Being fans of the Star Wars universe for so long, it was only a matter of time before fans like us found our way to tabletop gaming, drawn in by the allure of epic battles set in a galaxy far, far away. For many of us, our first exposure to the vastness of Star Wars happened through movies and animated content, but it quickly grew into wanting more interactive experiences. And what's more interactive than rolling dice, pushing mini versions of our fav characters across a starscape or battlefield making pew pew noises!?

Usually starting with a casual gathering of mates, many of whom were avid Star Wars nerds since we first saw the Millennium Falcon or a Star Destroyer, the idea of immersing ourselves in the stories of the Rebellion, the Empire, and everything in between was an easy decison. We envisioned epic confrontations between our favourite characters—Darth Vader facing off against Luke Skywalker, epic starships and squadrons of X-Wings taking the fight to the Imperial forces, and sabotage operations on remote planets.

The thrilling aspect of these games is not just in the play itself but also in the community building aspect. Joining a local gaming group at the Friendly Local Game Shop (FLGS) opened doors to meeting fellow enthusiasts who shared our passion. Some of us even enjoy painting miniatures which, not only enhances the gaming experience, but also allows us to express our creativity and skill (or lack thereof). Others prefer the pre-painted minis so they can focus on the games themselves, some like both (me!).

Star Wars tabletop games offer a unique combination of strategy, chance, and storytelling. Each game feels like a new episode of our very own Star Wars saga. The suspense of determining the outcome of battles and the camaraderie built through shared victories and defeats keep us coming back for more. We love strategising together, army/list-building, speculating about new releases, forming alliances, and sometimes even flinging a bit of banter from time to time - It’s always a good time!

Across all these games - X-Wing, Armada, Imperial Assault, Shatterpoint, Outer Rim, and more - the varied game mechanics and expansions are a treasure trove for all gamers. Each release brought new characters, ships, factions, missions, and stories that keep the gameplay fresh and exciting. Whether we’re playing as the powerful Galactic Empire or blazing a trail for the Rebels to stick it to the ‘man’, there's always something new to explore. Of course, as we delve deeper into the universe of Star Wars miniature gaming, we can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia. The thrill of seeing our beloved characters and ships in miniature form adds an extra layer of enjoyment, evoking memories of our favourite scenes from movie, TV, books, comics, video games and other media. Each battle we fight on the tabletop is a celebration of our tragic love for the franchise and a way for us to create our own epic tales (and memes).

Ultimately, what started as a simple interest has exploded into a fully-fledged passion that continues to grow. Star Wars tabletop gaming has not only created and strengthened friendships with mates at home, interstate and even internationally, but has also created a comfortable space for community, creativity and strategy that we enjoy. The excitement of an impending battle, the allure of new miniatures (occasionally), and the rich lore of Star Wars keeps us engaged, eager for each session.

So anyway, here’s how I got here…

wargaming Beginnings

As a kid in the late eighties and early nineties, my wargaming journey began on the makeshift battlefields of the loungeroom floor and kitchen table. There, I’d play out epic sieges and raids between Lego Castle factions - the evil Dragon Knights, heroic Lion Kingdom and the loyal Forestmen. With the building (and destroying) castles, towns, terrain and forest hideouts, each skirmish was a clash of creativity. I’d craft stories of valor and treachery, eventually inventing ways to use dice to randomise which minifigs lost their helmets, fell off the battlements or got stomped on by a horse. With every brick placed and minifig flicked, my passion for strategy and storytelling grew. Little did I know, this playful foundation would lead me into the expansive universe of tabletop gaming and the galaxy far, far away. Iniitially with Star Wars Micro Machines and the Action Fleet, then into wargames proper!

X-WING AND ARMADA

Haha - Here we go… Having been a tabletop gamer now for a few decades, I've played a wide range of miniatures games, but there's something particularly satisfying about the intensity and strategy of X-Wing and Armada. My best mate, Dane, and I got into both of these immediately on their respective release dates - X-Wing in 2012 and Armada in 2015. Both games capture the excitement of space battles with incredible precision, but each offers a unique experience. X-Wing is fast-paced and tactical, with a focus on maneuvering your ships through tight dogfights. It’s all about making the right moves, anticipating your opponent’s actions, and managing your resources, like your squadron's special abilities and positioning. The pre-painted minis and core mechanics are simple enough to pick up quickly, but mastering the subtleties of movement and combat keeps things challenging. Standard squadron lists range from 3-8 minis, depending on which rules set and points base you’re using. Epic play includes the huge ships and increases the points limits to accommodate scale models of iconic ships such as Rebel CR90 or Imperial Raider Corvettes. Overall, X-Wing does a great job of capturing the joy and satisfaction of pulling off a wild barrel roll or correctly predicting an enemy's next move, and the constant push-pull of positioning versus firepower makes every game a fresh puzzle to solve with more opportunities for obscure quotes!

