Maybe this belongs in organized play...?

Over the years I’ve purchased GOT, Armada and spent hundreds on Destiny. I figured the latter being new, everyone was on equal ground, so I heavily invested in my decks, however, like those before it, I never found a single store (within my traveling restraints) that had any fellow players.

I realize that Armada and GOT are more niche, so I couldn’t really fault anyone, but Destiny I figured would become fairly popular. I didn’t. Not here, anyway.

Which brings me to today... I’ve been getting into X-Wing pretty heavily over the past few weeks. Reading rules, articles, listening to podcasts, watching videos and struggling through a buggy interface playing games (1.0 rules) on a web based site. I’m ready to start physically putting together some lists, but I’m worried I’m just gonna end up with yet another box of cards and models gathering dust in my closet.

I live on the border of Rockland County NY and Northern NJ and frequent Suffolk County LI, it’s not like I’m on a farm in Montana or something. I’ve already called Toywiz (a fairly large store in the area) and they told me that since 2.0 everyone stopped playing. Another store NJ claimed no one played there as well as major store in LI. It seems like the same old story.

Anyway, sorry for the long rant, it’s just frustrating. I’m of the mind that a game like this should be played with humans in a social setting, not Vassal or other tabletop emulators. Obviously people are playing the game(s), I just can’t seem to find anyone willing. Is anyone else in the same boat?

While there are isolated incidents of communities giving up X-Wing in the transition to 2.0, I think by and large it's still thriving most places? I don't know anything about your area, but I'd tend to think there's still a group playing somewhere... Best of luck!

Almost.

I really only get to play with my brother, once a month if I am lucky. My other brother and his son were supposed to be in on it too, but the nephew never really grew to like the game. This was in 1.0, and I have to admit the game was not in as good of shape back then, so listbuilding was often a disappointment for the nephew. Later, my brother's board gaming group got a few guys interested in XWM, and I would go over there after work to play. It kinda fractured the group, and when 2.0 dropped they just went back to the board games only.

Despite living in Chicagoland, there is not really a good local place to go. I spend enough time in rush hour traffic that another hour on the road for playtime basically isn't worth it. Also, I've never liked playing Standard, and mostly that's what you're stuck with in most stores.

So that brings me back down to just the bro. My glory days of 4-10 guys per game night at someone's house ended in the late '90s. XWM is more about me being on these boards and repainting minis than actually playing the **** game.

I finally might catch a break this winter. A game shop is going to open a satellite store one 'burb over from my work, and FFG looks to be working very hard to expand official play outside of the 200 vs. 200 Standard game.

I agree, though; gaming is about socializing, so I want to be hanging with some people. For similar reasons, I just want Beer-and-Pretzels XWM; hardliners getting reps in for tourney ain't my bag. Again, for a change, I think FFG has finally realized they need to support this section of the community better.

In any event, good luck. It's a great game, so I hope you can find a dial-spinnin' dice-chuckin' template-tossin' group to get into. BTW, there is a subforum for just that, in case you didn't know.

Maybe signal your interest to people in the area? You can use Facebook and any number of other platforms and do it easy and cheap. You just did something akin with your post here. Perhaps some players in your area will find you and be off to playing toghether.

Random idea: wonder if there is any chance to have like a shared googlemap that shows forum memebers' location. Im also struggling to find more people interested in the game in my area. Would come in handy.

Hang in there! I used to play X-Wing in Wyoming...

Had to drive one state over to get to the closest game store.

@K-2SO

I would work backwards on this.

Here is a list of recent and upcoming Hyperspace Trials: https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/op/x-wing/hyperspace-trials/

Now, there are some stores listed there in New Jersey, New York, etc., they may or may not be close to you, but they are going to be places that have an established X-Wing player base. People from other stores will go to that location to play at the trials. You should be able to call those stores and talk to the staff there and their locals and get an idea of other stores that may be more closer to your area that have an existing X-Wing player base.

22 minutes ago, LUZ_TAK said:

a shared googlemap that shows forum memebers' location

Pass... Let those who wish to be anonymous remain so. A map like that would make it allot easier to break their anonymity.

55 minutes ago, Hiemfire said:

Pass... Let those who wish to be anonymous remain so. A map like that would make it allot easier to break their anonymity.

It should certainly be opt-in, not by default.

As others suggested, create a X-Wing Facebook Group page for your area. Then go to the game stores you mentioned and ask the owner if you can post a "Players Wanted" flyer in their store. Be sure to put the X-Wing Facebook Group name/location on the flyer.

You only need one person to bite in order to get a game going. And you may be able to build a group from there.

1 hour ago, LUZ_TAK said:

Maybe signal your interest to people in the area? You can use Facebook and any number of other platforms and do it easy and cheap. You just did something akin with your post here. Perhaps some players in your area will find you and be off to playing toghether.

This actually raises a good question. I technically do have a Facebook account, but I never really use it and I know they keep changing things—which is honestly a big part of why I gave up on it.

Anyway: if I was going to try to use Facebook (or whatever else) as a way of connecting up with other local players... like, what would I do? And what should I try to avoid doing?

