How to understand cards, builds and ships

[Tom1132 193]

I been trying to find players but there seems no one playes around my neck of woods I found 3 stores that a sell xwing but most people i run in to only play by them self's our with one our 2 friend

 

Tell me about it. I live in Northern Ireland, where practically no-one plays. I have *one* friend who I play with about once a week, but my other friends need a bit more convincing to play.

There's a site I use to test squad builds; X-Wing Squadron Benchmark. It's not ideal, but there is a very simple AI that will play against you. It's good for learning as it won't let you do anything outside the rules. You do have to set up the asteroids and the opposition, but it is actually good fun in its own right and a good alternative if you cannot get a regular game with real people.

X-Wing Squadron Benchmark: https://xws-bench.github.io/bench/#

The Interceptor is a good ship to practice with here. Try to maneuver so that you have shots on the enemy while minimizing their shots on you. I feel like if you can grasp arc-dodging, it goes a long way in improving your overall sense of the game.

Edited December 7, 2016 by Tom1132

[The22ndBattalion 4]

Hmm I think the best way to do this(apart from playing a game in reallife) isby playing vassal on a computer...

[Tom1132 193]

Hmm I think the best way to do this(apart from playing a game in reallife) isby playing vassal on a computer...

I was actually going to recommend Vassal. But then I figured if he's having trouble with the fundamentals of the game, Vassal might just confuse things further - it's not overly user-friendly from what I've seen.

I am, of course, totally prepared to hold my hands up and admit ignorance - because *I* am not confident enough with Vassal myself

 

Edited December 8, 2016 by Tom1132

[The22ndBattalion 4]

lol I started Vassal as soon as I started X-Wing It's the same with the real-life community, if you tell them you're not that sure they'll probably help you. Just be prepared to lose all your matches there XD I never won a single game

[Rasputindarksyde 143]

My last game lasted 2hrs before my brother killed all my ships and yes a think at this point ships should be able to be shot down in one round of combat

So I am curious, how do you play the game?

Like write out the process of a turn between you and your brother. The only way we can get you to understand is to understand what you might be doing wrong. If there is something fundamentally wrong, then we need to figure that out.

[StevenO 2,996]

Ya I feel I missing something our not getting it at all. Like the light bulb has not gone off like oh duh this how it works. Like I love to use phantom but can't for the life of me get my head around how they work and I own 3

 

In the case of the Phantom much can be forgiven as it is an extremely tricky ship to fly and became even harder after the timing change for decloaking.  To put it another way I'm guessing most people would, or at least should, tell you that the Phantom is one of the hardest ships in the game to fly; there's really nothing else quite like it although some unique pilots and certain upgrades could come close.

[DarthSempai 320]

 

 

Well I'm surprised most of you didn't realize this was a troll from the 3rd post. Let it die.

 

It could be true.  The low post count may even support that but why just make an account to put up one questionable question?

 

Although the poor sentence structure, terrible spelling, and poor grammar make me wonder if it's just someone who communicates very poorly.  The apparent thought that all pieces should play the same way is a bit shocking however.

Sorry my typing skills suck and not very good at writing. And I have a hard time trying to get my point our message across to people and am come off trollish . Also yes I feel all ships play same as I not very good at understanding the different ways to play them our how they should be played

I was trying to understand the reason people using x card combo with each ship and why. Also why people where playing so different on battle reports instead of just going right after each other head to head and one ship on one ship because i feel that unfair and just being jerks

But I have lot of bad stuff in my head from my 40k days and I dont want this game to be like that

 

Let's say that you are your brother do that and go head to head, but he play a ship that is statistically better in everyway than yours. Like, it literally just always throws one more dice than you. How would you beat it? Would you continue running straight ahead at him, or would you try something different?

This is exactly the same in X-wing. 

[ghotio 156]

 

I been trying to find players but there seems no one playes around my neck of woods I found 3 stores that a sell xwing but most people i run in to only play by them self's our with one our 2 friend

 

Tell me about it. I live in Northern Ireland, where practically no-one plays. I have *one* friend who I play with about once a week, but my other friends need a bit more convincing to play.

There's a site I use to test squad builds; X-Wing Squadron Benchmark. It's not ideal, but there is a very simple AI that will play against you. It's good for learning as it won't let you do anything outside the rules. You do have to set up the asteroids and the opposition, but it is actually good fun in its own right and a good alternative if you cannot get a regular game with real people.

