How do you get X-Wing players to play Epic X-Wing?

 

Epic X-Wing is not for every X-Wing player out there. Is it a lot of fun? Absoflogginlutely! But not every X-Wing player gets the gist of the fun or even wants to try it out.

 

A lot of factors have a tendency to deter X-Wing players from crossing over into the Epic format.

 

For example:

 

1. 1.0 Epic

 

Probably the biggest deterrent of all is 1.0 players who tried Epic in 1.0 and hated it. This was due to a myriad of factors in regards to 1.0 Epic. The rules were convoluted number one. Following the rules for Epic sometimes really bogged the game experience down because it was overdone as compared to regular X-Wing. It took a lot of time to set up and the average playtime was 3 hours plus. There were some broken aspects of 1.0 Epic as well such as when a huge ship ran over a small or large ship, it blew up which was pretty common. The Rebel Transport was only good for running ships over as it had no native weapon.  Plus the Huge ships had front and back sections which still functioned at a reduced capacity even after being destroyed.

 

2. The Cost

 

As opposed to the relatively inexpensive cost of individual expansion packs at 20 - 40 bucks or even the multi-packs at 30 - 50 bucks, Huge ships cost upwards of 100 bucks and some are harder to come by than others. For 2.0 FFG decided only to release the CR-90 and the C-ROC for 2.0 purchase. They said for the other ships they still had too much 1.0 stock on hand and will not produce 2.0 versions. Even though they showed a 2.0 boxed Raider they never released it. Right now, obtaining a Gozanti is in the price realm of a Super Star Destroyer for Armada at 150.00+.  The Rebel Transport is hovering around 100.00. The Raider is a little less than 100.00 on average.

 

3. The Time required to play.

 

There are a lot of gaming folks who really like the long game. Your average X-Wing is typically not one of them. A lot of folks like shorter games like Magic The Gathering and other games which don’t take a lot of time per game and can get many games in one sitting instead of just one long one. The average X-Wing game is set at 75 minutes versus the 2+ hour average for an Epic game. (Shorter versions are there, but I’m going off the average 500 point game.)  I have a few folks I play X-Wing with who state that the time needed to play Epic is their primary reason they don’t play.

 

4. Who has the Huge Ships?

 

This one is in concert with the cost reason. Generally new 2.0 X-Wing players (those who never played 1.0) don’t have the greatest access to the Huge ships. If they want to get them, they are going to shell out some heavy bucks to get them. 1.0 players who do have them may not have all five of the Huge ships or multiple copies. Maybe they only purchased the Raider and the Rebel Transport because they needed the Emperor and the Stressbot during 1.0. They may have also sold them off after getting the cards they needed.

 

Until AMG decides to re-release them it’s going to be a sellers market.

 

Now.

 

Don’t let this deter you from getting folks to play Epic games. The above listed problems are just to illuminate the X-Wing terrain in which we currently occupy.

 

Here are some ways to get to play and encourage others to join in.

 

1.  If you or other folks you play with have Huge ships, share! This one first and foremost is probably the best way to get others into the game. If someone wants to try Epic, let them know you have X number of huge ships and you are willing to share so that your friend(s) can play. I have three of every Huge ship, a Nebulon-B Frigate, and three Huge Ship Conversion kits. I loan all the time. That way, other folks get to play without having to spend a small fortune on Huge ships and encourages others to try Epic.

 

2. If you like to play, you are going to have to kind of become an Epic salesperson to try and encourage others to play. You can ease folks into Epic with some of the smaller scenarios in the Epic Battles box set or just play a small 300 point game on a 3x3 play area. The game will be shorter and easier to set up and clean up.

 

3. Get with a friend who likes to play Epic and play at your FLGS (When Covid protocols allow for play) on X-Wing night to show off Epic play.

 

4. Try Epic on TTS. If you don’t have TTS, it’s only 20 bucks and there are many online videos and whatnot on how to use TTS. The online community right now is the way to go since playing at a FLGS has been greatly curtailed. I know a lot of folks do not like the online play, but, it has literally saved the game during this pandemic.

 

If you find someone who likes playing longer versions of games (Warhammer players are an example) it will probably be a lot easier to get them to play.

 

Also, you can step into the realm of the non-official stuff to encourage folks to try Epic. During 1.0 and even into 2.0 a bunch of Epic players have made non-official versions of some ships comparable in size for Epic. The Nebulon-B is probably the most widely available non-official ship out there. You may be able to make X-Wing players go “WOW!” at your 3D printed Nebulon-B, Hammerhead Corvette, Arquitens Cruiser, or other 3D printed ships that fit the X-Wing scale.

 

Unfortunately the Official X-Wing App does not support Epic. Which is fine since the App has issues anyway.  Update: Just found out the App does now support Epic. YASB 2.0 and Launch Bay Next Squad Builders both support Epic Squad building and are both great App’s. (And with the 2 new cards Bounty and In It For The Money you will be able to add a Scum ship to your Squad with the Multifaction option on YASB 2.0)

 

The more Epic is presented in a positive light, the more inclined regular X-Wings players will be to try it.

 

Good luck!