Playing for fun? You heathens!

Yeah you know you want to join us and fly an a-wing without people laughing behind your back.

The most fun I have playing X-Wing is at tournaments. Actually, most of my X-Wing games are at tournaments, or on VASSAL.

We're lucky enough around here that we now have 2 stores that regularly host X-Wing tournaments, so we normally have a tournament being held every 2 or 3 weeks. We also have a good group of players that is very casual and I have never had an unpleasant experience because someone was a jerk/overly competitive. The lists that are brought to tournaments are always varied. I always bring lists that I think will be fun to fly, yet will still do well. In the recent Store Championships, I ran one list with a Defender and another with 14 points or ordnance on three Z-95's. Both lists performed very well - better than expected even - and were very fun to fly, even when they got totally decimated by a bad match-up.

This might not be the intention, but some of the comments here seem to have a condescending tone and give the impression of "I play for fun and all tournament players are jerks who just play to win."

I just wanted to point out that the atmosphere at tournaments is VERY dependent on your attitude going in and the attitude of the other players who show up.

I'd encourage anyone who has had a bad experience at an organized tournament not to give up on tournaments all together, and to go out to a different store. Tournaments are a great way to meet other players in your area that you can then get together with for more casual play. We have a nicely active Facebook group with many local players that have met through the tournaments and there are often week night games at local stores and even weekend get-together at people's homes being organized. It is a lot easier to go out to a tournament where you know there'll be 8+ players to chat with than it is to meet with another player that you've never met at his house (what if it turns out you don't like this player... your stuck at his house for a couple hours now).

Some people are lucky enough to have many people they already know who are into X-Wing - they might not need to go out to tournaments to meet other players. Others might not have any friends who are into X-Wing but are lucky enough to have a local tournament scene with a great player group. I'm in the latter group, and have met some people I now consider friends solely through X-Wing.

Yeah, I just fly the ships I like. And usually pilots I like, too. I enjoy playing because it's a STAR WARS miniatures game, not because it's a star wars MINIATURES GAME. (If that makes sense)

PERFECT!

Dats why Han Bleep'n Solo Gets Auto Blaster For FREE here at Boss Central!

I have a Hero Kit for many of The STAR WARS main mains.

We play only for fun, but it is getting much harder for casual players. My wife enjoys the game but has no interest in squad building. Some of our friends that play don't play often enough to know what goes with what. I know you can just take whatever ships and play but that makes for some lopsided games. Even though you can play casually (so to speak) this game seems to be more geared for the competitive players.

P.S. by competitive I should say that I mean people more into squad building; more immersed in the game. It is moving away from being a pick up game.

We're lucky enough around here that we now have 2 stores that regularly host X-Wing tournaments...

This might not be the intention, but some of the comments here seem to have a condescending tone and give the impression of "I play for fun and all tournament players are jerks who just play to win."

I just wanted to point out that the atmosphere at tournaments is VERY dependent on your attitude going in and the attitude of the other players who show up.

I'd encourage anyone who has had a bad experience at an organized tournament not to give up on tournaments all together, and to go out to a different store.

Sometimes there is only one store in your area. Sometimes the general attitude of everyone else at the tournaments aren't as friendly or casual. If this is the case of the OP, then there isn't a lot you can do.

Never played in a tournament. Never will.

The most competetive I get is when I'm playing strip X-Wing with my wife. I really .. REALLY .. want to win.

At some point I will give a tourny a go, but I play in an attempt to:

A/win

B/have a good time doing so

C/DRINK BOOZE.

I'm not sure c/ is that conducive to tourney gaming:)

In our area we have a handful of players that aren't very good at the game, but still fly fat turret builds because that's what all the good players in our group fly in addition to all of the good players flying fat turret builds. So I can't escape. There are two players in my area that are both pretty good at the game and don't fly Turretwing. One of them flys y wings and a wings and stuff and does pretty well, another used to fly wedge or Biggs and two HLC/weapons engineer b wings with FCS and he was fun to fly against, but now all he does is play 2400. >_>

So yeah, everyone who plays turretwing will occasionally try out some 'fun' list with ndru and kavil and a fire spray, get dominated, and then immediately go back to playing the same Turret list they've been flying for the past 3-4 months. Quite irritating. We have a new guy that loves a wings, I'm afraid he'll turn too once he finally realizes that they're not very good ships, lol.

If all they do is turret wing then you know what you face and can tear them a new one, take ships with flechette cannons and make sure to limit their movement options, take ion cannons and walk them off the board etc.

Set the example by winning with non turret builds and show the rookies there is a better way than ruining their lives.