X-Wing Squadron Benchmark: https://xws-bench.github.io/bench/#

The Interceptor is a good ship to practice with here. Try to maneuver so that you have shots on the enemy while minimizing their shots on you. I feel like if you can grasp arc-dodging, it goes a long way in improving your overall sense of the game.

 

 

Tom1132 Come to the Isle of Man for the TT and bring your X-Wing!

[Azrapse 3,101]

Only reason we even thought of it was because how hard it is to kill anything in this game. And why would a ship not be allowed to make at lest 2 attack if its got 2 guns and our missile's our torpedoes.

That's with mods and stuff I was getting 6 attack to kill a y wing and 7 attack to kill a xwing using intercept now using tie fighter was way way worse

That my point its hard to kill any thing in this game it will take me 8to 9 rounds of shooting to kill a y wing heck I have never took out the falcon as just turns in to a game of goinin circles shooting for ever and nothing dies

Hi. Are you by chance related to this fella?

 

Know aftet playing tonite i still wishi could get how u kill anything after play 4 games to night each with a hr limit i killed a total of 4 ships one a game with me losing nothing . i like xwing but fact you can't kill a thing

Edited December 7, 2016 by Azrapse

[faceyfood 72]

This thread hurts my brain. Honestly, if none of these well reasoned and extremely patient posts have not helped you to understand the workings of the game beyond "fly at each other k-turn repeat" then you either need to just continue playing the game the way you want to or give up...

 

I know, I'm the big jerk.

[Admiral Deathrain 5,231]

This thread hurts my brain. Honestly, if none of these well reasoned and extremely patient posts have not helped you to understand the workings of the game beyond "fly at each other k-turn repeat" then you either need to just continue playing the game the way you want to or give up...

 

I know, I'm the big jerk.

I think it is obvious he is trying to be a troll, but if anyone new comes into this thread I feel better knowing that he was still treated respectfully. I think this makes our community look better.

[TurboCooler 79]

I have seen the same issue in understanding how the game plays in person at our LGS.   With other minature games, it is often well defined, this is a defensive unit (high armor, high strength), this is ranged unit (light armor but good kills from range), this is a melee unit (super high strength of attack and can give and take), this is a wizard with magic powers (special abilities but otherwise weak), this is a cheap offensive unit (jack of all trades, master of none but cheap so fodder until you can get your other units on target) etc.

 

With X-Wing, I believe this is all more subtle.  Add to that the names of units do not portend what each unit is best at.   You do need to look at the stats and then you need to look at the capabilitiy cards to assess what that unit is best at.  What is missing is a X-Wings Tactics manual to explain both flighter combat tactics and how to tell the best roll for each unit.

 

With two or more unexperienced players, it can seem just like back and forth.  With experienced players using tactics and the strengths of each unit, it is a different game.

 

Some people get how to determine the strengths of the units, others do not and I am unsure there is a help guide to teach new players how to tell.

[Karhedron 1,865]

Some people get how to determine the strengths of the units, others do not and I am unsure there is a help guide to teach new players how to tell.

Even once you identify the strengths of a unit, there are some more subtle distinctions as well such as the tyranny of red dice (why a single 4-dice attack is much better than 2 x 2 dice attacks).

The PS-based turn system is a huge improvement over the Igo-Yougo system of something like 40K IMHO.

[Newguy1984 14]

Maybe that my problem and I dont get how to use each ship and how it best works with card. And I feel am interping rules and stuff wrtwrtong trying to understand there meaning and intent

[Karhedron 1,865]

In generally I feel the X-wing core rules are pretty well and tightly written. If you are trying to interpret rules rather than just follow them as written, it probably means you have misunderstood something.

The key thing to understand is that X-wing is a permissive rule set. This means that you can only do things that the rules say you can. If the rules do not say it, then you cannot do it.

This is where the Internet falls down as it is hard to follow in a text-based description where you are having difficulty. It sounds to me that a few games against a more experienced player would quickly make everything much clearer for you.

The best thing I can suggest is to follow a few of the games that have been videod and posted online and follow them with the rulebook handy. Make sure for each action that you can see what they are doing and why in terms of the rules. Once you have done that, you can ask specific questions that we can try and help you with.