(Everyone feel free to point and laugh at the oldie)

You could create a Group, an Event or both. They are pretty straightforward. The event will require a date and place though.

I would start looking if someone else has already done either.

@CoffeeMinion

33 minutes ago, Scrivner said:

As others suggested, create a X-Wing Facebook Group page for your area. Then go to the game stores you mentioned and ask the owner if you can post a "Players Wanted" flyer in their store. Be sure to put the X-Wing Facebook Group name/location on the flyer.

You only need one person to bite in order to get a game going. And you may be able to build a group from there.

This isn't a terrible idea, for one.


I think I first found the local X-Wing players on Facebook just by searching for X-Wing groups. I'd gone to a couple tournaments by then, and followed several local game stores on Facebook for a bit, but I didn't really know any local players other than my friend whom I got into the game with.

And it's a big group. It covers all of the Kansas City MSA, plus I know there are at least a couple people from a couple hours away, who promote their events in the group occasionally. But it was extremely helpful to me in finding more people and eventually being able to go play once or twice a week with the same guy(s).

Star here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nycxwing/ , join the group, post and ask if they or anyone they know plays closer to you.

Or make a Discord account and join and ask same: https://discordapp.com/invite/eAKpBt3?fbclid=IwAR0Cf27ANDDrqJs-XTDcj56xC42PpR0BeWyA1fwGsOK9g7zcbTdNdiounG4

Post on the X-Wing subreddit that you’re looking for players with your location in the title.

1 hour ago, CoffeeMinion said:

This actually raises a good question. I technically do have a Facebook account, but I never really use it and I know they keep changing things—which is honestly a big part of why I gave up on it.

Anyway: if I was going to try to use Facebook (or whatever else) as a way of connecting up with other local players... like, what would I do? And what should I try to avoid doing?

(Everyone feel free to point and laugh at the oldie)

I cut my Facebook friends down to basically family. I only use it to “like” companies to get updates and for a few groups, again, for news about certain interests. Its a good way to see FFG announcements when they drop and FFG Organized Play also has an account that posts about tournaments and prizes.

5 hours ago, K-2SO said:

Maybe this belongs in organized play...?

Over the years I’ve purchased GOT, Armada and spent hundreds on Destiny. I figured the latter being new, everyone was on equal ground, so I heavily invested in my decks, however, like those before it, I never found a single store (within my traveling restraints) that had any fellow players.

I realize that Armada and GOT are more niche, so I couldn’t really fault anyone, but Destiny I figured would become fairly popular. I didn’t. Not here, anyway.

Which brings me to today... I’ve been getting into X-Wing pretty heavily over the past few weeks. Reading rules, articles, listening to podcasts, watching videos and struggling through a buggy interface playing games (1.0 rules) on a web based site. I’m ready to start physically putting together some lists, but I’m worried I’m just gonna end up with yet another box of cards and models gathering dust in my closet.

I live on the border of Rockland County NY and Northern NJ and frequent Suffolk County LI, it’s not like I’m on a farm in Montana or something. I’ve already called Toywiz (a fairly large store in the area) and they told me that since 2.0 everyone stopped playing. Another store NJ claimed no one played there as well as major store in LI. It seems like the same old story.

Anyway, sorry for the long rant, it’s just frustrating. I’m of the mind that a game like this should be played with humans in a social setting, not Vassal or other tabletop emulators. Obviously people are playing the game(s), I just can’t seem to find anyone willing. Is anyone else in the same boat?

Ah! A player in my old stomping grounds! GREETINGS! Toywiz was never big on X-Wing and was... super not friendly to newer players... or players outside their established clicks.... the employees of the store are amazing though. The store I play at is called Tier One Games in NJ, it's probably 20 minutes-ish from Toy Wiz. We play casual on Thursdays starting at 6 and we're going to open up Sundays to Epic/Scenario play when it drops. There's also Highlander Games which is roughly 30 minutes from Toy Wiz. Smaller store, but a more dedicated player group there. I think their X-Wing day is on Monday. If you'd like, there's a Facebook group for the area called RED DIE SQUADRON I've been a member of and I was just recently made an admin.

If you'd like more information, I can contact you via PM here with that

Always try before you buy, and that goes for communities too. Find out what the local game stores in your area are that carry x-wing and go there or call and find out if and when people play.

Brother’s Ghrim in Selden (Suffolk County) has a group

Thanks, everyone for the encouragement! I suppose FB and Reddit would yield the best results, but I’m not really on there. I guess I could create an account just for this reason, if it comes to that. I do have a Dischord, though. Never even thought to post about X-Wing there! Thanks @XPav

@kris40k ah great! I see a shop on there that’s very close to where I stay on LI. Looks like they are having a HT in a few weeks. Let me ask, do you think it’s a bad move for someone so new to the game to play in a HT?! I’d likley embarrass myself plowing into asteroids, but it would be a good experience. 😂

6 hours ago, Rouge Five said:

Brother’s Ghrim in Selden (Suffolk County) has a group

That’s the one on the list! I’ve actually been there a handful of times, but after calling like 6 stores I just gave up. Thanks for the heads up. Do you play there? Will you be at the HT on the 28th?

