In a few weeks, I'll be introducing some people to the lovely game of X-Wing. Since we're hanging out in a big group, I wanted to give more than just one or two other people a chance to play.

I thought it'd be a good idea to have 120 points on each side, with each person controlling a 60 point list. Here is my initial thinking, but I'm not sure these lists are ideal for newbies or if they are balanced enough to make for an even matchup:

Rebel:

(I'll likely be flying Poe/GSP)

Poe Dameron (31)
Intensity (2)
BB-8 (2)
Advanced Optics (2)
Autothrusters (2)
Black One (1)

Green Squadron Pilot (19)
Snap Shot (2)
Chardaan Refit (-2)
Crack Shot (1)
A-Wing Test Pilot (0)

Wedge Antilles (29)
Predator (3)
Renegade Refit (-2)
Flight-Assist Astromech (1)
Integrated Astromech (0)
Servomotor S-Foils (0)

Luke Skywalker (28)
Trick Shot (0)
Renegade Refit (-2)
R2-D2 (4)
Servomotor S-Foils (0)

Total: 120

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

And Imperial:

The Inquisitor (25)
Push the Limit (3)
Autothrusters (2)
TIE/v1 (1)

Zeta Specialist (23)
Fire-Control System (2)
Advanced Optics (2)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Special Ops Training (0)

(If I play on the Imperial side, I'll controll Duchess and the Gunboat)

"Duchess" (23)
Predator (3)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Adaptive Ailerons (0)

Rho Squadron Veteran (21)
Harpoon Missiles (4)
Linked Battery (2)
"Mangler" Cannon (4)
XG-1 Assault Configuration (1)

Total: 120

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Small point in that you have 121 points in your rebel list as it's listed now. 40 for poe, 20 for gsp, 31 for wedge and 30 for luke. The lists are fine if your friends already have some experience with the game, but if they're brand new then you're throwing out a lot of advanced mechanics for a starter game. Double sided cards, upgrades that upend regular rules and ships that are difficult to fly do not make friendly matches, nor do they encourage people to get into a game if it's well above the complexity level they're comfortable with. You probably want something very basic, even minimal upgrades.

Also for the sake of making the game recognizable, I would try to keep some of the old classic names like Luke and maybe Vader if you don't go crazy with him.

You could do Vader with Lightning Reflexes and 2 black squadron Tie/ln's with crack shot. Nothing wild and crazy, and the only real rule changers are one off upgrades. Likewise, you could run Luke with another generic x wing like red squadron. Give em both vectored thrusters so everyone has the opportunity to use and see how barrel rolling works, then you've got 5 points for an EPT and astromechs. For simplicity's sake, I would put predator on Luke and r2-d6 and crackshot on the red squadron pilot. Neither of those lists is terribly powerful and I'd guess they're comparable in capabilities. There is also a good bit of crossover between the lists in what they can do, so they can learn by watching the other person play as well as when they are setting dials themselves.

Just my 2 cents and some food for thought. Hope you guys have fun and you bring a few more into the fold!

Personally, I greatly prefer Accuracy Corrector on generic TIE/SF. It takes like 3 attacks for Fire Control System to actually do more damage. Plus, there's less to remember without FCS, and AccC works better if switching targets (which a PS 3 probably has to do). Going with Primed Thrusters would fit in for the Tech Slot.

The Rho is kind of an odd duck; I don't really understand what it's trying to do. It doesn't use the Elite upgrade slot, it has both a Harpoon and the Cannon title, but no cannons which can be fired while Weapons Disabled. I'd either switch to just HLC for constant 4-dice attacks, or drop Manger and Linked for Flechette, Deadeye, and Extra Munitions.

If you don't take Rebels, I'd switch up Poe to a ship which would be less fiddly and mostly just does it's thing. I imagine Intensity would be trickier than neccessary for a new player. Going for Trick Shot/Optics on Poe would free up points for Autothrusters on the Green.

