tested with the core I feel its kind of hard to get a good feel for the game till we get all the command cards and missions.

Edited by Jonnyb815

Perhaps FFG would have a problem with this, but I doubt it, but you could scan in the maps and print them out at your local print shop on large sheets of paper, and then the tiles wouldn't even be necessary at the tournament. It would cost a few bucks, but would make setup quick and easy, and allow for multiple map setups.

Actually, what I want to do (when my wallet recovers from buying the core set) is to get each map printed on one of those rubberized playmats that CCGs use. If the print quality is clear enough, it will be awesome! From my initial research, it looks like it'll be around $20-25 per map, or so. The thing is, I'm not really sure if it would be legal for tournaments; it would be nice, though.

So I'm planning to get one printed to start with, and then see if it's worthwhile to have it done for other maps too.

Feels kind of pricey since there will be 10 maps and 20 missions soon. That number will just go up over time.

Yes, it will be expensive. But for SWM I used to spend $5-10 per map for lamination, and I always considered it a worthwhile investment. And I'll have to do some shopping around to find the best price.

Maybe the better option will be to just get the maps printed on large and high-quality paper, rather than on a rubberized playmat. Believe it or not, it looks like IA will be far less of a money-pit than SWM ever was, and I don't regret any of the money I've spent on SWM over the years.

This is just a rough cut but it should give you an idea of what I'm doing in order to speed up our skirmish (and possibly Campaign) games:

Step 1: Make/take a large sheet of paper and lay out the tiles/map for a mission:

image.jpg

Step 2: Trace the outline of the entire map including the holes between tiles

image.jpg

Step 3: One by one take each tile up, outline its attachment/anchoring edges and note the number within the tiles space.

image.jpg

Step 4: more of the same

image.jpg

Step 5: You've guessed it. Even more of the same. Finish of by noting map/mission name and a list/ledger of the tiles needed.

image.jpg

free upload

This outlined map shouldn't infringe on any copyright issues and can easily be folded up and brought along for games.

I will most likely do it a bit neater and scan it and/or do a way neater graphic generated version on the computer.

What are your thoughts?