Worn Cardboard and Missing Pieces

By Stew00m, in X-Wing

So I have been playing the game a bit, and my rang rulers are stating to look a bit ratty and my asteroids are getting dinged up. I have a range ruler from my FO starter set I can use, but eventually that's gonna get worn as well.

In addition I lost an asteroid at my game shop and I suspect I probally have a few unaccounted for tokens and shields. Does FFG have any plans to release official santioned replacement guides and tokens? The crew I play with wouldn't freak out about third party stuff, but I rather have official pieces.

Highly unlikely. You're better off getting another core set on sale, rather than paying whatever their hypothetical individual prices would be. Also, doesn't everyone have a surplus of things like shield tokens?

Yeah they have 2 Range Ruler and asteroid bundle packs available:



They're priced a bit steep but you get a few free ship models, dice, instruction booklet, and damage deck to boot.



All joking aside, based on how cheap the starter sets are I doubt we'll see officially released FFG booster packs for the various cardboard things you get in the core sets. Possibly I could see acrylic but since the acrylic pieces/templates have been prize support for so long I doubt many tourney fans would look too kindly on having their hard-earned rare acrylic templates/pieces being de-valued if FFG were to release openly available official acrylic sets.

Edited by darkdooku

Wow, I have way more shields and tokens than I know what to do with, to the point where now I normally just throw them away when I buy a new ship. (If you are UK based let me know and I'll see if I have any lying around)

To protect them, I colour the edges with marker/felt tip (blue for shields, red for stress, green for focus/evade, black for most others) then carefully apply superglue along the edges of the card so it soaks in slightly. Do this and dinged edges will be a thing of the past. Just take care not to glue the fronts. Makes them almost like plastic.

I really don't want to buy another core set, I have enough tie fighters and x wings. plus I don't want more cardboard, I guess I will just get a third party plastic set.

I'm kind of surprised there's not more FFG assesories for the game. Seems like they are leaving money on the table

Henry's Outpost on eBay has all the parts from the core set for sale individually.

You could replace you maneuver template and asteroids for less than $10.00

Edited by acesandeights

Just thinking, would it work to give asteroids and the like a coat of polyurethane spray, to keep them fresh? Anyone tried this?

1 minute ago, spacebug said:

Just thinking, would it work to give asteroids and the like a coat of polyurethane spray, to keep them fresh? Anyone tried this?

I used a spray varnish that I use to protect paint jobs on my miniatures on my dials and other cardboard pieces. Worked great.

To the OP. If you're going to replace your templates, I suggest investing in an acrylic set of templates and range rulers. Plenty of options out there and, with normal usage, they should last forever.

If it is the range ruler or maneuver templates then go with the 3rd-party ones which are legal to use for tournament play.

If the dials are becoming ragged there are those new fangled dial holder which should render them ragged edges a non-issue although you'd still need to be able to read them.

When it comes to the other things it depends on what it is. Obstacles and base tiles may be hard to replace. While some other tokens are plentiful (Focus, Shield, and TL; who's played the game a while and not gotten all that are needed) others (bombs) may be harder to replace.

Range rules - just buy acrylics....they are more durable, handy and looks cool. 90%+ of community swaps to them anyway.

Asteroid - that can be an issue if it was a key one (like one of the big potatos or the little one) but hey just use others or buy them second hand.

Tokens - unless those were acrylics (like me bought a set of shiny new ones and lost 2 eyes on the first playing event:P) why do you even bother?

Sorry, FFG doesn't do spare pieces.

It's probably the only thing I don't like about their games: they're beautiful, fun to play, well-organized - but if you lose one of those APCs from Fortress America, prepare to have the South play at a disadvantage for the rest of forever. And if you lose the dice down the storm drain: you can buy another $70 game cause no soup for you and that's final.

15 hours ago, Stew00m said:

I'm kind of surprised there's not more FFG assesories for the game. Seems like they are leaving money on the table

I've heard that FFG's deal requires minis to be sold in all products. Not sure how the dice, dials, and mats get around it, but they might be able to do something.

You can buy parts online for pretty cheap. There are also 3rd party products that are pretty good, too.

IMHO, if you need to replace go acrylic. The online sellers of the cardboard are charging almost as much as you can get one of the core sets on sale. You can always sell the individual models online or at a tournament.

As far as the dial getting ragged. You either need to use the plastic alt dials from FFG, or you need to prep your cardboard ones.

You can prep them by sealing the edges with clear PVA glue so they do not get ragged. As far as the face of the dial, you have to spray lacquer them or take each dial and wipe on some 100% Carnauba Wax. If you purchase the food grade stuff it is Carnauba and Bees Wax. It is the same stuff that is on dental floss and what makes those M&M candies so shiny. Cardboard actually generates a lot of friction so the wax removes that. You can noticeable feel the difference after application and it does not harm the dial. You need a very small amount on a microfiber cloth. Wipe on, wait 2min and wipe off. I use the Mother's brand I put on my car. No ragged or scratched or faded dials for me.