Part of the problem in trying to help is that you don't always make it clear what it is that you do not understand. Obviously you are not finding the game satisfying currently, that is a shame and most people who have posted here would clearly like to help if they can. It seems clear from your posts that you do not yet have a firm grasp of the basic rules and this is then getting complicated when you try to do more advanced stuff.

If you can find a few more experienced players in your area, some practice games with them would probably help a great deal. Failing that, try to post more descriptive details of the problems you are having. Most of your posts are just a few lines long. It is hard to help without a clear understanding of what issues you are having.

[thespaceinvader 17,538]

 

This thread hurts my brain. Honestly, if none of these well reasoned and extremely patient posts have not helped you to understand the workings of the game beyond "fly at each other k-turn repeat" then you either need to just continue playing the game the way you want to or give up...

 

I know, I'm the big jerk.

I think it is obvious he is trying to be a troll, but if anyone new comes into this thread I feel better knowing that he was still treated respectfully. I think this makes our community look better.

 

It really does.

 

The patience and genuine attempts to inspire learning on show in this thread are a real credit to the community, as is the lack of anger and dismissal of a poster who may or may not be a troll.

 

If you don't have anything helpful to say, don't say it.

[Frimmel 2,190]

 

 

This thread hurts my brain. Honestly, if none of these well reasoned and extremely patient posts have not helped you to understand the workings of the game beyond "fly at each other k-turn repeat" then you either need to just continue playing the game the way you want to or give up...

 

I know, I'm the big jerk.

I think it is obvious he is trying to be a troll, but if anyone new comes into this thread I feel better knowing that he was still treated respectfully. I think this makes our community look better.

 

It really does.

 

The patience and genuine attempts to inspire learning on show in this thread are a real credit to the community, as is the lack of anger and dismissal of a poster who may or may not be a troll.

 

If you don't have anything helpful to say, don't say it.

 

Judging by the OP's continued difficulty, no one, despite all the patience and effort and credit to the community on display here has had anything helpful to say. 

 

Sorry, I just couldn't let that fat pitch cross the plate without taking a swing. 

Edited December 7, 2016 by Frimmel

[Admiral Deathrain 5,231]

In generally I feel the X-wing core rules are pretty well and tightly written. If you are trying to interpret rules rather than just follow them as written, it probably means you have misunderstood something.

The key thing to understand is that X-wing is a permissive rule set. This means that you can only do things that the rules say you can. If the rules do not say it, then you cannot do it.

This is where the Internet falls down as it is hard to follow in a text-based description where you are having difficulty. It sounds to me that a few games against a more experienced player would quickly make everything much clearer for you.

The best thing I can suggest is to follow a few of the games that have been videod and posted online and follow them with the rulebook handy. Make sure for each action that you can see what they are doing and why in terms of the rules. Once you have done that, you can ask specific questions that we can try and help you with.

Part of the problem in trying to help is that you don't always make it clear what it is that you do not understand. Obviously you are not finding the game satisfying currently, that is a shame and most people who have posted here would clearly like to help if they can. It seems clear from your posts that you do not yet have a firm grasp of the basic rules and this is then getting complicated when you try to do more advanced stuff.

If you can find a few more experienced players in your area, some practice games with them would probably help a great deal. Failing that, try to post more descriptive details of the problems you are having. Most of your posts are just a few lines long. It is hard to help without a clear understanding of what issues you are having.

If you do that, though, don't blame any losses on your opponent being a jerk. Nothing that happens on the table makes anyone a jerk! Only what happens on a communicative level can achieve that.

[Firespray-32 5,424]

I guess I really dont see it because a y wing should all ready be making 2 attacks one for turret and one for ship but nope you can't do that

That a house rule me and my brother been toying with is if a ship has a primary attack and get another attack from missile's turret cannon etc it should be able to do both attack's

 

Get rid of that rule. That throws balance out of the window.

 

If the flood of various posts all trying to answer the same question is confusing you (it'd probably confuse me) feel free to PM me directly and I'll answer any questions to the best of my ability.

Edited December 7, 2016 by Blue Five

[Newguy1984 14]

Sorry everyone for coming across as a troll I dont mean to just have trouble trying to get my point across

I guess from my other games being a jerk. is how u play when you want to win. I guess I have a lot of bad thoughts and idea's of how games should be played. For fun and balance where no matter what you use our take one should have a good chance of winning.

