Let me start out by saying that this thread isn't intended to be an attempt to validate my belief that I've been cheated. I'm not looking for a pity party. I've been around hobbies like this long enough to accept that, for whatever reason, they tend to attract more than a few people that really need something to make them feel like winners. They need this so desperately that they often aren't particularly concerned with winning on a level playing field. When I'm at my best, I am able to take a step back and realize that these people are probably pretty unhappy and deserve my compassion.

At a tournament, though, I want that playing field to be totally level. I've been practicing, and I've been studying - both game mechanics and videos/logs of players that are better than I am. I'm anxious to test my skills because I've invested in honing them....but that also means I'm prepared to accept my failures and learn from my mistakes. It's the only way to really improve, right? But that all goes right out the window when you're facing an opponent that's operating under a different set of rules.

So here's the deal: there are a handful of guys that I observe consistently "fudging" maneuvers by not carefully placing them flush against the bases of their ships. I witness noticeable gaps between templates and bases, or sometimes small shifts in the template when the ship is being placed. I understand that "spatial drift" is a thing in X-Wing, but I also notice that with these players in particular it tends to work out in their favor. These are the same guys that are also always trying to play "gotcha" with rules interpretations, assuming I'm wrong or trying to cheat them when an interaction takes them by surprise. Rules questions are one thing, but it's the maneuvers that are the bigger problem. It's usually a little more complicated that just "call a judge" because the offense occurs after a ship has been moved from its initial position and the player has had time to figure out what kind of "fudging" is needed to keep them off that rock or out of my arc. By the time a judge comes over the template has been shifted or models have been bumped so it's impossible to revert to exactly the same board position.

So what I'm looking for is advice from anyone that has successfully handled these issues in a small store tournament. Is there anything to be done other than ask a judge to watch the entire match and check every maneuver? I'm not sure that's even doable because we're a small enough community that usually the judge is playing in the event himself. Does anyone have recommendations for me?

Thanks for taking the time.

No tournament experience so I can't advise but it sounds like the only way to establish that the practice is happening is to video record the game and playback for the TO. Failing the ability to do that then explaining what is going on to the TO and ask them to keep an eye on your table so they can observe it happening.

I had a guy do it to me and I plainly told him to put his templates straight along the ship base.

I will attest that some mats or tables (especially the official FFG star-field mats) are extremely slick and I have yet to play a game on one of those where a ship or template has not been bumped or slipped. Although me and everyone else that I played with will try and place it back to where it originally was, I doubt it was picture perfect.

I've experienced this but don't really have any advice on what to do. I've just accepted that for some games it's just going to happen. I just remind myself that some people NEED to win at this game, b/c they have already lost at life. I serioulsy believe some people's self worth is directly tied into how they did in their last x-wing game/tourney. At the end of the day I just try to enjoy my game.

Politely ask them first. Let them know that they are not consistently placing the template in between the nubs and against the base.

Let them know that you see it. Then see if they correct for it or ask for your help. If they continue to do it offer to help anyways (sometimes its a reach thing). If they still do it, then when they put a template down get close and adjust the template by pointing out exactly where it isn't making contact and adjust the template so that it does. Pin the template with your finger when they pick up their ship so that they can't move it.

Many people can't see the template-nub engagement and it is mostly a feel thing. Once you point it out and let them sort it out or offer to help this should go down.

If it is a cheater or simple error, talking with your opponent in a polite and friendly way can go a long way towards solving this issue.

At the end of it remember that it is also just a game and win or lose you are there to have fun first, meet new friends second, play a good game third and way down at number 66 on the list is win the acrylic/card stock prizes.

Offer to hold their bases down so that they can get snug maneuvers. A couple turns of you basically performing half of their maneuvers will usually drive the point home that you really care about it.

Ballpeen hammer it's a standard piece of equipment.

I want to know hot to keep myself from fudging a move. Did I hit the rock? I don't know. I bumped the ship, I bumped the rock with the template. did they overlap? Not sure.

