The rules are pretty clear that physical modifications to a model are not allowed.

But does this ever get enforced?

I'm doing turret swaps on my YT-2400s, and have longer-range plans to convert a YT-1300 into a different YT class, and I'm curious if I'd be able to bring them to tournies. It feels like no one would have a problem with them, unless I ran into a real piece of work.

My buddy uses Lascannons on his Decimator instead of those dinky turrets and has never had a problem at any tournament he went to in the SoCal area. I've also played with and against painted models and never had a problem with anyone against them.

I've not seen it enforced in maybe 15 or so 'official' tournies. Alt paint jobs are cool.

I've never been to an event where FFG staff were present, but no one at the handful of tournaments I've run or attended has ever had an issue with customized ships. As a tournament organizer, I have absolutely no issue with it.

Locally/casually, even in tournaments you'll probably find that other players are interested in and appreciate conversions. In some cases it will just make them more eager to blast your prettified ships off the board faster.

As a TO I've been known to encourage the repaint and customization crew locally. I haven't ever had an issue with it. As long as you bought a YT1300 or whatever I feel if you like it better in My Little Pony colours that is your choice.

Well there's a fancy new repaint/conversion subforum now. 'Maybe' FFG will change the rules to be a little more allowing than restrictive. The unofficial ruling is pretty much as long as your mod doesn't give you an unfair advantage, then it's fine.

For example, using a falcon the size of a pizza pan would be a little cheating.

IIRC you're good unless you change the footprint of the actual base and/or the cardboard insert. Is there actually a rule that's more restrictive than that?

The only time I could see this being an issue Is at an ffg tourney with a yt1300 that's been moded into a yt2400 so that oh can use one ship box and only have to bum a dial off someone.

The rule isn't in place for someone who wants to put different guns on a Decimator or move the cockpit on a YT-1300 to between the mandibles. It's for someone who wants to sculpt an X-Wing with its S-Foils closed so it looks like a Z-95. Or someone who wants to modify the panels on a TIE so it looks like a different type of TIE. And rather than get bogged down with a long, ever-changing list of "This type of mod is okay, this type of mod isn't," FFG just restricted them altogether. Which is a smart move, as I'd rather have their organized play team working on anything else but constantly revising some restricted conversions list.

The only time I could see this being an issue Is at an ffg tourney with a yt1300 that's been moded into a yt2400 so that oh can use one ship box and only have to bum a dial off someone.

Yeah I was just thinking that this is the type of thing FFG had in mind when they made that rule--people kitbashing an X-wing into a Z95 (before the z95 was released) or a yt-1300 into a yt-2000 or something like that. Makes it awkward when FFG actually releases a real version of said ship.

I wouldn't have a problem with it as long as it was still obvious what model it was from a distance and the base was the correct size/shape. Obviously, if all you did was make it so your YT-1300 could light up, then yay good for you, I am not going to throw you out. If you converted an X-Wing (as others has said) to look like a Z-95 then I might have to ask that you use a standard model.

I think a grey area is when you do stuff like convert a YT-1300 into a YT-1000 and try to use it as a 1300 in game. Obviously the 1000 is not allowed, so its not strictly speaking unidentifiable but it could confuse your opponents, particularly the less knowledgeable Star Wars fans, which is unfair. I would probably require you asked your opponents prior to each match if you could use it; if the opponent objected (which would be his right and fair, I would expect no retribution/complaint), then I would ask you had another on hand to swap to. Having a modded ship because its cool/unique should not give you a competitive advantage and I would not want to have a tourny I ran perceived as being unfair. I think this would be the most fair answer to both parties.

I think a good rule of thumb is check with the TO before the tourney and prepare to have a spare model.

Obviously paint changes are fully allowed, and I have no problem with repaints.

The rule isn't in place for someone who wants to put different guns on a Decimator or move the cockpit on a YT-1300 to between the mandibles. It's for someone who wants to sculpt an X-Wing with its S-Foils closed so it looks like a Z-95. Or someone who wants to modify the panels on a TIE so it looks like a different type of TIE. And rather than get bogged down with a long, ever-changing list of "This type of mod is okay, this type of mod isn't," FFG just restricted them altogether. Which is a smart move, as I'd rather have their organized play team working on anything else but constantly revising some restricted conversions list.

I 100% agree, this was the simplest way to handle it, and doesn't get into details. I think it also allows you to enforce it to whatever degree you see fit, which is also good.

