[edit] ALSO, tournament rules have been updated: https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/1e/70/1e709c36-6cbc-41f6-8dc3-d243d4b4076c/x-wing_tournamentrules_v32.pdf

...as well as epic tournament rules: https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/d1/0a/d10a49e9-6a34-44f9-9881-a640a108d20b/epic_tournament_rules_v32.pdf

...as well as the FAQ: https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/32/11/3211a92d-8a62-498e-bb24-269e199fb0b2/x-wing_faq_v32.pdf

The one for newbies: https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2015/9/16/take-your-games-to-lightspeed/

The one for veterans: https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2015/9/16/there-has-been-an-awakening/

What Veterans Should Know About the Future of X-Wing

In essence, X-Wing remains the same.

The Force Awakens Core Set does not reboot the game or replace the classic Core Set from 2012; it stands alongside it as another entry point into the game, one set within a different era of the Star Wars universe.

As a result, the new Core Rulebook (pdf, 6.6 MB) presents the option of keeping consistent with the events of the films and building a squad of ships and pilot from the same era, or choosing to customize your squad by mixing with ships from the game's other eras and factions.

• You can pair your Resistance starships and pilots with those of the Rebel Alliance.

• You can command your First Order pilots and starfighters into battle alongside the ships and pilots of the Galactic Empire.

• The Scum faction stands alone, relying upon its notorious blend of mercenaries, pirates, and bounty hunters.

When you build a squad, you affiliate it with one of these groups, and you can utilize any of the ships, ship cards, and upgrades appropriate to it. For example, you could fly Poe Dameron alongside Wedge Antilles , and you could even add R2-D2 to Poe’s ship.

The second major change, as reflected in the new tournament rules document, is that the new Core Rulebook supersedes that from the classic 2012 Core Set. This is important because there are a few key adjustments to the rules that – while limited in scope – improve the game’s consistency and permit several ships to perform as they were always intended. You’ll find more about these changes in the address from the developers below.

Finally, The Force Awakens Core Set introduces a new damage deck with a card back markedly different from that of the classic 2012 Core Set. While nearly identical to the classic Core Set’s damage deck, this new damage deck features several carefully considered changes, and it will become the required standard for tournament play on January 1, 2016. Again, you’ll find more about these changes in the address from the developers below.

The article also discusses specific changes in the damage deck and the rules for target locks and whatnot.

Glad they posted that. I haven't read through the full rules yet, so there were things I've been missing. I only learned yesterday while listening to the Nova Squadron Podcast that asteroid tokens were changes so that you now take damage for each one you hit, which is a nice change.

My main problem with those articles is that they still leave an important question unanswered: Are tournament players forced to buy the new core set, or will we have the option to buy just the updated damage deck?

If the former, their article is lying, as this does invalidate the original core set. If the later, it would have been good to say so, if only to dispel the doubt that's currently clouding the release of the new core. Hell, for a new core set to be released before January, shouldn't they have announced it by now anyway?

HALF POINTS BABAY!

I, too, wish they'd answer the damage deck in tournaments question so the cheap whiners who are complaining about spending chump change once every 3 years to compete in a sanctioned event will finally shut up.

My main problem with those articles is that they still leave an important question unanswered: Are tournament players forced to buy the new core set, or will we have the option to buy just the updated damage deck?

If the former, their article is lying, as this does invalidate the original core set. If the later, it would have been good to say so, if only to dispel the doubt that's currently clouding the release of the new core. Hell, for a new core set to be released before January, shouldn't they have announced it by now anyway?

From the updated Tournament Rules document: "Until January 1st, 2016, players must use the original Damage deck. Starting January 1st, 2016, players are required to use The Force Awakns™ core set Damage deck."

My main problem with those articles is that they still leave an important question unanswered: Are tournament players forced to buy the new core set, or will we have the option to buy just the updated damage deck?

If the former, their article is lying, as this does invalidate the original core set. If the later, it would have been good to say so, if only to dispel the doubt that's currently clouding the release of the new core. Hell, for a new core set to be released before January, shouldn't they have announced it by now anyway?

