I mostly play Xwing with my oldest son, but I have younger kids that will soon be old enough to play. The youngsters are eager to play the "big kid" games, so I'm looking for some good 3+ player game formats with emphasis on keeping the rules as simple as possible. I already give my oldest a "handicap" (i.e. more squad points, I pick paper to his scissors...) that I adjust trying to get a 50% or better win record for my son. I don't believe in letting kids win. So while I fly casual, I'm always trying to win. I have some ideas, I'm just not sure how well they'll do in practice. I'm thinking of things like:

1) A format where it's coop kids vs dad. Have them attack from opposite sides with me sandwiched. Hopefully they won't be in each others way to start, but once it turns to a scrum I'm concerned they'll get in each others way and get frustrated with one another.

2) King of the hill, but the problem there is whoever I attack I'm "playing favorites" AND it puts the kids against each other.

3) ??? I'm open to suggestions.

Anyone out there in a similar spot and have some ideas?

Matt

You could try heroes of the aturi cluster as a coop.

I LOVE 2 vs 2.

1) Four 100 point squads, 2 teams. Conditions and abilities (Palpatine, Mindlink) apply as though it was one player.

2) First team to 125 points wins.

Buy 22 X-Wings and 8 Y-Wing. Get tons of ties and 1 Vader. Relive Episode 4.

Free for all at 100 points each is doable with 3 players I've done it once before. Maybe have a max of 5 ships each so it doesn't get too cluttered.

Large-scale missions. You can make up the "scenarios" just always make the story and list size up.

Two 60-point Mercenary Scum v. you in a bunch of ties. Whoever destroys the most Ties win.

Next match, make it all rebels versus a stationary epic (this way is cool because now you're all working together).

I think you'll be hard-pressed to please everyone if you're playing a competitive format.

Make 30pt ships each. Respawn when killed. Score based on number of kills initially, then change to net kills once you all get the hang of it.

This format works well with my 6 and 8 year olds. I fly a ship nominated by one of my kids, often with less points or with useless upgrades...although they won't say 'Hwk' again!

Thanks for the ideas. I hadn't thought of respawning which nicely deals with one person being out before another. I'll definitely use that.

Matt

Free for all at 100 points each is doable with 3 players I've done it once before. Maybe have a max of 5 ships each so it doesn't get too cluttered.

Have to destroy the person on your left/right. Makes it interesting to where you have to go after an opponent, while trying to dodge the arc of the other person.

I have two sons into xwing, 12 & 8. Nothing brings boys together like joining forces to beat down dad lol. I let them each build 100 points of an allied faction (200 total) and play 150 points of an opposing faction. If I beat them to handily I handicap myself further next time. I also play games where I join forces with my younger son against the older one. We each pay our own ships in our joined force. I let them make their own decisions but try to get them to think about their choices as we play.

Have to destroy the person on your left/right. Makes it interesting to where you have to go after an opponent, while trying to dodge the arc of the other person.

This is the best 3 player format that I've played. There is no second place. Just a winner. If player A dies then player B wins. If B dies then C wins. If C dies then A wins.

Heroes of the Aturi Cluster is definitely a thing to try. I'd recommend looking into that. It's good for the kids as it's co-op vs the AI controlled Empire.

Babaganoosh wrote a 3 person scenario that is about Rebels and Scum working together to steal from the Empire, but then each tries to steal the item on their own. Might be a little much if the kids are young. I can't recall the name, but searching under author on Mission Control would find it.