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). Complete TILE WARS Hall of Fame info:
HERE 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
(or 8) squares), INSTEAD of a map. Legal tiles will be officially released WotC, or designed by Christopher West (aka "Mapmaker") 5 squares x 7
(or 8) squares tile. At this time the list includes the tiles (5 squares x 7
(or 8) squares) from any starter set, league promo, official WotC download, or any Ultimate Missions book, or any of Christopher West's (aka "Mapmaker") Tile sets or downloads. 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
(Updated 4/24/2012),
(Updated 7/23/2012):
Rebel Storm Starter:Cargo Bay
Control Room
Detetion Block
Hanger Bay
Hyperdrive Station
Storage
Clone Strike Starter:Battle Droid Factory
Crater
Destroyer Droid Factory
Execution Pillar
Power Station
Shattered Hall
Shattered Pillar
Speeder Wreck
Leauge Kits:Bombed Out Villa
Crumbled Depot
Ruined Plaza
Clone Strike Ultimate Missions:Broken Ediface
Revenge of the Sith Ultimate Missions:Starfighter
Official WotC downloadable tiles:<Click on the name to download the tile!>Desert & Sarlacc TilesThrone Room Tiles (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>
Cargo Hold
Cargo Loading Dock
Extension Bridge
Guard Post
Control Car
Empty Freight Car
Freight Car
Passenger Car
Here are the additional Christopher West Tiles that are also legal:
(All by Christopher West <at Maps of Mastery>
Sci-Fi Cargo Tiles:Speeder Truck
Armored Truck*Sorry - upon further inspection these two tiles are no longer legal (4/24/12)"Surveillance Station" (5x8) Terrain Card Set:(Most of these tiles are 2 sided, so I put them in pairs to make it easier.)
Gambling Lounge/Security Corridor (both sides are legal)
Maintenance Bay/Galley (both sides are legal)
Landing Platform 1 (both sides are legal)
Landing Platform 2 (both sides are legal)
Secured Hanger/Submersible Bay (both sides are legal)
Storage (ONLY the side WITHOUT the "Maps of Mastery" logo is legal)"Railway Station Tiles" (5x8) Terrain Card Set:(Most of these tiles are 2 sided, so I put them in pairs to make it easier.)
Cargo Loading Dock/Engineering Bay (both sides are legal)
Control Car/Control Car Rooftop (both sides are legal)
Empty Freight Car/Empty Freight Car Rooftop (both sides are legal)
Freight Car/Freight Car Rooftop (both sides are legal)
Passenger Car/Passenger Car Rooftop (both sides are legal)
Extension Bridge (Retracted Bridge on reverse side is NOT legal)
Railway Line (reverse side is not a tile)"Alien Starship Tiles" (5x8) Terrain Card Set:(Most of these tiles are 2 sided, so I put them in pairs to make it easier.)
Abdominal Structure (Biogel Chamber on reverse side is NOT legal)
Alien Floor (Biomechanical Starfighter on reverse side is NOT legal)
Audience Chamber/Command Pod (both sides are legal)
Empty Chamber (Alcoves on reverse side is NOT legal)and DOWNLOADABLE tiles from Maps of Mastery: (
http://mapsofmastery.com/downloads.html)
<Click on the name to download the tile!>Quicksand CampsiteCrash Site Control Car Roof Freight Car Roof Hangar Bay StarfighterExtension BridgeDragon's HoardMining TrackCommand PodBiogell Chamber*Sorry - upon further inspection this tile is no longer legal (4/24/12)This will be the list for GenCon 2012! (7/23/2012)
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.
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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.