@Kehl_Aecea Awesome! That’s where I’m staying atm, in Mahwah, so both of those are perfect. Thanks!

1 hour ago, K-2SO said:

@kris40k ah great! I see a shop on there that’s very close to where I stay on LI. Looks like they are having a HT in a few weeks. Let me ask, do you think it’s a bad move for someone so new to the game to play in a HT?! I’d likley embarrass myself plowing into asteroids, but it would be a good experience. 😂

I think if you go into it with the idea that you are not there to win it, but to have a day of X-Wing and have a good time meeting people, you would be fine to go to it. I've met new players at tournaments before, and never had any problem playing with them.

Good point. If I can a couple of real games in and put together a physical squad before then, I’ll totally go.

I have A LOT of store credit at online retailer, but they are out of stock on core sets, so it’s kinda setting me back atm.

When second edition launched, we had a pretty strong X-Wing group in my area and we hosted a new player day that was advertised in our facebook group and in the store. There was about 3-4 people from our group who brought some beginner X-Wing setups and taught the game to anyone interested in trying it out. We ended up getting a few people to pick up the game and start playing from that.

Another decent idea is to host a furball event at the store. (Basically a 4-8 player single ship free for all event). Setup a small number of single ship builds and leave it open for anyone to jump in and play the game. X-Wing is a game that is pretty easy to learn and it is usually a lot of fun for people to play. If you advertise an event before hand you can usually get a few people to show up, and if you are playing a game with the ships and a sign saying anyone is welcome to play the miniatures alone can get people to sit down and try it out.

Highlander games in Boonton NJ has a great group of people that play x-wing. They typically meet up Wednesday nights and Sunday afternoons. I realize that's a little far from your exact location. There's a couple Facebook groups for your area l. I would suggest looking there.

6 hours ago, K-2SO said:

Looks like they are having a HT in a few weeks. Let me ask, do you think it’s a bad move for someone so new to the game to play in a HT?! I’d likley embarrass myself plowing into asteroids, but it would be a good experience. 😂

Believe it or not, you'll likely get a huge bang for your buck by playing at such an event. Even if you screw up every move and every action, you will come out with more practical knowledge and experience that will serve you in the future.

Prepare yourself:

• Check your list and components a day before the event. Make a checklist if you have to: Damage deck, Dice, templates, ships, bases, etc. etc....
• Keep a printout and/or a list on your smartphone (Launchbay Next).
• get some sleep!
• bring water, snacks and some lunch money
• at the event introduce yourself and your situation, " Hi I'm K-2SO. I haven't really played much against people face-to-face so if I get something wrong, call me out, I want to play the best game I can."
• Set proper expectations. Maybe you're a prodigy and will go 6 & 0, but more likely you'll be in the bottom half the first time out. No problem. My first Store Championship I was last place out of 36. It only made me want to get better. Another benefit was that it really took the pressure off the rest of the season that year. Last place was the worst I could do and it didn't kill me. Put in the time, put in the reps and you'll surprise yourself.
• Win or lose, shake your opponent's hand and say "Good game". Be a good sport; keep your emotions in check and applaud their good roles & maneuvers and commiserate when they blank out, pop on a rock or fly off the board.
• If you have time waiting for the game to begin, or after the match, ask questions about the game if you have any. Or in your particular case you might want to ask more about things like "I'm in __________, I haven't settled on a home store. Where do you usually play?" or "Are you familiar with Store X ? What's their community like?"

Maybe you're not on FB, reddit or whatever, that's fine, but I'd strongly encourage you to create an account strictly for X-wing and join a handful of local groups. If there are tournaments, store events or want to get a game going on an off night, or sell/buy ships, talk strategy--whatever--these are great tools. Fear not, you don't have to be tied to them. You can check in every couple of weeks and keep on top of things pretty easily if that suits your style.

Good luck in your first HS tournament! And as you can see, the community is a pretty good one, I hope you find it treats you well and that you become a positive force in it as well.

17 hours ago, K-2SO said:

Thanks, everyone for the encouragement! I suppose FB and Reddit would yield the best results, but I’m not really on there. I guess I could create an account just for this reason, if it comes to that. I do have a Dischord, though. Never even thought to post about X-Wing there! Thanks @XPav

@kris40k ah great! I see a shop on there that’s very close to where I stay on LI. Looks like they are having a HT in a few weeks. Let me ask, do you think it’s a bad move for someone so new to the game to play in a HT?! I’d likley embarrass myself plowing into asteroids, but it would be a good experience. 😂

That’s the one on the list! I’ve actually been there a handful of times, but after calling like 6 stores I just gave up. Thanks for the heads up. Do you play there? Will you be at the HT on the 28th?

@Kehl_Aecea Awesome! That’s where I’m staying atm, in Mahwah, so both of those are perfect. Thanks!

Their Facebook page lists their events. The HT was moved to October 12/13. I was going to go, but I have an event the night before and would then need to drive 4 hours to get there. Used to live there, now live in PA.