Hi everyone, this actually happened a week ago but I still can't get over it.

Let's say I have a low-PS large ship that is parallel face to face against an enemy small ship. I proceed to reveal my maneuver, which is a 1 straight and bumped to the enemy. Afterwards, the small ship activates and revealed a 2-Straight maneuver. My large ship is in front of his face, so the 2 Straight maneuver definitely won't clear.

However, he insists that even if the 2-straight doesn't clear, it has to clear since "the ships are stuck" based on the rule. He moved the small ship just right behind my large ship such that now their backs are touching each other.

By doing so, that ship totally escaped the volley of fire from my other ships that round. Question is, which page of the rulebook states this? Sorry but from my understanding the ships are NOT stuck if I purposely did so. Isn't this what we call "blocking"?

I can definitely perform a maneuver in the next round such that they won't be stuck to each other anymore If I so choose.

Any help would be much appreciated.

However, he insists that even if the 2-straight doesn't clear, it has to clear since "the ships are stuck" based on the rule.

This rule doesn't exist.

He was at best mistaken or mistaught, and at worst actively cheating.

What you did was effectively block him, and that's entirely legal under the rules. Some players would argue that a 2-straight would clear the large ship base because the template is the same size.

It isn't, and even if just the nubs would make contact, it would result in an overlap, and the small ship being dragged back to where it started from, right in front of your large ship.

There's no "clearing because the ships are stuck" rule anywhere.

Dracon and Parravon to the rescue! Thanks for clarifying guys, really appreciate it.

However, he insists that even if the 2-straight doesn't clear, it has to clear since "the ships are stuck" based on the rule.

This rule doesn't exist.

He was at best mistaken or mistaught, and at worst actively cheating.

As much as I want to avoid making conjectures, I'm afraid the latter is the most likely scenario. He is using 20XX range rulers so I'm pretty sure he's a hardened veteran.

What you did was effectively block him, and that's entirely legal under the rules. Some players would argue that a 2-straight would clear the large ship base because the template is the same size.

It isn't, and even if just the nubs would make contact, it would result in an overlap, and the small ship being dragged back to where it started from, right in front of your large ship.

There's no "clearing because the ships are stuck" rule anywhere.

Being the newer player, I thought I might have missed a rule or two but I'm convinced this is wrong because I've done two tourney, did lots of blocking and no one brought up stuff like this before. Believe me I tried my best to fly casual that night.

Well, in the end the match still swung greatly in my favor. I lost the large ship but decimated his entire list. Had he left the ships there, maybe it could be 3-4 rounds shorter.

When in doubt, ask the TO. If your opponent is trying something that just sounds dodgy, get the TO to the table. Don't accuse the guy of cheating, or make it sound like you are, but just ask the TO for a "clarification" on this. If he knows his stuff (which he should), he should be able to sort it straight away.

When in doubt, ask the TO. If your opponent is trying something that just sounds dodgy, get the TO to the table. Don't accuse the guy of cheating, or make it sound like you are, but just ask the TO for a "clarification" on this. If he knows his stuff (which he should), he should be able to sort it straight away.

If there's a Tournament Organizer or Judge there, NEVER just roll with something that smells fishy.

Well, in the end the match still swung greatly in my favor. I lost the large ship but decimated his entire list. Had he left the ships there, maybe it could be 3-4 rounds shorter.

Well done

haha thank you . Nah it was a casual game at my FLGS and quite late so nobody is watching our game. But in a tournament I will definitely call a TO to clarify next time!

I think the 1 and 2 straight templates are the same size as the bases of the respective ships, though this does not take into consideration the nubs on each, as such it sits back slightly and thus would bump.

but as stated above, sounds like he was trying to pull the wool over your eyes.

I've found though, if you can actually get people to look it up, it's usually better for everyone.

there have been a ton of times in various gaming systems where I've been sure a rule is X and it turns out to be slightly different.

Congrats on the win though

I think the 1 and 2 straight templates are the same size as the bases of the respective ships, though this does not take into consideration the nubs on each, as such it sits back slightly and thus would bump.

I've heard a few guys claim "they are the same size, so if you do a 1-straight, you'll clear the other ship, therefore you don't even need to lay the template down".

This is just SO wrong. When you add the 1.5mm for each set of nubs, the bases are not the same as the templates. If you had two ships nose-to-nose, it's impossible to do a 1-straight manoeuvre and clear a small ship. The same applies to a 2-straight trying to clear a large ship. Neither will work, because they will overlap.

They are probably conflating this situation with the rule that says if you bump into someone from behind and are perfectly parallel, then both do the same straight manoeuvre next turn, you don't end up touching even if the bases physically overlap due to player error/nubs. It doesn't apply when you run into someone from anywhere other than the back I don't think, and even then only to straight maneouvres.

It should not be thusly conflated.

