Hello everyone my last thread took a turn for the worst (mostly myself to blame). I have a small gaming store and would love to generate a strong x wing base. Looking for ideas on how to setup a league and offer discounts to new and existing players to increase my x wing sales. Also please include options that your local game store offers along with tournament and event ideas. Thanks.

Flyers, demos, and prize support.

Ban all children, sell beer and install a stripper pole.

Run games with 2 core sets. This should get players interested in the mechanics of the game without intimidating them with the price tag or added complexity of all the other ships. You should focus on selling 2 core sets to 2 attendees, and encourage them to split the ships when they have a good feel for their favourite side.

Start small. You don't need to rush into 100 point games, especially if you're trying to get new people into the game or teach them the rules.

Create a bunch of 50 point lists, limiting the pilot abilities and upgrades to one or two mechanics. You can get more games in with more people that way. Once people are comfortable with the basics, show them some more.

Get a few friends to play in shares and let people see what a lovely game we have

I think a fun league idea would be a weekly 30 point furball dogfight league. You bring just one ship, can outfit it however you want, to a maximum of 30 points. And then you have one giant winner-takes-all furball dogfight. This could encourage sales of expansions to participate in that league, as you could provide the core resources. Plus, it would be fun.

I think a fun league idea would be a weekly 30 point furball dogfight league. You bring just one ship, can outfit it however you want, to a maximum of 30 points. And then you have one giant winner-takes-all furball dogfight. This could encourage sales of expansions to participate in that league, as you could provide the core resources. Plus, it would be fun.

This is a good plan, though instead of points, I'd limit it to small base ship sizes.

My local FLGS has discussed setting up a loyalty program, where a certain amount of sales gets you store credit. They haven't rolled it out yet, but they talked about having different levels, so miniatures would have a different program from card games or beer/ice cream purchases (also, yes, they have beer and ice cream).

Honestly, just having a designated place and night to play is huge. Our current league night has grown from around 4-5 regulars to start to probably around 10-12 right now, along with people who come and go as life comes in. We have a mix of new players and veterans.

Within the league nights, change up the formula to encourage different types of lists. Our league is point based. While winning matches earns you some points, you can also gain a lot of them through Achievements. Achievement points are a great way to encourage variety in list-building. Previous achievements have included winning with a squad built entirely from Wave 1 components, Wave 2 components, killing a ship with ordinance, and forcing a ship off the board through Ions/blocking.

You can also encourage different lists through scenarios, though this can also encourage some cheesing as people build exclusively to the scenario.

EDIT: Maybe, once both the store and the league is actually going, consider having a 100-point "Store copy" list that newer players, who may have just gotten into the game or are considering it, could check out for an evening. Would basically function as a loaner version of the "Starter list" you had mentioned. You'd really just need the models, dials and templates, and could have the upgrades printed on a sheet from a squad-builder.

Ban all children, sell beer and install a stripper pole.

I'm pretty sure I've never met an X-Wing player who I'd want to see swinging off a stripper pole.

I think a fun league idea would be a weekly 30 point furball dogfight league. You bring just one ship, can outfit it however you want, to a maximum of 30 points. And then you have one giant winner-takes-all furball dogfight. This could encourage sales of expansions to participate in that league, as you could provide the core resources. Plus, it would be fun.

This is a good plan, though instead of points, I'd limit it to small base ship sizes.

I dunno, maybe. If somebody wants to pay for an Outer Rim smuggler without the money to put anything but an auto blaster turret on it, I'm okay with that.

I think a fun league idea would be a weekly 30 point furball dogfight league. You bring just one ship, can outfit it however you want, to a maximum of 30 points. And then you have one giant winner-takes-all furball dogfight. This could encourage sales of expansions to participate in that league, as you could provide the core resources. Plus, it would be fun.

This is a good plan, though instead of points, I'd limit it to small base ship sizes.

I dunno, maybe. If somebody wants to pay for an Outer Rim smuggler without the money to put anything but an auto blaster turret on it, I'm okay with that.

Or a Lambda riding solo hahaha

I think a fun league idea would be a weekly 30 point furball dogfight league. You bring just one ship, can outfit it however you want, to a maximum of 30 points. And then you have one giant winner-takes-all furball dogfight. This could encourage sales of expansions to participate in that league, as you could provide the core resources. Plus, it would be fun.

This is a good plan, though instead of points, I'd limit it to small base ship sizes.

I dunno, maybe. If somebody wants to pay for an Outer Rim smuggler without the money to put anything but an auto blaster turret on it, I'm okay with that.

I'd object, as the ORS doesn't have a slot for a Turret upgrade.

Steps to kicking off a successful X-Wing group

1) Set up an evening that the tables are reserved for Xwing. Nothing turns away players more than showing up to play and every table has two kids playing magic on it. I understand that MTG is how most stores stay afloat, and thats fine, but if you want other brands to thrive, you have to give them some breathing room. If you cant single out an xwing only night, asking MTG players to play multiple games on the same table will give other games more space.

