So, I pulled out my tape measure, a roll of scotch tape, and a mostly depleted pack of computer paper. Using these tools I put together a 3x3 play field for use at home. Mostly cause I can't afford to buy an official battle mat right now. You know, Christmas is expensive these days. Anyway, now I have a game lined up for Sunday. And boy is it a doozie. 700 points per player, running Atmospheric Entry. I'm supplying both sides of the battle, and the entire goal was "field every ship in collection for one battle". This is going to be... chaotic. I can already tell. Anyway, we spent the last couple hours working on our lists and assembling ship bases in prep for Sunday's match. Here are the forces, we haven't decided who will run which faction yet.

Rebel Alliance

Braylen Stramm (51)
Collision Detector (6)
Heavy Laser Cannon (4)
Proton Torpedoes (13)

Wedge Antilles (55)
Proton Torpedoes (13)
Munitions Failsafe (1)
Servomotor S-Foils (0)

Alderaanian Guard (146)
Targeting Battery (9)
Turbolaser Battery (15)
Lando Calrissian (2)
Leia Organa (6)
Agile Gunner (8)
Damage Control Team (3)
Boosted Scanners (8)
Liberator (5)

Norra Wexley (41)
Ion Cannon Turret (5)
Adv. Proton Torpedoes (6)
R5-D8 (6)
Shield Upgrade (4)
Proximity Mines (6)
Skilled Bombardier (2)

Luke Skywalker (62)
Proton Torpedoes (13)
Afterburners (6)
Servomotor S-Foils (0)

Han Solo (82)
Trick Shot (4)
Millennium Falcon (6)

Hera Syndulla (73)
Ion Cannon Turret (5)
Ghost (0)

AP-5 (32)
Phantom (2)
Total: 700

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

Galactic Empire

(Darth Vader is leading a Wing consisting of Del Meeko, Wampa, and Gideon Hask)

Darth Vader (67)
Concussion Missiles (6)
Agent of the Empire (4)

Del Meeko (30)

“Wampa” (30)

Gideon Hask (30)

Outer Rim Patrol (150)
Stalwart Captain (6)
Proton Torpedoes (13)
Concussion Missiles (6)
Ordnance Tubes (2)
Targeting Battery (9)
Bombardment Specialists (6)
Gunnery Specialists (8)
Boosted Scanners (8)
Corvus (3)

Tempest Squadron Pilot (38)
Collision Detector (6)
Cluster Missiles (5)
Munitions Failsafe (1)

Patrol Leader (68)
Adv. Proton Torpedoes (6)
Perceptive Copilot (8)
GNK “Gonk” Droid (10)
Agent Kallus (5)
Fifth Brother (9)
Proton Bombs (5)
Tactical Scrambler (2)
Dauntless (4)

Storm Squadron Ace (40)
Collision Detector (6)

Seventh Sister (43)
Collision Detector (6)

“Duchess” (42)
Trick Shot (4)
Skilled Bombardier (2)
Proximity Mines (6)
Stealth Device (6)
Total: 700

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

We're expecting the match to take a few hours (minimum), and I'll be documenting how it goes. But I foresee lots of chaos, and quite possibly both of us running over ships due to the battle field being crowded.

8 hours ago, Faerie1979 said:

quite possibly both of us running over ships

As long as it's not with your car 😜

Getting the table prepped today... And uhm... there might not be enough room on the table for the cards. O.o Might have to print off the lists and use those to run the battle instead. Just the raider has nine upgrades. And each faction list is 8 to 10 ships. I used Fly Casual to do a quick test to see how crowded the field was likely to be, and it *might* not be as bad as I feared.

To start with, I ended up playing the Galactic Empire as player 1. Mind you, I've only really flown Tie Fighter LN. I've flown against pretty much every Empire ship I own, but I've only actually used the Tie Fighter LN. As such, I was going in blind for what sort of tactics to use. I decided to give my Objective tokens to Darth Vader's Wing. Vader himself had 2 of them, and the other 4 were split between the 3 tie fighters that were Vader's wingmen. My theory was that Vader could drag his Wing to the exit fairly rapidly using force powers and Afterburners. I had planned to use the rest of my forces as a hammer and anvil to keep my opponent's forces busy.

We diced off for 1st Player, 3 green dice each with the most number of Evades getting the token. I had the dubious honor of winning. Not sure if it was an advantage or not.

And might I add, trying to fit 10 ships including a Huge ship, Large ship, and a Wing into the player 1 starting area feels a bit cramped. We took turns setting up, at which point I realized that my opponant only had one ship with an Init lower then 4 (other then the CR-90), and it was starting off docked. I chose to have my Storm Squadron and Tempest Squadron pilots start off docked with the Corvus, my Raider. Not so much because I felt it would be a tactical advantage, although it was, but because my deployment area was already cramped and I wasn't done deploying yet.

