As I play more games, the more I notice obsticales becoming less and less part of the game. The range 2 spacing from the edge at 100 points makes them almost not part of the game anymore. It's just 3-4 ships going up the edge for an alpha strike and then k-turning. Rinse repeat. I mean sometimes people turn into the middle but it just seems like a range 1 space from edge would be more healthy for the game.

I know TIE swarm has to worry about the obsticles more, I just haven't had the experience of fighting against it as most of my opponents always play rebels.

This is from my experience, I could be totally off base here but let me know what you all have experienced with this.

Yea way off. Asteroids tend to be the late game fun time part when the better player will navigate the asteroids better than their opponent.

I believe the objects are placed at range 3 from the edges of the play area and at least range 1 from each other.

I think obstacles are one of those components of the game that will always be useful. There isn't much of a downside to using them unless you are the less skilled pilot in the match.

If my opponent is going to fly around the edge of the board like that, I'm going to come across from the middle of the field and hit them from the flank where they can't fire back. The player that's good at maneuvering around obstacles and using them to their advantage will have the advantage.

I believe the objects are placed at range 3 from the edges of the play area and at least range 1 from each other.

I think obstacles are one of those components of the game that will always be useful. There isn't much of a downside to using them unless you are the less skilled pilot in the match.

Even when deftly avoided, obstacle placing limits your movement possibilities, which makes you more predictable.

In a tournament setting, arranging the Asteroid Field how I want it gives me major early-game disruption, if I can predict how they'll place their fleet.

If you think they're near pointless, try playing a game with them against a fleet, then without them against the same fleet. The two games will go in entirely different directions.

It sounds like you have some space marine players here...

It's just 3-4 ships going up the edge for an alpha strike and then k-turning. Rinse repeat.

Flying like that can get you destroyed by someone who is good at flying though the rocks. They'd set you up to get shot at from the side so you can't shot back. If you did get a shot it would likely be though a rock so they'd get a +1 defense die.

It's just 3-4 ships going up the edge for an alpha strike and then k-turning. Rinse repeat.

It sounds like you and the people you play with do not understand how to use asteroids to disrupt your opponent's flight plan. Asteroids are great for breaking up enemy formations (especially when they have range-based abilities, e.g., Biggs, Howlrunner). They are also good for ducking behind for cover.

Especially if you aren't flying any big ships, I recommend that you trying coming at your opponent through the asteroid field next game and see how it affects positioning.

They certainly make an impact and it is lessened a little by their current placement rules but I would like to see more obstacles than just asteroids. They make and break my day all the time.

I believe the objects are placed at range 3 from the edges of the play area and at least range 1 from each other.

I think obstacles are one of those components of the game that will always be useful. There isn't much of a downside to using them unless you are the less skilled pilot in the match.

Nope, it's range 2 from the edge.

I suspect the "range 3" idea comes from people placing asteroids 1 range unit into the allowable area which then keeps other asteroids from being placed closer to the edge.

If you don't know how to use them then they will be nothing but trouble for you but if you know how to make them work then you have the advantage.

I use them to my advantage... and I win. Fly right into the asteroid field and then use my superior "spacial" awareness keep my ships alive.

One thing we are looking at is at the end of the turn move the asteriods randomly in some direction, makes life exciting.

I don't particularly like random. I do like the idea of asteroids with momentum though. So they always move the same way. So I'm making up some asteroid bases with movement slots in them.

I don't particularly like random. I do like the idea of asteroids with momentum though.

What I've done is give each of them a vector, but they come in from a random table edge when they leave play.

I don't particularly like random. I do like the idea of asteroids with momentum though.

What I've done is give each of them a vector, but they come in from a random table edge when they leave play.

Exactly what I thought..

Asteroids are awesome. My group rarely fights around the edge - one side or the other has to navigate at least part of the field. I won a recent event because of where the fight occurred through careful selection of where I placed my guys and where I engaged...

personally i think asteroids should not be in the tournament games. The only part in one of the movies that actually had asteroids was the falcon trying to evade a imperial star destroyer. I'm sure there were more battles in EU that had some asteroids around than just that one instance, I think we would all agree that most battles were fought over worlds or middle of empty space without an asteroid in sight.

Anyways, disregarding my personal opinion on not having them in the game period: I do think that having asteroids on the tabletop spices up gameplay. Another element that you have to consider and plan for while engaging enemy fighters.

Simple solution to the "edge runners", run the asteroids from left to right with no edge space so you have to fight through them. I think that was the intention of the things in the first place. What's the point of asteroids on the table if you're going to fly around the outside all the time?

Their inclusion makes for something different. I play Battlefleet Gothic, and we NEVER have a blank table, There's always something floating around, be it asteroids, gaseous clouds, or whatever. It's all about using the "terrain" to your advantage.

Actually Obi-Wan was chasing Jango Fett through asetroids. I like the vector idea with them coming back on the map. As far as asteroids in tournament games, if a rules is in the game then it should be in the tournament, otherwise you are changing the real flavor of the game. some rules may slow down play, but the idea of winning a tournament is to master the game, not just a part of it.

I don't particularly like random. I do like the idea of asteroids with momentum though. So they always move the same way. So I'm making up some asteroid bases with movement slots in them.

Whenever the subject comes up (and I can be bothered to reply) I always advocate for asteroids moving in a fixed direction.

It just occurred to me, however, that it's a very "2-dimensional" approach. Maybe a third of the asteroids on the table should be legitimately random to portray the rocks hurtling in from above and below the table...

It's a logistical nightmare, no two ways about it, and it doesn't even do a good job of modelling 3D space, but if you're looking to get all nutty with the flying rocks...

(edited for spelling fail)

Does it feel like there are more edge runners after Top 8 videos this year. There was a lot of Edge running in the top 8 (maybe only 4).

I can look at a table, see the organic flow of the minis, and see where potential battles will take place, just based on how I set up. Eventually, you should be able to do the same. Think less of how you will react to an emeny, and more how you want the battle to go so you can start dictating how and when things happen. It is hard to explain, but I take about 10 seconds to put my dials down because almost the entire battle is fought in my head before the first dice is cast. The only variable is how many of my ships die in the process and that changes the organic nature of the battle.

Tl;Dr obstacles themselves can dictate how a battle happens. Seeing which asteroids are important is a learned skill.

When you arrange the board, you arrange your opponent's mind. Chew that over a bit.

without obstacles, imperials have an advantage when the points are the same, as they have the full range of maneuver options while the rebels do not have anything that remotely comes close, not even Awings. Also, the strength of the rebel's turrets are diminished, since you cannot hide behind asteroids and use them, or abuse the firing arcs to hit someone with a clear shot while he has to hit you back through an asteroid. Also, ion turrets/cannons are not as strong as there are no asteroids to force your opponents onto.

there are many many lists in this game that will demolish the opponent if there were going head on. Lists like multiple Ywings, 3 elites etc often depend on hiding behind asteroids and breaking up your opponent's formation in order to win. Take away the asteroids, suddenly the battle has gone from "uphill" to "require perfect dice rolls all the time"