Why can't you play with new players and funky cards? I've met lots of folks just starting out at tournaments, just there to fly what they like and have fun. This community is very welcoming and helpful to new players, and even the most "casual" squad can win in the right hands.

If you want to do missions or epic or whatever, be the change you want and do it. Please stop insinuating that tournaments are somehow antithetical to casual play or having fun.

The meta currently is such that you can make 'fun' lists that use wonky cards and do well with them. Attanni Mindlink Brobots, U-Boats especially the Bumpmaster, double VCX + Y-Wing/Biggs, really any squad with a ghost in it, etc. are all based on funky cards and all are competitive.

The assertion that there is a dichotomy between 'fun' lists and competitive ones was true of previous metas, where literally the only viable ships were fat turrets, Phantoms, and like Corran. That's where it comes from, the frustration of going to a tournament with something that wasn't a turret or phantom and automatically losing.

However broken Palp Aces may be, the wave 8 meta is pretty great. The top tier builds are all fun ones (sans arguably Palp Aces. It's fun to fly but not to fly against).

First off....I have no problem with a local store that isn't interested in growing it's player base with events like these. I'm totally OK with it. I never said anything against it. Please don't think I'm against a local store changing the event. I was merely explaining the perspective of the OP.

It's true that I prefer casual games over tournaments, but it's just my opinion. I've got nothing against tournaments.

Why can't you play with new players and funky cards? I've met lots of folks just starting out at tournaments, just there to fly what they like and have fun. This community is very welcoming and helpful to new players, and even the most "casual" squad can win in the right hands.

If you want to do missions or epic or whatever, be the change you want and do it. Please stop insinuating that tournaments are somehow antithetical to casual play or having fun.

First off, I never stated that tournaments weren't fun. I have had many good days of playing in tournaments. I prefer not to these days, but I'm not anti-tournament.

Second...I'm a bit at a lose as to how to come to the terms "casual". When I was looking to start my podcast, I was trying to come up with a way to describe non-tournament X-wing. I don't want to call tournaments as "competitive" because I am pretty competitive in my missions and epics and what-not. I have been using the term "Casual X-wing" as any non-tournament style game of X-wing. If this does not work for you, then how would you describe any non-100 pt death match game of X-wing in a short and easy to say way? That's what I mean when I say Casual X-wing, not that you can't have a laid back tournament. I feel like you can be laid back and have a casual attitude at a tournament, but there is no way to make everyone at said event to have the same attitude...or should you have to.

When I look at the OP and some of the people that posted after him in the same vein I think I have a good understanding of why they are not happy. To them, they see the Father and Son day as an attempt to draw in new players that might not even have their own ships. Or have a few, but not many. Maybe they got a starter kit? The idea is that it's a bunch of noobs and noob friendly players that are there to foster new players into the game. It would be a time for demo games and such. I admit that I kind of got that vibe when I read it. By turning it into a 100 pt tournament, it seems that other people have posted that you kind of destroy this atmosphere by having it as a tournament. How can people whom have never played the game come in and want to commit to a few hours of a tournament? Or....if someone lends them the ships, taking their son in to play and having him lose 3 games in a row might not be the best way to encourage someone to play. That's what I feel I've read as other people's opinions. I can understand that. That seems to be the frustration of those people that are unhappy about the event. At least, that's what I think. I know there are a fair number of tournament goers in my neck of the woods that if they went to a tournament, they don't want to bother explaining any rules or such to new players. Not everyone is like that, but I definitely know a few.

A tournament is different than a day of X-wing that was meant to draw in new players.

No it really isn't, at least not inherently. If everyone gets the same prizes then it is no longer truly a 'competitive' event and just a way to arrange games for people to play. That type of event can just as easily bring in new players as anything else. Perhaps even be better in some cases since it offers some structure.

I think it could be. If the intent of the day was originally to sucker people into buying Starter Sets or to draw out those that have Starter Sets and haven't really gotten many games in, then how can they participate without 100 pts? Also, a tournament is a time commitment of at least 3 hours. I'm sure there are a number of people that would come in for 30-60 minutes, but not really want to commit to something as long as 3 hours. It's especially true if you have some young kids. My son is 10 yrs old and would be fine to play a game or two at the game store, but he has no interest in a 3 game tournament.

I'll admit that I saw the event advertised as something Dads can bring in their kids to play a game or two of X-wing, get some cool cards, and spark the interest for them to get into the game more...even if that's in a couple years. I also saw it as drawing in new players who might buy a starter kit out of it....or move beyond the starter kit now that they've played a few games. That's not the type of event that you can pull off in a 100 pt tournament.

From the announcement page:

Information for Players

One thing that hasn't helped in all this is the late notice. Stores found about this the same day that everyone else did.

