312 Squadron Podcast
The 312 Squadron Podcast is a podcast about the X-Wing Miniatures Game, Star Wars media, and Chicago-related topics. 312 Squadron is an X-Wing community based out of Chicago, Illinois. You can catch us on weekly live streams in person and online. Live content can be found at https://www.twitch.tv/312_Squadron [http://twitch.tv/312_Squadron]. You can also see our battle reports, and past content on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@312squadronChicago
Episode 29: The Windy City Conquest!

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Andrew Kouba, Nick Sperry, and Windy City Conquest CHAMPION, Bill Hayes (Sevwall), discuss the recent Windy City Conquest!
The 312 Conquest Series is an online qualifier series, one tournament a month, across various timezones. Top 8 players from each event win an invite to the Global Conquest in December!
Rollbetter link for the Windy City Conquest: https://rollbetter.gg/tournaments/1956
Insights: https://www.pattern-analyzer.app/tournament/rollbetter/1956/squads
Check out the 312 Conquest Series: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JZpohWBP4cOnN...
Episode 28: The End of the Beginning

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Andrew Kouba, Samuel Graebner, and Nick Sperry discuss their trip to the final official Worlds for X-Wing. The three discuss the new venue, the vibes, and the event itself!
Link to the 2025 World Championship: https://rollbetter.gg/tournaments/2106
New XWA content has arrived and 312 has exclusive cards for them! Become the ultimate supporter of 312 Squadron and get awesome perks! Including quarterly rewards like tokens and cards, unedited recording sessions of the podcast with early access, and MORE! Check out our Patreon page: https...
Episode 27: The "Last" Worlds Preview

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Andrew Kouba and Nick Sperry discuss the upcoming and FINAL AMG-Sanctioned World Championship at Adepticon this week. The two discuss trends, look back on Illy’s Worlds run, and predict what they expect to see for the 2025 winner. .
Link to the 2024 World Championship: https://rollbetter.gg/tournaments/1350
312 Conquest Series:
Announcement Doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JZpohWBP4cOnN00kQ2Vk1zsEU1fQzmQ4sXtbliTQtc0/edit?usp=sharing
Video Announcement: https://youtu.be/XGdpsR3DEnE
Tickets: https://www.ti...
Episode 26: Some Wizard New Content

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Andrew Kouba and Nick Sperry discuss the new and exciting XWA previews for Scum, First Order, and Resistance revealed thus far! The two go over these new pilots, rank their excitement, and discuss how these exciting new pilots will add to the game.
See the recent Resistance pilots teased by Planning Phase Syndicate: https://youtu.be/MTuOJKdQ26g
312 Conquest Series:
Announcement Doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JZpohWBP4cOnN00kQ2Vk1zsEU1fQzmQ4sXtbliTQtc0/edit?usp=sharing
Vide...
Episode 25: 90 Minutes of Blackjack

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Andrew Kouba and Nick Sperry discuss the Las Vegas Open GT, a slightly shifted meta, and the new time changes to the X-Wing tournament regulations for Worlds.
Watch the Sith Taker Open this weekend, live on FirecastFocus’ final stream: https://www.twitch.tv/firecastfocus
312 Conquest Series:
Announcement Doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JZpohWBP4cOnN00kQ2Vk1zsEU1fQzmQ4sXtbliTQtc0/edit?usp=sharing
Video Announcement: https://youtu.be/XGdpsR3DEnE
Tickets: https://www.ticketleap.events/events...
Episode 24: New Year, New Conquest!

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Andrew Kouba and Nick Sperry discuss the recently announced 312 CONQUEST SERIES and the path ahead for X-Wing after Worlds!
312 Conquest Series:
Announcement Doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JZpohWBP4cOnN00kQ2Vk1zsEU1fQzmQ4sXtbliTQtc0/edit?usp=sharing
Video Announcement: https://youtu.be/XGdpsR3DEnE
Tickets: https://www.ticketleap.events/events/312-squadron
Link to The Blues Brothers Bonanza: https://rollbetter.gg/tournaments/1877
XWA Site: https://www.xwing.life
Visit the 2.5 Edition Serv...
Episode 23: A Year to UnPAX, and A SWU-home Chicago

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Andrew Kouba, Nick Sperry, and guest JJ Giron discuss recent X-Wing GT’s at PAX and Phoenix, the recent XWA Beta Points update, and Planning Phase Syndicate’s coverage of Star Wars Unlimited (SWU)!
Thank you all so much for supporting 312 in the many ways you have this year. We look forward to a tremendous 2025 and we hope you hop on the train with us! Happy new year!
Visit PPS’s Twitch Channel here: https://www.twitch.tv/planningphasesyndicate
XWA Site: http...
Episode 22: Lock and Roll! Featuring Dwight Lindsay

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Andrew Kouba, Nick Sperry, and guest Dwight Lindsay discuss community prize support, Dwight’s page “Lock and Roll”, and the GT circuit- including an overview from Dwight on his visit to the Alaska GT!
Visit Lock and Roll on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/754244626634325
XWA Site: https://www.xwing.life
Visit the 2.5 Edition Server: https://discord.gg/x-wing
FAQ Link: https://discord.com/channels/627648261456527371/1262114191972503624
Become the ultimate supporter of 312 Squadron and get awesome perks! Including quarterly...
Episode 21: The Draft League Strikes Back!

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your host Nick Sperry is joined by Greg Kash (NCX) to talk about the Draft League and being a core member of the XWA points team! This is the latest installment of 312’s interview series.
Join the NCX Discord: https://discord.com/invite/4JEHbdkSVK
Follow NCX on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nickelcityxwing
Subscribe to NCX on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NickelCityXwing
XWA Site: https://www.xwing.life
Visit the 2.5 Edition Server: https://discord.gg/x-wing
FAQ L...
Episode 20: The X-Wing Alliance!

