"Using Focus to shoot in X-Wing" Topic

One of our regulars points out that I've been using Focus tokens the wrong way in X-Wing.

The rules say:
1) Attacker rolls Attack Dice
2) Attacker can modify Attack Dice (i.e. burn Focus to make Eyes into Hits)
3) Defender rolls Defense Dice
4) Defender modifies Defense Dice (i.e. burns Focus to make Eyes into Evades)

What we'd been doing is letting the Attacker and Defender roll their dice simultaneously, comparing how they did, and deciding then whether to use up their Focus tokens or not. So the Attacker didn't use up his Focus unless he needed to, and needed to make the decision whether to burn it now to improve his hit or save it to defend later. The Defender sometimes had to decide whether to lose his Focus now to evade, instead of saving it for his upcoming shot.

The rules are explicit, sure. But it just strikes me as more conversational, more interactive, the way we'd instinctively started doing it (albeit wrong).

How do you guys play?

That seems to be how you would use it. Since the rules say "can" does not mean you "must" change them. You just can't carry them over into the the next turn. So it is a case of use it or lose it during that turn.

I agree, we always let players chhose when, in a single turn to use their Focus token.

It works for us!

We play by the book. Attacker rolls and does all modifications, then defender rolls and does all modifications. Doing it simultaneously removes tactical decisions from the attacker. If you know it won't be helpful to spend your target lock or your focus, then you just save it for later.

CJArnold, correct there is no requirement to make modifications, but the sequence of decision making puts the first tactical choice on the attacker.

We actually play it just like you do, Moss. And regardless of the specific rule we will continue to do so. Unless we play in tournaments (and none of us EVER will) there is no reason to do it "by the book" unless you really want to.

I like this mechanic. Using your focus or target locks isn't a decision based on what the defender does. It's your decision based on trying to maximize potential damage. You don't shoot at an enemy position and wait to see if they survived before you empty your clip.

Granted if your not using the rules then fine personal choice but I see why they decided to go that route and enjoy the game as intended.

We play "by the book." As miniMo points out, to use the Focus or not is meant to be a tactical decision by the Attacker (and the Defender, too), as it means you're taking the risk that you won't need it later when defending. For the Defender, if they haven't attacked yet, you're gambling that not using the Focus on defense will give you an advantage when it's time for you to shoot.
I also think this is more realistic in the sense that Focus is supposed to reflect intense concentration by the pilot; he's either concentrating on evading his pursuer, or concentrating on nailing his target— if you "focus" on one goal, you're essentially giving up the other. "Stay on target" is a decision, and it's fraught with peril.

Another vote for 'the book', when I played it, that is.

We roll simultaneously, but now that player interest at club is growing I will push for us to follow the process as written in the rules.