Once deployment was finished (pics below) we were about to start when both of our stomaches growled rather loudly. So we held off and got something to eat first. We both planned our maneuvers while waiting for the pizza. Then it arrived, so we set the game aside for the moment. Once lunch was over it was time for...

Round One:
My Devastator made a hard turn to the right, narrowly avoiding a debris field. Then decided to reinforce the front shields. My Tie Advanced V1 shot forward and focused. This meant I was done with Init 4 ships (all my init 1 ships were in a Wing with Vader and the init 2 and 3 ships were docked). So my opponant revealed a 3 forward blue maneuver for Braylen. And realizing Braylen was now in the possible path of his own captial ship, he linked a focus into red barrel roll.

For init 5 ships I used Duchess's ship ability to boost forward in a left bank, then zipped forward with a 3 strait. At which point Duchess target locked the Y wing. Said Y Wing banked forward and acquired lock on Duchess in turn Hera also tried a graceful 3 bank maneuver, only to fly through a debris field and hit a couple ships. No damage from the debris field though.

Vader ordered his wing to follow, and banked to the right. Del Meeko couldn't quite keep up, and flew through a debris field to boot. Everyone else was relieved to still be in position, thus not at risk of a force choak. Vader Locked Braylen, then used the force to Focus. At this point we both remembered to set out all the force, charge, and shield tokens we need for our ships. Due to how cluttered the table was with upgrade and pilot cards, we opted to deploy shield tokens as they are depleted to conserve space. His remaining wing mates focused. Han moved up, and proved he's not as good a pilot as he claimed by running into an ally. At which point my opponent noticed he'd forgotten to move Luke. So Skywalker flew forward and acquired a lock on the Devastator.

The Corvus moved up and acquired lock on Luke Skywalker, who was the current Hunted target. Also reinforced into a calculate. The CR-90 banked left, reinforced into a calculate, and focused. All told, the center of the battle field was looking rather chaotic.

Round One Engagement:
Pretty much every shot blanked out or got negated via spending Force or Focus. And because of the shear number of ships on the field we realized each round was taking entirely too long. Heck, round one (up to just before our capital ships could shoot) took 3 hours due to how many ships were on the field and having to constantly check and recheck upgrades.

At this point we called the game as a draw, and concluded that "field everything in collection" might sound fun, but it's actually more tedious then anything. Maybe if it was a 2v2 where each player controlled half of the ships on a given side it would have been managable, but 1v1 with that many ships on the field? It proved to be too much.

I did a some maths on what it would take to field my collection, and I don't think 1400 points would do it... I only play scum.

Yeah, if everything was heavily upgraded then 700 points wouldn't have been enough for my rebel alliance collection, even though it's slightly smaller then my galactic empire collection. We put together the Rebel list, found it was 650 points or so, and bumped it up to 700 and added more upgrades. Which in turn meant that the Empire list was able to pile on max or nearly max upgrades due to many of the ships costing half as much.

34 minutes ago, Faerie1979 said:

Yeah, if everything was heavily upgraded then 700 points wouldn't have been enough for my rebel alliance collection, even though it's slightly smaller then my galactic empire collection. We put together the Rebel list, found it was 650 points or so, and bumped it up to 700 and added more upgrades. Which in turn meant that the Empire list was able to pile on max or nearly max upgrades due to many of the ships costing half as much.

No I mean, 1400 points probably wouldn't leave me much room for naked all-generics, let alone named pilots or upgrades. Let's see...

