So just going through all the formats for playing X-wing this sort of sets some of the settings and rules for X-wing.
- Standard
- Standard Casual
- Standard Extended
- Scenario
- Tutorial
- Cinematic
- Competitive
- Standard Competitive
- Premier Competitive
- Furball
- Esclation
- Leauge
- Tournament
- Epic
- Epic Standard
- Epic Tournament
- Epic Cinematic
- House Rules (i.e. clone wars, bounty hunt)
So there are the official archetypes Standard, Competitive, Epic, Escalation & Cinematic (scenario). There is also a bunch of other archetypes and subarchetypes that don't fit the big 4 such as furball and Epic cinematic. Then there is also house rules as a tabletop game with a robust community many members think of different scenarios to have a balanced and enjoyable format such as clone wars. So here are the break down of the archetypes and sub archetypes.
Standard Standard is everything in the core set and the non epic expansions. Almost all players start here to learn the mechanics
Standard Casual The basic 100 point limit standard play. FAQ and competitive rules are loosely enforced here. The Errata section in the FAQ however is enforced. Mostly used for learning the game and different list builds.
Standard Extended Basically a Standard match that extends beyond the 100 point limit. More of a house rule than a format but a different point limit is determined by both players (i.e. 150 points) and it follows all the rules for Standard Casual with the exception of a higher point limit. No Epic ships are in this format.
Scenario Using the mission builder and expansion rule booklets to follow a scenario. This also includes tutorial scenarios found in the core rule booklet which are less than 100 points but serve to give a new player an introduction to the game and demonstrate the basic game mechanics as well as Cinematic which is to reenact some of the famous scenes from Star Wars.
Competitive competitive are the tournament rules for X-wing following the Standard play but strictly adhering to the FAQ and competitive rules dictated by FFG. Tournament organizers (TO) will usually be involved in such formats. Often follows the swiss round with a cut and eliminatin round at the end.
Standard Competitive This is Standard Play with strict enforcement of the FAQ and competitive rules. Used for local tournaments and occasionally league play.
Premier Competitive This is for Official FFG tournaments to include worlds, nationals, regional, and local store tournaments that issue regional super byes to the winner. A TO will always be involved and like all competitive formats strict adherence to the competitive rules and the FAQ will be observed. Follows the swiss format to find the top cut then moves to elimination.
Escalation A format where the point limit is initially started at a smaller than standard point limit then gradually increased to beyond standard point limits.
Escalation League usually goes on for longer than one day with the first day starting at a smaller point limit and with the next league meeting the point limit is increased until the final league match where the maximum escalation point limit is established. The point limits and increments are established before the first match of the league.
Escalation Tournament Usually last a single day much like a competitive tournament format with the first round having a smaller point limit and each round increasing the point limit until the maximum point limit is reached. May follow swiss or elimination format.
Furball More of a house rule in sort of a team format where each player fields a single ship and is placed on a team of other players pitched against another team. at a point limit. May restrict ship types to exclude large based ships or unique pilots.
Epic An expanded point limit match that allows (but not requires) the use of huge ships found in epic expansion packs.
Epic Standard Like Standard play only with a larger point limit (FFG officially specifies 300 squadron points) and has an epic point limit for huge ships (FFG officially specifies 5 epic points) between two players.
Epic Tournament Often includes teams of two players but may be individual players as well. The limit per player is often 200 squadron points with no more than 3 epic points but may be adjusted by tournament organizer.
Epic Cinematic Often uses the scenarios found in the rule supplements found in the epic expansion pack, or other scenarios developed by mission builder.
House This format is set aside for unofficial house rules that players may use to break the monotony of the standard archetypes. This can include anything form the Major Juggler's balanced squadron point adjustment to zany scenarios like clone wars which unrestricts all limited an unique cards. These are not officially endorsed by FFG.
Let me know if I missed any other formats (ones that can't be thrown into house)
Edited by Marinealver