the rounded corners seems like a weird gripe to me. You're losing what, about a millimetre in the corner? Have you ever seen a ship landed so perfectly in the corner that it would make a difference?

Well considering you can set up your ships that way - you could in theory START your ships in the corner, and thus be off the map (Which I'm certain nobody would ever actually try to disqualify you for...),

But also, the biggest reason is that if you line up two mats together like they suggest for epic play, the small bit you lose becomes even more pronounced and then is right in the center.

I jus don't understand why they took orders showing people a full 3X3 mat and then rounded the edges? Why not show that in the preview?

Um, they did, it's right there in the first image.

Not having seen one in person yet, but these look almost identical (size differences excepted) to the HCD mats. It would not surprise if they are made by the same manufacturer.

On the size differences with the HCD mats (and officialness), I think it is actually better that there is some variation so there is less perfect memorisation, play on the surface you are given to the dimensions of what it is, rather what it should be. Games like Cricket are entirely based around this concept.

I have an HCD mat and the rounded corners are so unimportant to not matter at all. And even trying to join 2 mats together for epic it is hardly noticeable (particularly when the ships hit the table). I would prefer a full 3x6 mat for sure, but flexibility of two mats is better in general.

Thanks for the review, Crabbok!

A lot has been said about rounded corners, but I wanted to add that I like it because when I set up I put my ship in the "corner" but with some space between my ship and the edge. With rounded mats, I simply put my ship flush against the back edge, and over to the corner until it starts to curve. That's enough to ensure that on a sloppy 5-straight I don't accidentally drift towards the edge, and get surprised when my subsequent 4-koiogran turn lands me off the mat! (Granted, you could just use the range ruler to give yourself that distance, but I say make lemonade when you have lemons, and all that).

And for all those who asked, it is 36" x 36"

Do all of them come haunted with ghost minis? Or only the starfield one?

Clearly Crabbok 1-shotted a Stealth Device Soontir Fel with Focus/Evade at range 3 through an asteroid and is now being haunted by the Ghost of Interceptors Past.

I agree the rounded corners seem like a non-issue. Rounded edges on the other hand suck. I'm still trying to get an idea from someone if they are as bad as the Nationals mats were, but I fear everyone keeps thinking I am talking about the corners and that is why I can't find an answer.

Why would the rounded edges matter, it's not like you'd come close to the edge and your ship would get called out and it would cause you a chance to play in the second day, right?

Had you calculated from turn 1, exactly how much space you should have had based on a 36x36 mat, assuming you had kept track from the ship's original position or did you eyeball it when you set the dial for the ship on the previous planning phase?

I understand how running off by a millimeter can be frustrating and maybe complicated by a mat that is not a full 36" but that does not speak to rounded corners. The edges and corners of a mat are most likely to get damaged. Rounding the corners is the only way to make a neoprene mat sturdy enough for use. The only way to avoid the issue is to make an oversize mat with a printed 3'x3' play area. Probably a decent idea but would probably make the cost and shipping too high to be practical. Not to mention fitting on tables.

I ordered a death star mat when they decided they would be legal for OP events. Will let you know my thoughts when it arrives.

I understand how running off by a millimeter can be frustrating and maybe complicated by a mat that is not a full 36" but that does not speak to rounded corners. The edges and corners of a mat are most likely to get damaged. Rounding the corners is the only way to make a neoprene mat sturdy enough for use. The only way to avoid the issue is to make an oversize mat with a printed 3'x3' play area. Probably a decent idea but would probably make the cost and shipping too high to be practical. Not to mention fitting on tables.

I ordered a death star mat when they decided they would be legal for OP events. Will let you know my thoughts when it arrives.

I completely missed the reversal that the Death Star mat would be legal. Where was it? Edit: Nevermind. I found it in the edit on the announcement page.

Rounded Edge:

http://www.cgcglass.com/_images/edgeround.gif

Rounded Corner:

http://cdn.osxdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/macbook-pro-sharp-vs-round-edges.jpg

Nationals mats had rounded edges and rounded corners. Rounded corners are necessary for the durability of the mat. Rounded edges are not. Rounded corners - understandable. Rounded edges - unacceptable.

Supporting evidence is every mousepad I've ever seen.

I own a mousepad material mat and the edges are not rounded and the corners being rounded is really not an issue unless you put 2 together for epic but even then it's not really an issue. Also glueing rubber pads on the bottom of the bases of ships gives them incredible grip especially on the mousepad material.