Also I kind of get cards now their used to make ship better our to boost ships abilities

Now I just struggling with kill ships and trying to get a nuff damage thru to hurt them. And how long games take because we play till one side is dead/destroyed

[Kdubb 6,642]

Sorry everyone for coming across as a troll I dont mean to just have trouble trying to get my point across

I guess from my other games being a jerk. is how u play when you want to win. I guess I have a lot of bad thoughts and idea's of how games should be played. For fun and balance where no matter what you use our take one should have a good chance of winning.

Also I kind of get cards now their used to make ship better our to boost ships abilities

Now I just struggling with kill ships and trying to get a nuff damage thru to hurt them. And how long games take because we play till one side is dead/destroyed

Whenever you can, have all your ships fire on the same target in the same round. This helps destroy things quicker. Once you damage a ship, unless you are out of position and you see it will take numerous rounds to get the target back in range, continue to fire on that damaged ship until it is destroyed. This will help your games go quicker.

[Karhedron 1,865]

I guess from my other games being a jerk. is how u play when you want to win. I guess I have a lot of bad thoughts and idea's of how games should be played. For fun and balance where no matter what you use our take one should have a good chance of winning.

 

I am afraid the only games I have found where is true are chess/draughts etc.

 

I have played many wargames systems over the last 25 years and all of them have some units that are better than others for equivalent points. Some ships are better value for their points than others, despite the best efforts of the game's creators. More importantly, some combinations are better on some ships than others. The same is true of 40K.

 

If you would rather play casual than competitive games, that is fine and many people would make the same choice. But it is worth taking the time to understand the basics as you will get so much more enjoyment out of even a casual game if you understand how the rules and cards interact.

[PastrySandwich 269]

Maybe that my problem and I dont get how to use each ship and how it best works with card. And I feel am interping rules and stuff wrtwrtong trying to understand there meaning and intent

 

I am not a competitive player nor WAAC, but the ships are designed very differently and unless you fly them that way you are going to miss out on a huge part of the actual game. For instance, TIE fighters, there is a reason the core box comes with 2 to the 1 x-wing. TIEs, alone, lack much, but when in a group, or swarm, then they can be effective. As a general rule all TIEs are designed to be fast and maneuverable using barrel roll to reposition so that the other ship can't shoot them (arc dodge) or can't follow them. On the other hand an X-wing or B-Wing are "jousters" (they want to fly straight up and down a lane) as they lack the dial to keep up with a fast ship and make up for it by having larger hulls/shields and firepower.

 

So while a hammer will get both a nail and a screw into a piece of wood, sometimes using a different tool will be more effective. Really if you treat each ship the exact same the game will play out but you are missing out on a large part.

[Firespray-32 5,424]

Now I just struggling with kill ships and trying to get a nuff damage thru to hurt them. And how long games take because we play till one side is dead/destroyed

 

Post some lists you've used.

[Rasputindarksyde 143]

Sorry everyone for coming across as a troll I dont mean to just have trouble trying to get my point across

I guess from my other games being a jerk. is how u play when you want to win. I guess I have a lot of bad thoughts and idea's of how games should be played. For fun and balance where no matter what you use our take one should have a good chance of winning.

Also I kind of get cards now their used to make ship better our to boost ships abilities

Now I just struggling with kill ships and trying to get a nuff damage thru to hurt them. And how long games take because we play till one side is dead/destroyed

Have played 40k for 16 years now I understand your apprehension with how people play. I have been playing Xwing for about a year and a half now. I have nothing but good things to say about the Xwing community. I have played in local tournaments as well as a regional. Everyone was nothing but the kindest people to play against. Don't let a bad experience ruin other experiences with other games.

Building better lists will help you get the kills faster. Practice and more practice will help you fly better. It took me a little while to really learn the ins and outs of the game. There are so many levels of the games tactics and strategies.

it helps to build a list and stick with it as well. Helps you to learn different scenarios that might happen while flying that ship. Trying different upgrades on the same ship can change how the ship flys. For example. My Favorite ship to fly is a B-wing. I fly Farlander with Push the limit, Advance sensors and Engine upgrade. Advance sensors lets me do actions before I actually move. So I can barrel roll or boost to get into different locations then I normally would. With push the limit I can do two actions before I move. And the stress is not an issue as Farlanders ability lets me treat that as a focus. This is a good example how upgrades change how a ship interacts on the table. hopefully this gives you a bit of an idea on ship building. There are so many ways to fly a ship. Find what works with you and practice with it.