UPDATE!

I contacted the owner of my FLGS to voice my concerns about holding a tournament that day. Some people arrive late, some people need to leave early, kids may not last game after game, etc. Here is his response:

"I am up for anything that allows for more participation. If you have a better event format, I am all ears."

Sweet! So looks like there's time to change the event. But what do we replace it with? My idea is to have a table set up with a mission from the core set, and a table set up with the mission from the Ghost expansion, kind of as demo-style games. Anybody that wants to come in and play with my stuff is welcome to. I'd also have my Huge ships available for people to use as terrain pieces in their own games. Does that sound too informal/disorganized? I'd feel much more comfortable inviting my friends who haven't played X-wing to something like that instead of a tournament. If you have any spectacular ideas, please share them and maybe I'll run them by my FLGS.

Having more than just yourself would probably be a good thing. The base missions are good, especially with their recommended missions. You can do the Ghost missions, but you might replace the upgrade cards to something a little more passive. There is also Epic games with little clusters of 50 pts of ships for people to use is also good. Look at Dagobah Dave's Trench Run, but that might not have the full attention that some people would need.

I'd think you should have a couple of tables with 2 Tie Fighters and 1 X-wing (of new or old variety) and do the early missions.

Have an epic game going on with little squads of ships. Maybe even without a big ship. Just have a new squad show up when someone wants to join in. Or respawn when someone's squad is all blown up.

Having more than just yourself would probably be a good thing. The base missions are good, especially with their recommended missions. You can do the Ghost missions, but you might replace the upgrade cards to something a little more passive. There is also Epic games with little clusters of 50 pts of ships for people to use is also good. Look at Dagobah Dave's Trench Run, but that might not have the full attention that some people would need.

I'd think you should have a couple of tables with 2 Tie Fighters and 1 X-wing (of new or old variety) and do the early missions.

Have an epic game going on with little squads of ships. Maybe even without a big ship. Just have a new squad show up when someone wants to join in. Or respawn when someone's squad is all blown up.

I think we recently had a demo day, right on the heels of Barnes & Noble's demo day, so even though I think some demo tables are nice, we need something to interest the experienced players.

And I think Epic would be a great change of pace for the tournament players that are interested in trying something new.

Why all the hand wringing? Let people play what they like and don't give them crap for it. Whining about people liking something you don't like is far more damaging to a community than a simple tournament.

Because it's really hard to get in a casual game when no one wants to play that way. It's fine if you're part of the majority that never wants to play anything but tournaments, but for the rest of us the only way to reliably get games in is to convert the player base away from the 'tournaments only' mindset and encourage them to try other ways to play the game!

To further expound on this: This event is supposed to grow the community, and by making it a tournament you're effectively saying to all those people who don't currently participate in the (already tournament dominated) community that the only way to participate is by entering a tournament. Or at least, playing tournament style pick-up games.

This is both untrue and counter productive. X Wing is not a tournament system. It's a Star Wars space ships system and can cater for small games of one or two ships per side, up to massive games with multiple capital ships and multiple squadrons of smaller ships per side. I don't enjoy tournaments as much as I enjoy other ways of playing X Wing so to see an event that could be used to encourage casual play, instead being co-opted by competitive players makes me very sad.

Honestly, it doesn't affect me personally. My group is very casual and we just play whatever we want, but coming from a wargaming background where no system had a strict tournament format it's really disheartening to see the incredible variety and thematic potential of X Wing being shoe-horned into this tiny, strict, limiting box that is the tournament format.

Yes, everyone should play how they want but if some people are missing out, because everyone is playing one way and will not consider playing another, then maybe it might be nice if some of the people in that majority section would consider trying some different games from time to time so that other people might get a game in too.

Me and Hobojesus will be representing childfree people by loudly proclaiming how great it is to not be tied down with needless responsibility as we refer to children we get paired up against as, "free wins".

I may bring my oldest son to the store that day. Honestly I avoid the busier times as I've found there is usually quite a it of cursing and such inside the store, and I don't like it when I'm with my kids. I brought my family (including my step mom) to the store one day to play board games and get lunch. We had fun but It was a little embarrassing as there were several people just being really loud and occasionally cursing (loudly) the whole time.

It's all good, it's just not a very family friendly environment, despite having generally great staff. I would hope it would be different if half the people in there had their kids with them.

I may bring my oldest son to the store that day. Honestly I avoid the busier times as I've found there is usually quite a it of cursing and such inside the store, and I don't like it when I'm with my kids. I brought my family (including my step mom) to the store one day to play board games and get lunch. We had fun but It was a little embarrassing as there were several people just being really loud and occasionally cursing (loudly) the whole time.