Reading this topic made me realize how much this forum is almost all tournament players. My goodness nothing is going to be perfect in a game. I don't think it is bad that y'all want 36" rather than 35 7/8", but it is just amazing how things can be ruined for tournaments because of round courners, rounded edges, a missing 1/4".

I enjoyed the unboxing, Crabbok. So happy to see they're available now, if not, very soon. As for the rounded edges, FFG has been using them in the tournaments, such as the National (North American) Championship held during Gen Con, and at Worlds for the past few years. So, the rounded edges don't concern me.

. . . Quick questions -- How did you get one so quickly? They're still listed as "In Development". And second, will they be available at local game stores, or only through Fantasy Flight?

. . . Quick questions -- How did you get one so quickly?

I put on my robe and wizard hat...

. . . Quick questions -- How did you get one so quickly?

I put on my robe and wizard hat...

Don't you mean, "I put on my bow tie and fez... then traveled through time"? You are The Doctor after all.

wonder if its just a re-branding of the HCD mat?? which i do like btw.. also the neoprene mats i have clean up real easy its like they repel water and stains. They also don't need weights or tape to make them lie flat like VINYL mats.. however the one problem i have with it is that when you roll it up to stick it in a transport tube it doesn't want to come back out of the tube due to the non slip rubber underside!!

wonder if its just a re-branding of the HCD mat?? which i do like btw.. also the neoprene mats i have clean up real easy its like they repel water and stains. They also don't need weights or tape to make them lie flat like VINYL mats.. however the one problem i have with it is that when you roll it up to stick it in a transport tube it doesn't want to come back out of the tube due to the non slip rubber underside!!

Roll it the other way?

. . . Quick questions -- How did you get one so quickly?

I put on my robe and wizard hat...

Don't you mean, "I put on my bow tie and fez... then traveled through time"? You are The Doctor after all.

I'm the 18th Doctor. I wear a robe and wizard hat now and chat on early 2000's interweb.

wonder if its just a re-branding of the HCD mat?? which i do like btw.. also the neoprene mats i have clean up real easy its like they repel water and stains. They also don't need weights or tape to make them lie flat like VINYL mats.. however the one problem i have with it is that when you roll it up to stick it in a transport tube it doesn't want to come back out of the tube due to the non slip rubber underside!!

The box is cardboard so it slides in and out without too much trouble. And the measurements are 36 x 36, and according to some others, the HCD matts were an inch shy on one side , so I dunno.

But also, the biggest reason is that if you line up two mats together like they suggest for epic play, the small bit you lose becomes even more pronounced and then is right in the center.

^ This

OP or anyone else know if FFG sendsban email when an order ships? Or just one saying order received?

Reading this topic made me realize how much this forum is almost all tournament players. My goodness nothing is going to be perfect in a game. I don't think it is bad that y'all want 36" rather than 35 7/8", but it is just amazing how things can be ruined for tournaments because of round courners, rounded edges, a missing 1/4".

Going off the board is such a hugely pivotal thing to happen that I don't want any question about it, especially in a casual game where there isn't a TO to just call it. It isn't going to cause a kerfuffle, I just don't want to deal with any doubt when someone is called out. Even if adult resolutions are reached, a guy called "out" may end up feeling cheated, or vice versa if we don't call him out. I'd just rather it be as sharp and clear as possible.

Going off the board is such a hugely pivotal thing to happen that I don't want any question about it, especially in a casual game where there isn't a TO to just call it. It isn't going to cause a kerfuffle, I just don't want to deal with any doubt when someone is called out. Even if adult resolutions are reached, a guy called "out" may end up feeling cheated, or vice versa if we don't call him out. I'd just rather it be as sharp and clear as possible.

Come on, were talking about corners of the map. Just how many time since you began playing have you really got a ship in the extreme corner of the map that it would be off the rounded corner? From my side, I count a total of zero time.

And in casual play, I would just let him be in, the game is suppose to be casual anyway.

And for all those who asked, it is 36" x 36"

Did you measure to within 1/16th of an inch?

And for all those who asked, it is 36" x 36"

Did you measure to within 1/16th of an inch?

Yes. Though if you really want to get technical one side was about a fingernail's length shy of being exactly 36, but not even close to being a 16th shy.