Is it tournament legal to paint your dials to match your ship colour scheme?

As long as you don't do something that affects how the dial works it's fine.

One thing to consider is if you paint stripes or something on it, someone may be able to use that info to figure out what maneuver you set your dial to.

The last time I looked the rules did allow you to customize your dials provided their functionality was not compromised. That would mean maneuvers still get done and aren't being telegraphed.

This rule was one of the reasons that the idea you had to use faction specific dials made no sense at all.

The last time I looked the rules did allow you to customize your dials provided their functionality was not compromised. That would mean maneuvers still get done and aren't being telegraphed.

This rule was one of the reasons that the idea you had to use faction specific dials made no sense at all.

For that matter, FFG has started selling acrylics with which you can customize your dials, so it would be a bit backwards of them to ban their own products.

And how can we get an official answer to this?

It's right in the official tournament rules:

https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/b4/d8/b4d8895b-b6e0-4fbe-919c-d8570fd6c69f/x-wing_tournament_rules_v323.pdf

Players are welcome and encouraged to personalize their squads according to

the following rules:

• Players may paint their ship models. They cannot modify the size and

shape of a ship model in any way.

• Players cannot modify ship bases to alter their size or shape. Weight

may be added to a ship base if it does not alter the shape of the base.

Ship pegs (including the connecting pegs affixed to ship models) may be

modified or replaced with a different connecting method.

• Cards must remain unaltered, though they may be sleeved for protection.

Sleeves for Damage cards must be identical and unaltered.

• Players may mark their tokens and their maneuver dials to indicate

ownership as long as the function of the component is not compromised.

However, players should be careful not to mark the backs of their

maneuver dials in any way that may indicate to their opponents what

maneuvers they have selected!

And how can we get an official answer to this?

You can email FFG directly. But here's what the rules say...

Players are welcome and encouraged to personalize their squads according to the following rules:

Players may mark their tokens and their maneuver dials to indicate ownership as long as the function of the component is not compromised. However, players should be careful not to mark the backs of their maneuver dials in any way that may indicate to their opponents what maneuvers they have selected!

Great, that is what i read. but there is some controversy around my gaming group regarding this. But now that FF is getting the dial shields, i think the question is solved.

Thanks

but there is some controversy around my gaming group regarding this.

As I mentioned in another thread, about marking obstacles. If someone tries to claim something is either allowed or against the rules ask them to point it out.

Because this case like that other one the rules are actually quite clear on what is or isn't allowed.

There was a heated thread about this a while ago where someone was wanting to completely paint the face of the top spinner of their dial. To which others were saying it would compromise the function of the dial because you wouldn't be able to tell what sort of ship it belonged to. Personally, I think it's just a bad idea to paint the cardboard dial as it's going to wear off after a short time as you handle them way too often. The new dial upgrade kits would be a much better option for painting and personalising.

To which others were saying it would compromise the function of the dial because you wouldn't be able to tell what sort of ship it belonged to.

Well...

Part of that most likely was due to the stance FFG had took on S&V vs Rebel dials. People wanted to paint the dial so you couldn't tell what faction it belonged to. If faction was important, then you could argue that doing so would compromise the function of the dial... Part of which was specifying what faction the dial belongs to.

There is still an issue however if you cover up the ship name then I have no way of knowing what ship that dial belongs too. So when your X-Wing makes a green 5 straight... then we have a problem. Of course you can cheat that way now too.

But as a TO, if I saw someone using dials and I couldn't see the ship name on it, I'd have to get involved, and if you couldn't produce unmarked dials I might DQ you.

Because regardless of what the rules say, the TO has the final say on any modifications to components.

I'm new to X-Wing, so I've been watching games on YouTube, and one of the first things I noticed was that repainting ships was ok for tournament play -- which I think is great. I'm not much of a painter myself, but I like to see that kind of creativity and individuality.

Back in the day I played a bit of the old Mechwarrior clix game, and repainting of any sort was strictly forbidden for competitive play. I'm glad FFG is more chill than that.