Painting is allowed. It says so in the rules.
However, actually changing the ship is technically not allowed. Unless your TO just wants to be a jerk, I don't think many would have a problem with that sorta thing though. I certainly wouldn't.

At the local leveli doubt anyone will say anything unless its "that ******* guy" however once you start going to regionals and above it might become more of an issue due to streaming and ffg presence. Always have a stock legal backup to cover your ass.

Maybe we shouldn't label someone who wants to enforce FFG's actual rules as "that ******* guy"?

No, and I don't think they should be banned unless they are clearly misleading (e.g. X-Wing with two lasers ripped off such that it looks like a Z-95 or a TIE that has been modified to look like a TIE of another type).

I'm suprised it's not allowed. Aren't the stats of the ship on the base/cards/dial?

Now if you are gonna switch the models around so your A-wing has an x-wing model, you are just gonna confuce the sith out of everybody. But some conversions, why not?

So what happens when you damage your figure? (X-wing with two missing wings for example) Would that be counted as "changing the ship"?

The focus in this discussion has been on what the TO or FFG enforce. But the person who should have the greatest say is your opponent. If he or she feels it is distracting or confusing to the game at hand, that is enough reason to enforce the rule. If there is no problem, then play on with your modded ships. FFG has armed the TO with the means to settle any disputes, but they don't need to go looking for trouble. Let the players decide.

If it's clearly the original ship I doubt there'd be much issue with modifications to models. It's modifying bases that is the big no-no.

Maybe we shouldn't label someone who wants to enforce FFG's actual rules as "that ******* guy"?

If they're enforcing no modifications to, say, an E-wing that's moved the turret to the underside either A: for the sake of it or B: so that the other person gets DQed and they can win by default then they are "that guy." If it's an extreme modification to the point where it isn't immediately clear what it is or it contains nothing of the original model (say it's a Starship Battles ship mounted on FFG pegs) then I can see the cause for objection. Just.

I'm sure the rules forbidding physical alterations are in place to minimize the problems with handling the ships. As it is, ships often collide because their models touch and not their bases. The restriction on physical alterations is likely to cut down on that issue at a table, as well as banning "proxy" items. What if someone wants to make their own knockoffs? I'm sure FFG would much rather they buy an official product.

If it's clearly the original ship I doubt there'd be much issue with modifications to models. It's modifying bases that is the big no-no.

Maybe we shouldn't label someone who wants to enforce FFG's actual rules as "that ******* guy"?

If they're enforcing no modifications to, say, an E-wing that's moved the turret to the underside either A: for the sake of it or B: so that the other person gets DQed and they can win by default then they are "that guy."

So if they enforce other rules, are they "that guy" too?

It's not like FFG has kept their tournament rules some kind of secret. And if a TO wants their players to abide by those rules, they shouldn't be subject to scorn. Personally, I don't care one way or the other, but I'm tired of seeing people who want the rules followed labelled as "anti-fly casual" or "that guy." I'd rather all the rules be followed than have to wonder which TO is going to enforce which rules on any given day.

It depends entirely on your motivations. If you kick up a fuss over a B-wing that's been converted to horizontal, magnet mounted ships (those are model alterations) or an E-wing that's had the guns moved around then there's reason to doubt your motives. A person who thinks that getting someone disqualified over a horizontal B-wing or a customised E-wing is a valid strategy to win a match is "that guy".

Normally I wouldn't care but I think there should be a limit on modifications to the ship itself.

I saw someone playing with what looked like an E-wing with three other sets of wings sticking off of it at odd angles on a Lambda shuttle base. If you want to paint the your MF with the Union Jack, that's fine, but completely changing the look, size and shape of a ship should be a no-no.

I saw someone playing with what looked like an E-wing with three other sets of wings sticking off of it

Was it this?

I'd draw the line at no longer being instantly recognisable as the original ship.

It depends entirely on your motivations. If you kick up a fuss over a B-wing that's been converted to horizontal, magnet mounted ships (those are model alterations) or an E-wing that's had the guns moved around then there's reason to doubt your motives. A person who thinks that getting someone disqualified over a horizontal B-wing or a customised E-wing is a valid strategy to win a match is "that guy".

I would be that guy...

The rules are rules, when exceptions start getting handed out the rules no longer mean anything.

You'd honestly try to get someone thrown out for this?

Or this?