From the updated Tournament Rules document: "Until January 1st, 2016, players must use the original Damage deck. Starting January 1st, 2016, players are required to use The Force Awakns™ core set Damage deck."

Ah, good.

"Some card abilities allow players to dock ships to a carrier ship. Docked ships (and their equipped Upgrade cards) are placed to the side of the play area, and are considered to be inactive for all purposes (they are not assigned dials in the Planning phase, they cannot attack, be attacked, perform actions, be assigned tokens, be target locked, etc.). Ships must be docked pregame, during squad building, and players must pay squad points for these ships as normal. If the carrier ship flees the battlefield, it and all its docked ships are destroyed. If the carrier ship is destroyed (but has not fled the battlefield), before it is removed from the play area, each docked ship receives 1 facedown Damage card and must immediately deploy. Ships deployed in this fashion cannot attack until the following round."

one free damage if theres an ultimate Alpha Strike... I LIKE IT!

My main problem with those articles is that they still leave an important question unanswered: Are tournament players forced to buy the new core set, or will we have the option to buy just the updated damage deck?

If the former, their article is lying, as this does invalidate the original core set. If the later, it would have been good to say so, if only to dispel the doubt that's currently clouding the release of the new core. Hell, for a new core set to be released before January, shouldn't they have announced it by now anyway?

How is the original set invalidated? The ships and templates are still legal, as are the dice (and asteroids)?

My main problem with those articles is that they still leave an important question unanswered: Are tournament players forced to buy the new core set, or will we have the option to buy just the updated damage deck?

If the former, their article is lying, as this does invalidate the original core set. If the later, it would have been good to say so, if only to dispel the doubt that's currently clouding the release of the new core. Hell, for a new core set to be released before January, shouldn't they have announced it by now anyway?

So here's the factual basis, from the article:

Finally, The Force Awakens Core Set introduces a new damage deck with a card back markedly different from that of the classic 2012 Core Set. While nearly identical to the classic Core Set’s damage deck, this new damage deck features several carefully considered changes, and it will become the required standard for tournament play on January 1, 2016.

Of course, as everyone here ought to have figured out as a result of the K-wing preview fiasco, articles aren't rules text. So in the tournament rules say:

Until January 1st, 2016, players must use the original Damage deck. Starting January 1st, 2016, players are required to use The Force Awakns™ [sic] core set Damage deck.

(I'm certain nekomatafuyu and Rodrigo Istalindir know all this, but I'm making sure no one else gets lost in the conversation.)

So, with the brush cleared out of the way: they haven't announced that the new damage deck will be sold on its own, but they put a spotlight on its inclusion in the new core set. They haven't saved a product code for it, since we now know what release goes with each product code out to the end of Wave 8. And they've never had a damage deck on sale by itself before for X-wing. All of those things indicate to me that it probably won't happen.

I don't think it's a lie, however. There's nothing about playing X-wing that requires the new damage deck. Tournament players will need the new deck, as specified in the tournament rules, but the audience for the game as a whole is much larger than that group.

Damage deck doesn't become an issue until January 2016. I think they are going to have to sell it separate from the new Core now.

I TO a friendly on Sunday... should be interesting to see what shows up.

"crack shot Crack Shot must be used during the “Modify Defense Dice” step, before the defender modifies his dice"

pretty drastic nerf. cards only been out 2 weeks.

Can't use templates or range rulers during ship setup anymore, except to measure R1 from the board edge.

Interesting. Wonder what the motive is for that change?

Can't use templates or range rulers during ship setup anymore, except to measure R1 from the board edge.

Interesting. Wonder what the motive is for that change?

Isolated reports, both here and elsewhere, of people using templates to plot early moves prior to the game's beginning--or even to "work backward" from a desired position on turn 2 or 3 to the required placement.

Can't use templates or range rulers during ship setup anymore, except to measure R1 from the board edge.

Interesting. Wonder what the motive is for that change?

Isolated reports, both here and elsewhere, of people using templates to plot early moves prior to the game's beginning--or even to "work backward" from a desired position on turn 2 or 3 to the required placement.

