So how long did it take for you to memorize the pilots, etc? I just started and the information (pilots, skills, acronyms, etc) are dizzying. I imagine it comes easy enough with experience, but it's certainly intimidating.

If you have a thick skin, I really believe tournament play is the best/fastest way to learn, but precisely because the lessons are SO PAINFUL. I'm 6 months into this hobby and still have a lot to learn (especially the movement dials so I can better predict where my opponent's ships will be) but the list of things I will NEVER forget keeps getting longer and longer. There are few things worse than watching some sallow-faced, greasy-haired teenager splutter half-chewed Cheetos all over your playmat as he chuckles to his buddies about all the times you forgot your Rebel Captive triggers or Gunner re-rolls...

Yeah, keeping track of all of your available abilities and when to use them seems hard. And you're right: learning lessons the hard way can be the best way.

start out simple with a bunch of B-wings

get your own ass handed to you a lot

you'll start picking things up then

Write yourself a cheat sheet. I still do this now, I have headings like "before anything", "activation phase" and "combat phase" and write things in like your pilot abilities and when they activate. Get used to looking at this at the start of every phase.

For example I have one now that says:

"Activation phase": Guri - do you want to use advanced sensors before you move?

"Combat phase": Guri - check if in range 1 for focus

Palob - check to see if you can steal a token

I find it really useful and once you have used it a couple of times you won't need it any more.

Well for some of us, there wasn't as much as there is now, so it was easier to keep track and just learn as you go.

I still find when I use something I don't use a lot, upgrades and pilots I can forget abilities, but after few games with it I'll remember

Honestly the best way to learn is just time.

Depends on how good your memory is really

Make lists, and have fun.

Over time you'll learn what works best for you.

Browsing these forums is a good start.

If you unclear about any rules post in the rule section.

Browse the squad section see what people are flying.

Go to a squad builder and play around

Some things work better with others. Again time is all you need.

Most of all have fun

If your new I may recommend stay away from tournament, I've seen this frustrate new players

That also depends on I guess if you know everyone etc.

Learn at your own pace

I've also seen people get burned out.

Just thibk what faction do I want to fly

I usually have a ship or two that is my key, and then build around it

For example I wanted to make use of Tarn and a ywing

I decided with additional 4z95 ships to help protect the two most important ships

If you have something scary like a Phantom, I usually like to put something else just as scary to make a tough decision on my opponent

Does he kill the phantom and ignore the mini swarm, or go for the mini swarm and ignore the phantom

Thanks all. I like the idea of reminder sheets. And i wouldn't do a big tournament or anything. I just need to start playing some games.

Also, you may want to enter Vassal and just watch some games (or part of them), maybe asking if there's something you don't understand, as Vassal community is pretty frendly and willing to explain

Watch plenty of youTube videos. They're mostly in fast time, and some have very good interfaces for things like tokens, locks and basic ship stats. You'll get to see some quite high level play, all while seeing what works and what doesn't.

Then watch them again. Think of what you'd do in the current board state, given that list. Pause or rewind a lot.

Rather than focusing too much on uber pilots or abilities, it helps you learn the basics quickly. Simple things like actions, what manoeuvre to take, focusing fire, useful bump blocks, etc tends to trump "Your pilot has a skill that WINS!". And learn ALL the dials. The Xwing Miniatures Game wiki has a great screen to look at under the General page. Stare at it. Learn it. Love it.

http://xwing-miniatures.wikia.com/wiki/General_Rules

I really liked MNX's (Monday Night Xwing's) setup to watch games on for youTube vids. Learnt a lot. Vassal is great too.

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC8h1Li4Vq8lSbr09KnJAPJQ

(hope I'm allowed to post links. Both have been very useful to me as a newbie)

ps. That movement chart is wrong for at least the A-wing. But it's stuff like that to be learned that makes you remember.

Thanks all!