I have yet to understand the appeal of these skirmish FFG maps. Ya you don't have to set stuff up, but paying 25 bucks for a map that is in rotation for just a few months, then you might never use again?

The map comes with the accompanying mission card. So if you have the map, you don't need the pack the map is from and also don't need the expansions for the tiles.

This is a push to lower the entry barrier to the competitive game. Right now, you have to pay (MSRP) ~$205 just to have all components you need in a tournament. OR you can buy the core box for 80 and supplement the maps you don't buy for $25 each (theoretically this already lowers the starting price to ~$175. With new expansions and some missions requiring tiles from different boxes, this flat entry fee can be as little as 2/3 of what you otherwise need to invest to play the game, even if you are not interested in the figures that you get along with the packs!

/edit: fixed the values. Thought the core box was just $80 MSRP.

But at the same time so many people are confused as to what they actually need to get into the skirmish! They think the core box is where to start, and it should be.. and technically it is, you can build a competitive list out of it at least. But then they have to still buy these mats OR buy all the expansions/blisters just to legally show up at tournaments.

It's a huge problem and I believe it is the #1 thing holding back our community, skirmish is just to expensive to get into. That is why I would like to ask the guys in charge what they think about the situation.

X-Wing is the example I will keep going back to, the core box is way cheaper and no you won't be showing up at tournaments with that core box and the cost to build a list in X-Wing versus IA could wash out or be slightly more expensive depending what list you want, but at least you can get a taste for the game at a relatively cheap price. $40 for the core or $100, when someone is standing in their LGS with both boxes in their hands which one are they more likely to 'give a shot'? Are you there whispering in their ear that the IA core actually comes with so much more! No, and unless they want to start comparing components they aren't going to realize that.

it is also a viscous cycle, the more people who give X-Wing a shot and are seen playing it at the LGS the more publicity it gets the more popular it gets. The less people buying IA because of its high entry point the less people playing it at the LGS.. you get the point. If there was a cheaper, less complete way for people to get into the game its popularity would grow. All these games are about getting the person hooked, you just need to get them interested then money goes out the window, we all know that lol.

In my personal experience though, people come up and see me playing it and love the minis, love the dice system all that but then run away when they hear the price. So there either needs to be an easier way to educate people about what they are all getting with the game, because I find they listen more if I can quickly tell them that it is a two in one game, or there needs to be a cheaper option to get people hooked on the skirmish side.

Anyway I don't want to derail this thread, this is about giving you guys positive feedback and suggestions, you guys did a great job.. but if we are on this topic it is a deep rabbit hole that should be addressed.

If I read the Tournament rules correctly, theoretically, by owning the 3 skirmish mats you don't need the core set at all as long as you have a dice pack and some tokens from some other boxed expansions. Replacement tokens are also allowed by the new tournament rules. In addition you only need a legal army (original legal parts) and your command deck.

Now, I put out there a challenge for you to build the most cost-effective army.

My guess is that you need to spend more money to get enough competitve command cards than you spend for the figure packs.

It seemed to me that they were aware of all of these problems. And they also seemed to care to fix it. Like I said: The maps are just a first stab at the issue and probably were thought of when this problem wasn't even talked about on the forums. If the next year doesn't bring substantial improvement, we will surely follow up with what's going on.

The map rotation 'til now:

2015-03-01: Mos Eisley Outskirts, Massassi Ruins, Moisture Farm (for obvious reasons 3 Core Box maps)

2015-07-29: Moisture Farm, Ord Mantell Junkyard, Kuat Space Station

2015-10-28: Ord Mantell Junkyard, Kuat Space Station, Mos Eisley Cantina
2016-01-01: Kuat Space Station, Mos Eisley Cantina, Stormtrooper Training Ground

2016-04-01: Mos Eisley Cantina, Stormtrooper Training Ground, Nelvaaninan Warzone

2016-08-01: Stormtrooper Training Ground, Nelvaaninan Warzone, Coruscant Landfill

On an average, they change 1 map every 3 months. Therefore each map is worth 9 months of playing. With 25$ per map, this equals 100$ per year for maps (8.34$ per month).

Ya that isn't bad, again I guess it is just that initial buy in. Ok you've got your core set, you picked up a few blister packs and are at around $150... oh btw you need to buy the rest of the expansions to have the tiles, or just pay 75 bucks in mats!! And then 25 bucks in 3 months.. and 25 bucks in another 3 months.. what is this, a subscription?

It is a band aid that quickly fell off in the pool.

what is this, a subscription?

Yes, it is (whether you buy the maps or stay current otherwise). But most hobbies are.

Right, most games you are paying a fee to have the parts to play the game, but the sad thing about this is that you are just paying for the board, not even the components. Ok so I have to pay 25 bucks for the map, and then still buy the expansion to get the figures I want? Then what do I do with these tiles in the expansion? Why am I paying extra for something I will never use?

Wait, and i have to buy MULTIPLE expansions to field multiple units? Now I have two sets of useless tiles? uhh... Every group of figures in the game should be offered in a blister pack if they want the printed maps to make sense.

Right, other games you play at home, and not attend organized tournaments.

Right, other games you play at home, and not attend organized tournaments.

Right.. but I am comparing this directly to games where you do play in tournaments.. you can't compare the skirmish side of the game to a co-op adventure or a game like Runebound.. it is direct head to head play. This all circles back to the question I want to ask them, why is X-Wing so much more popular than IA? What can we do to help IA gain support?

Wait, and i have to buy MULTIPLE expansions to field multiple units?

Except for the core box, which box did you need several times, to build one of your recent competitive tournament lists?

Right, most games you are paying a fee to have the parts to play the game, but the sad thing about this is that you are just paying for the board, not even the components. Ok so I have to pay 25 bucks for the map, and then still buy the expansion to get the figures I want? Then what do I do with these tiles in the expansion? Why am I paying extra for something I will never use?

Wait, and i have to buy MULTIPLE expansions to field multiple units? Now I have two sets of useless tiles? uhh... Every group of figures in the game should be offered in a blister pack if they want the printed maps to make sense.

The maps aim for players, that don't have the tiles and the expansions needed to play in a tournament. In that case, the maps are just a cheap alternative.

If you already have the tiles and the figure packs needed, then just don't buy the maps?