Can't use templates or range rulers during ship setup anymore, except to measure R1 from the board edge.

Interesting. Wonder what the motive is for that change?

I thought Range Rulers are still allowed, it's just maneuver templates that are banned not range 1.

"crack shot Crack Shot must be used during the “Modify Defense Dice” step, before the defender modifies his dice"

pretty drastic nerf. cards only been out 2 weeks.

Just read this as going through the FAQ and i am kinda shocked that it totally outweights the core rulebook...

and Dark Curse is still immune to Blaster turret.... although you declare the defender after paying for the shot...

"crack shot Crack Shot must be used during the “Modify Defense Dice” step, before the defender modifies his dice"

pretty drastic nerf. cards only been out 2 weeks.

Just read this as going through the FAQ and i am kinda shocked that it totally outweights the core rulebook...

The new Rules Reference is now the definitive rules document for the game, and it erased the funny "dice canceling effects" sub-step from the core rules.

and Dark Curse is still immune to Blaster turret.... although you declare the defender after paying for the shot...

My guess is that this is an oversight.

The conner net ruling I was set is included in the new FAQ.

Also the TLT is 2 separate attacks.

And lastly, a Slam does not count as revealing a dial.

This quote made me laugh:

"Meanwhile, certain pilots who were sidelined due to quirks in the original ruleset will get a new lease on life, and ships like the HWK-290 and the M3-A Scyk fighter will no longer have to fear the dreaded Munitions Failure."

Scyks don't fear Munitions Failure, because by time they've taken that crit, they're more than likely dead anyway.

(I jest.)

Can't use templates or range rulers during ship setup anymore, except to measure R1 from the board edge.

Interesting. Wonder what the motive is for that change?

Isolated reports, both here and elsewhere, of people using templates to plot early moves prior to the game's beginning--or even to "work backward" from a desired position on turn 2 or 3 to the required placement.

You also can't do some measuring, for instance putting a TIE Fighter at exact distance 2 from the border, so another can be on the border, then BR behind the first one. I used to do this quite a lot.

For box formations, you can't separate with the width of a maneuver template anymore, you have to use the range ruler and let some more space.

I have no idea why they did this, it was pretty innocent. I haven't heard reports of people plotting 3 turns ahead using the templates.

Can't use templates or range rulers during ship setup anymore, except to measure R1 from the board edge.

Interesting. Wonder what the motive is for that change?

Isolated reports, both here and elsewhere, of people using templates to plot early moves prior to the game's beginning--or even to "work backward" from a desired position on turn 2 or 3 to the required placement.

You also can't do some measuring, for instance putting a TIE Fighter at exact distance 2 from the border, so another can be on the border, then BR behind the first one. I used to do this quite a lot.

For box formations, you can't separate with the width of a maneuver template anymore, you have to use the range ruler and let some more space.

I have no idea why they did this, it was pretty innocent. I haven't heard reports of people plotting 3 turns ahead using the templates.

check the rules forums, its pretty rampant apparently.

I think you're still allowed to use maneuver templates during setup, guys. You just have to keep your maneuver templates within Range 1 and to set up formations. Note that the end of the Tournament Rules document under Legal Products still says this: "However, players may use their range rulers and maneuver templates to help them set up formations during deployment."

I think the new text specifically keeps players from abusing maneuver templates to map out moves during future turns, like making sure you can get around the asteroid field or something.

So long those templates and rulers are within range 1 of your side of the map, you can use them for set up. You cannot plan out your movement to avoid obstacles during setup, for example, but you can still use the 2 straight to measure out from the edge of the board to your ship for your barrel roll in front of your other ship, for example.

I think you're still allowed to use maneuver templates during setup, guys. You just have to keep your maneuver templates within Range 1 and to set up formations. Note that the end of the Tournament Rules document under Legal Products still says this: "However, players may use their range rulers and maneuver templates to help them set up formations during deployment."

I think the new text specifically keeps players from abusing maneuver templates to map out moves during future turns, like making sure you can get around the asteroid field or something.