What if you could change a number of upgrade cards in a tournament?

You would still have to keep your ships the same and the total squad point value the same.

There would be a restriction on the number of upgrade cards you could change, maybe up to 10pts. You could not exceed the normal 100pt squad point limit.

This would allow you to tweek ur list against certain squads you were facing.

Your reserve cards would be pre-selected and recorded, so you would have to decided what these were before the start of the tournament.

What cards could you use in reserve?

1. Missiles, bombs and mines
2. Cannon and turret weapons
3. Elite Pilot Talents
4. Modification cards like shield upgrade, stealth device etc
5. System upgrades

What this might mean for squad building.

• you would be able to choose reserve cards that help your squad defeat problem matchups.
• cards which just missed the cut making your squad could be included in your reserve card pool.
• squad building might include deeper strategy.

When would reserve card changes be made?

• Card changes would be made simultaneously before asteroid/ship placement and then both players would reveal at the same time. You would make any upgrade changes with the knowledge of what ships your were facing. Allow a 2min time limit to make changes.

Sideboards?

While you may be looking at bringing in alternative upgrades when I see such an idea I wonder "why couldn't I then do the same with pilots?" I mean if you could take out an Assault Missile and proton bomb for an Advanced Torpedo, Seismic Charge, and Squad Leader why shouldn't I be able to take Backstabber out of the Pilot's seat and put in Dark Curse?

Now I can see where the idea comes from but if you could change what you send out ON your ships you probably should be able to change who you send out as well. Another thing to consider is that if you can change around upgrades would the be anything preventing me from moving upgrades from one ship to another without going through your "reserve" pool?

sure, u could change out pilots. the points cost would get a bit swingy if u did things like change biggs for rookie pilot etc but that could be possible in theory.

But remember that changing pilots also changes upgrade bars, and in some cases (YT-1300) even ship stats themselves. Also, some ships and lists have drastically more potential for this sort of modification than others. Besides, pilots don't get to choose what ordnance they're carrying after they've spotted the enemy!

Also, it would dumb-down squad building. Can't decide between Cluster and Concussion Missiles? Just take both. Running Kyle Katarn with Moldy Crow, Recon Specialist and Blaster Turret, but the next opponent has two blood-red Interceptor miniatures? Maybe you want Jan Ors with Nien Nunb and an Ion Cannon Turret instead.

Instead of learning to compensate for their list's weaknesses through tactics, players could just include counters in their sideboard.

I wouldn't touch pilots... They should be set.. however I quite like the idea of allowing some upgrades to be swapped in and out from a limited pool maybe 20pts.

I don't know if it would dumb down squad building, You would still need to understand your squads weaknesses to make the most out of it. It would however possibly open up list building a bit, certain lists like the HWK turret swarm would become usable in a tournament context, because the wrong match up wouldn't become a solid loss.

ok so lets stay away from pilots. would it work? i dont think this would dumb down squad building - just upgrade changes. You would have more options but not so many it would take away too much thinking.

ok so lets stay away from pilots. would it work?

They've been doing it for years, actually for decades now I guess in MtG. I think it could work in X-Wing quite nicely. I agree it should be limited to only upgrades and the like, and point totals would have to be the same.

Interestingly enough this would be the most "unfair" to Tie Swarms, which typically don't have much in the way of upgrades.

ok so lets stay away from pilots. would it work?

They've been doing it for years, actually for decades now I guess in MtG. I think it could work in X-Wing quite nicely. I agree it should be limited to only upgrades and the like, and point totals would have to be the same.

Interestingly enough this would be the most "unfair" to Tie Swarms, which typically don't have much in the way of upgrades.

It would definitely dial back their power a bit if you could swap in Assault Missiles when you saw 8 ties across the board from you... saying that you would need to have ships that could carry missiles in your crew to begin with.

I think it might be good for squad building. You would have to pick a very balanced group that would work with a variety of upgrades. It might also contribute more varied builds if you could use different upgrades.

I think it's too much work for the organizer. Your list has to be re-validated.

I think it's too much work for the organizer. Your list has to be re-validated.

Not really, you have a total written down for the ships, so you know how many points of upgrades you can have... then it's just a case of handing your upgrades to the opponent to check each round. Not hard at all.

A lot of systems do it.