It's all good, it's just not a very family friendly environment, despite having generally great staff. I would hope it would be different if half the people in there had their kids with them.

This is one thing I miss from when I was still active military. About 90%+ of the players at my then FLGS were military, and when I would have my kids there it would be put out that there were "little ears" present so watch your laugnage. Something might slip out, but was always followed by an apology.

And I'm with heychadwick on why I don't want it to be toury game day. My son could do 1-2 friendly pick-up games, but then will probably be ready to go home. He's still learning how to make lists, so non-pickup game lists would completely destroy him. And while I have always beat him in our games, I pick strange lists so he can learn to play better and not get curb stomped. Even semi competitive lists would crush him, and probaly ruin enjoyment.

@heychadwick: Last night I listened to episode 4 of your crew's podcast, and I'm strongly considering setting up Dagobah Dave's Trench Run scenario as part of the event. I'm just looking at options for printing, and then I'll be good to go! I think this scenario (and HotAC) will be nice because most people, new players and experienced tournament-goers alike, will not have played something like these before.

My thoughts behind The Ghost are 1) Star Wars: Rebels is really popular, and kids especially would love to play with those characters, 2) some people have a core set and a few expansions, but haven't seen the Ghost in action, 3) if people love it and decide to pick it up, that's a pretty significant X-wing purchase for the store

I totally get the Ghost tie in and think you could do it. The issues I'm thinking about are the special upgrades for the Ghost. It could get complicated. You might be able to pick some straight forward options, though. I'd hate to explain Sensor Jammer to a new person!

I may bring my oldest son to the store that day. Honestly I avoid the busier times as I've found there is usually quite a it of cursing and such inside the store, and I don't like it when I'm with my kids.

I quick mention to the store owner could be a great way to fix this. They want business and more customers in the store. The owner should handle anything well enough.

@heychadwick: Last night I listened to episode 4 of your crew's podcast, and I'm strongly considering setting up Dagobah Dave's Trench Run scenario as part of the event. I'm just looking at options for printing, and then I'll be good to go! I think this scenario (and HotAC) will be nice because most people, new players and experienced tournament-goers alike, will not have played something like these before.

Very cool! I used work printers for all of it, so I'm not sure how I can help with it. I did find a pdf of the Death Star that was pretty big and able to print it out. No idea how much it would cost me to do on my own. Maybe find someone that would print it for you at work?

There are some great paper turrets that I found. They are from Studio Kitsune (http://www.studiokitsune.it). Not sure if that's a valid link or not, but it's what I used. PM me if you need me to dig up a better URL. They even have explody towers to show where the towers were.

If your store has foam table toppers for games like Warhammer, then you can use them to build up the table and have an actual trench. It's so much cooler that way.

Let me know if you need any help.

My FLGS is doing a Top Gun Challenge, where they track how many points' worth of enemy ships you destroy during the day with prizes for the high score. Seems like a good middle ground between full-on competitive tournament and straight-up casual playing. Don't care about the challenge? Just play games. Want in? Blow stuff up.

Nothing local yet, but a store in Toronto is doing a $5 3 round tournament.

It being fathers' day, I'd go with my sons for something casual personally, I wouldn't got for an actual tournament.

UPDATE!

The FLGS greenlighted the idea of Trench Run, 2 demo tables, and open tables for anybody that wants to come in with their X-wing miniatures. Super excited! Now I get to work on assembling the thing...after I get back from a conference.

The next challenge: How do you reach the casual, play-at-home player base? They don't come to the store, so they won't see flyers. We have the event posted on Facebook, but they probably don't follow the store page, so they won't see the event. I've also invited my close friends who have only played a handful of times. Aside from going door-to-door, what are some ways to inform the good people of my city to come join us on the 18th for an amazing day of X-wing fun?

What about those cardboard box signs people use for varage sales?

UPDATE!

The FLGS greenlighted the idea of Trench Run, 2 demo tables, and open tables for anybody that wants to come in with their X-wing miniatures. Super excited! Now I get to work on assembling the thing...after I get back from a conference.

The next challenge: How do you reach the casual, play-at-home player base? They don't come to the store, so they won't see flyers. We have the event posted on Facebook, but they probably don't follow the store page, so they won't see the event. I've also invited my close friends who have only played a handful of times. Aside from going door-to-door, what are some ways to inform the good people of my city to come join us on the 18th for an amazing day of X-wing fun?

-You could go for an advert in your local newspaper. A lot of community newspapers would do it for free even.

-Perhaps a local radio station would be kind enough to give you a shout-out.

-A flyer on public posting boards at a local mall

Man these suggestions make me feel old. A Newspaper!?

Update for Canadians, it'll come, but later than the actual Fathers' Day: