I'll stick with my hotzmat for $25. FFG should focus on expansion packs and the like, this part of the market is covered.

I like them. Edges being a problem is easy to fix, colour the edges black, that should cut down on obviousness between the light cardboard and black surface. As to surface slipperyness, just coat them in a non slip laquer on the tops, and underneath something as simple as a strip of non-slip material along each undrside edge.

Having said all tht, these are all things that FFG should've done, and then priced them at $40 - $45 a set.

I also hope these are just the beggining. Planet surfaces would be cool…. Bespin (cloud cars), Yavin, Death Star, Star Destroyer surface, Coruscant…. so many possibilities.

Cheers

These boards remind me of the Gamesworkshop boxed game Space Fleet, It came with 9 boards with planets and stuff printed on them, I have 3 sets and I dont use them for X-wing as I see X-wing as having moved on from the distant past, so 3D terrain is required not a re-jig of something from the past.

Poor show on FFG's part, too expensive, too1980's and poor effort all round.

Inksplat said:

I think you're reading more scorn into comments on this tile set than is there. You don't like my Hubble mat, great. I do. And I don't think this set is terrible, I just like what I've already got. You can call them garish or gaudy, but that's your tastes, and mine are different.

My main concern with either vinyl or these new boards will be the grip afforded to the minis. Between the felt I use now and the washers I glue into the recesses of my bases, I get pretty solid movement and placement in my current games.

Someone said something about a nonstick lacquer, can you recommend a brand?

they need to give the stores free copies to demo so people can see that they're not going to suck

Anakronox said:

Good point. If there are only nine, foot-long tiles out there, bumping's probably not going ot be a huge thing. Especially where I play, because there is a buffer zone at the edge of the table for players to place their components. In regular tournament play, there really isn't much chance for bumping, and it probably won't be any worse than when somebody accidentally knocks a ship over to half a parsec from where it was.

My two local stores will be acquiring them, so I am excited to try them out for myself.

@Hothie: Interesting point of view on the tournament legality due to the lines. I wonder how much of an advantage eyeballing the distance using lines as a reference will confer.

They look decent to me. I like the idea that they are modular, so I could have a different map each game. I also like that the Death Star is included in the backdrop.

Not sure I'd buy them, as I already have three custom maps (two plain star fields and a Death Star trench that is 3'x6'), and a felt one that I made myself. Seems like a decent offering though. Hopefully we'll get other stuff down the pipe, like packs of new pilot cards!

Ok I thought this was a bit cheesy at first but after looking at some better pictures of it, it’s starting to grow on me. I have one 3’x4’ home made mat and one 3’x3’ GF9 space battle mat and to me the tiles have that Star Wars star filed look to it. I think I will get a set of tiles.

"It's a money trap!!!!!"

I already own a hotz mat and a gf9 mat. And I am getting these tile as well. I like the look and the diversity.

And as hothie already mentioned the possibility, I'm hoping for more waves.

As for the hubble images: I personally don't like them. To much going on there, too much colour. I can't get the slightest Star Wars vibe / feel with those mats.

yeah,
I'm buying this because I think it's neat and I'm hoping for a series inc DeathStar surface map!

Panic…

I wonder if a coat of clear Plastidip could take these from a maybe to a must have. I like the idea of the tiles for an easily portable play surface with some gameplay implications.If the addition of the rubber coating keeps the minis and tiles from easily being slid around that could be a win. Of course, that is also counting on the clear coat actually being reasonably clear in the first place.

What do you think of this? With tiles you could have an infinite playing field for casual play. If a ship nears the edge just take a tile from the other side and add it to where you want to move then slide the whole set of tiles over to the side you took the tiles from to keep the playing surface in a 3x3 or 4x4 area. It would be kind of like a conveyer belt that moves on an X Y axis. It’s just a thought.

Boomer_J said:

I agree that would be a fun idea for casual play.

So, here's what you do: wait a year after they have released. Since most of the people on here aren't going to buy them, FFG will have massive overstock. Find someplace that is clearancing them out, buy a ton of them for cheap, then tile your bathroom with them!!!! How sweet would that be?!?!?! Hmm, maybe I'll do the wall in my son's room…

Heh…I had already thought of that Hothie!

Amongst a SEA of bitching and whining, I will stand up and say: I think they're a great idea! Modular gaming surfaces for interesting aesthetics, portable (they're just a foot square, jeez), and $40 is just MSRP; expect about $27 @ Miniatures Market, f'rinstance. I feel like FFG listened to all the folks wanting a gaming surface, and tried to give it a one-up. But no one's ever happy.

As to knocking them around, you have to be careful with this game inherently, and not move like a drunken cow so you're bumping the maneuver templates & ships around. I don't see it as a magor problem.

I'm genuinely excited about it. I'll definitely get MINE, as soon as they come out.

Panic said:

GF9 already has that covered for the same price.

My problem with the tile set up is makes it easier for some people to use the lines where the tiles sit next to each other to measure distances for movement and positioning. That's why I prefer playing on a single piece playing surface.

yeah,

zathras23 said:

The GF9 deathstar map looks like a messy ****!
Also 3rd party product for the same price as an official product!? just proves that GF9 are over charging while there is a gap in the market.

zathras23 said:

The tile lines will only helps if a person has premeasured what the lines mean against templates and ranges in game.

Which you can do with any map that has markings!

Panic…

40 bucks? 30 bucks? Heck 15 bucks is too expensive for something like this when I've got fighters that I still need.

I'll stick with the 3' by 3' black felt cutout that I stole from my wife's sewing and arts and crafts pile….all that cost me was a quick squeeze of the hand and a peck on her cheek! (awwww….bleh!)

I always sort of snicker at products like this anyway. Official OR third party ones. It's an obvious money grab. Give me stuff that REALLY enhances my game.

….however….I did buy the Star Wars Dice app, but my rolling sucks and I feel better using it. Nice app….so really, who the 'F' am I to disparage this product!

Hehe.

Panic said:

Hmmm, you say that GF9 is overcharging for their map but have no problem paying the same price for a map that is made from a cheaper and less durable material (cardstock vs vinyl)? I've played on the GF9 matt and thought it was perfectly fine in looks as well as function.

I think it's kinda cool. I like the idea of easily building a 3x3 board and swapping different tiles, but I share others' concerns that the pieces could slide apart a bit during a game, and the pieces make it easy to estimate movements.

It feels like this sort of thing should have come out shortly after the game's official launch, maybe by November. Everyone who wants a playing surface has one or will have one by the third quarter of this year. I already bought some high-quality felt from a fabric shop that does the basic job for me, and $40 seems way too high for this. I'd pay $15 or $20 for it at most if I were interested in it.

Danthrax said:

Another concern I have with the tiles is how durable the artwork is on the surface. We've had complaints from players about the artwork rubbing off of the maneuver dial with usage and if they're using the same process for the boards I can see this happening with repeated usage to the side that is down on the table.

A few soft clips down the joins of edge tiles will hold it. Plus putting it on the on slip side of curtain black out lining will help and stop scratche.

I don't like tiles but am holding judgment til I see the artwork first hand.