They are probably conflating this situation with the rule that says if you bump into someone from behind and are perfectly parallel, then both do the same straight manoeuvre next turn, you don't end up touching even if the bases physically overlap due to player error/nubs. It doesn't apply when you run into someone from anywhere other than the back I don't think, and even then only to straight maneouvres.

It should not be thusly conflated.

I think you should read that rule again, because there's nothing in there about the nubs or player error, or overlapping from behind them, or only straight manoeuvres. And if the ships overlap, then it IS an overlap.

Rules Reference, page 19

Sometimes a round will end with two ships touching each other, parallel, and facing the same direction. After both ships execute a maneuver, boost, or barrel roll, they are not touching (even if their bases are still in physical contact) unless they overlapped.

The FAQ says the same.

I also don't like the "the big base and 2 straight are the same size, so unless the nubs overlap, it fits"

It doesn't. The 2 straight is ALMOST the same size as the TOP of the base, however the base is beveled and is larger at the bottom. The same is true for the 1 straight with small ships, though it is more pronounced and easier to point out on the big ships.

Don't believe me, get your templates and ships out and put them together.

As stated, if the nubs are between the 2 ships, then it is not physically possible to clear due to the added distance.

If it happens again, publicly flog him and parade him in the local town square for all to see....

Yeah! Put him in the stocks and pound him with rotten fruit!

I think the 1 and 2 straight templates are the same size as the bases of the respective ships, though this does not take into consideration the nubs on each, as such it sits back slightly and thus would bump.

I've heard a few guys claim "they are the same size, so if you do a 1-straight, you'll clear the other ship, therefore you don't even need to lay the template down".

This is just SO wrong. When you add the 1.5mm for each set of nubs, the bases are not the same as the templates. If you had two ships nose-to-nose, it's impossible to do a 1-straight manoeuvre and clear a small ship. The same applies to a 2-straight trying to clear a large ship. Neither will work, because they will overlap.

It may be possible for the ship to clear but is also unlikely as it basically requires his ship to perfectly sideswipe your large ship. If the maneuver template would touch a base there is no way to "just clear" a ship that was overlapping as the nubs are going to be in the way. Unless he can lay down the maneuver template and show you it clears, without moving your own base, there is no way he clears unless he is pulling a much faster maneuver.

I also don't like the "the big base and 2 straight are the same size, so unless the nubs overlap, it fits"

It doesn't. The 2 straight is ALMOST the same size as the TOP of the base, however the base is beveled and is larger at the bottom. The same is true for the 1 straight with small ships, though it is more pronounced and easier to point out on the big ships.

Don't believe me, get your templates and ships out and put them together.

I got out my templates and you are a bit off. The bottom of the large base from front to back is exactly the length of my 2-straight template (so nubs would still overlap). Measuring side-to-side though is a different story. The large base is probably at least a full millimeter wider than the template is long.

I also don't like the "the big base and 2 straight are the same size, so unless the nubs overlap, it fits"

It doesn't. The 2 straight is ALMOST the same size as the TOP of the base, however the base is beveled and is larger at the bottom. The same is true for the 1 straight with small ships, though it is more pronounced and easier to point out on the big ships.

Don't believe me, get your templates and ships out and put them together.

I got out my templates and you are a bit off. The bottom of the large base from front to back is exactly the length of my 2-straight template (so nubs would still overlap). Measuring side-to-side though is a different story. The large base is probably at least a full millimeter wider than the template is long.

There is a minor amount of variation in the injection-molding process, particularly between batches.

Always measure; not all bases are the exact same size.

I also don't like the "the big base and 2 straight are the same size, so unless the nubs overlap, it fits"

It doesn't. The 2 straight is ALMOST the same size as the TOP of the base, however the base is beveled and is larger at the bottom. The same is true for the 1 straight with small ships, though it is more pronounced and easier to point out on the big ships.

Don't believe me, get your templates and ships out and put them together.

I got out my templates and you are a bit off. The bottom of the large base from front to back is exactly the length of my 2-straight template (so nubs would still overlap). Measuring side-to-side though is a different story. The large base is probably at least a full millimeter wider than the template is long.

There is a minor amount of variation in the injection-molding process, particularly between batches.

Always measure; not all bases are the exact same size.

Not to mention the templates. Cardboard is not a very exact material...

yeah the simple solution is to actually whip out the templates to see if it clears? if it does it does....

I wonder if the players thinking these maneuvers clear are thinking of the Overlapping In-line Ships rule on page 4 of the X-Wing FAQ (Version 4.0 / Updated 12.21.2015) and completely misunderstanding and misapplying it...

Overlapping In-line Ships

Sometimes a round will end with two ships touching each other, parallel, and facing the same direction. After both ships execute a maneuver of the same speed or perform the same boost or barrel roll action, they are not touching even if their bases are still in physical contact (unless they overlapped).