"XWing swarm tactics vs large ships" Topic

Recently, our gaming group discovered that large ships usually fall prey to swarms of smaller craft, especially TIE fighters. Contrary to the movies and animated shows, large ships are not allowed to fire their primary weapons in conjunction with secondary turreted weapons. What is the use of having additional crew members on board if all they do is stand around and wait for their turn to fire the weapon they are manning? Any thoughts?

large ships can sustain more damage than the weaker TIE fighters.

Gunner or Luke Skywalker crew cards.

The limited maneuverability of the big ships means that they may not be able to get a target into their primary arc.

To your question, what is the use of having additional crew, I would suggest (1) replacing guys who get killed, (2) being ready in case the other weapon system fails and they have to start shooting every turn, and (3) repairing damage during the battle.

I should note that I'm not speaking directly to this game, which I have never actually played. I've played other space and water ship games, and have read about naval warfare.

Not a starship gamer but this seems to me unlikely – at least based on the success (very limited) of small ships versus big ships in blue water navies I don't know that this makes a lot of sense

I should note that I'm not speaking directly to this game, which I have never actually played. I've played other space and water ship games, and have read about naval warfare.

In the X-Wing game you get to fire only once, with one weapon per turn, even if you have multiple weapons. I'm not sure if this a problem though, as the points for big ships are not excessive.

I can see where bearserker is coming from, I have some sympathy with his predicament, but then again, not much. X-Wing is just a simple, fun game not designed to be, choosing this word with trepidation, 'realistic'.

In X-Wing upgrading single ships to the max is rarely a good idea. Combining a few things: a pilot card, an upgrade and a weapon in the most productive and point cost efficient way is the way to get the maximum bang for buck. Of course, bearserker could change the rules and set up scenarios to suit himself, but the points system would have to be binned.

I like the X-Wing game for a quick no fuss fast play pick up game. But it's really just a filler between 'proper' wargames and is probably best seen as such. Having said that, I've still spent over £650.00 GBP this year (going from no ships to 50), on the damn thing.

Well put, olicana! I approach the game in the same way, although I stopped buying a few waves ago due to storage space. I just didn't want to keep having to spend several hundred dollars to upgrade to new cases with foam for all the new stuff…

As for the OP, I have no problem with the way big ships are handled. Works perfect within the system and any big ship without fighter cover gets what it deserves, just like a lone tank without infantry support.

Are you talking about the X-wing game, or the Armada game?

-Will

I believe (IIRC) there were some instances that attacking planes were shot down by the larger/turrented guns in the Pacific theater in WW2.

Rare but not unheard of.

I'll take a half a dozen basic TIE fighters against any large ship (Millennium Falcon, Ghost, etc…) packed to the gills with crew and equipment, and almost always, at least one TIE fighter is left standing after the large ship has been blown away. As for being "realistic", this is Star Wars after all. I'm just going by the defensive capabilities of these ships as depicted in the movies and shows. X-Wing is still a fun game regardless of these quirks in the system.

I don't think that's unrealistic; the 'big' X-wing ships are small freighters, shuttles, etc. So I'd expect fighters to do fine against them. Take a half dozen Fw-190's against a lone B-17 and I expect the result would be similar!

-Will

Thanks for all of the feedback and helpful hints. I'm going to try the Ghost and Phantom with a few tricks up my sleeve at our next game and see what happens. With a little help from The Force, I just may prevail.

I approach the game in the same way, although I stopped buying

Me too. I'm not sure what madness took me over. I do like the X Wing game and I'll probably, in time, buy a few more ships. But for the difference in play I could probably be where I am now for half the cost. X-Wing, for me, was my 'shiny' moment.

Now, back to painting for my Peninsular War collection.

Hmm…
In X-Wing the Rebels have two huge ships which I`ve played.

The Transport has no weaponry at all but can ram and destroy any fighter that`s unfortunate enough to get close without taking damage.
It`s essentially intended as a target which needs escorts.

The CR90 Corvette has twin Turbolaser turrets which have a 360 arc, a longer range than any fighter and can obliterate a target in a single shot though they also have a minimum range, this ship also has upgrade cards that add to the firepower of the ship and these weapons CAN fire in addition to the primary weapons.

Both ship`s have special rules for shield reinforcement and energy allocation rules that allow shields to be recharged in play.

I assume the same is true of the big Imperial ships though I`ve not played them.

Truth is that while you can take out a big ship with a fighter swarm they can equally well wipe out anything you throw at them if the player using it is smart and/or you screw up.
I think your group needs to read up on the appropriate special rules.

For those of you interested on, rules to play an attack on Endor are available at beastofwar.com/star-wars for free. There is also a tutorial and game report. Take a look on it, seems good!