Last Weekend, in a part of France far far away, 71 people gathered in the small town of Parthenay, to battle it out in a two day event, this was the French national x-wing championship and man was it awesome!

Sadly I was not playing but simply attending as a humble journalist covering the event. I wish I had been able to play as despite the very high level of play and what was at stake, a trip to the world championships in America, I have rarely seen a tournament where the spirit of the community shines through. It gave the event a real feeling of camaraderie.

Their were some fantastic games with real nail biting moments as well as displays of tactical prowess. As a budding X-Wing player I learnt a LOT from this event (I’ll never look at a Lambda shuttle the same way again!). Another element that genuinely pleased me was the fact that every X-Wing model was present at the event in one list or another, even the real dark horses like the Tie Advanced or the Tie Bomber. Nigh on every list was different which really emphasised each commander’s preferred play style and willingness to innovate.

After the first day of qualification rounds, 16 players emerged from the 71 to fight it out for the title. Those that were out were still treated to an Escalation tournament the next day and the prize support from edge (FFG’s distributors in France) as well as multiple gaming stores around the country served to reinforce the communal aspect f this game. Of note was the prize given to the top 16: giant versions of Boba Fett’s Firespray card that were signed by Jeremy Bulloch, the Actor that portrayed Fett in episode V and VI!

Look out for more in depth reviews on the top lists and the video reports of the finals but in the mean time here are the top 16 Commanders and their squadrons!

1st/ Jean-Cristophe “Icareane” Hu – Empire – 100pts
Obsidian Squadron Pilot – 13
Obsidian Squadron Pilot – 13
Obsidian Squadron Pilot – 13
Obsidian Squadron Pilot – 13
Academy Pilot – 12
Academy Pilot – 12
Academy Pilot – 12
Academy Pilot – 12

2nd/ Renaud “Alde” Desrey – Empire – 99pts
Whisper – 32
– Veteran Instincts – 1
– Advanced Cloaking Device – 4
– Fire Controle System – 2
Howlrunner – 18
Black Squadron Pilot – 14
Black Squadron Pilot – 14
Black Squadron Pilot – 14

3rd/ Philippe Jourdren – Rebel – 100pts
Airen Craken – 19
– Concussion Missiles – 4
– Swarm Tactics – 2
Bandit Squadron Pilot – 12
– Assault Missiles – 5
Bandit Squadron Pilot – 12
– Concussion Missiles – 4
Rookie Pilot – 21
Rookie Pilot – 21

4th/ Oliver “Jabba” Le Guen – Rebel – 100pts
Lando Calrissian – 44
– Gunner – 5
– Expert Handling – 2
– Nien Numb – 1
Chewbacca – 42
– Gunner – 5
– Veteran Instincts – 1

5th/ Benjamin “Frère Sender” François – Empire – 100pts
Howlrunner – 18
Nightbeast – 15
Black Squadron Pilot – 14
– Draw their fire – 1
Obsidian Squadron Pilot – 13
Obsidian Squadron Pilot – 13
Obsidian Squadron Pilot – 13
Obsidian Squadron Pilot – 13

6th/ Johan “Goblaid” malegue – Empire – 100pts
Echo – 30
– Veteran Instincts – 1
– Advanced Cloaking Device – 4
Howlrunner – 18
– Swarm Tactics – 2
Mauler Mithel – 17
Backstabber – 16
Academy Pilot – 12

7th/ Manu Paulus – Empire – 100pts
Howlrunner – 18
– Swarm Tactics – 2
– Stealth Device – 3
Whisper – 32
– Advanced Cloaking Device – 4
– Veteran Instincts – 1
Black Squadron Pilot – 14
– Swarm Tactics – 2
Academy Pilot – 12
Academy Pilot – 12

8th/ Sébastien “Sepyx” Payoux – Rebel – 100pts
Han Solo – 46
– Gunner – 5
– Veteran Instincts – 1
Blue Squadron Pilot – 22
– Fire Controle System – 2
Blue Squadron Pilot – 22
– Fire Controle System – 2

9th/ Fabien “Mulot” Cmola – Empire – 100pts
Whisper – 32
– Veteran Instincts – 1
– Rebel Captive – 3
– Advanced Cloaking Device – 4
Carnor Jax – 28
Howlrunner – 18
– Swarm Tactics – 2
Black Squadron Pilot – 14

10th/ François “Francesco Lamas” Couret – Rebel – 99pts
Chewbacca – 42
– Engine upgrade – 4
– Luke Skywalker – 7
– C-3P0 – 3
– Predator – 3
– Millenium Falcon – 1
Tala Squadron Pilot – 13
Tala Squadron Pilot – 13
Tala Squadron Pilot – 13

11th/ Sébastien “Hert” Ramonet – Empire – 98pts
Soontir Fel – 27
– Push the Limits – 3
– Hull Upgrade – 3
– Royal Guard Tie – 0
– Targeting Computer- 2
Omicron Group Pilot – 21
– Dark Vador – 3
Whisper – 32
– Veteran Instincts – 1
– Advanced Cloaking Device – 4
– Fire Controle System – 2

12th/ Alain “val” L. – Empire – 100pts
Soontir Fel – 27
– Push the Limits – 3
– Shield Upgrade – 4
Echo – 30
– Veteran Instincts – 1
– Advanced Cloaking Device – 4
– Recon Specialist – 3
Royal Guard Pilot – 22
– Push the Limits- 3
– Hull Upgrade – 3

13th/ Benjamin “tic toc” Ponroy – Rebel – 100pts
Chewbacca – 42
– Predator – 3
– Z6-P0 – 3
– Gunner – 5
– Millenium Falcon – 1
Coran Horn – 35
– Veteran Instincts – 1
– Fire Controle System – 2
– R2-D2 – 4
– Shield Upgrade – 4

14th/ Matthieu “Denstar” Couret – Empire – 99pts
Bounty Hunter – 33
Bounty Hunter – 33
Bounty Hunter – 33

15th/ Patrice “thymir” Larzabal – Rebel – 100pts
Lando Calrissian – 44
– Gunner – 5
– Veteran Instincts – 1
– Tactician – 2
Chewbacca – 42
– Millenium Falcon – 1
– Gunner – 5

16th/ Guillaume “Kristarsse” Lugan – Rebel – 100pts
Luke Skywalker – 28
– Swarm Tactics – 2
Blue Squadron Pilot – 22
– Fire Controle System – 2
Chewbacca – 42
– Push the Limits – 3
– Nien Numb – 1

Any Preferance list wise? What do you think of the top three? Would these lists fly or fall in your locl Meta? Comments below as per!