TILE WARS is a SWM variant format that a friend and I developed. Created in 2007, born of an idea from Jacob Snodgrass, who was frustrated with the lack of action in competitive games. Then along with myself, Deri Morgan (fingerandteeth) and other members of Chicago League 1670, we play-tested and shaped it. Next with help from the guys at Gamer's Paradise (now Chicagoland Games) and Pastimes in Niles, we played, promoted and spread the word of the new format. I am pleased that this format has gained popularity so quickly. It's fast and fun, and is much more complex than it appears at first glance. Some have referred to it as a Star Wars cage match. Action is unavoidable, and you only win when all enemies are dead. It's a version we play sometimes when we don't have time for a full game. GenCon 2008 was it's first big tournament appearance (Won by Phillip Carlisle aka Joruus C'Boath), and that was in the 100pt format. 2009 was it's first big tournament appearance in the fan demanded (and original conception) 200pt format (Won by Deri Morgan aka fingersandteeth). Ultimately, I would love to see it listed in the official DCI floor rules just as Dynamic Duo recently achieved. I present to you:
TILE WARSGame play follows all rules of standard Star Wars Miniatures 200 pt. play with the following exceptions:
1. Both players bring with them 1 tile (5 squares x 7 squares), INSTEAD of a map. Legal tiles will be officially released WotC, or designed by Christopher West (aka "Mapmaker") 5 squares x 7 squares tile. At this time the list includes the tiles (5 squares x 7 squares) from any starter set, league promo, official WotC download, or any Ultimate Missions book, or Christopher West's (aka "Mapmaker") first Tile set. See list below for all legal tiles. The tile must have all the appropriate lines and marking (doors, walls, pits, etc.) for Star Wars Miniatures. Your entire squad must be able to fit on your tile.
These are the official legal tiles released to date for this format:
rs starter
Cargo Bay
Control Room
Detetion Block
Hanger Bay
Hyperdrive Station
Storage
cs starter
Battle Droid Factory
Crater
Destroyer Droid Factory
Exicution Pillar
Power Station
Shattered Hall
Shattered Pillar
Speeder Wreck
leauge kit
Bombed Out Villa
Crumbled Depot
Ruined Plaza
cs missions
Broken Ediface
rots missions
Starfighter
Official WotC downloadable tiles
Desert & Sarlacc:
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x...le/swmtileset1Throne Room Tiles:
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x...le/fathersheir (Please keep in mind only the 4th tile with two un-walled ends will work for TILE WARS.)
*note - Turbolift Cluster and Shaft are not legal Tiles for TILE WARS*
Christopher West's Tiles (aka "Mapmaker") <Link to buy these tiles:
http://www.mapsofmastery.com/store.html>LEGAL:Cargo Hold
Guard Post
Extension Bridge
---->other "Mapmaker" tiles under consideration:
*Cargo Loading Dock
*Control Car
*Empty Freight Car
*Freight Car
*Passenger Car
---->(and the newest Christopher West Tiles that are also under consideration)
. <Link to download these tiles 2 FOR FREE: http://www.mapsofmastery.com/tutorials.html>
*Quicksand
*Campsite
2. Both players bring their tile and place it with their desired 5 square side towards their opponent. The two tiles must "connect" to each other through the five squares of the narrow side. The tiles should not overlap, but lay adjacent and in line with each other. Tiles may not be offset. In addition, there must be at least 2 squares of "access" to the opposing players tile. Access will be considered 1 square on one player’s tile with no terrain, rough terrain or low objects (no walls or pits) directly adjacent (not diagonal) to a square on your opponent’s tile with no terrain, rough terrain or low objects (no walls or pits). Walled off ends of tiles must be faced away from your opponent. If the tiles don't fit together with the requisite 2 squares of access, then BOTH players must turn their tile 180 degrees. If there is only one way 2 tiles can fit together and allow for at least 2 squares of access, they must be turned so that they can do that. If for some reason 2 tiles cannot fit together with at least 2 squares of access, a new tile must be used by both players, chosen randomly by the judge.
Roll for setup, winner chooses who places characters first. Characters can be placed
anywhere on their own tile. Your entire squad must be able to fit legally on your tile. Every character must be able to reach the other players tile, attack an enemy or be attacked by an enemy. (This rule is simply to prevent the trapping of one or more of your own characters behind a wall for the whole game.)
3. A player must destroy every unit on an opponent’s team to be declared the winner. No lock out victories. There is no gambit and no time limit. (Games last an average of 20-30 minutes.)
Overriding a door locked CLOSED is illegal in TILE WARS. All characters with the Diplomat special ability lose that ability in TILE WARS. If for some reason neither team is completely defeated after
45 minutes, it will result in a double-loss, regardless of points.
________________________________________ ___________________________________
I would love for you all to playtest this format and report back. Ways to abuse it? It is a kill 'em all game, any way for that not to happen? Powerful squads? Let me know.