Star Wars: X-Wing
Officially Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game
Star Wars starship combat miniature game. First published 2012 by Fantasy Flight Games; Second Edition 2018; Third Edition 2024 by Atomic Mass Games. Uses hidden simultaneous MOVEMENT DIALS + templates for spaceship combat. Iconic Star Wars ships (X-Wings, TIE Fighters, Millennium Falcon). Most popular miniatures game 2015-2018.
What is Star Wars: X-Wing?
Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game is STAR WARS STARSHIP COMBAT MINIATURE GAME. First published 2012 by FANTASY FLIGHT GAMES; SECOND EDITION 2018 (major overhaul); THIRD EDITION 2024 by ATOMIC MASS GAMES (moved from FFG). GAMEPLAY: 2 players each command squadron of STAR WARS SHIPS (X-Wings, TIE Fighters, Millennium Falcon, TIE Interceptors, Y-Wings, A-Wings, T-70s, TIE Defenders, etc.). HIDDEN SIMULTANEOUS MOVEMENT via DIALS — each player secretly sets each ship's movement (straight 1-5, turns, banks, k-turn, tallon roll), then reveal + execute in initiative order. Uses PLASTIC MOVEMENT TEMPLATES for exact ship movement. COMBAT: measure range, roll attack dice vs defense dice, evade tokens + focus tokens key. UPGRADE CARDS (pilots, weapons, modifications) enable customization. 100-POINT SQUADS standard tournament format. FACTIONS 1E: REBEL, IMPERIAL, SCUM (bounty hunters). 2E added: RESISTANCE (First Order-era) + FIRST ORDER + REPUBLIC (Clone Wars) + SEPARATIST (Confederacy). PRE-PAINTED MINIATURES = instant play (rare in wargaming). MOST POPULAR MINIATURES GAME 2015-2018 (before Star Wars: Legion). Tournament scene: X-Wing World Championships at Fantasy Flight's WORLDS event. Related: STAR WARS: ARMADA (fleet capital ships), STAR WARS: LEGION (28mm ground troops).
Quick facts
Category
Miniature Wargames
Type
Team sport
Players
2–4
Duration
~60 min
Where played
indoor
Field / court
3ft × 3ft play area
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
1st Edition 2012 FFG; 2nd Edition 2018; 3rd Edition 2024 Atomic Mass Games; moved from FFG when Asmodee restructured
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Destroy opposing squadron OR gain most points from destroyed ships when time runs out.
Rules
Basic rules
100-point squads (tournament standard)
Build squad from ships + upgrades within 100 points.
Hidden simultaneous movement dials
Each ship's move set in secret; revealed in initiative order (low to high).
Movement templates for exact positioning
1-5 straight, banks 1-3, turns 1-3, k-turn, tallon roll.
Combat: roll attack vs defense dice
Focus tokens improve; evade tokens defend; hits deal damage.
Ships destroyed at hull = 0
Some ships regen shields; damage cards flip when critical.
Initiative determines movement + attack order
Higher pilot skill activates last (moves) but attacks first.
Scoring
Destroyed ships = points to opponent. Winner = most points (or last squad standing).
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Ship destroyed | Full point cost to opponent |
| Ship half destroyed (some hull remaining) | Half points (round up) |
| Mission objective | Varies by scenario |
Win condition · Destroy enemy squad OR most points when time expires.
Playing area
Called
3ft × 3ft play area
Dimensions
36in × 36in space; unmarked
Open 3D space table; no terrain typically (though scenarios add asteroids/debris).
Equipment
Rulebook (Second Edition Reference)
€30 conversion kit or included in starter
Pre-painted plastic ship miniatures
€15-30 per ship expansion
Maneuver dials + templates
Included with each ship
Attack dice (red) + defense dice (green)
8-sided custom dice
Range ruler + acquired target tokens
Game accessories
Upgrade cards + pilot cards
Customization
Squad building app (FFG/AMG)
Digital 100-point squad builder
Play mat (optional, 3×3)
€30-50
Strategies
Range 1 = strong attacks weak defense
Get in tight = damage advantage.
K-turn to reverse direction
Advanced skill; ships face opposite direction after k-turn.
Formation flying maximizes coverage
Bunched ships defend each other; spread = concentrated fire targets.
Terminology
- Dial
- Hidden movement selector; set each turn.
- K-turn
- 180° reverse turn ending on opposite facing.
- Tallon roll
- Bank ending on 90° perpendicular facing.
- Focus token
- Reroll attack/defense; blank → hit/evade.
- Evade token
- Automatic defense success.
- Stress
- Cannot perform actions until removed.
- PS (Pilot Skill)
- Determines initiative order.
- Range 1/2/3
- Attack range affecting dice modifiers.
- Bump
- Ship collision; both stopped in place.
Major competitions
X-Wing World Championship (FFG World Championships)
annual · worldwide · since 2013
System Open Series
annual · worldwide · since 2015
Store Championships (local tournaments)
annual · worldwide · since 2013
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Atomic Mass Games (current 3E publisher)
Founded 2019 · USA
Fantasy Flight Games (1E + 2E publisher)
Founded 1995 · USA
Asmodee (owner)
Founded 1995 · France
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Jay Little (USA) — Original 1E designer
- Frank Brooks (USA) — 2E lead designer
- Alex Davy (USA) — 2E co-designer
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
X-WING CORE SET ($40-60) — 3 ships + rules
T-70 + 2 TIE Fighters typical.
- 2
Play at local game store
FFG/AMG global retailer network hosts weekly play.
- 3
Use squad builder app for 100-pt squads
Digital list building saves time.
intermediate
- 1
Faction commitment (Rebel, Imperial, Scum)
Master one faction's playstyle.
- 2
Attend Store Championships
Local tournament scene.
advanced
- 1
System Open Series regional qualifiers
Path to X-Wing Worlds.
Frequently asked
What is Star Wars: X-Wing?+
STAR WARS STARSHIP COMBAT MINIATURE GAME (2012). First published Fantasy Flight Games; Second Edition 2018; Third Edition 2024 by Atomic Mass Games. 2 players command squadrons of ICONIC STAR WARS SHIPS (X-Wings, TIE Fighters, Millennium Falcon, etc.). Hidden simultaneous movement DIALS + templates for spaceship maneuvers. PRE-PAINTED MINIATURES (rare in miniatures gaming = instant play). 100-point squads standard tournament format. Was MOST POPULAR MINIATURES GAME 2015-2018.
How is X-Wing different from Star Wars: Legion?+
X-WING = SPACE combat, INDIVIDUAL SHIPS (5-8 ships per side), 60-90 min games, PRE-PAINTED. LEGION = GROUND combat, INFANTRY SQUADS + vehicles (30-60 miniatures per side), 2-3 hour games, requires PAINTING. X-Wing more accessible + faster. Legion more traditional wargame experience. Both by FFG/Atomic Mass Games. STAR WARS: ARMADA = middle-ground with capital fleets. Preference: preferred content (space vs ground) + hobby time (X-Wing minimal, Legion significant).
How much does X-Wing cost to start?+
$40-60 CORE SET (includes 3 ships + rules) enables casual play. TOURNAMENT LEVEL requires expansion ships: $15-30 per ship. 100-POINT SQUAD typically costs $80-150. FACTION COMMITMENT ~$150-300 for competitive collection. MUCH CHEAPER than most miniatures games (Warhammer 40K $500+; Legion $300+). No PAINTING required (pre-painted ships) — major cost saving. Considered MOST ACCESSIBLE competitive miniatures game.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — X-Wing— Wikipedia
- Atomic Mass Games — X-Wing— Atomic Mass Games