IG-88B (64)
Ship total: 64 Half Points: 32 Threshold: 4

IG-88D (64)
Ship total: 64 Half Points: 32 Threshold: 4

Crymorah Goon (31)
Ship total: 31 Half Points: 16 Threshold: 4

Freighter Captain (46)
Ship total: 46 Half Points: 23 Threshold: 6

L3-37 (Escape Craft) (26)
Ship total: 26 Half Points: 13 Threshold: 2

Zealous Recruit (44)
Ship total: 44 Half Points: 22 Threshold: 2

Zealous Recruit (44)
Ship total: 44 Half Points: 22 Threshold: 2

Zealous Recruit (44)
Ship total: 44 Half Points: 22 Threshold: 2

Zealous Recruit (44)
Ship total: 44 Half Points: 22 Threshold: 2

Bounty Hunter (64)
Ship total: 64 Half Points: 32 Threshold: 5

Bounty Hunter (64)
Ship total: 64 Half Points: 32 Threshold: 5

Gand Findsman (41)
Ship total: 41 Half Points: 21 Threshold: 5

Spice Runner (31)
Ship total: 31 Half Points: 16 Threshold: 3

Contracted Scout (44)
Ship total: 44 Half Points: 22 Threshold: 5

Cartel Marauder (38)
Ship total: 38 Half Points: 19 Threshold: 3

Cartel Marauder (38)
Ship total: 38 Half Points: 19 Threshold: 3

Cartel Marauder (38)
Ship total: 38 Half Points: 19 Threshold: 3

Shadowport Hunter (58)
Ship total: 58 Half Points: 29 Threshold: 5

Cartel Executioner (43)
Ship total: 43 Half Points: 22 Threshold: 5

Cartel Executioner (43)
Ship total: 43 Half Points: 22 Threshold: 5

Cartel Spacer (28)
Ship total: 28 Half Points: 14 Threshold: 2

Cartel Spacer (28)
Ship total: 28 Half Points: 14 Threshold: 2

Cartel Spacer (28)
Ship total: 28 Half Points: 14 Threshold: 2

Cartel Spacer (28)
Ship total: 28 Half Points: 14 Threshold: 2

Cartel Spacer (28)
Ship total: 28 Half Points: 14 Threshold: 2

Mining Guild Sentry (24)
Ship total: 24 Half Points: 12 Threshold: 2

Mining Guild Sentry (24)
Ship total: 24 Half Points: 12 Threshold: 2

Jakku Gunrunner (32)
Ship total: 32 Half Points: 16 Threshold: 3

Jakku Gunrunner (32)
Ship total: 32 Half Points: 16 Threshold: 3

Jakku Gunrunner (32)
Ship total: 32 Half Points: 16 Threshold: 3

Lok Revenant (45)
Ship total: 45 Half Points: 23 Threshold: 5

Black Sun Enforcer (46)
Ship total: 46 Half Points: 23 Threshold: 3

Black Sun Enforcer (46)
Ship total: 46 Half Points: 23 Threshold: 3

Trandoshan Slaver (54)
Ship total: 54 Half Points: 27 Threshold: 6

Binayre Pirate (24)
Ship total: 24 Half Points: 12 Threshold: 2

Binayre Pirate (24)
Ship total: 24 Half Points: 12 Threshold: 2


Total: 1432

PS: I also have a C-ROC but not an epic conversion kit yet.

Yeah... My collection of a given faction (all 2 of them) is a lot more modest then that. One or two of each currently released for 2.0 ship for Rebel Alliance and Empire, 3 each for Tie Advanced and Tie Fighter/LN. Oh, and a Raider.

36 minutes ago, Faerie1979 said:

Yeah... My collection of a given faction (all 2 of them) is a lot more modest then that. One or two of each currently released for 2.0 ship for Rebel Alliance and Empire, 3 each for Tie Advanced and Tie Fighter/LN. Oh, and a Raider.

It was mostly a comment on my own madness.

Just for ***** and giggles I upgraded it, with a "slim but effective" mindset, and ended up on 1800 points on the dot. So I guess 900 points per side.

The idea of fielding your entire armada in one match is appealing. Just not practical, apparently.

23 hours ago, Faerie1979 said:

Pretty much every shot blanked out or got negated via spending Force or Focus. And because of the shear number of ships on the field we realized each round was taking entirely too long. Heck, round one (up to just before our capital ships could shoot) took 3 hours due to how many ships were on the field and having to constantly check and recheck upgrades.

At this point we called the game as a draw, and concluded that "field everything in collection" might sound fun, but it's actually more tedious then anything. Maybe if it was a 2v2 where each player controlled half of the ships on a given side it would have been managable, but 1v1 with that many ships on the field? It proved to be too much.

A couple of things if you decide to try again:

1. Use generics with a couple of aces. Yes, if each ship is tricked out separately, you will spend way too much time reading cards. Make up a couple of Heroic Aces, then field generics ALL KITTED OUT THE SAME WAY. That way, a half dozen ships all can do the same thing, then the only thing to keep track of separately per ship is damage and ordnance use. (I realize this may not be realistic for you, given that your fleet is basically one-of-everything, but what you could do is run more ships naked, just to get them all on the table.)

2. I'm not sure why you insisted on 3x3, especially sans mat. You could have taped out 3x4, or even 3x5. It would have given more room, allowed for more maneuvering, and felt a little more dramatic. Of course, you'll want more obstacles. . .

I have played 300 point 1.0 epic for years on 3x6. Basically, that's 600 points in 2.0. Usually we get 4-5 rounds done in 3 hours--enough that even if we don't finish, it's pretty obvious who is gonna win.

On 12/16/2019 at 2:33 PM, Darth Meanie said:

1. Use generics with a couple of aces. Yes, if each ship is tricked out separately, you will spend way too much time reading cards. Make up a couple of Heroic Aces, then field generics ALL KITTED OUT THE SAME WAY. That way, a half dozen ships all can do the same thing, then the only thing to keep track of separately per ship is damage and ordnance use. (I realize this may not be realistic for you, given that your fleet is basically one-of-everything, but what you could do is run more ships naked, just to get them all on the table.)

