Played the first game of X-Wing with the official rules, maneuver templates, and star fighters from the game. Played solo so I could learn the game while the boys are at school.
Planning on playing a game against my two boys when they get home from school this afternoon.
I have two basic sets, picked up the second on clearance at Target in Champaign Illinois before flying here to North Carolina. Will check Target in Fayetteville for another set or two. Have not seen the expansion modules anywhere as of yet.
I am very impressed with the box and components. I have some observations and comments, which I will post on later. I am working at figuring out how they developed the turn maneuver templates, ranges and other mechanisms of the system.
I put the ship cards in hard case baseball card holders and I see a need for more components such as markers, chits, dice and maneuver templates etc. I plan on at least four to six of the basic sets down the road and I will make my own templates and range sticks as they are pretty simple.
I hope to turn the game into more of a three dimensional (3D) game after I master the game system. Many of my ideas will translate well and I can see some advanced rules not far down the road.
Anyway my first game was Luke Skywalker against Night Beast and Dark Curse. A bit out matched for the X-Wing but it was to only playtest the system and have a basis for playing my two sons later. First game I used the Barrel Roll often and the Koiogran turn were used quite often as well. Luke was able to engage and shoot down the first Tie fighter in a few turns while avoiding being double teamed by the two Tie Fighters. Night Beast was the first to die, and the X-wing only lost one of its two shields. Pairing off against the second Tie Fighter (Dark Curse) was a slug fest. Numerous runs at each other and lots of hit that were countered or avoided. Tracking is a big help for the X-Wing. Using the Barrel roll on the second Tie fighter I was able to stay just out of the firing arc of the X-Wing yet still manage to do some damage without being fired on in return.
Game was called for lunch with both fighters still in pretty good shape. It is very easy to get locked into head to head runs at each other but trying to get around behind the opposition will take a lot more games and better tactics.
I was able to play solo as I often do at chess where I know what the other side is doing or going to do and try to play each to my advantage. After one game I see that it is much more complex of a game then I first envisioned. What actions to pick and plan for makes some interest outcomes.
The different individual pilot skills made the three fighters quite unique. I can see developing other addition skills for home made pilots down the road. Similar to what the Pirates of The Spanish Main series did with individual ships. I think the sky is the limit on things that can be developed and add more spice to the game.
Will keep the same match up for the boys this afternoon but when we add an additional ship each making it a two X-Wing vs four Tie Fighers I am going to balance the forces point wise.
I have not played any of the additional five upgrade cards yet, and do not expect to use them until we are playing a larger battle. Perhaps with each player having 3-4 ships each.
Now time to play another game solo with less experienced pilots.
VR
James Mattes
