My wife and her friends were going to play settlers tonight but now want to play xwing.

Great!

Uh-oh

I need help for how to do this.

There will be 4 of us. Do I give everyone a 50 point list and make it 2 v 2. Do I use only generics?

My wife played once and "didn't like it" (granted I was new to the game myself and we were both learning the rules) but this might by one of my last shots at playing the game with her if she doesn't have fun.

Maybe a named movie character per side?

I have a 3x5 table so I could expand out the playing surface to make maneuvering easier but would probably have to use larger lists so that it wasn't all maneuvering to the fight.

First rule for introducing new players - KISS.

(keep it simple, son.)

2 vs 2 at 50 points each sounds fine, or even 1 vs 1 50 points playing side by side.

I'd recommend generics only, and avoid turrets. Keep special rules, upgrades, abilities etc to a minimum to start with

a: so you don't confuse anyone mid-game and

b: so you don't accidentally annoy anyone when someone pulls out an unexpected "aha! But I can do this!" moment

Once people have played a couple of games and are starting to feel confident, pull out a unique pilot or upgrade or two and show them just how deep the rabbit hole goes...

I played in a doubles tournament last month with 150 point lists shared between two players however they wished.

Sticking to low cost pilots would simplify things, but perhaps include one big name per person with easy to understand abilities (i.e. Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader)

Maybe make a simple objective, like escorting the senator's shuttle or picking up a cargo container before it is blown up? Shorter scenario games might actually provide a story element that makes the game more intriguing to the party rather than simple kill everyone on the other team. But the objective (if there is one) should be super simple, like protect the senator shuttle or blow it up.

If you decide to do 100 point lists then you can get some quick ideas here:

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/131310-new-player-quick-start-list-guide/

I say 50 points a side, 25 points each player

stick to generics and keep it light

I say 2 Red Sq +2 pt droid vs 2 Saber Sq + shield upgrade

Everyone is same PS, has same Att Dice.

Simple enough that they can enjoy them game, upgrades and abilities come later

it should be a quick game so then u can play again with everyone more comfortable with the rules I'd found resetting an small game 3 times is much more enjoyable for beginners than one game where their mistakes follow them for the whole hr

Have the others played before or are you teaching at the same time?

Especially with inexperienced players, you will be crashing into your teammates ships. So I would suggest:

1. Play with less ships. That also equals more play time for each person.

2. Start farther away from your teammate.

3. Allow private communication between teammates.

4. Limit upgrades to maybe 1 per ship. That way it doesn't get too boring but everyone gets that special skill or weapon they want to use.

5. Let new people use a main character. I'd rather play as Vader than a no name tie pilot. It'll be more fun for them but being the more experienced player you'll have to judge whats fair. Maybe ahead of time lay out some pilots with equal-ish abilities/PS and say they get to pick one from the batch.

6. And most importantly, drink beer.

Make 4 lists, each with a recognisable character. Maybe 33 points per list?
Luke with R2-D2 and a 1 point ET

Vader with the Title and the Advanced TC, with a 3 point upgrade (Predator or Stealth Device)

And two more of your choosing. More obscure characters go to the more experienced players.

25pts per person is great with each team getting a 2 ship/1ship.

When I teach xwing I tend to use 2 ties and an advanced or interceptor vs. FCS bwing and 2 z's. All generics with 1-2 upgrades a side. These ships all showcase something different and highlights the basics of the game.

Put asteroids out for "atmosphere" but don't penalize.

Emphasize order.

My friends and our spouses are going to do a 50ish point build tournament and here is a link to the whole conversation and the final builds we decided on. I have them all built in Yet Another Builder, let me know if you want to use any of them and I will post links to the builds. We went for balance over build points so a couple of builds are more than 50 points. I also consciously avoided the MF/C3P0 and Vader ATC builds for that reason. I thought they were a bit overpowered for the points versus the other builds.

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/179710-husbands-vs-wives-50-point-round-robin-tournament/

Build: Scum Boba Fett

FIRESPRAY-31: · Boba Fett (39)

Engine Upgrade (4)

Heavy Laser Cannon (7)

Build: Han Solo

YT-1300: · Han Solo (46)

· Chewbacca (4)

Build: Mini Swarm

TIE FIGHTER: · "Howlrunner" (18)

Swarm Tactics (2)

TIE FIGHTER: · "Backstabber" (16)

TIE FIGHTER: Black Squadron Pilot (14)

Build: Luke Skywalker

X-WING: · Luke Skywalker (28)

· Lone Wolf (2)

· R2-D2 (4)

Shield Upgrade (4)

Z-95 HEADHUNTER: Bandit Squadron Pilot (12)

Build: Tarn Mison

X-WING: · Tarn Mison (23)

R7 Astromech (2)

Hull Upgrade (3)

X-WING: Red Squadron Pilot (23)

R2 Astromech (1)

Hull Upgrade (3)

Build: Darth Vader

TIE ADVANCED: · Darth Vader (29)

· Squad Leader (2)

Engine Upgrade (4)

TIE/x1 (0)

Accuracy Corrector (0)

TIE FIGHTER: Night Beast(15)

Build: Generic B Wing

B-WING: Blue Squadron Pilot

Fire Control System

I had almost the same situation a year ago. What I did was give everyone one ship based on their gaming style that I thought they'd enjoy. No upgrades on match one, and if you were destroyed you just started over on the side of the mat until everyone on your side died. Simple, fun and get the hang of it!