Armada, on the other hand, is a more strategic and grand-scale experience. It’s less about the frantic energy of dogfights and more about commanding large fleets in tactical engagements. The scale of the game offers a sense of epic space battles—large capital ships, squadrons of starfighters, and the influence of long-range artillery all come into play. I enjoy the way Armada forces you to think several turns ahead, considering not just what’s happening now, but what your opponent might do across the whole battlefield. The ships come pre-painted and the tiny squadron minis come unpainted (however, in different colour plastic for each faction), leaving room for some hobbying and customisation. Upgrades and command cards give you a lot of options to build your custom fleet for battle, while the larger play area allows for more diverse tactics. Whether I’m coordinating the movements of a pizza party of Star Destroyers, trying to outflank my opponent with Rebel capital ships that look like weird space fish or playing out the spiciest of the various Clone Wars fleet engagements, every game feels like a unique story unfolding in the Star Wars universe. In addition to standard 400pt fleets, official rulesets even exist for fleet sizes from 200pt small task forces to large epic scale 1200pt+ sector fleets. The influence of Fleet carrier and capital ship tactics used in both theatres of World War II is clear here, and I love that aspect also. Together, these two games allow me to immerse myself in the Star Wars galaxy in ways that few other miniatures games can match, while also scratching that naval battle ‘itch’.

HOWEVER… both games will soon be left unsupported by AMG. That said, don’t fret! Even with the withdrawal of support for X-Wing and Armada on completion of the current 2024-25 tournament season (around May 2025), both of these games have very passionate communities that already have plans to continue supporting the game well into the future. The minis themselves may become harder to come by, but there’s many other ways to start playing even now… hmm yeh, that definitely leaves room for more posts, lists and think-pieces in the near future!

Imperial Assault

In addition to X-Wing and Armada, Imperial Assault holds a special place in my heart for its blend of tactical miniatures combat and narrative-driven gameplay. Dane and I got this on release too in 2014 (a pattern emerges…). As an RPG dungeon-crawler game based on an improved version of Descent, it offers a different pace and feel compared to the massive space battles of X-Wing or Armada. What I love most about Imperial Assault is the way it mixes strategic movement and combat with storytelling. Playing as either the Empire or the Rebels, you can engage in a series of linked missions that feel like chapters in a larger Star Wars saga. The skirmish mode lets me face off with a more intimate set of forces, where every decision—whether to rush forward and engage or hold back and plan—has a tangible impact on the outcome. In the Campaigns (I have them ALL - there’s a lot), the heroes and villains you choose, the abilities they have, and the tactical decisions made during each mission all contribute to an evolving narrative, making each game feel like an epic struggle for the galaxy's fate and drive different outcomes based on your successes and failures. The flexibility of the game, with its various expansions and customisation options, ensures that no two campaigns or skirmishes are ever quite the same, making Imperial Assault a highly replayable and engaging experience for Star Wars and dungeon-crawler fans alike. In April 2019, Fantasy Flight declared the game as ‘complete’ and no new official content will be made, but it can be found in many places for sale and there is also a pretty active community generating ongoing content, including competitive play.

Shatterpoint

Star Wars: Shatterpoint brought an exciting new dynamic to Star Wars miniatures gaming with its focus on fast, tactical skirmishes and the deeper emotional connections between the iconic characters. Unlike the large-scale fleet battles of X-Wing or Armada, Shatterpoint zeroes in on the personal, ground-level combat that fans of Star Wars films and shows love to explore. Similar to it’s older AMG brother, Marvel: Crisis Protocol, the game is built around small squads of heroes and villains—such as Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, or Darth Maul—and their unique abilities, all set within a fluid, objective-based system. What really sets Shatterpoint apart is the way it encourages players to think on their feet, constantly adapting to the shifting battlefield and the intricate relationships between the characters on both sides. The activation system, which uses a random deck based draw system to activate individual characters, means that every round feels dynamic and fast-paced, with constant choices about how to capture objectives, when to attack, and how to outmanoeuvre your opponent. It’s a game that feels cinematic in its approach, with the possibility of duels and pivotal moments that truly bring the characters to life. Whether you’re staging a lightsaber duel between Jedi and Sith or coordinating a team of Republic clones, Shatterpoint is an awesome new way to experience the Star Wars universe up close and personal. New content continues to be regularly announced and released as of the date of this post, with much more on the horizon in the future - There’s full competitive play support as well!

