Flock of Bluebirds

Sometimes, there's a good idea that turns out to be a real mess in execution. Players are really getting into Epic X-Wing, and for this month's matches, I suggested adding an objective to the games. One of the regulars said he had an idea, so, hey, less skullwork for me. It sounded like a heck of a good idea. Two rounds, with two tables going during the first round, with those matches influencing the second round's scoring and force compositions. It was set up as a Rebels-Imperials contest. The S&V partisans could join in matches that were already underway, with certain conditions and their own objectives.

It was a mess.

The first-round tables both saw convoys under attack, with objectives for both sides. These went well enough - until the S&V forces started jumping in. The games became very chaotic, dragging on - and the Epic format is time-consuming enough - and you could see frustration coming on.

Rounds two got underway after about three hours. Three players each for the Rebel and Imperial sides, plus, at one point, five S&V players. Seven huge ships, and ... I lost count of small and large ships. It took about two turns for things to start breaking down. Around midnight, my teammates and one of the Rebel players and I decided that we were going to go for a couple more rounds, and then call it a game, win or lose. It had become a slog by then, and fatigue and hunger and frustration was getting the best of us.

Maybe as some fallout from the long night at the tables, I was not well yesterday. Barely got out of bed, sleeping most of the day away. Feeling better this morning - already shaved and showered and all that, more than I managed yesterday -  but I'm still not back at full strength. Whatever I picked up from Dad over Thanksgiving weekend is a persistent critter.