Kezzamachine's idea of 'levels' is a great idea. Essentially, slotting the SWM pieces by complexity so that new players can ease into the game without feeling overwhelmed. People tossed out some ideas for what they think should be included as part of Level 1 - the simplest level. However, I'd like to see something simpler than anything suggested so far. Let's call it "Level 0".

(See this discussion if you haven't already:
http://www.bloomilk.com/Forums/default.aspx?g=posts&t=12690 )

Level 0 is purely for teaching the most basic rules of the game. It's a teaching game, so it should end quickly. At the same time, it should be fun enough that the player can't wait to play a 'real' game.

So here is your challenge: Create 2 squads and choose a map for them to play on at Level 0.

The squads should be balanced against one another and contain VERY simple figures. The map should be simple (i.e. no beveled corners) and play quickly. The idea at this level is to introduce rounds, phases, turns, basic movement, terrain, targeting, combine fire, attacking, attacks of opportunity, Force points, rerolling, Move Faster, the simplest (!!) of Force Powers and Special Abilities, and the simplest of commander effects. (Probably nothing more than Cunning, Opportunist, and +4/+10 boosts. Even Accurate Shot or Grenades is probably too much at this Level - save it for Level 1.) The two squads should be able to consistently face off against one another and reach a resolution on the given map in 15 minutes or less... INCLUDING rules explanations to a new player.

Squads need to be 100 points or less. To meet the requirement of a VERY fast skirmish, 50 points might actually be more appropriate. Using iconic figures is encouraged, since the idea is that this is for a new player, and they will more likely prefer to know who the characters are. At the same time, using otherwise useless pieces is also encouraged so that anyone who is teaching the game has no qualms about leaving these pieces together in a 'teaching' box without having to raid the box for normal games.


ACTUAL INTANGIBLE PRIZE: I will physically set aside the winner's idea and use it whenever I teach the game in the future.

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EDIT: For ease of reference, I'll put the winners here. I'd like to have a Sith/OR, Rep/Sep, and Reb/Imperial 50vs50 skirmish.

I don't have any specific ideas but I have seen other BM members discuss how it is easier to teach new players if you use characters they recognize. My suggestion would be to do something like Imperial vs. Rebel with a simple Vader (is there a simple Vader?), Stormtroopers, and a few other Imperial figures available and then have Rebel Troopers with two or three unique Rebel figures (like a simple Luke and Leia).

How're these?:

--Republic--
14 Jedi Guardian
36 Clone Trooper (x4)

--CIS--
16 Dark Side Acolyte
10 Super Battle Droid
24 Battle Droid (x6)

As for the map... How about Nelvaanin Snow Fields or Caves of Illum?

They're each fairly balanced. While the Separatists may have superior activations, Battle Droids are really cruddy. The requirement of combining fire for the Separatist play to hit balances out the greater activations. The Jedi Guardian has an actual Force power, while the DSA has Double Attack. The Clones have good Damage, but it's mostly wasted except against the DSA or the SBA. Both squads are a nice mix of ranged and melee characters, and they're only 50 points each, which means that the game will go rather fast.

when we teach new people, we try to stick with characters they know, and use small squads. We try to have one force user, one commander, and not too many special abilities, since they have to keep track of theirs and their opponents

Here are a couple I tossed together. I don't know maps well so I have no recommendation.

--Imperial Level Zero--
39 Anakin Skywalker, Sith Apprentice
15 Dengar
14 Stormtrooper Officer
11 Elite Stormtrooper
21 Snowtrooper x3
(100pts. 7 activations)

--Rebel Level Zero--
21 Luke Skywalker, Young Jedi
21 Rebel Captain
20 Princess Leia
13 Rebel Officer
13 Rebel Trooper on Tauntaun
7 Elite Rebel Trooper
5 Rebel Trooper
(100pts. 7 activations)

Ironically, they accidentally have exactly the same HPs and average Attack rating.

The trick is finding characters new players will recognize that are Level 0 simple. "Mains" are inherently powerful/complicated.

A Sith vs OR option...

--OR "Level 1" Training Squad--
18 Old Republic Commander
16 Jedi Consular
16 Old Republic Soldier x2

(50pts. 4 activations)
http://www.bloomilk.com/Squad/130339/or--level-1--training-squad

--Sith "Level 1" Training Squad--
29 Dark Jedi Master
13 Elite Sith Trooper
8 Sith Trooper

(50pts. 3 activations)
http://www.bloomilk.com/Squad/130340/sith--level-1--training-squad


Would either of these have a huge advantage over the other?

Good point....

Have the minis/special abilities/force powers/commander effects that are appropriate for what levels been listed? Are the levels based on skill, or understanding of the game? So would level 0 be 1-3 games played? or 1-3 games won? How many levels are there? (are we sticking with 5?)

For Level 0, I keep thinking of cheap, low-cost figures that have an overall low rating on Bloomilk. Ranged characters should have a low Attack so as to encourage combining fire, and neither side should be able to out-activate the other (within reason). Auto-damage should be minimized to nothing above 20, and speed should be limited to Speed 6, without movement breakers. Nothing should have more attacks than two a turn. Non-targeting abilities should probably be limited to adjacent. No Diplomat, etc.

How were the two squads I designed?