A bigger issue for this is the limit on how many copies of a given upgrade card there are available. We ended up having to revise the lists on account of there not being enough Proton Torpedoes, for example, for both lists at the same time. Which yeah, it got some upgrades that we don't normally consider to see use.

On 12/16/2019 at 2:33 PM, Darth Meanie said:

2. I'm not sure why you insisted on 3x3, especially sans mat. You could have taped out 3x4, or even 3x5. It would have given more room, allowed for more maneuvering, and felt a little more dramatic. Of course, you'll want more obstacles. . .

Table size, really. The corners are rounded (without the extension in it's almost a circle). With the extension in there's a 3.5 foot by 3.5 foot space where a mat or 3x3 kitbashed battle field can fit. Sure, length wise a 3x6 field would fit. But the corners would be hanging off in the air.

7 hours ago, Faerie1979 said:

We ended up having to revise the lists on account of there not being enough Proton Torpedoes, for example, for both lists at the same time. Which yeah, it got some upgrades that we don't normally consider to see use.

That's good, but. . .

Quote

A bigger issue for this is the limit on how many copies of a given upgrade card there are available.

Screw that. Use an online builder, then print and play. Infinite copies of all cards, and a whole lot faster to set up/tear down than dealing with cards.

21 hours ago, Darth Meanie said:

Screw that. Use an online builder, then print and play. Infinite copies of all cards, and a whole lot faster to set up/tear down than dealing with cards.

After realizing there might not be enough space for the cards, I did plan to do that. Only to realize after printing off the first list that I'm too low on printer ink, and can't afford to get more yet. I also have the opinion that one shouldn't build a list if they can't actually field it. Meaning that if I don't actually have the upgrade cards needed for a list, it's not a valid list. Not as much of a problem when only fielding my own forces. Only having 3 Proton Torpedoes, for example, isn't so bad if you only have 3 or 4 ships that can even use them. But if I'm supplying forces for my opponent too, limited supplies are a thing.

4 hours ago, Faerie1979 said:

After realizing there might not be enough space for the cards, I did plan to do that. Only to realize after printing off the first list that I'm too low on printer ink, and can't afford to get more yet. I also have the opinion that one shouldn't build a list if they can't actually field it. Meaning that if I don't actually have the upgrade cards needed for a list, it's not a valid list. Not as much of a problem when only fielding my own forces. Only having 3 Proton Torpedoes, for example, isn't so bad if you only have 3 or 4 ships that can even use them. But if I'm supplying forces for my opponent too, limited supplies are a thing.

You do you, but. . .

On ‎12‎/‎15‎/‎2019 at 3:12 PM, Faerie1979 said:

At this point we called the game as a draw, and concluded that "field everything in collection" might sound fun, but it's actually more tedious then anything.

. . .I would like to point out for others (especially players new to epic} reading this that the tedium might be of your making.

Big Game X-Wing is awesome, but you need to make some concessions to the format. It's NOT really standard X-wing with extra ships. So following the fun might involve bending the rules about having cards. Especially if folks with smaller collections want to play bigger games.

But I will admit that my overall attitude is that the only Official Component that matters is the dial. Print a list with any cards you want; peg a 3D printed Colonial Viper repaint and call it an A-wing. Those are just cosmetic changes; we are still playing XWM by the rules.

Entire collection at 700 points???? BWAHAHAHAHAHA!! Current inventory shows 254 ships. I run a lot of convention games with multiple players per side and use only my ships. I don't even want to think how many thousands of points it would be to field everything.

15 hours ago, Wolfshead said:

Entire collection at 700 points???? BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!

That's...really not constructive. I'm sure you mean well, but it comes across as unkind. We should be rejoicing in new people joining the game, not laughing at their starter collections.

14 minutes ago, Parakitor said:

That's...really not constructive. I'm sure you mean well, but it comes across as unkind. We should be rejoicing in new people joining the game, not laughing at their starter collections.

The dangers of communicating via text and posting late at night. You lose much of the intent and all body language.

Seriously, I know several people who have collections under a thousand points and would not consider that a "starter" collection. Focused would probably be more accurate. As opposed to my massive (and frankly overdone) collection. I ended up buying a few sets just for some of the lesser ships, but ended up with large numbers of the more common ships. I had intended my post to be more poking fun at myself for having way too many ships to even think about doing something like this.

Try a full-collection game with only generic pilots, using "elite" generics for wing leaders only, and no upgrades unless they are integral to the ship identity (like turrets on y-wings and such). Should be way simpler to set up and play.

What I enjoyed was 750 per side in first edition, now about 1500 per side, I can’t wait to buy a huge ship conversion kit