2) Organize events. Start small, 60 points? Provide prize support.

3) Loyalty programs go a long way. Your customers can buy stuff off the internet. They choose to frequent your store. Give them something in return. Its not the savings is a big thing, but the idea behind it, that you value their business.

Ban all children, sell beer and install a stripper pole.

I'm pretty sure I've never met an X-Wing player who I'd want to see swinging off a stripper pole.

It's not for the customers you just higher an semi attractive person to dance they don't even have to be any good it's a classic honey trap.

"I came for the stripper I stayed for the x-wing" stick that on a t-shirt with your stores logo job done.

OP, maybe you can tell us a little bit more about your store, how big is it, how much space do you have for people playing there, do you run other events/let people play other stuff?

Depending on that there are lots of variations you could do as some pointed out above, I particularly like the 30pts Furball idea - something quick yet challenging that bystanders can appreciate.

Have your individual version of the official Store Championship, "FLGS May 15 Furball" or a mini league. You could keep scores publicly, like an ace list that tracks victories and kills etc, and round that up with prizes.

I for example would totally play at my FLGS, but they only have space for about 4 people (2 simultaneous games) and it's mostly occupied by MtG players, so we meet regularly at a gaming friendly pub...

Of the large ships that fit in the 30-33 point furball range (33 points cuts out just before Echo becomes practical, which is convenient for new players);

-The Outer Rim Smuggler is PS 1 with 2 attack dice, 1 Defense die, 4 Shields, and 6 Hull. At 27 points, you've got 3-6 points to spend on 2 crew slots, the MF title, and mods. With 3P0+MF, you can get two garunteed evades a turn, but you're not exactly impressive offensively

-The Wild Space Fringer is PS 2 with 2 Attack dice, 2 defense dice, 5 shields, and 5 hull. At 30 points, you've got 0-3 points to spend on a cannon, a missile, a crew slot, and/or a modification. The Outrider title is 5 points, putting it out of reach

-Eaden Vrill (The lowest PS unique YT-2400 pilot) is PS 3 with the same statline. At 32 points, he's only allowed in 33 point furballs, and will only have 1 point for upgrades. This is too little for him to capitalize on his ability, although he will interact interestingly with ships trying to exploit PTL

-At 21 points, the Alabaster Void Bison, sorry, Omicron group Pilot, fits in nicely. With PS 2, 3 attack dice, a defense die, 5 shields, and 5 hull, it's a bargain... But, as even fans of the Lambda will point out, it turns like a drunk walrus. Nice potential for upgrades, but without a skilled pilot at the helm it's in trouble as even a b-wing without advanced sensors will outfly it. The unique pilots are pointless without other ships to support with their abilities.

-At 33 points, the Bounty Hunter has PS 3, 3 attack dice, 2 defense dice, 4 shields, and 6 hull. The catch is, of course, that that's all you get even in the 33 point bracket. Now, with the auxiliary firing arc, that's still a pretty nice package, but it's not overpowering in a developed metagame.

For experienced players, a ban on large ships is probably unnecessary. But for rookies, I think the YT-2400 and Firespray are too beefy for them to deal with.

Ban all children, sell beer and install a stripper pole.

Maybe it's just me... but I really have no desire to see my X-Wing friends try out a stripper pole.

My local FLGS has discussed setting up a loyalty program, where a certain amount of sales gets you store credit. They haven't rolled it out yet, but they talked about having different levels, so miniatures would have a different program from card games or beer/ice cream purchases (also, yes, they have beer and ice cream).

The place I go to does a loyalty programme. It's like the coffee stamp cards, for every £10 you spend you get 1 stamp. Once the cards all stamped up you get 10% off your next purchase.

I used to buy most of my stuff off the internet, but I've come to realise that the bay of e doesn't have gaming tables, a coffee machine, make the best double pig toasties or have people to play against.

So now when I've got pennies to burn, I burn them in there.

As a customer I would like -

Decently priced stuff, as close to internet prices as you can get them without running at a loss.

Availability of gaming space. Try and have as many tables as you can available.

In store refreshments (if possible, not everywhere has the space).

And most importantly, a person behind the counter who is willing to engage with their customers, knows their stock and doesn't try and shove it down my throat when I walk in for a look around.

Good luck

Cheers

Baaa

My FLGS just surprised me with 10% off my purchase when Wave 6 was released. It doesn't have to be online discounts to have someone be loyal to your store, just something. Getting that discount made me not preorder all of imperial assault expansions, and instead buy them when they came out at the local shop. I saved 10% again on FFG stuff, which was great! I'll keep buying there now, knowing that they do appreciate local sales and want me back in the store.

Other things my current favorite store has done recently:

They got in 3 of the winter kits and put on 3 different tournaments for the contents. It was important to not do a league here because not everyone can make it every week, but people (if they know in advance) CAN make a tournament day.

