I can't find the rules for what you're allowed to do placing asteroids. I assume you aren't allowed to start placing random templates down when putting asteroids, but the only relevant rule I can find is at the bottom of the tournament rules:

Custom “setup” templates designed to aid players in ship deployment are not allowed. However, players may use their range rulers and maneuver templates to help them set up formations during deployment.

The reason I ask is we had a player raise an objection to another player using a 5 straight template to measure range 2 from the board edge. Obviously the 5 straight and range 2 are the same thing, so I don't know why that player has an objection, but curious what the rules have to say.

In the same vein or if it comes up again, are players allowed to use a 5 straight to measure range 2 when attacking, checking arcs, etc? I saw it happen at worlds all the time, but could a player have objected?

Post was approved, not sure if I need to reply to get it to appear on the frontpage. If not, sorry for the double post!

The reason I ask is we had a player raise an objection to another player using a 5 straight template to measure range 2 from the board edge. Obviously the 5 straight and range 2 are the same thing, so I don't know why that player has an objection, but curious what the rules have to say.

In the same vein or if it comes up again, are players allowed to use a 5 straight to measure range 2 when attacking, checking arcs, etc? I saw it happen at worlds all the time, but could a player have objected?

The tournament rules allow for a player to insist on one range ruler being used by both players, to account for any minor differences between rulers (similarly for dice and maneuver templates), so presumably that would allow somebody to insist on using a range ruler rather than the straight 5. For checking arcs, any straight edge should be sufficient.

In practice, if I'm judging a tournament and somebody raises an objection about the use of a 5 straight template to measure Range 2 instead of a range ruler, I'll first verify that they understand the length equivalency. If they do understand the length equivalency but still object, I'll say "If it's close enough that a hypothetical 2mm difference between the maneuver template and the range ruler will matter, you're going to want me to come over and rule on it anyway, so suck it up and fly casual."

I might be nicer about it.

(Now if I were playing and my opponent raised this objection, I would humor them, but not before saying something dry.)

I've never seen anyone use a 5 straight, but I do know a number of people will cut down a range ruler to range 1 and 2, because sometimes using ruler that is only range 1 is easier to get into a furball then the full sized one.

since stright 5 and range 2 are the same I can see why someone might do that if they don't have a range 2 ruler.

As a TO I think I'd be inclined to tell people to use the proper type of ruler but I don't know that I'm that firm on it. But as far as the rules, RAW doesn't seem to allow someone to use a 5 straight in place of the standard range ruler.

Silly objection IMO, bit maybe the player didnt know they are the same.

As a TO I would say use the correct ruler same as I said during one use the shield tokens not dice.

I could maybe see someone objecting to a player using a 5 straight to check for range for abilities or during combat if it was aftermarket and had hashes that marked 1,2,3,4 as well, but during asteroid placement using it to measure from the edge seems like the person complaining doesn't know that it's the same thing as having a range 2 ruler.

The reason I ask is we had a player raise an objection to another player using a 5 straight template to measure range 2 from the board edge. Obviously the 5 straight and range 2 are the same thing, so I don't know why that player has an objection, but curious what the rules have to say.

In the same vein or if it comes up again, are players allowed to use a 5 straight to measure range 2 when attacking, checking arcs, etc? I saw it happen at worlds all the time, but could a player have objected?

The tournament rules allow for a player to insist on one range ruler being used by both players, to account for any minor differences between rulers (similarly for dice and maneuver templates), so presumably that would allow somebody to insist on using a range ruler rather than the straight 5. For checking arcs, any straight edge should be sufficient.

In practice, if I'm judging a tournament and somebody raises an objection about the use of a 5 straight template to measure Range 2 instead of a range ruler, I'll first verify that they understand the length equivalency. If they do understand the length equivalency but still object, I'll say "If it's close enough that a hypothetical 2mm difference between the maneuver template and the range ruler will matter, you're going to want me to come over and rule on it anyway, so suck it up and fly casual."

I might be nicer about it.

(Now if I were playing and my opponent raised this objection, I would humor them, but not before saying something dry.)

Yes, if I were judging my response would also basically be stop wasting my time. Like you said, probably better phrased!

Silly objection IMO, bit maybe the player didnt know they are the same.

The player did know they were the same, so no, I don't know why there was an objection.

The main question though is on maneuver templates in the obstacle placement phase. I can't find any rules on it, other than the range restriction. If the rules are just on measuring legal ranges from the asteroids, it seems reasonable to allow a player to use a 5 straight. If there's a strict "no templates in obstable deployment" rule somewhere which I suspect there is it wouldn't be allowable of course, even if the objection is silly.

Then we also have the ugly edge case of a player with a custom two sided piece - one side a 5 straight, the other a range 2 ruler. Would it be legal to use when a standard 5 straight wouldn't be? What about a 5 straight on one side, blank on the other?

The only other rule semi-relevant to this case is this (same document, page 2, squad deployment procedure, step 6):

"Players place their ships in ascending order of pilot skill as per standard X-Wing rules. Players cannot use maneuver templates for anything other than measuring distance and spacing within Range 1 of that player’s edge."

This applies only to ships, however, so I don't see anything preventing you from using any type of range rulers to place asteroids (your opponent is entitled to double check whether you are respecting the range 2 from the side and range 1 from asteroids, but I think that's it).

I'd be really interested in hearing the actual reason for the objection if the play knew that the straight 5 template is the same length as range 2. I can't see any reason for it other than to be an ass.

I'd be really interested in hearing the actual reason for the objection if the play knew that the straight 5 template is the same length as range 2. I can't see any reason for it other than to be an ass.

Couldn't tell you, just something I saw at a recent tournament. Nobody called the judge or anything.

But in regards to this rule isn't supposed to be 1 player puts down an asteroid and then another player puts down an asteroid or whatever else they are going to use as debris?

But in regards to this rule isn't supposed to be 1 player puts down an asteroid and then another player puts down an asteroid or whatever else they are going to use as debris?

Yes players alternate placing one at a time starting with player with initiative.

The only time I could really see using that 5 straight instead of the range ruler is that it could speed up placements when multiple measurements are being made. Obstacles need to be R2 or greater from the edge of the board and no closer than R1 to other obstacles so using two measures would make things faster when trying to get things where you want them.

It's great for cornering rocks. Grab your 5 straight and your range ruler and you can measue Range 2 from both sides at once.

I cut the ruler from one of my core sets so that I have rulers for range 1, 2, and 3. I always use the 1 and 2 when placing obstacles.

It's great for cornering rocks. Grab your 5 straight and your range ruler and you can measue Range 2 from both sides at once.

It is sure a lot faster than measuring it one side at a time.