Boardgames: Outer Rim & Rebellion (+ Expansions)

Star Wars: Outer Rim brings a refreshing and immersive experience to Star Wars fans who love a more open-ended, exploratory style of gameplay. Unlike the tactical combat of X-Wing, Armada, or Imperial Assault, Outer Rim is all about carving your own path through the galaxy as a bounty hunter, smuggler, or mercenary. The game is rich in thematic storytelling as players take on iconic roles like Han Solo, Boba Fett, Dr. Aphra or Greedo, navigating between different planets, completing jobs, avoiding the law (or crime factions), and trying to build their reputation. The semi-cooperative nature of the game, where players can form temporary alliances, betray each other and owe debts, adds a layer of tension and excitement. What I love most is the sense of freedom it offers—the galaxy feels alive with opportunities, and every decision you make, from upgrading your ship to choosing your next mission, can shift the course of the game. The simple yet effective mechanics allow for a fast-paced experience that still feels deep and rewarding, with plenty of room for strategy and surprise. The expansion, Unfinished Business, adds more characters and even more depth to the gameplay, I highly recommend including it in every playthrough, where possible! It's a perfect game for those who enjoy a mix of resource management, risk-taking, and narrative-driven exploration, and it's a great way to immerse yourself in the gritty, adventure-filled side of the Star Wars universe.

At the other end of the scale, Star Wars: Rebellion is the ultimate game for anyone who’s ever dreamed of leading the Empire or the Rebel Alliance in a galaxy-spanning civil war. Unlike the tactical skirmishes of X-Wing and Armada or the intimate struggles of Imperial Assault, Shatterpoint and Outer Rim, Rebellion is a grand strategy game that gives you the chance to command entire factions, manage resources, and make high-stakes decisions that can alter the fate of the galaxy. One of the things that really draws me in is how the game captures the feeling of an epic struggle, with players taking on the roles of either the Empire or the Rebel Alliance. The Rebels must operate in secrecy, building up their forces while staying hidden, while the Empire works to track down and crush them all. It’s a game of bluffing, deduction, and surprise, with the constant tension of wondering when the Rebellion will reveal itself and whether the Empire can snuff it out before it’s too late. The expansion, Rise of the Empire, introduces content from Rogue One and improves the game’s combat system enough to make it another ‘must include’ in every game. The game’s mix of strategic planning, surprise elements, and thematic storytelling makes every playthrough feel like its own Star Wars movie, with the potential for endless twists and turns. The scale of Rebellion is massive, and the feeling of being in control of the galaxy is intoxicating—whether you’re orchestrating a bold attack or desperately trying to outwit your opponent’s every move, the game never stops delivering drama and excitement.

PUNCH IT

Whether you're commanding fleets in X-Wing or Armada, leading squads in Imperial Assault or Shatterpoint, navigating the galaxy as a bounty hunter in Outer Rim or holding the fate of the galaxy in your hands in Rebellion, the wealth of Star Wars-themed tabletop games offers something for every kind of player. Each game brings its own flavor of strategy, immersion, and excitement, from the fast-paced dogfights of X-Wing to the sweeping system battles of Rebellion. For those who enjoy narrative-driven experiences, Imperial Assault and Shatterpoint provide the chance to engage with the iconic characters and personal stories that make Star Wars so compelling. Now, before I get yelled at - I know that I missed Legion, but I’ve not managed to look into that abyss just yet… lest it look back into me lol. I fully intend to invite a guest poster for that one, as I like to promote all of these great games and help build a community where I can.

Star Wars Thanksgiving — *Yes mate, I know that’s Han’s line. I stole it.*

My Favourite part of these games is that they allow us to immerse ourselves in the Star Wars galaxy in ways that are as diverse as the universe itself. Whether you’re looking for fast action, deep strategy, epic storytelling or beers and preztels dice-throwing, there’s a Star Wars tabletop game out there to suit your style. Each game not only challenges your mind but also brings you closer to the adventures, battles, and characters that have defined one of the greatest sagas in pop culture. So, enough rambling - that’s how I tumbled into the rabbithole of Star Wars tabletop gaming… but uh, everything’s perfectly alright now. We’re fine. We’re all fine here now, thank you. How are you?

Me? Well, I’m getting a scotch.

- Rosco