Start with small tournaments. 40 point ones can be done and you can build a list with just the starter. Store credit is okay for prizes, but the FFG kits really help this. I haven't found a place that puts up prize painted ships, but I would definitely play someplace where I could win something like that!

They bought a couple playmats for the store, and reserved tables for x-wing on a particular night. There was one night that only two people showed up, and they didn't let the other table with the mat on it be used for anything else. This is HUGE because we stopped playing at another store because they gave up all the tables when MTG got really popular.

Make one night a week an xwing night. Probably not Friday night, because MTG. But pick any other night and BE CONSISTENT with it. It will take a few months to build a following (I'm sure this is the case with any game). Advertise that night on Facebook, Twitter, whatever. Pictures sell this thing because it looks great on the table!

You're on your way, but your local community will be the ones that show the demand. Recognize and cater to the demand and you will succeed with X-Wing in your store.

Maybe it's just me... but I really have no desire to see my X-Wing friends try out a stripper pole.

You could always introduce the stripper to the finer points of a "barrel roll".

Cheers

Baaa

Of the large ships that fit in the 30-33 point furball range (33 points cuts out just before Echo becomes practical, which is convenient for new players);

-The Outer Rim Smuggler is PS 1 with 2 attack dice, 1 Defense die, 4 Shields, and 6 Hull. At 27 points, you've got 3-6 points to spend on 2 crew slots, the MF title, and mods. With 3P0+MF, you can get two garunteed evades a turn, but you're not exactly impressive offensively

-The Wild Space Fringer is PS 2 with 2 Attack dice, 2 defense dice, 5 shields, and 5 hull. At 30 points, you've got 0-3 points to spend on a cannon, a missile, a crew slot, and/or a modification. The Outrider title is 5 points, putting it out of reach

-Eaden Vrill (The lowest PS unique YT-2400 pilot) is PS 3 with the same statline. At 32 points, he's only allowed in 33 point furballs, and will only have 1 point for upgrades. This is too little for him to capitalize on his ability, although he will interact interestingly with ships trying to exploit PTL

-At 21 points, the Alabaster Void Bison, sorry, Omicron group Pilot, fits in nicely. With PS 2, 3 attack dice, a defense die, 5 shields, and 5 hull, it's a bargain... But, as even fans of the Lambda will point out, it turns like a drunk walrus. Nice potential for upgrades, but without a skilled pilot at the helm it's in trouble as even a b-wing without advanced sensors will outfly it. The unique pilots are pointless without other ships to support with their abilities.

-At 33 points, the Bounty Hunter has PS 3, 3 attack dice, 2 defense dice, 4 shields, and 6 hull. The catch is, of course, that that's all you get even in the 33 point bracket. Now, with the auxiliary firing arc, that's still a pretty nice package, but it's not overpowering in a developed metagame.

For experienced players, a ban on large ships is probably unnecessary. But for rookies, I think the YT-2400 and Firespray are too beefy for them to deal with.

This may be a conversation to break off into its own thread, but a 33-point Firespray in a furball may as well hang a sign off the front of the ship saying "Shoot me first." Vrill is the only 2400 that'd really be a threat, as the Fringer is going to be a low damage control piece.

The toughest ships in that category are probably going to be named Interceptors, or a loaded Jake/Tycho.

[...]

And most importantly, a person behind the counter who is willing to engage with their customers, knows their stock and doesn't try and shove it down my throat when I walk in for a look around.

Good luck

Cheers

Baaa

Exactly, know what you are talking about, but don't shove it down my throat (neither from a nerd nor from a salesman perspective).

Quoting Baa here as an example, that most things you could do are probably not X-Wing specific, but generally service/customer oriented.

My FLGS has an overall rewards program where you get $10 in store credit for every $100 spent. They also have set game days via Meetup -- Board Game Tuesdays, Doomtown Thursdays, Star Wars Sundays -- and on those days you get triple points towards your rewards. A good bit of my X-Wing collection was bought with store credit I got by purchasing board games and other X-Wing stuff and collecting store credit. I'm sitting at $70 towards a Raider as we speak.

For X-Wing specifically, the owner promotes Sundays as Star Wars Sunday and specifically X-Wing (it used to also include the LCG, but the player base for that evaporated). We mostly do casual play with whoever shows up, but there are also frequent tournaments (both standard and special formats that the owner comes up with) with prizes and participation rewards, and we'll also do theme events (usually a giant game for Super Bowl Sundays, like the Death Star battles or an Epic game).

folks who haven't may want to visit said thread.

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/index.php?/topic/138659-x-wing-card-packs/

ATKRULL has a problem with the "buy-in" cost of X-wing...he believes his customers are being scared from playing becuase they have to buy so much to be competitive

I recommended that he start a beginners league that would require the following:

players to build fleets based on wave one items and core.

the store would promote / support this by offering a really good deal on core +2 ships from wave one.

the league would grow (maybe monthly?) adding each wave as it did.
Prizes (attendance or winning?) could come as store credit or FFG OP kits.

Atkrull had several other people give him advice some of this is repeated in this thread.