I’m writing for this website, but it may come as a shock to you when I say I’m not a die hard gamer. I’m not a rules lawyer. I suffer from a distinct lack of focus and a short-fuse attention span that acts like a Rocky and Bullwinkle-esque bomb. Once it explodes, I’ve lost interest.
The thing that attracts me to the games I play isn’t game mechanics, but story, detail, and immersion. It was with this in mind when I decided to create the ranking system my league uses for FFG’s Star Wars X-Wing Miniatures game at the store I run, Coliseum of Comics Kissimmee in Central Florida.
Running a gaming (and comic) store in the age of internet pricing is a difficult gamble. Pricing is very competitive, and usually gaming stores can’t go toe to toe with giants like Amazon. Because of this, we’ve had to innovate our league styles to consistently attract customers, offering them something that makes them feel a part of the universes they choose to inhabit.
My test case was X-Wing, which happens to be set in the universe my brain chooses to inhabit.
Overview
Our leagues run for 5-week increments and can run from 75-point “We will destroy them ship to ship” matches for our new players, to the high point value freighter combat missions. My league organizer, Tim Wright, who I have to mention simply because he does such an excellent job, innovates each week’s missions with new obstacles and objectives.
When players join, they must pick a faction: Rebel Alliance, Empire, or Scum & Villainy. Players can switch their faction, but they are encouraged to stay in-faction so they can pick up all the ranks and medals before moving onto the next faction.
We track wins and losses via a very simple points system:
Win: 5 points
Modified Win/Draw: 3 Points
Lose: 1 point
For every 10 points you accrue, you gain rank.
As players accrue points, they can move up in rank in their chosen faction. Players can not only top in the league and reach the “Hero” ranking, but can also top out in their faction and receive the “Ace” ranking, which will be explained further below.
Each rank earned comes with a certificate. Special certificates are earned for gaining “Ace” and “Hero” rankings.
Rebel Alliance Rankings
R.1 – Rookie Rebel Pilot
R. 2 – Veteran Rebel Pilot
R.3 – Gold Squadron Leader
R.4 – Rogue Squadron Pilot
R.5 – Rogue Leader
R.6 – Rebel Captain
R.7 – Rear Admiral of the Alliance to Restore the Republic
R.8 – Admiral of the New Republic
Empire Rankings
R.1 – TIE Academy Cadet
R.2 – TIE Veteran Pilot
R.3 – Black Squadron Pilot
R.4 – Black Squadron Commander
R.5 – Emperor’s Royal Escort
R.6 – Captain of an Imperial Star Destroyer
R. 7 – Imperial Fleet Admiral
R.8 – Grand Admiral of the Galactic Empire
Scum and Villainy Rankings
R. 1 – Scum
R.2 – Hired Gun
R.3 – Junk Freighter Captain
R.4 – Charismatic Blockade Runner
R.5 – Famous Smuggler Captain
R.6 – Mysterious Syndicate Boss
R. 7 – Outer Rim Crime Lord
R.8 – Underworld Legend
Medals
Medals are also a factional award system that work much in the same way as Achievements or Trophies work on X-Box and Playstation respectively. Players perform a specific action, and when that action is corroborated by their opponent, they get awarded the medal.
In addition, my league organizer developed these medals for players who consistently show up to play each season:
Service Medals (All Players)
1 Season – Bronze Star
2 Seasons – Bronze Oak Leaf
3 Seasons – Silver Star
4 Seasons – Silver Clusters
5 Seasons – Governor’s Merit
6 Seasons – Recognition from the Senate
Alliance Medals (For Alliance Players only)
Alderaanian Cross – awarded for obtaining victory after squad is reduced to a single ship.
The Order of Yavin – awarded for obtaining a flawless campaign during seasonal play. Recipient must win every battle they are placed in.
Distinguished Flying Star – awarded for winning a match with the lowest possible ship cost
Alliance Marksmanship Ribbon – awarded for using a single ship to destroy three enemy ships.
Silver Starbird – awarded for winning four out of the five seasonal games
Imperial Medals (For Imperial Players Only)
The Order of the Iron Star – awarded for obtaining a flawless campaign during seasonal play. Recipient must win every battle they are placed in.
Imperial Cross – awarded for winning a battle without losing a single ship.
The Black Crest – awarded for destroying opponents forces within 30 minutes of the round.
Emperor’s War Ribbon – awarded for using a different squad and winning for three out of the five games in the season.
Scum & Villainy Reputation (For S&V Players Only)
“You’re the respectable one.” – earned after beating opponent without stealing an action.
“Why, you slimy, double-crossing, no-good swindler…” – earned after each ship under your command steals an action from opponent. (Must be more than two ships under command)
“She may not look like much” – earned after your lowest powered ship strikes the winning blow in a match.
“That was one in a million, kid!” – awarded for obtaining a flawless campaign during seasonal play. Recipient must win every battle they are placed in.
“I know…” – awarded for winning a match without losing a single ship.
And there you have it. We’ve seen a marked increase in the league play with our introduction of this system, and honestly, it was very fun to develop.
I hope you can utilize these in your own league’s or create some of your own, and if you’re in the neighborhood, stop by Coliseum of Comics Kissimmee and show off your dogfighting skills sometime.
Thanks for playing!