Some take advantage of this but as you say, doing this to gain an advantage. I agree that asking the TO to keep an eye out for this is ok to do. Asking to help them move is a great idea and I see as common to do, so not out of line. Point out that they are not correct in the template placement. sometimes it is hard to see or tell. I appreciate the help to keep the game fair if I'm not straight against the model. See if they get upset or not. If they get upset with you advising them; then I'd say there is a good chance they are cheating. Still be careful not to take them being frustrated with themselves as being upset at you for pointing it out. I've seen some really good players get mad at themselves and it's hard to tell what they are mad about sometimes.

If you're not sure it's best to let your opponent decide. It's also in the rules.

I think the above posts already addresses the issue nicely, so the only thing I can add to the issue is the following:

Whenever I am playing at a turnament, then at each match, right in the beginning, I usually chit-chat with the opponent a little, and then when the obstacles and ships have been placed, the opponents list studied, and you are waiting for the match to begin. I usually very politely then clarify the rules, just as to continue the conversation: "So we agree that only dice roled on the mat and not overlapping obstacles are counting, and otherwise reroll? And we hold down the ship we intend to move on the base, place the manouve template snuggly at the right spot, holding down the template, then you move the ship. If the is any chance of bumping or hitting an obstacle I hold down the obstacle/ship so we know if it touches, the same for firing?. We also complete the activation phase before moving on to the next ship, so no moving 2 ships with same pilot-skill and then determining actions. For firing we also clearly mark which ship we want to fire with and then we measure and selects the target, complete the roll, before moving on".

Ofcourse if the opponent does not have ships with the same pilot skil, that part is unnecessary, but it is a good time to address those special things that affect both my list and also his/her's list. E.g. "I like to fly with the feed-back array a lot, which actually can be used even if I bump and touch your ships and also while stading on a rock", also I dont want my opponent to overlook this and feel cheated.

If it's open field, well, there's a little bit of drift in space. If it's important, near a rock, near a range locked ability, let's get it right.

Call a TO, let the TO sort it out.

I can be so clumsy at times that when I'm in a tournament, I warn people that I'm miserable at knocking things around. I tell them that I don't do it on purpose and if they think one of my ships is not right to just tell me.

I'd tell the TO about the situation and if he could observe the game for a handful of turns.

I don't think your example is as extreme as mine is, but one time I played an opponent who didn't even bother to seat his template in the nubs. I was losing pretty hard anyways so I didn't care (he was flying Falcon Corran and literally just 4 straight-ed twice at my list and jousted it and still came out on top). I left after the second round, and later I heard that he was stopped at the final table and given a slap on the wrist and forced to accurately maneuver his ships.

Because of my inaction a cheater got to the top table. Don't let that happen OP, be more assertive. Ask politely if they could please accurately maneuver their ships. You want people to either stop what they're doing incorrectly immediately, or actually get punished for it. You don't want them to get away with it, or get away with it for the whole **** event and then get a slap on the wrist at the very end of the event.

I was observing a game, and one player set the boost template in the ship/near it and then immediately retracted it with super HLC Dash. He then changed it to an angled boost and got into range 2-3 to finish off a wounded TIE/FO. I didn't speak up and if that TIE survived it would have turned the game in the other players favor. I told the TO and he told me to not let things like that go and to either speak up or tell him next time. I told the person with the TIE/FO that I should have said something and that I'm sorry, and he said, "Oh, we don't play like that." Because this person flies casual, he lost the game to someone premeasuring illegally.

Speak up OP. It's just a game, so if your opponent gets huffy laugh it off. Don't let them emotionally manipulate you into not saying anything.

Have a set of one large base and one small base off to the side... clear ones with no ship base tokens on them. If it's their time to move... offer to check the movement by placing the template then your clear base at the end.

The clear base is easy to move since folks sometimes nudge ships in the way before the activated ship is lifted. It's also a great way to check for overlaps as well since you can see through the base if any of the obstacles are overlapped.

Also blutac is your friend, I place them on the underside of my ship bases and a couple of blobs under my obstacles to minimize sliding asteroids.

Hope that helps

Lots of good advice, thanks everyone. It always helps me keep a lid on my frustration in the heat of the moment when I have sort of a script to recite.

