Posting here seeking advice. Our group has been growing, we've just reached the point that even when we've got regulars who can't make an event, we have 8-10. This is awesome considering when I joined the group in October of 2015 it was because they needed a fourth for the event, because they only had three guys active in the group.

So we've always been pretty laid back and people borrow a card or model occasionally, no big deal. Recently though we've had several new players join and I'm concerned it's getting out of hand. At the last event I attended I loaned out two models and 11 cards, and I wasn't the only one loaning. The recent event I couldn't attend was apparently steamrolled by someone who wanted to try a team they saw at worlds, but to do so had to borrow 60-70 percent of it including models.

I want to be a welcoming group that helps each other out. The problem is twofold.

A. players who have a higher investment in the game are being beaten by those who simply borrow things, and some of them are bristling.

B. the store isn't making sales because borrowing has gotten to be too common.

I just wanted to open a dialogue here, because I want the store that supports us to make the sales, because that's why they run events and support us. I also want the group to thrive and bring in new people, but I know when you're new it's hard to play without borrowing a few things.

Personally, I've recommended to several new players to borrow first, find out what faction they like, then start purchasing the things they like.

Good example: Jimmy (fake name) wanted to run four T70s at our events. Borrowed two blues at an event. Really liked it. Bought one. Had another event, now he has three, borrowed one. After that event he decided he really liked them and bought a fourth. In this case, borrowing led to sales. I have no problem with this, but not all of our players are operating like this.

Tough situation. There is nothing regulating the sharing of cards/ships, so there's no ruling to stand on. But since it sounds like a regular thing, perhaps you should relax the official FFG rules a bit and allow players to proxy cards on your weekly game night.

If you restrict borrowing too much, it creates a barrier to entry, preventing others from joining in. But if you allow folks to proxy cards, it creates the mentality that they can use their ships to run whatever the like. New players are likely to be excited about the stuff they currently have anyways. And by allowing them to run it with any cards they want, it creates a very strong line in the sand between what they have and what they don't have. Often I've seen new players get excited to try out this card, and then someone recommends changing the T-65 for a B wing, because it works better on them, and then they find themselves borrowing a card and a B wing. But if they're just proxying the card, then they're only looking at the ships they have to build their lists... And perhaps during the night, someone might suggest they try it with a B wing, and that'll be their purchase for the day.

I don't really have an issue with point A (players who are borrowing stuff beating players who have a significant investment). But certainly the store that hosts needs sales. They are a for profit business and if your xwing community is not supporting the store financially... the store may eventually offer the time slot and space to a gaming community that will better support the store. This simply needs to be explained to the guys that are regularly borrowing. Be upfront and open but with an understanding that we all realize that this game requires some financial dedication, although it's not as bad as many, many other miniatures games.

I play at one specific local store more than others in my area. I have a friendly relationship with the others who play there and the store staff welcomes us because we spend money at the store and we are catering to new people to the game and community who want to play on our game nights. We don't buy ALL of our xwing (other other game) stuff at the store, but I make a habit of supporting my local store with my wallet because I want my local store to continue to be there.

We currently do Casual Thursday's that's just come and play, we usually have a handful. First and Third Saturday are our actual prized events with an entry fee. Maybe some distinction between the two should be made more clear. It's ok to borrow at one but not the other.

I totally agree with Khyros, I don't want a barrier to new players. I need to find the way to push the new players I have that have been in the game long enough over that hump into building their own collections and supporting the store that supports them.

I don't really have an issue with point A (players who are borrowing stuff beating players who have a significant investment). But certainly the store that hosts needs sales. They are a for profit business and if your xwing community is not supporting the store financially... the store may eventually offer the time slot and space to a gaming community that will better support the store. This simply needs to be explained to the guys that are regularly borrowing. Be upfront and open but with an understanding that we all realize that this game requires some financial dedication, although it's not as bad as many, many other miniatures games.

I play at one specific local store more than others in my area. I have a friendly relationship with the others who play there and the store staff welcomes us because we spend money at the store and we are catering to new people to the game and community who want to play on our game nights. We don't buy ALL of our xwing (other other game) stuff at the store, but I make a habit of supporting my local store with my wallet because I want my local store to continue to be there.

Well, think of it this way. John has spent money and supported the store to get his ships, then Dan shows up, borrows 60% of what he uses week after week, and even starts beating John and taking home prizes. It's not a huge issue and definitely not the primary one here, but long standing players who spend buy their own stuff are starting to get chapped and say "what's the point of buying it if someone will just loan it to me, then I save a bunch of money like Dan." It's a self replicating problem if I don't find a way to fix it.

If the loaning players are getting irked, encourage them to say no.

If it's the store loaning stuff, make sure to let the borrowing player know it's a one time thing. After that, stand up and say no.

A lot of this stems from the nerd trend to get passive aggressive. If there's one thing I've learned from running a shop, it's the value in a hard 'no' and sticking to it.

I don't loan stuff to others unless they have been my friend for 20 years if prizes are on the line.

Loaning stuff out is for weekly casual nights when you are trying to get new people introduced to the game and the community... or even to allow someone to try a list that they do not have the ships for (but if they like the list and want to fly it in a tournament... they need to buy the ships/cards).

Now take this with a grain of salt as I don't have a lot of experience running a group. We're just trying to get some regular games going. But logic suggests:

First double check with the store owner about whether he's making enough money off of putting up with the group. Obviously he'll want more but check to be sure there is an issue and that you don't just perceive one.

Have a talk with the guy who borrowed his entire list (and I'm assuming he had to piece this thing together from more than just his best bud) and the other more egregious "free-loaders" and gently tell they they can't keep doing that. They're putting guys in a bind and taking advantage of them and they're getting resentful. This will require tact.

Perhaps institute some more stringent tourney entry procedures. Squad lists required and entry fees by X amount of time like fifteen minutes or something before the start. Make some efforts so guys know what they have to show up with or have arranged to borrow before they show up for the tourney. This should rein in some of the borrowing as guys won't feel like they have to lend stuff out at the last minute or they'll be the jerk who made it so someone couldn't play or they'll be holding up the entire event. I also assume that some of the borrowers are showing up and deciding what to play after they've seen "The Meta" for the day and are then trying to field counters even if they've got to borrow it and that's where the resentment is really coming from.

You can cover this with tales of events going to long or needing to do this to be eligible for bigger events or losing guys cause things aren't on time...

Make something up about guys needing to bring less stuff or otherwise encourage guys to bring just what they're going to play. Especially encourage the guys who really get hit up for cards and stuff and/or are really bent out of shape. Then they won't have anything to lend out. This way they can turn down someone without having to say, "I'm tired of getting beat by guys who haven't bought their lists."

That's easy and comparatively painless. Try and find ways for everyone to "save face." See if that alleviates the issue.

Then you can get more aggressive with solutions like"Hangar bay" events so guys need two lists. That could kill all the lending right quick.

The store could start some discount program that you have to pay to join and that you must join to play/use the space and that comes with a discount. Maybe the shop could do a discount for an hour before the tourney? Or just mention that the shop is thinking of such a thing. That could create a short term sales spike or chase off the guys who simply have no intention of "paying the freight."

In any case you want to think about it with the goal of keeping the guys who do spend and not worrying about losing the more egregious free-loaders. You don't want to lose the really invested guys as you'll also lose the free-loaders as they don't have anything to borrow.

Loaning a single upgrade card is fine I ask my group for it all the time but makeing some you're list whith someone else stuff is not you have to do it whith in reason and try to support your local gamestore