How do you do it? My youngest is 4 but now it looks like we have a new one coming late spring. I never really gamed before X-wing so I didn't have a hobby like this with the first kids.
Is my gaming going to be on hiatus for a few years? Am I going to have to get my X-wing fix on Table Top Simulator or Vassal between feedings?
Just trying to gauge what life might be like so I can get to accept my new reality a little more easily.
Depends entirely on spouse and support structure. I had to basically take two years off for my second.
Just wait until the 4 year old is 7 years old and start playing with them. Some of my best x wing is with my now 11 year old.
Vassal at night is good, also negotiate some special nights out to go to FLGS or your buddy's basement and the rare store championship where you will likely have to drop after 2 rounds to get back home.
This is the reality of being an X wing dad.
Dang it!
I think it depends quite a bit on the other people you play with too - I have a 15 month old and my ability to leave the house for X-Wing has been very limited since he was born, but I have a few friends that have been great about being flexible and coming to me so we can get games in. He enjoys spectating games so that helps too. Making it to tournaments is a rarity for me but I still get to help friends prep so that helps keep me engaged.
I have some experience with X Wing involving children. Both playing with their dad (only once mom) or Cadet vs Cadet. IMHO some children are "predestinated" into Geek life and can play basic X wing 7+. Only feeeeew upgrades like R2D2. The LOVE R2D2 (C3PO...looser). More "Sport minded" boys better wait till 9+.
Some months ago I suffered a total defeat against a 12 years old who is really good playing chess and with limited experience playing the game. Gave him the option to choose what to fly and... Man. It hurted.
If your cubs are under 7 better play LEGO pew pew. Sometimes I would like this too...
If they like watching daddy play, (andif they are Lucky) you can let them roll the dice for you.
Like my niece, **** kid wins King of Tokyo on average by turn 6 or 7.
The hardest part is getting them to stay on the flight stands.
I played X wing with a baby last night on Vassal. Turn 2 I killed his Jake with cruise missiles and he rage quit. Baby.
I went from playing an insane amount of xwing before my son was born 18 months ago to just playing an average to above average amount.
In both cases the vast majority of my games come from vassal.
I have no personal experience, but the two couples I know with infants seem to be able to get out. E.g. tomorrow night my friend said his wife and child would be out visiting family or friends and invited us over for some MtG.
I play at least once a month, at a FLGS, and occasionally more at my house. I just work things out with my wife.
No Tommy, don't put that X-wing in your mouth, take it out now!
My 6 year old plays with me (almost 7) but we also play Pokemon as well. I've only been playing for 18 months but have a 6 and 4 year old so time is at a premium.
Game time is hard to come by. I play in work over a lunchtime once a week (some times, we also play FFTCG and other board games) and can sometimes get to a local tournament (once i agree it with my wife's boss)
It is hard. Having gaming space at home and friends who are happy to come over and chill whilst you deal with the evenings of kids waking up so disrupting your game slightly is great. If your friends also have kids the same age as yours then you're golden! having the kids entertain each other with other games is great (the boys will play Pokemon whilst we keep an eye on them whilst playing X-Wing)
6 hours ago, Marinealver said:No Tommy, don't put that X-wing in your mouth, take it out now!
For some reason I'm now wondering if you can get an X-wing and TIE fighter Plushie. Plus manoevre dial plushies, of course.
9 minutes ago, Magnus Grendel said:For some reason I'm now wondering if you can get an X-wing and TIE fighter Plushie. Plus manoevre dial plushies, of course.
like this
https://www.amazon.com/Comic-Images-Fighter-Plush-Vehicle/dp/B0089INWA0
or this
now, how much are import duties......
.....
Okay. I may have to get an X-wing playing friend a few late baby shower gifts.
"Sweetie, why is there a TIE swarm in the baby's cot?"
1 hour ago, Magnus Grendel said:.....
Okay. I may have to get an X-wing playing friend a few late baby shower gifts.
"Sweetie, why is there a TIE swarm in the baby's cot?"
On 8/16/2017 at 11:17 AM, Force Majeure said:How do you do it? My youngest is 4 but now it looks like we have a new one coming late spring. I never really gamed before X-wing so I didn't have a hobby like this with the first kids.
Is my gaming going to be on hiatus for a few years? Am I going to have to get my X-wing fix on Table Top Simulator or Vassal between feedings?
Just trying to gauge what life might be like so I can get to accept my new reality a little more easily.
Before kids, my wife worked 3 nights a week plus 6 hours on Saturdays.
I was gaming 15 to 20 hours a week, easy.
Kid 1 arrived, down to about 5 hours a week.
Kid 2 arrived 5 years later, down to 8 to 10 hours a month, but now I only play what I want and how I want, no more just playing everything.
The time spent is less but I am getting probably more enjoyment out of it.
On 16.08.2017 at 5:17 PM, Force Majeure said:How do you do it? My youngest is 4 but now it looks like we have a new one coming late spring. I never really gamed before X-wing so I didn't have a hobby like this with the first kids.
Is my gaming going to be on hiatus for a few years? Am I going to have to get my X-wing fix on Table Top Simulator or Vassal between feedings?
Just trying to gauge what life might be like so I can get to accept my new reality a little more easily.
First of all you will need gaming mat to scale. Then probably appropriate movement templates.
In my case (happy dad of a 7 month old), we have worked out that I have a weeknight per week to go out and game. Once every month or 2, if we plan things right, I can go to a tournament during the weekend. Of course I make similar sacrifices so that my wife can also go out, although her hobbies are not as regular as mine (she likes to jog in the evening or go to a race every few times).
The thing is that by default, I'm an introvert who can be just as happy being on my PC (or playing another Star Wars game on my phone), so X-Wing is my occasion to go out, be social, make friends and interact with live human beings. In other words, it is "good for me".
The key ingredient of course is to pitch in whenever I can around the house, whether its chores, changing diapers, etc. Remember: happy wife, happy X-Wing life!
Thanks for all the responses everyone.
I'm trying to do as much different kinds of variations on X-wing as I can (Mario Kart, Team Epic, Missions, Fur Ball, etc.) between now and the zero hour. Any suggestions about what other variations out there? I'm going to look into HOTAC, but it sounds like there's a lot of printing involved.
The advantage of HOTAC is that you could technically play alone if you assume the role of more than one player. So that could be one way to get your X-Wing fix no matter the situation.
On 8/16/2017 at 0:14 PM, Force Majeure said:Dang it!
You could just abandon your family all together and then have all the X-Wing time you want.
For playing X-Wing with babies, I'd recommend keeping things simple to start with. Don't worry about ships that can do all sorts of tricky stuff, and instead focus on basic maneuvering; at least until they develop adequate motor skills. Try to make unique, distinct flying and firing noises for each ship as you move them or attack, if you can.
The dice are pretty good, since they use pictures rather than numbers or letters, but it may be a good idea to get larger ones to minimize choking hazards. DO NOT GIVE THE BABIES LISTS WITH SHIPS CONTAINING SMALL PARTS!
Get the tokens and dials laminated, if possible, to minimize cardboard-warping drool damage. Plastic replacements are an option, but could still be damaged when the baby starts teething.
By following these steps, playing X-Wing with babies can be a fun and rewarding way to get family and friends alike to say, "What in the world are you doing to these kids?!"