X-Wing Miniatures

Jump to navigationJump to search

About

X-Wing Miniatures is a newly launched game that is a table-top strategy game, which has been adapted to be played virtually online, by way of the Vassal Module. Players make use of the various starfighters and aces of the Rebel Alliance and Galactic Empire in this turn-based game where strategy is key, making full use of one's craft and abilities to defeat the enemy player.

You can find the rules to the game here: (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1TRGnMMipxRSy13RkRUS2M2U00/edit?usp=sharing)

Setting up

First of all, you will need to download all of the components in order to play online. They are:

This is the base program used to play X-Wing Miniatures.

  • Map Packs - These are the playing fields used, to give a more Star Wars feel to the battles unfolding.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1TRGnMMipxROGIwbUxIOG11Umc/edit?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1TRGnMMipxRQUR1MVE5aU54Wlk/edit?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1TRGnMMipxRdXhaemR4OTVDX0U/edit?usp=sharing)

After installing Vassal, run the program, and go to "File" and to "Load Module". Select the RS X-Wing Minis Module. (Note: Make sure you have the file somewhere you can get to it easily. The program can load it from anywhere, but this is more for ease on your part should something happen to require re-loading)

When the entry appears in the "Module Library", right click on that, and add the map packs. (This will remove the map pack from the folder you originally created, and put it into a subfolder linking it to the module).

Then double-click the module and Vassal will load it up. Click "look for a game online", set up a username and password, and away you go.

Normally, voice chat is done on Google Hangouts, so if you do not have a G+ account, it's a good idea to get one.

How to Play

First of all, you'll need to build your squad. After establishing the agreed upon points limit (50, 70, 100, etc), use the following website to help build your squadron based on the point limit (http://xwing-builder.co.uk/build# http://geordanr.github.io/xwing/).

From here, you will pick your craft, pilots, and modifications. Please make sure to note what pieces are currently available in the module as opposed to what is available on the websites. Some content is still pending release while others are out, but have not yet been added. You can double check by clicking the "Pieces" tab in Vassal.

After you have made your selections, join the game room and select which ever player slot you are going to be (Player 1, Player 2, Player 3, etc), and then click "Map". This will bring up the map. Now, you will need to do some adjusting with your windows to still get to everything, and it's best to go with what works for you. However, for the map itself, in order to get a good view of the map and the dead space (which is used for card placement), go to the open magnifying glass icon tab, and select either "Fit Height" or "Fit Visable". That should give you a good overall view, and you can still zoom in as needed later on.

Using the "Pieces" tab, click and drag all of the cards, dials, and ship pieces for your selected craft and modifications. It's also a good idea to drag out some chits (target lock, focus, stress, evasion) as needed. It's a good idea to organize your cards neatly and logically so that it's clear what craft has what mods, both for your own sanity and so if there are any questions or disputes, it's clear for those present to see. After the cards have been laid out, position your craft and dials on the map itself.

From there, set up the stats on your craft token. This can be done either by hotkeys or by right clicking on the craft token and going to Set Stats, which will also give you the hotkeys to use. The stats in question are found on the craft/pilot card. From top to bottom, these are:

  • Pilot Number (Orange): This determine's the pilot's placement in turn order. During the Movement Phase, the order is Lowest to Highest, while during Combat Phase, the order is reversed to Highest to Lowest.
  • Attack Number (Red): This is the craft's attack value, representing how many dice are rolled during a Primary Weapon attack.
  • Defense Number (Green): This is the craft's defense value, representing how many dice are rolled when evading an attack.
  • Hull Value (Yellow): This represent's the craft's hull strength. During combat, it's a good idea to adjust this as the craft is hit or repaired.
  • Shield Value (Blue): This is the craft's shield strength. Like Hull, it's a good idea to adjust this when the craft is hit or the shields are repaired.

If you have multiple craft of the same type, it's generally a good idea to place their name on them as well, using the option Set Pilot Name. This should also be done on the craft dial, to avoid confusing them later in action.

The rest of the game's rules and concepts are covered clearly in the rule book, so it's a good idea to read through it (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1TRGnMMipxRSy13RkRUS2M2U00/edit?usp=sharing).

Additional Notes

As the game has grown in popularity with the Rebel Squadrons, it is currently being more fully integrated into the ITOD system, but it can still be played as a normal multiplayer game as it started. FA Danny "David Lee Japan" Qatar has been holding regular game nights every Friday at 9PM (EST), but players are free to play at any time outside of this scheduled game night. The game nights are an excellent opportunity for new players to learn how to play and get experience, while experienced players have the opportunity to expirement with new ideas and tactics. And above all else, it's a great time for RSers to have a good time.