I think the above posts already addresses the issue nicely, so the only thing I can add to the issue is the following:

Whenever I am playing at a turnament, then at each match, right in the beginning, I usually chit-chat with the opponent a little, and then when the obstacles and ships have been placed, the opponents list studied, and you are waiting for the match to begin. I usually very politely then clarify the rules, just as to continue the conversation: "So we agree that only dice roled on the mat and not overlapping obstacles are counting, and otherwise reroll? And we hold down the ship we intend to move on the base, place the manouve template snuggly at the right spot, holding down the template, then you move the ship. If the is any chance of bumping or hitting an obstacle I hold down the obstacle/ship so we know if it touches, the same for firing?. We also complete the activation phase before moving on to the next ship, so no moving 2 ships with same pilot-skill and then determining actions. For firing we also clearly mark which ship we want to fire with and then we measure and selects the target, complete the roll, before moving on".

Ofcourse if the opponent does not have ships with the same pilot skil, that part is unnecessary, but it is a good time to address those special things that affect both my list and also his/her's list. E.g. "I like to fly with the feed-back array a lot, which actually can be used even if I bump and touch your ships and also while stading on a rock", also I dont want my opponent to overlook this and feel cheated.

There are some particularly helpful tidbits here, at least as far as scripted verbiage. I also see the power of having a polite conversation before the game starts, to establish expectations. Even if winning is the most important thing for my opponent while improving and testing my skill is the most important thing for me, it's still possible for both of us to get what we want and have fun, right?

Thanks for the tips, everyone.

Those looking to get away with things they should not be doing count on the fact that you will be uncomfortable calling them out on it. Do not reward this. Politely ask that they slow the game down a little so proper measurements can be taken. No need to accuse anyone of cheating. Simply state you're a player that needs time to see everything to take it in. If they refuse this fair request, then you'll have to get a TO involved. If it's not worth the hassle (local friendly game for instance) just concede. This quickly stops this behavior and discourages it in the future.

On a related note: What is the best way/how do you handle knocking over a ship? I've spazzed and flicked a ship over while trying to move before (never in a formal game, fortunately) and wasn't quite sure how to/who gets to re-position the piece? is there a specific rule for this?

Those looking to get away with things they should not be doing count on the fact that you will be uncomfortable calling them out on it.

I agree completely. One of the things a cheater will count on is that he or she can stop you from bringing a judge over, by making you uncomfortable. The best way to deal with them is be polite but firm and never hesitate to call over the TO if needed.

On a related note: What is the best way/how do you handle knocking over a ship?

Best thing you can do is get it back to as close the original place and facing as you can. Knocking stuff over is going to happen, especially when you have maneuver templates, and rulers in and among the ships.

If there's a question about it being the correct spot, and both players can't agree, the rules say that a dice roll can be used to settle disputes of that nature.

Now myself I'd tend to err on what is least favorable for me, assuming I'm the one who knocked it off. So for example, if the ship maybe had a target in arc, but you weren't sure. I'd tend to error to set it so it wasn't rather than is in place to fire.

(knocking over ships)

page 4 of the FAQ

If a player knocks a ship over, he must endeavour to replace it exactly as

he found it. If there is any disagreement about its placement, the player’s

opponent has final say over its position, though he must attempt to match

the ship’s original position

Simple advice:

Part of the template fudging happens at the destination: mostly bumps or hitting asteroids. If an opponent reveals a manoeuver that you think will hit another model / asteroid, you should preemptively help by stabilizing the item (putting your finger on it). It:

A - Helps prevent mistakes from 100% honest players (accidentally nuding a miniature while trying to put yours down, that happens to me)

B - Against... less than honest players, it makes it harder for them to fudge or at least, makes it clear that you are paying close attention.

Flip the table on him. Then stand there, looking at him. Take off your shirt. Then tell him to pick it back up.

my cat likes to play the "Watch it fall" game with shield tokens. So I like to stealthily deploy him on my opponents side of the board. i just tell the game store owner that he is my familiar.

Flip the table on him. Then stand there, looking at him. Take off your shirt. Then tell him to pick it back up.