Post by deathwingmatt on Sept 19, 2016 6:42:21 GMT
Hi all,
At the club tournament yesterday a few people were asking about resources they could find online to help them learn a bit more about some of the basic theory behind X-Wing to help them develop their playstyles. I thought I'd get this started, adding in the resources I use (and have used in the past).
Please feel free to suggest resources you've found useful to the to the list and I'll keep it updated
Matt
Guides on General Gameplay
X-Wing Beginners Guide V3.0 (teamcovenant.com/star-wars-x-wing/x-wing-beginners-guide-v3-0) - A very comprehensive guide split into two parts. The first covers basic game theory, such as the strengths and weaknesses of each list, when do you want to evade or focus etc. The second (and longer) part gives a ship-by-ship overview with a synopsis for each, how to use each and upgrades which work well with each ship. The most recent version was released back in March as Wave 8 came out, so doesn't give a full view on the most recent releases. Still, a really good guide.
Turn Zero Articles - A short series of articles written by 3 time World Champion Paul Heaver. These articles focus on the things you can do before the first turn begins to give you the best possible start in a game.
Asteroid Placement
Mastering Ship Placement
Assembling Your Squadron
Block Party
'The Rule of 11' - Rule of 11 Youtube video
Guides on specific topics/ships/abilities
Guides on Arc Dodging
On the art of arc dodging
Interceptors and Autothrusters - FFG Forums - If you have trouble visualising the abstract examples, look at the pictures in this FFG article.
How to fly the ptl interceptor - Perhaps not quite as good as the other articles, but still an interesting read. Sim's not quite sold on some of his "rules" for playing but the other stuff is fine.
Guides on Cloaking
Cloaked in Battle - FFG Forum - Understanding the potential of the decloak
Blogs
The Metal Bikini (www.themetalbikini.com/) - Useful blog, in particular for some of the strategy and tactics guides for beginners to help understand things like formation flying and the 'rule of 11'
Stay on the Leader (stayontheleader.blogspot.co.uk/) - A very articulate, well written blog with some very good analysis. A more competitive lean but has some great advice for dealing with some of the strongest lists out there, such as Dengaroo
Forums
FFG Forums (community.fantasyflightgames.com/forum/222-x-wing/) - The Official forums from the games designer and manufacturer. Lots of good discussion here on a broad range of topics, from rules queries down to repaints. We've also had the occasional reference to Eagle Squadron members here (most notably the love for Jono's Tron-style brobots paintjob and Sim giving someone at Nationals 'the most frustratingly unenjoyable' game they'd ever played).
Podcasts
Scum and Villainy (scumvillainy.podbean.com/) - Personally this is my favourite podcast. It's a little more light-hearted than many of the podcasts out there but gives plenty of good advice and ideas for lists (some of which can be quite leftfield and great fun for a clubnight).
186th Squadron (186th.org/podcast) - Whilst most of the podcasts listed here are from the US, this is one of the standout UK podcasts. The 186th are a local group here in London (the 186 is a reference to Dark Sphere's address). Quite a competitive group, this podcast is good at giving insight into what sorts of things you're likely to be facing if you're attending tournaments in London and further afield in the UK.
Mynock Squadron Podcast (mynockpodcast.libsyn.com/) - A competitive group in the US, I think this is Sim's favourite podcast. The podcast is out weekly every Tuesday night/Wednesday morning and has 3 sorts of episodes:
1. Top Player interviews where they discuss their list and how to play with and against it.
2. Tournament round up episodes where they look at the winning lists of all the Regionals/Nationals round the world and discuss the current Meta.
3. Previewing upcoming releases. and the implications on the Meta.
Some of their best episodes re. countering top tier lists are:
Duncan Howard Interview - Palp Aces
Dengaroo Episode
Dash, Asteroids and more Palp Aces
Nova Squadron (novasquadronradio.com/)- NOVA squadron are a group of guys that tend to do very well at tournaments in the US. I personally find that whilst there is some good insight in this podcast, episodes can be quite a bit longer and the discussion is very detailled in places. This might work for some people but other podcasts might be a bit more accessible for others.
Imperial Propaganda Radio (www.imperialpropaganda.com.au/) - The first 30 mins of Episode 5 gives some good tips on going to a tournament.
Social Media
Star Wars X-Wing Miniatures Game UK/IRL...and a Little Bit Wider (www.facebook.com/groups/xwingukirl/) - Very popular Facebook group (nearly 5,400 members) with all sorts of discussion and queries from beginners asking for list advice through to TO's advertising their tournaments (and everything inbetween).
X-Wing UK Events (www.facebook.com/groups/922419044535005/) - A smaller group than the 'Star Wars X-Wing Miniatures Game UK/IRL...and a Little Bit Wider' group, but a good place to look for X-Wing events.
Tournament Data and Statistics
List Juggler (lists.starwarsclubhouse.com/) - Website where tournament organisers can upload tournament data including results and lists. This helps to help identify what 'meta' is out there by highlighting popular ships, pilots and upgrades. Can also be good to give a few other list ideas as well if you take time to browse some of the data.
Blinging Your Collection
SirWilli's Workshops (sirwillibald.com/) - Great resource for templated for print out at home tuck boxes for both cards, ships, base inserts, dials etc. to help organise and keep your collection tidy.
