Do any of you guys find it as easy to get planes as I do?

[King_Stannis]

I'm not sure if this is common knowledge or not, but I've found that it is fairly easy to pick out the contested skies packs with airplanes in them. The clear pole that the plane sits on makes a very distinctive *tinking* sound when it hits the round base. I experimented with this when I got my booster case and now whenever I go into a store I give it a try. It is always successful - 100% - all of the time.

Have any of you noticed this?

[Porter]

Yes, actually this was fairly common knowledge after the release date of Set III.

But it is important to remind people about these things, becasue eventually someone will post an item that no one knows about.

[Qmark]

Huh. That certainly beats my "just buy everything the store has in stock" method.

[Wakrob]

I guess we cant expect buyers not to shake boxes (though they shouldnt). But at my shop we now keep the boxes behind the counter. Planes shouldnt be first come first serve. Its not fair the the rest of the players.

CptBlood

[Outgunned]

Huh. That certainly beats my "just buy everything the store has in stock" method.

Thats usually how i did it...even thought i only got two out of 10 boosters or so....

[King_Stannis]

I guess we cant expect buyers not to shake boxes (though they shouldnt). But at my shop we now keep the boxes behind the counter. Planes shouldnt be first come first serve. Its not fair the the rest of the players.

CptBlood

I sort of agree with this, but it's kind of like nuclear knowledge. Once the genie is out of the bottle, there is no way to get him back in. Plus I've gotten so many planes now I think I'm going to start testing the boxes to make sure I don't get one.

[Sean-Khan]

So why do people want planes? Many have said they are not worth it in the game. Is it because they are cool, or just new and different? For me, I collected ww2 construction kit -planes as a kid, and I have a nostalgy -thing for them.

[King_Stannis]

So why do people want planes? Many have said they are not worth it in the game. Is it because they are cool, or just new and different? For me, I collected ww2 construction kit -planes as a kid, and I have a nostalgy -thing for them.

They're new and different...at least for me. Fairly cool looking, too. It gives another variant for the game and that is always nice. No, the rules aren't that great for them, but those can always be changed or house ruled.

[Richter von Manthofen]

Planes have their use, at least in bigger games (200+) to have a Stuka or two is nice because at least the pose a threat the enemy has to count in - thus limiting the movements.

For example: take the running match (Fifleche-Aries) If a Stuka was present it could single out a lone tank (say a 105) and attack it. You could expect the 105 to disrupt the Stuka (1/3 of 11 hits are around 4), but the Stuka should probably damage the 105 (50% of 10 are 5 hits = a damage on the 5/4 tank)

So the threat of a Stuka would have forced Fifleche to keep his tanks close together.

[FLecha]

I guess we cant expect buyers not to shake boxes (though they shouldnt).

And why not?

But at my shop we now keep the boxes behind the counter. Planes shouldnt be first come first serve. Its not fair the the rest of the players.

Sorry, but IMO, the whole process of rarity and frequency of the minis (or whatever is used in whatever the game) is unfair for all the players.

In the last out-of-the-box Star Wars Minis tournament I played (it was a Universe one, with big minis), the guy who got an AT-ST and a DarkTrooper out of his box, won. I got the worst huge mini of the lot, and ended last.

In regular play, the one richer in life, that can expend double that another, will always win that another. No need to say that in the rest of SW tournaments I've played with all my expensive minis, I've never ended last, to say the least.

If we accept all those unfair facts as "fair", we certainly can accept something so innocent as "shaking the box". Every use of your wits not only should be accepted, but welcomed as smart in a strategic game... ;)

[V-Disc]

I guess we cant expect buyers not to shake boxes (though they shouldnt). But at my shop we now keep the boxes behind the counter. Planes shouldnt be first come first serve. Its not fair the the rest of the players.

CptBlood


Many players are trying to AVOID getting a plane {I know I am}. So the "shake test" kind of works both ways.

The store owner where I shop is fine with shoppers giving boosters this very simple test. It doesn't harm the merchandise; and you get a happier customer. Remember that first rule of business!

[Moderator Sinister]

I think that if a store wants to keep them behind the counter that's great, if they don't then they should expect "cherry pickers".

[destructorofner]

I now have 1 of every plane in the set. That is by far enough planes for me. We do use them in games but they do not dominate game play.

[Cruizin2000]

What's wrong with "cherry pickers"? I like being able to check things out before I buy, don't you? I know it's not produce but gamers are generally superstitious and that's part of thier process.

Shake on!!

C2000

p.s. I don't buy from game/hobby stores, only online cases.

[V-Disc]

Perhaps we should point out that this "shaking" routine is not disruptive or damiging to the booster pack or its' packaging. Don't think shaking a can of paint to mix it up. It's more like adding salt or pepper while one is cooking. You're not going to damage the mercahndise by administering the test.

FTR - I support brick and mortar stores. Support your neighborhood merchants!

[Outgunned]

I think that if a store wants to keep them behind the counter that's great, if they don't then they should expect "cherry pickers".


Wow I am honestly shocked and pleased that a moderator said that...thats awesome!

[Surfer_Sam]

:mad: I don't find it easy. I had to get 7 boosters before I got one. A Junker. I think I might just find the stats write them down on paper ane then get a plane model to go with it. :mad:

[Wakrob]

Many players are trying to AVOID getting a plane {I know I am}. So the "shake test" kind of works both ways.

I find that most people trying to avoid planes are the ones that used the shake system to get enough or too many planes and are backpedaling to get the other units.
If you dont think your cheating the system and/or your fellow players then we disagree.


p.s. I don't buy from game/hobby stores, only online cases.

So you wouldnt mind if the online store you bought from found all the planes first to open for higher priced singles and sent you all boosters without any planes?

When Star Wars mini's had a Rancor it was easy to find. Everyone wanted one. If customers knew that they had been stripmined already from the stock it would hurt sales and in turn hurt the stores you play in.
Wak

[Cruizin2000]

I order factory sealed cases. If there's tampering evidence, they'll go back. I make that clear to the vendor.

C2000

[Vulturedoodle]

I order factory sealed cases. If there's tampering evidence, they'll go back. I make that clear to the vendor.

C2000
This sorta suggests you don't like cherry picking. Or that you think it's okay as long as it doesn't affect you. I'm not asserting it, you understand....

:) SEF

[Cruizin2000]

No, I'm pro cherry picking. I haven't done it since I was into playing Mage Knight. This just seems to be a good way for players to get one of the five airplanes that are available. Since I've learned that cases can be had online for a cheaper price, there's no need to cherry pick since I will get 12 of the 15 rares right off the bat.

C2000

[Plagued]

I don't have much of an issue with Cherry Picking. The game is pretty expensive, and the planes while nearly useless as anything but a set piece in a fight, are nice pieces. The IL-10 and JU-87 especially. I actually don't do it myself, I like the 'gamble' aspect of buying boosters. I can't blame someone who does it, especially if they just can't afford to buy out every booster on the shelf.