Match two, people switched ships if they wanted too and upgrade cards were added. Still one ship per person though, we didn't worry about being exactly equal on points, and restart at the edge when destroyed. Still fun, a little more complex, and now people are starting to see synergy potential and strategy.

You should also take the weakest build so that the new folks have a chance to crush you and not be decimated when they make a tactical error in your arc. Your wife will also really enjoy mercilessly blasting you into oblivion in front of friends!

That's how I was introduced. My brother bought the core and a couple expansions (nothing major) and invited me and a friend over. Ended up being a 2vs1 game with my brother the lone Imperial flying Darth Vader, and I think Night Beast and an Academy Pilot. Meanwhile my friend got Luke Skywalker and I had Dutch Vander (which was perfect for me!). Getting to fly around in that little beautiful Y really helped sell me on the game.

That, and the epic ending where Dutch managed to get behind Vader, ion him, and proceeded to somehow keep him ioned for the remainder of the game. Vader started rolling like crap on the defense...

I'm thinking about 108 point lists.

With two people playing this:

Luke Skywalker — X-Wing 28

R2-D2 4

Ship Total: 32

Gold Squadron Pilot — Y-Wing 18

Ion Cannon Turret 5

R2 Astromech 1

Ship Total: 24

Wedge Antilles — X-Wing 29

R2 Astromech 1

Ship Total: 30

Blue Squadron Pilot — B-Wing 22

Ship Total: 22

And myself and another person playing this:

Black Squadron Pilot — TIE Fighter 14

Ship Total: 14

Black Squadron Pilot — TIE Fighter 14

Ship Total: 14

Darth Vader — TIE Advanced 29

Ship Total: 29

Soontir Fel — TIE Interceptor 27

Push the Limit 3

Ship Total: 30

Omicron Group Pilot — Lambda-Class Shuttle

---

I would still play on the 3x3 with maybe 4 obstacles.

I would divide it

Luke and y-wing

Wedge and b wing

Darth vader and two ties

And I would play soontir and shuttle

I agree with the Keep It Simple people, but also think that you should play with some of the major characters. Han, Luke, Darth Vader - all very recognizable for even the casual fan.

Most new players want to play X-Wing because it's Star Wars, and they want to see characters they know. They don't want to play Space Dogfighter with random pilot no one has ever heard of. But just because you play with Han, you don't have to make him optimal. Just play Han in the Falcon and they'll be super happy. You can throw Chewbacca on for flavor if you want, and just explain if it ever comes up what he does.

Definitely keep it simple! I'd avoid pilot abilities unless you need the named guys to keep people interested.

My wife and her friends were going to play settlers tonight but now want to play xwing.

Great!

Uh-oh

I need help for how to do this.

There will be 4 of us. Do I give everyone a 50 point list and make it 2 v 2. Do I use only generics?

My wife played once and "didn't like it" (granted I was new to the game myself and we were both learning the rules) but this might by one of my last shots at playing the game with her if she doesn't have fun.

Maybe a named movie character per side?

I have a 3x5 table so I could expand out the playing surface to make maneuvering easier but would probably have to use larger lists so that it wasn't all maneuvering to the fight.

I wish I had you're problem...

Look at this. Simple squads for beginners.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Fs7B7C8gW170R5xMjfPwQaxKo_GGpp_AnBkFnpiHHxU/edit?usp=sharing

Hope it helps.

3 vs 1 and run it as a dungeon experience. Being the one with the most experience you ability to plan your action and most comes naturally. It also allows you to "Resurrect" downed players by announcing "reinforcements have arrived"

It allows you to hint tactics at your opponent by saying "this TIE Squadron expects your Y-Wings to approach the Target Shaft (main objective) along this approach" which could mean you're hinting "Those forces will be in this general area and facing here" or hinting "this is the path I would take and remember Academy Pilots aren't the brightest in combat"

It depends how you direct the story. And if you comfortable with direction/misdirection types of hints.

For a more standard style rather than 50 I'd go with 75 Pts. And pre-build 6 decent semi-thematic sets; "Hero" + Generic(s). Highly recommend 6 so you can roll off for who gets what. Or at the least you roll for a squad then everyone else selects.

Forget the points, give them Luke, Han, Vader and Boba with uncomplicated loadouts.

The first time I played was with a buddy and his wife who taught me and my wife. He flew Han; I had Luke; our wives had TIEs. We played a mission from the basic rulebook. It was a blast, and let us learn the rules, so I'd second the KISS principle.

Let us know how it goes!

Some great ideas here.

Below is a cheat sheet I made and use when teaching friends. It is colour coded and easy to follow.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tx4obgqxagxrifo/X-Wing%20Intro%20sheet.pdf?dl=0

Keep it really simple. Generics only. The TIE fighter, generic TIE interceptor, Z-95 Headhunter and X-wing are your friends here. Don't use upgrades unless you have to, and then use simple ones like Shield and Hull.

Actually, you don't have an emergency at all!

You have a wife who is actually willing to try out and play X-wing.

How'd it go?

I saw the thread title and thought it was about how the actual X-wing fighter needs a resuscitation.

Hope it all worked out!

They moved it to Friday.

But it sounds promising.

My fiance and I started in much the same way - started with 50 pt lists (1 on 1) with generic pilots only. We're about a dozen matches in and now we're up to 75 pt lists with one unique pilot and one upgrade plus generic pilots. She won't admit it but I think she likes to play and even though I've been getting spanked (playing sub-100 pt Imperial lists is tough) it's been good practice for when I really play outside the house.