Generally the first game was for show. We kept getting looks and some interest. The second game got an audience about half way though.

The general feeling is that the game is a very light (easy setup and play), clean (not overly complicated bogged down with rules and rolling) and fun game. Everyone felt you NEED more ships than the basic game. They only had 1 Falcon, 1 Firespray, 1 Interceptor and 1 A Wing. Hence the qualification. So there's interest in a game they can't purchase (except via the internet). A few people did have their own Core Set.

First Imperials ruled the day, as several of the people at BBG predicted. No asteroids either game (my mistake).

Game 1 - Simple Demo

Rebellion - 50 Pts

2 x Rookie + Torp

Imperial - 50 Pts

2 x Academy

2 x Obsidian

This was to be a simple game showing different PS, maneuvers, torpedoes, etc… The Imperial force coordinated far better than I expected them to for their first game. The rebels only got off one torp. It looked like there might actually be a battle, but alas no. They swarmed on the first X Wing and left the other on the defensive. 1 Tie died before the other three just took him out. Sad but fun for the imperial player.

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GAME 2

Rebellion - 100 Pts

Garven Dreis + R2-D2 (30)

Dutch Vander w/ ICT (28)

Rookie Pilot (21)

Rookie Pilot (21)

Imperial - 100

Darth Vader + Squad Leader (31)

Howlrunner + Stealth Device (21)

Academy Pilot (12)

Alpha Squadron Pilot (18)

Alpha Squadron Pilot (18)

This turned out much closer. Both sides started in a formation. The Imperials in a V (open end toward enemy). It looked like the Rebels were going down the side to flank and the Imperials from the opposite corner was coming straight for them.

After the first move the Rebels turned right into the Imperials completely messing up the Imperial Formation. Howlrunner was RIGHT in front of the Rebels with 3 (three) target locks on him. Vader after his initial move ended up in two Rebels firing arcs and none in his. So he gave and action to Howlrunner (now Howlrunner had evade, focus and stealth) and barrel rolled into the mix so he (Vader) could get a shot.

Big mistake. No one even bothered with Howlrunner, everyone directed their fire toward Vader and ended up taking him out.

The next turn everyone turned into Howlrunner's rear flank. He took an Ion shot setting him up. The Rebels were able to take him out loosing one X Wing in the process. Things looked good for the Rebels or so they thought.

This left the Rebels out of position to the disarrayed but still able to fire Imperials who quickly dispatched the second and last Rookie.

So far Dutch Vander in his Y Wing had proven to be more effective than one might have thought. Vander had done well in a tight formation (later his doom) now however and quite unfortunately this left his less than maneuverable Y Wing separated and alone. After dealing damage most of the game, giving target locks and whittling down the Imperial force before he died he finally succumb to superior firepower and maneuverability.

This left Garven Dreis alone and on the run in a single X Wing. Mostly untouched during the game he now took a few hits and gave as good as he got taking down another Tie Fighter. He made two big mistakes; one was taking two green maneuvers back to back in an attempt to regain shields. He knew he couldn't out run the Imperial Fighter and Interceptor, he thought, incorrectly, it was worth the risk. The other mistake which had gotten him to this point was not spending the focus when he had the chance. Thinking he was about to get hit again, which he did, he saved it and ended up not rolling a single Eye which would have allowed him to use the focus. Then by taking the green maneuvers he was simply setting himself up. Getting off a final shot without even hitting he died to the cheers of the Imperial Supporters.

It is generally thought that Vader didn't die but simply spun out of control off the board possibly on his way to the Death Star. Dutch was able to eject and waited until after the battle to turn on his distress beacon. Neither realizing that they would face each other again.