Last night, my wife and I played our first game of minis in nearly a year. It was probably the most fun I've had playing in quite some time. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy playing at the local store, but there's a tendency (as there should be) to build what's best and what wins. So when I do squad prep for a tournament, I have to anticipate for things like Yobuck or Snowspeeder or GOWK, etc.

Playing in Dean's Vassal league gave me some ideas on what playing for fun without it equaling scenario stuff could look like. So last night, we built squads with the following conditions:

200 points. 8 character maximum. Must follow the "era" settings of the official rulebook. Our game last night was straight up Rebel vs. Empire. I ran:
Han in Stormtrooper Armor
Princess Leia
Luke, Champion of the Force
Obi, Unleashed
Yoda of Dagobah
General Rieekan
Anakin, Force Spirit

My wife ran:
Thrawn
Darth Vader, Sith Apprentice
Emperor Palpatine
Kir Kanos
Admiral Ozzel
Arica
Mouse Droid x2

We played on the hardboard, and including distractions from our cats, it took about 45 minutes to finish. Might have gone a little faster, but she and I always talk strategy options as we make our plays. I've found that to be helpful when I'm playing on the weekends as well. It was a very close game, but she achieved the victory when she won the last initiative and moved Vader (who was down to 40 or 50 HP) past Yoda to finish off Luke.

The Rebel squad was a seriously tough combo, and might have performed better if I had played it a little differently. I rushed Obi-Wan out too fast, and not having any say about initiative got him killed sooner that I thought it would have. Thrawn and Ozzel were just too much of a match for Rieekan and Yoda, in regards to commander effects.

An 8-fig limit might have been a little low, but I was fine with it. Really, I think it is probably a flexible number, and could go as high as 12.

This is one of the main ways I intend to play the game from now on, outside of tournaments. No more worrying about override or satchel charge in every squad. If those things are there from time to time, that's fine - but they should not overshadow the game in such a way that not having them = auto-loss. At least, not in casual play.

I am just amazed that you can get your wives to play! My wife will not even think about playing SWM with me. She won't even watch the movies with me.

That's ok though, I already have my 5 year old daughter hooked on the movies and is beginning to show an interest in the game. I may even begin teaching her how to play. We played our fist game of checkers a few months ago and I could see how she would think about each move and learned the concept real fast. (Now I am not comparing SWM to checkers, just that my daughter seems to pick up new concepts quickly and easily and can play a game with strategy.)

I get my Fiance to play all the time i just told her that there are cool female characters and she was hooked. Granted she liked SW before that so that helped.

I like the idea Era play is really fun with the right crowd.

Sounds cool Boris, spending some good quality time together.



I feel your pain skeeve3000. My wife won't play either. However she loves the movie's as much as I do. There's always hope with your daughter though. My son and brother enjoy the game. I started teaching them when they were young.

My wife won't play but my son does. He's also very good so playing him is a challenge.

We've done all kinds of formats at my house. For a long time before we got into competitve play that's all we did. We would have anywhere from 4-8 guys playing. I personally like formats where focus is on the troopers and less on uniques. I also prefer themed squads where it makes sense for the characters to be in the squad.

My girlfriend said she would only watch the films if I watch Dirty Dancing - I will be having to bite that bullet this sumer I think. No chance on her playing the game though unfortunately. I shall have to try out the format, could be very fun, especially on the more doorless maps - or you have a rule banning door control i guess.

My wife has expressed some interest in playing but I think she's doing it to humor me. But I do have hope for my daughter. She cares nothing for girl toys and loves monsters, aliens, and superheroes. Our father-daughter day each week includes going to the comic shop. Fingers crossed.