Winners don't use turrets!

Except when they do but you know MR.T does not approve.

In our area we have a handful of players that aren't very good at the game, but still fly fat turret builds because that's what all the good players in our group fly in addition to all of the good players flying fat turret builds. So I can't escape. There are two players in my area that are both pretty good at the game and don't fly Turretwing. One of them flys y wings and a wings and stuff and does pretty well, another used to fly wedge or Biggs and two HLC/weapons engineer b wings with FCS and he was fun to fly against, but now all he does is play 2400. >_>

So yeah, everyone who plays turretwing will occasionally try out some 'fun' list with ndru and kavil and a fire spray, get dominated, and then immediately go back to playing the same Turret list they've been flying for the past 3-4 months. Quite irritating. We have a new guy that loves a wings, I'm afraid he'll turn too once he finally realizes that they're not very good ships, lol.

At some point I will give a tourny a go, but I play in an attempt to:

A/win

B/have a good time doing so

C/DRINK BOOZE.

I'm not sure c/ is that conducive to tourney gaming:)

I don't see what you're talking about... I won the last Store Championship I attended drinking from my left hand while rolling with my right hand

The implication of the topic title being people who play competitively aren't having fun

Different strokes for different folks; I enjoy throwing down weird combos and experimenting in casual games, trying to find stuff I like or how to fly something, but the most fun I have with the game is in a competitive setting, where people are really bringing their A-game. A lot of conversation on this forum focuses around competitive play because the more 'hardcore' players are more likely to be the ones into the nuances of the game, and the game as a serious hobby, and want to seek out online discussion, compared to people who are happy playing at their kitchen table with some friends on game night. There are likely far more of the latter out there than people who attend every SC they can when it's Organized Play season time, but you don't hear from them as much because they're not looking to chat about the game online.

The thing is good lists are fun to play. Usually the fun things you want to try are good.

I don't tend to use the top of the line lists. But I do use top of the line ships. Minmaxing is part of the fun. But so is making it with something unique.

Phantoms are the most fun to play thing in this game. They require decisive decisions, a ton of forethought and spacing and I'm playing this to make my brain work.

The same goes for Dual Aggresors. They're a ton of fun because each move is complicated and diverse.

Meanwhile most subpar lists are the ones with little to no true decision making.

The exception is, of course, Fat Han. It can do very well played boringly. But it can also excel when played in unconventional ways.(I think. I don't play Falcons much)

I always play for fun. I almost never have a list ready to go when I get to the store. Just pull stuff out until I run out of points then throw on some missles or something. Always play for fun with whatever ship someone wants to see run.

I fly 5 Hwk's- I don't play for fun.

I play for fun too. I've had casual games using decent lists, tournament games using experimental lists that have ended up going bad, and tournaments where I've brought my A game and done well, and some where I havent.

I enjoy all different kinds of fun when it comes to x wing, although the one thing I dont find as fun is flying rebels. Just cant seem to get them.

As I often remark to people, "If we all liked the same thing the world would be a pretty boring place, but at least there wouldn't be as many wars."

In our area we have a handful of players that aren't very good at the game, but still fly fat turret builds because that's what all the good players in our group fly in addition to all of the good players flying fat turret builds. So I can't escape. There are two players in my area that are both pretty good at the game and don't fly Turretwing. One of them flys y wings and a wings and stuff and does pretty well, another used to fly wedge or Biggs and two HLC/weapons engineer b wings with FCS and he was fun to fly against, but now all he does is play 2400. >_>

So yeah, everyone who plays turretwing will occasionally try out some 'fun' list with ndru and kavil and a fire spray, get dominated, and then immediately go back to playing the same Turret list they've been flying for the past 3-4 months. Quite irritating. We have a new guy that loves a wings, I'm afraid he'll turn too once he finally realizes that they're not very good ships, lol.

Tie Swarm where?

After all, the wicked whisper's dead (ding-dong, the whisper's dead, the wicked whisper's finally dead, ding-dong the wicked whisper's dead~~~) ["dead" insofar as "not requiring incredible feats of skill to be dealt with]

The Soontir + mini-swarm has also been making waves in my meta, and I believe it has more than ample firepower to tear down some turrets while offering insurance against the hyper maneuverable ships you're still bound to encounter

We play only for fun, but it is getting much harder for casual players. My wife enjoys the game but has no interest in squad building. Some of our friends that play don't play often enough to know what goes with what. I know you can just take whatever ships and play but that makes for some lopsided games. Even though you can play casually (so to speak) this game seems to be more geared for the competitive players.