At the club tournament yesterday a few people were asking about resources they could find online to help them learn a bit more about some of the basic theory behind X-Wing to help them develop their playstyles. I thought I'd get this started, adding in the resources I use (and have used in the past).
Please feel free to suggest resources you've found useful to the to the list and I'll keep it updated
Matt
Guides on General Gameplay
X-Wing Beginners Guide V3.0 (teamcovenant.com/star-wars-x-wing/x-wing-beginners-guide-v3-0) - A very comprehensive guide split into two parts. The first covers basic game theory, such as the strengths and weaknesses of each list, when do you want to evade or focus etc. The second (and longer) part gives a ship-by-ship overview with a synopsis for each, how to use each and upgrades which work well with each ship. The most recent version was released back in March as Wave 8 came out, so doesn't give a full view on the most recent releases. Still, a really good guide.
Turn Zero Articles - A short series of articles written by 3 time World Champion Paul Heaver. These articles focus on the things you can do before the first turn begins to give you the best possible start in a game.
Asteroid Placement
Mastering Ship Placement
Assembling Your Squadron
Block Party
'The Rule of 11' - Rule of 11 Youtube video
Guides on specific topics/ships/abilities
Guides on Arc Dodging
On the art of arc dodging
Interceptors and Autothrusters - FFG Forums - If you have trouble visualising the abstract examples, look at the pictures in this FFG article.
How to fly the ptl interceptor - Perhaps not quite as good as the other articles, but still an interesting read. Sim's not quite sold on some of his "rules" for playing but the other stuff is fine.
Guides on Cloaking
Cloaked in Battle - FFG Forum - Understanding the potential of the decloak
Blogs
The Metal Bikini (www.themetalbikini.com/) - Useful blog, in particular for some of the strategy and tactics guides for beginners to help understand things like formation flying and the 'rule of 11'
Stay on the Leader (stayontheleader.blogspot.co.uk/) - A very articulate, well written blog with some very good analysis. A more competitive lean but has some great advice for dealing with some of the strongest lists out there, such as Dengaroo
Forums
FFG Forums (community.fantasyflightgames.com/forum/222-x-wing/) - The Official forums from the games designer and manufacturer. Lots of good discussion here on a broad range of topics, from rules queries down to repaints. We've also had the occasional reference to Eagle Squadron members here (most notably the love for Jono's Tron-style brobots paintjob and Sim giving someone at Nationals 'the most frustratingly unenjoyable' game they'd ever played).
Podcasts
Scum and Villainy (scumvillainy.podbean.com/) - Personally this is my favourite podcast. It's a little more light-hearted than many of the podcasts out there but gives plenty of good advice and ideas for lists (some of which can be quite leftfield and great fun for a clubnight).
186th Squadron (186th.org/podcast) - Whilst most of the podcasts listed here are from the US, this is one of the standout UK podcasts. The 186th are a local group here in London (the 186 is a reference to Dark Sphere's address). Quite a competitive group, this podcast is good at giving insight into what sorts of things you're likely to be facing if you're attending tournaments in London and further afield in the UK.
Mynock Squadron Podcast (mynockpodcast.libsyn.com/) - A competitive group in the US, I think this is Sim's favourite podcast. The podcast is out weekly every Tuesday night/Wednesday morning and has 3 sorts of episodes:
1. Top Player interviews where they discuss their list and how to play with and against it.
2. Tournament round up episodes where they look at the winning lists of all the Regionals/Nationals round the world and discuss the current Meta.
3. Previewing upcoming releases. and the implications on the Meta.
Some of their best episodes re. countering top tier lists are:
Duncan Howard Interview - Palp Aces
Dengaroo Episode
Dash, Asteroids and more Palp Aces
Nova Squadron (novasquadronradio.com/)- NOVA squadron are a group of guys that tend to do very well at tournaments in the US. I personally find that whilst there is some good insight in this podcast, episodes can be quite a bit longer and the discussion is very detailled in places. This might work for some people but other podcasts might be a bit more accessible for others.
Imperial Propaganda Radio (www.imperialpropaganda.com.au/) - The first 30 mins of Episode 5 gives some good tips on going to a tournament.
Social Media
Star Wars X-Wing Miniatures Game UK/IRL...and a Little Bit Wider (www.facebook.com/groups/xwingukirl/) - Very popular Facebook group (nearly 5,400 members) with all sorts of discussion and queries from beginners asking for list advice through to TO's advertising their tournaments (and everything inbetween).
X-Wing UK Events (www.facebook.com/groups/922419044535005/) - A smaller group than the 'Star Wars X-Wing Miniatures Game UK/IRL...and a Little Bit Wider' group, but a good place to look for X-Wing events.
Tournament Data and Statistics
List Juggler (lists.starwarsclubhouse.com/) - Website where tournament organisers can upload tournament data including results and lists. This helps to help identify what 'meta' is out there by highlighting popular ships, pilots and upgrades. Can also be good to give a few other list ideas as well if you take time to browse some of the data.
Blinging Your Collection
SirWilli's Workshops (sirwillibald.com/) - Great resource for templated for print out at home tuck boxes for both cards, ships, base inserts, dials etc. to help organise and keep your collection tidy.