The maximum squad points for each player’s first squad is 60 points. A squad cannot exceed 60 points, though it may contain fewer than 60 points. Each player must field at least two ships.

I find this rule to be a little odd. It all but guarantees large ships like the YT-1300 and Decimator see no play in escalation. Now I have only ever played in one Escalation tournament so my experience is limited in this format. Was there an issue with a Fat Han coming in and winning the first round every time it was played? Does forcing a second ship in the squad stop this as you can just toss in a Z-95 and load out the large ship in round 2. Either way I find this rule interesting.

What is escalation? Why have I not heard anything about it?

Yeah, that rule caught me off guard. I've never heard of someone complaining about a single ship dominating in the first round. Maybe decked-out Phantoms were too OP in round 1?

Big ships will just have to give up a lot of power in round 1 I think.

You'll have to run things like:

Han + MF Title + Z95 (though Chewy looks nicer now.

I do kind of agree that the change sucks a little bit. I had a great Oicunn and Soontir escalation list that I will truly miss playing. I can still make it work, but the entire makeup of it is now ruined by being forced to add an Academy Tie.

Good news is, Arc Dodgers can now rule Eacalation from the get go, which is kind of nice.

I guess I'll add, for Escalation, there were VERY few squads that could take on a Heaver style C3P0 + R2D2 Han Solo in the 60 pt, and as proven many times, even in the 90 pt rounds.

So the change has some precedence. I just think it hurts Decimators a lot more. And makes Soontir + PTL + AT + SD become the dominant force for the first few rounds at least. Turrets really have no chance of killing that ship without their upgrades. And even some of the turrets can't even do it WITH upgrades.

I for one can't wait to play in an Escalation tourney now that Scum is available. It will be quite amazing.

Yeah, that rule caught me off guard. I've never heard of someone complaining about a single ship dominating in the first round. Maybe decked-out Phantoms were too OP in round 1?

On the contrary. Turret ships are the thing in our escalation tournaments. The last tournament we had 7 people out of 10 started with a single large ship. It works because of the MoV system. A defensive falcon can easily survive the short amount of time that the first round is and take down a small ship to win the match.

It also, basically rules out dual IG88 for escalation.

A really Fat Han is immune to one ship(unless it's X-Wing Jesus) so he just had to kill one to guarantee his 60-round win.

I thought this was a new rules set, until I saw that it was V3. Why don't people actually use this more often?

I thought this was a new rules set, until I saw that it was V3. Why don't people actually use this more often?

Because it's gotten very little press so no one knows about it, I suppose.

I played an Escalation tournament once. It was different and fun.

The most fun aspect of escalation is actually before the tournament even starts. I always have fun trying to fit all the toys in a decent manner.

It also, basically rules out dual IG88 for escalation.

Not necessarily, but you have to be willing to play a round with a 20-point handicap. Start with a Z95 and a 48-point 88B. Next round, add another Z. That'll get you another 48 points at the 120 bracket, which is readily enough for a second IG.

A very welcome change, IMO. After all, what's the point of having a completely different format if each game is just going to be a scale version of the 100 pt. meta?

A very welcome change, IMO. After all, what's the point of having a completely different format if each game is just going to be a scale version of the 100 pt. meta?

The 60-point game is still almost impossible to really balance. The best ships at that level are going to be the ones would would otherwise be super-strong in the end-game. Corran Horn sticks out in particular: Corran with PTL, FCS and R2D2 is still only 44 points, which means he can be backed by a Prototype Pilot. That's a list that will cause difficulties to kill, and will still scale well at higher levels.

Although it would probably be a pain logistically, I'd really like to see Escalation permit upgrading a generic pilot to a better generic or a named pilot in later rounds.

The maximum squad points for each player’s first squad is 60 points. A squad cannot exceed 60 points, though it may contain fewer than 60 points. Each player must field at least two ships.

I find this rule to be a little odd. It all but guarantees large ships like the YT-1300 and Decimator see no play in escalation. Now I have only ever played in one Escalation tournament so my experience is limited in this format. Was there an issue with a Fat Han coming in and winning the first round every time it was played? Does forcing a second ship in the squad stop this as you can just toss in a Z-95 and load out the large ship in round 2. Either way I find this rule interesting.

I like this rule a lot. I think they are trying to guarantee that you don't see ONLY YT-1300s and Decimators. I think it will add to the variety of squads flown. Our local meta is pretty casual, which I love, but if you really wanted to crush the competition, is there better 60 pts you could spend than decking out Han? At least now you have to make some choices.

Now I just need to do another escalation tournament ( hint hint Osiroshii).

Where are you guys seeing this new rule??

Where are you guys seeing this new rule??

In the new tourney rules

Look under tournament resources and "Escalation Tournament "

https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/more/x-wing-organized-play-events/

The maximum squad points for each player’s first squad is 60 points. A squad cannot exceed 60 points, though it may contain fewer than 60 points. Each player must field at least two ships