For Luke, I think I'd go Adaptability over Trick Shot. Being the same PS is nice for newer players, and I don't think it really adds too much to Luke individually. He's not great at ducking behind rocks and out again.

1 hour ago, Jimbawa said:

Small point in that you have 121 points in your rebel list as it's listed now. 40 for poe, 20 for gsp, 31 for wedge and 30 for luke. The lists are fine if your friends already have some experience with the game, but if they're brand new then you're throwing out a lot of advanced mechanics for a starter game. Double sided cards, upgrades that upend regular rules and ships that are difficult to fly do not make friendly matches, nor do they encourage people to get into a game if it's well above the complexity level they're comfortable with. You probably want something very basic, even minimal upgrades.

Also for the sake of making the game recognizable, I would try to keep some of the old classic names like Luke and maybe Vader if you don't go crazy with him.

You could do Vader with Lightning Reflexes and 2 black squadron Tie/ln's with crack shot. Nothing wild and crazy, and the only real rule changers are one off upgrades. Likewise, you could run Luke with another generic x wing like red squadron. Give em both vectored thrusters so everyone has the opportunity to use and see how barrel rolling works, then you've got 5 points for an EPT and astromechs. For simplicity's sake, I would put predator on Luke and r2-d6 and crackshot on the red squadron pilot. Neither of those lists is terribly powerful and I'd guess they're comparable in capabilities. There is also a good bit of crossover between the lists in what they can do, so they can learn by watching the other person play as well as when they are setting dials themselves.

Just my 2 cents and some food for thought. Hope you guys have fun and you bring a few more into the fold!

Concerning the point cost, are you certain? I've done the math twice on it. Perhaps you're not taking into account the -1 EPT that comes with the refit.

Concerning everything else, you're right. May tone it down a bit and add more of the iconic pieces (That's why I have Luke/Wedge together)

1 hour ago, theBitterFig said:

The Rho is kind of an odd duck; I don't really understand what it's trying to do. It doesn't use the Elite upgrade slot, it has both a Harpoon and the Cannon title, but no cannons which can be fired while Weapons Disabled. I'd either switch to just HLC for constant 4-dice attacks, or drop Manger and Linked for Flechette, Deadeye, and Extra Munitions.

1

Mangler is there to trigger the harpoon, the title gives it Linked Battery to reroll for better odds of getting the crit though. I had an EPT orginally, but I ran out of points for it. May can change some things to give it Crack Shot.

If you are concerned that the newbies are overwhelmed by the stuff they have to consider, maybe reducing the number of upgrade cards is a way. I personally think it is too heavy on upgrades.

Trim it down to 50 for each player and give them one or two specials to keep track of. The other ten points will be forgotten anyways

3 hours ago, jwilliamson12 said:

Mangler is there to trigger the harpoon, the title gives it Linked Battery to reroll for better odds of getting the crit though. I had an EPT orginally, but I ran out of points for it. May can change some things to give it Crack Shot.

Man. Forgot about the Harpoon trigger. I'm still leery, I feel like it's a large investment, but moreover, skip Harpoon for new players. That thing is both overpowered and overly complex. Just go with Homing Missile.

1 hour ago, flooze said:

If you are concerned that the newbies are overwhelmed by the stuff they have to consider, maybe reducing the number of upgrade cards is a way. I personally think it is too heavy on upgrades.

Trim it down to 50 for each player and give them one or two specials to keep track of. The other ten points will be forgotten anyways

Fair point. I can scale back to 100 on each side. May repost some more ideas.

42 minutes ago, theBitterFig said:

Man. Forgot about the Harpoon trigger. I'm still leery, I feel like it's a large investment, but moreover, skip Harpoon for new players. That thing is both overpowered and overly complex. Just go with Homing Missile.

Valid. I guess I’m stuck with “I know this works well” and not “this is what would be fun for a new player.”