"GF9 or Fantasy Flight X Wing Game Mats?" Topic

Looking for advice – just started gaming X Wing. Do you recommend I buy GF9 mat or the original X Wing star mat? What is better for gaming? I know GF 9 has a bunch of different backgrounds, but I more concerned with playability. I want something that will prevent slippage of the bases, etc. Thoughts?

Buy a piece of black cloth. You can often get "roll ends" fairly cheap at fabric stores. Use an old toothbrush and "splatter paint" some stars on it. Let dry.

Use the money saved, to buy a few more models!

Seriously though, those commercial mats tend to have somewhat delicate, printed surfaces, and they can show scratching if used roughly. And they can be a bit slippery, so models can move a little.

However, I did recently pick up the old GF9 "Space Station" mat, because I found old stock somewhere (it's 'OOP' now), and I wanted that style.

Cloth is cheap and durable, and saves a few bucks, but the printed mats do look nice.

Good to know. Thanks!

You're welcome.

If you go the Cloth route, I'd recommend you "secure" the edges of the cloth somehow, so the threads don't fray. You could run some white glue around the edges, or if you know someone handy with a sewing machine, have the edges hemmed.

Just be sure to allow for the folded over cloth from the hemming process, for your overall sheet size (ie: you want a bigger than 36" square sheet, so the hemmed down size is at least 3 ft x 3 ft when finished)

I have both the GF9 and X-Wing mats. I prefer the X-wing mat. It's blacker and has a simple starfield background. the rubber backing is very soft and clings relly well to smooth surfaces. Also, since it's a simple starfield, you can buy a second, rotate one and butt it up against the other to form a seamless 3' by 6' playing surface.

Good to know

I bought a black felt cloth at JoAnne's Fabric with sparkles imbedded in the fabric. It looks pretty cool and I bought a large enough piece that it lays like a tablecloth so the sides weigh it down and I get a nice smooth surface for gaming.