P.S. by competitive I should say that I mean people more into squad building; more immersed in the game. It is moving away from being a pick up game.

Tbh once you go past the 31 point tutorial game from the Core Set and start buying expansions it becomes more intricate. While I can understand not wanting to learn squad building is a thing, I don't know why other than laziness/lack of interest.

Maybe some people feel lost with all the options out there for pilots and upgrades. Is it possible you could try an assisted squad building with those people? Try laying out cards in front of them, giving them a few things to choose from each time. Once they get accustomed to making their decisions on those ships, some of the upgrades undoubtedly will work on the ships they use the next time around.

We play only for fun, but it is getting much harder for casual players. My wife enjoys the game but has no interest in squad building. Some of our friends that play don't play often enough to know what goes with what. I know you can just take whatever ships and play but that makes for some lopsided games. Even though you can play casually (so to speak) this game seems to be more geared for the competitive players.

P.S. by competitive I should say that I mean people more into squad building; more immersed in the game. It is moving away from being a pick up game.

Tbh once you go past the 31 point tutorial game from the Core Set and start buying expansions it becomes more intricate. While I can understand not wanting to learn squad building is a thing, I don't know why other than laziness/lack of interest.

Maybe some people feel lost with all the options out there for pilots and upgrades. Is it possible you could try an assisted squad building with those people? Try laying out cards in front of them, giving them a few things to choose from each time. Once they get accustomed to making their decisions on those ships, some of the upgrades undoubtedly will work on the ships they use the next time around.

You're suggesting that even though I've been told they enjoy the game but have no interest in the squad building aspect I should teach them anyway by laying out cards and limiting their choice. I think you've missed my point entirely.

I believe I said my wife "has no interest in squad building" rather than laziness. And if you knew her you might realize how offended she would be (and rightfully so) if you meant that seriously (and I know/hope you don't). Not everyone has the same tastes in games. Some like Eurotrash games, some think the strategy of Chess or Go is the end all of all games and others are but child's play. We have friends that enjoy all types of games and some quite intricate yet somehow still may not share other's love of squad building. That is to say, they enjoy the strategy and complexity of the game not the deck/squad building which is merely an exercise to some. We own quite a few highly strategic and complex war games and none offer the same in depth level of deck/squad building that X-Wing does; that isn't being lazy, simply stating a fact. Saying as much I am only pointing out that it appears to me this game is moving away from the casual player.

Not that this is the only path for the game or that Fantasy Flight can't accommodate both types of play styles. This, IMHO, is easily remedied and several players have helped greatly but it needs an official and on-going effort by Fantasy Flight.

We play only for fun, but it is getting much harder for casual players. My wife enjoys the game but has no interest in squad building. Some of our friends that play don't play often enough to know what goes with what. I know you can just take whatever ships and play but that makes for some lopsided games. Even though you can play casually (so to speak) this game seems to be more geared for the competitive players.

P.S. by competitive I should say that I mean people more into squad building; more immersed in the game. It is moving away from being a pick up game.

Tbh once you go past the 31 point tutorial game from the Core Set and start buying expansions it becomes more intricate. While I can understand not wanting to learn squad building is a thing, I don't know why other than laziness/lack of interest.

Maybe some people feel lost with all the options out there for pilots and upgrades. Is it possible you could try an assisted squad building with those people? Try laying out cards in front of them, giving them a few things to choose from each time. Once they get accustomed to making their decisions on those ships, some of the upgrades undoubtedly will work on the ships they use the next time around.

You're suggesting that even though I've been told they enjoy the game but have no interest in the squad building aspect I should teach them anyway by laying out cards and limiting their choice. I think you've missed my point entirely.

I believe I said my wife "has no interest in squad building" rather than laziness. And if you knew her you might realize how offended she would be (and rightfully so) if you meant that seriously. Not everyone has the same tastes in games. Some like Eurotrash games, some think the strategy of Chess or Go is the end all of all games and others are but child's play. We have friends that enjoy all types of games and some quite intricate yet somehow still may not share other's love of squad building. That is to say, they enjoy the strategy and complexity of the game not in deck/squad building which is merely an exercise to some. We own quite a few highly strategic and complex war games and none offer the same in depth level of deck/squad building that X-Wing does; that isn't being lazy, simply stating a fact. Saying as much I am only pointing out that is appears to me this game is moving away from the casual player.

Not that this is the only path for the game or that Fantasy Flight can't accommodate both types of play styles. This, IMHO, is easily remedied and several players have helped greatly but it needs an official and on-going effort by Fantasy Flight.

It's pretty obvious that it would move away from casual when there were tournaments when it was just released held by fantasy flight.

Really, anything with enough expansions and proper organised play gets more and more difficult to play casually. For example, Heroclix was darn simple when it first was released. Now it's so complicated that explaining the rules makes people want to not play it unless they have a lot of patience and are really, really interested in it.

My suggestion was in no way meant to insult though it clearly did by the way you reacted to it. Do understand I shouldn't really be able to insult you considering this is the internet and I don't know you, your circumstances, your family and friends, etc. I was merely making a suggestion about trying to help others learn a key aspect of the game. If you're cool with them never learning squad building then no worries.

Everyone plays for fun

That doesn't usually make for particularly interesting or lengthy forum discussions though, so strategy and the complexities of competitive play will always make up a large portion of any gaming forum.

Everyone plays for fun

That doesn't usually make for particularly interesting or lengthy forum discussions though, so strategy and the complexities of competitive play will always make up a large portion of any gaming forum.

Exactly. Fun is as personal as seeing color. You and I may be looking at a red flower. We both know it is red, we've had many years of people telling us that the color we are seeing is red. How do you know I am seeing the same red that you are? You don't. However, we can both agree that it is red.

Everyone plays for fun

That doesn't usually make for particularly interesting or lengthy forum discussions though, so strategy and the complexities of competitive play will always make up a large portion of any gaming forum.

Exactly. Fun is as personal as seeing color. You and I may be looking at a red flower. We both know it is red, we've had many years of people telling us that the color we are seeing is red. How do you know I am seeing the same red that you are? You don't. However, we can both agree that it is red.

Your both seeing the exact same shade it's not the visual spectrum that's personal but the way your mind translates that information, you could be colour blind and you'd still be seeing the exact same shade of red.

Everyone plays for fun

That doesn't usually make for particularly interesting or lengthy forum discussions though, so strategy and the complexities of competitive play will always make up a large portion of any gaming forum.

Exactly. Fun is as personal as seeing color. You and I may be looking at a red flower. We both know it is red, we've had many years of people telling us that the color we are seeing is red. How do you know I am seeing the same red that you are? You don't. However, we can both agree that it is red.

Your both seeing the exact same shade it's not the visual spectrum that's personal but the way your mind translates that information, you could be colour blind and you'd still be seeing the exact same shade of red.

I actually often play thematical lists where i want certain ships no matter if they are competitive. But from that point on i automatically try to make these themed lists as good as they can get. I will not play something where the goal is to lose against anything. My goal is to test, but also to make certain ships shine and see if they are perhaps underestimated.

One thing i have seen from the casual play for fun (not that i dont have fun playing, even losing) faction however is that some of them (and i am not adressing to the OP here actually) say they fly 100% casual and don't care about meta. But then you also find them in balancing, buff, nerf, whine threads or however you want to call them and they actually then they take part in the discussion that ship x is totally fine, ship y should be nerfed, etc.

Well i am totally okay if someone wants to state his opinion or takes part in a discussion. But if you say i only fly casual, i don't care about the meta at all and don't know a lot about competitive play, well then i would not take part in such a discussion. That is hypocritical in my opinion.

In our area we have a handful of players that aren't very good at the game, but still fly fat turret builds because that's what all the good players in our group fly in addition to all of the good players flying fat turret builds. So I can't escape. There are two players in my area that are both pretty good at the game and don't fly Turretwing. One of them flys y wings and a wings and stuff and does pretty well, another used to fly wedge or Biggs and two HLC/weapons engineer b wings with FCS and he was fun to fly against, but now all he does is play 2400. >_>

So yeah, everyone who plays turretwing will occasionally try out some 'fun' list with ndru and kavil and a fire spray, get dominated, and then immediately go back to playing the same Turret list they've been flying for the past 3-4 months. Quite irritating. We have a new guy that loves a wings, I'm afraid he'll turn too once he finally realizes that they're not very good ships, lol.

Tie Swarm where?

After all, the wicked whisper's dead (ding-dong, the whisper's dead, the wicked whisper's finally dead, ding-dong the wicked whisper's dead~~~) ["dead" insofar as "not requiring incredible feats of skill to be dealt with]

The Soontir + mini-swarm has also been making waves in my meta, and I believe it has more than ample firepower to tear down some turrets while offering insurance against the hyper maneuverable ships you're still bound to encounter

Phantom change doesn't go into effect until April 15th. Also, that's another thing that annoys me about the meta. It's so hard counter based now. I have 8 ships, you have a fat turret build. Ya dead. I have 86 double Phantom, you have 8 ships, ya dead.