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Nick Sperry, Andrew Kouba, and special guest Matt Cary come together to overview the new era of community X-Wing with the XWA and their new beta points!
Visit the XWA’s main site: https://www.xwing.life/home
Stay up to date on X-Wing Alliance announcements in the 2.5 Edition Discord server: https://discord.gg/x-wing
Become the ultimate supporter of 312 Squadron and get awesome perks! Including quarterly rewards like tokens and cards, unedited recording sessions of the podcast with early access...
Episode 19: Hairy Nick's!

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your host Nick Sperry is joined by X-Wing Content Creator Hairy Nick, to talk about all things relating to navigating the current environment of X-Wing and running a successful channel.
Check out Hairy Nick’s YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/HairyNick
Join Hairy Nick’s Discord:
https://discord.com/invite/rNHU4Myjca
Stay up to date on X-Wing Alliance announcements in the 2.5 Edition Discord server: https://discord.gg/x-wing
Become the ultimate supporter of 312 Squadron...
Episode 18: Just Roll Better!

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your host Nick Sperry is joined by Roll Better and Kuat Print Yards creator, Brian Gambrell! The two talk about tournament organizing, X-Wing, and more!
Check out Brian's Kuat Print Yards 3D models: https://www.printables.com/@KuatPrintYards_52767/store
Stay up to date on X-Wing Alliance announcements in the 2.5 Edition Discord server: https://discord.gg/x-wing
Become the ultimate supporter of 312 Squadron and get awesome perks! Including quarterly rewards like tokens and cards, unedited recording sessions of the podcast with early access, and...
Episode 17: The End of The Beginning

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Nick Sperry, Andrew Kouba and Sam Graebner sound off on the recent news on Atomic Mass Games announcing the end to Star Wars Armada and Star Wars X-Wing.
Watch 312’s announcement on its involvement with the X-Wing Alliance: https://youtu.be/FPLH-E68IM0?si=i6Z9Dhgo64GJMZeb
Want to see the crew in a studio more often? Become the ultimate supporter of 312 Squadron and get awesome perks! Including quarterly rewards like tokens and cards, unedited recording sessions of the podcast with early...
Episode 16: Hurry Up and Wait!

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Nick Sperry, Andrew Kouba and Emmanuel Picazo travel to a podcast studio to shed light on all things X-Wing and the uncertain future of the game we love. They reflect on the evolution of the game, the business side of things, and more!
We continue to honor the passing of community legend and dear friend, Zack Mathews, Support Zack and his family here: https://gofund.me/55670112
Check out Yash at Icon Studios, who graciously hosted us: https://www.official-icon.com/visuals
Wa...
Episode 15: The Creative Crew!

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Nick Sperry is joined by the tandem of Mark Uhl (Strata Strike) and Andrew Nuckols (Curled Paw Creatives) as they talk about the creative process behind their game component shops! This episode marks the second of our ongoing interview series, as 312 talks to folks from all corners of the X-Wing community and beyond!
Editor's Note: This is the second episode in our interview series. Not the 3rd.
Visit Strata Strike: https://www.stratastrike.com/
Visit Curled Paw Creatives: https://www.etsy...
Episode 14: The Day The World(s) Stood Still

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Nick Sperry, Andrew Kouba, and local guest Sam Graebner discuss the overall fallout of a big Adepticon 2024 and the crowning of a new World Champion! They break down their experiences, the competitive field from LCQ to final table, and look ahead to X-Wing in 2024. Congratulations to Illy, from Germany, on winning Worlds!
Take a look at the data we reference:
LCQ Insights: https://www.pattern-analyzer.app/tournament/rollbetter/1351/insights
Worlds Insights: https://www.pattern-analyzer.app/tournament/rollbetter/1350/insights
Watc...
Episode 14: The Day The World(s) Stood Still

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Nick Sperry, Andrew Kouba, and local guest Sam Graebner discuss the overall fallout of a big Adepticon 2024 and the crowning of a new World Champion! They break down their experiences, the competitive field from LCQ to final table, and look ahead to X-Wing in 2024. Congratulations to Illy, from Germany, on winning Worlds!
Take a look at the data we reference:
LCQ Insights: https://www.pattern-analyzer.app/tournament/rollbetter/1351/insights
Worlds Insights: https://www.pattern-analyzer.app/tournament/rollbetter/1350/insights
Watc...
Episode 13: The 312 Interview Series | Sith Taker Open

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your host Nick Sperry interviews the bloody British across the pond! Rich Polley of The Sith Takers Podcast, Matt Coggins (Top 8) and Tom Fieldsend (Top 2) discuss the recent STO event and life as a European X-Wing player!
Sith Taker Open 2024 Event Page: https://xwing.longshanks.org/event/12943/
Check out the Sith Taker Podcast: https://m.soundcloud.com/user-882750498
Watch live games at Firecast Focus: https://twitch.tv/firecastfocus
Become the ultimate supporter of 312 Squadron and get awesome perks! Including unedited reco...
Episode 12: A Wretched Hive of Scum and Villainy (Featuring Alex Merrill)

Description
A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Nick, Andrew, and guest host Alex Merrill, discuss a struggling faction we all love: Scum! Alex, host of the Bespin Benchwarmers podcast, self declared masochist and Scum fanatic, won his World’s invite with a unique Scum list.
Check out Alex’s Invite-Winning list: https://yasb.app/?f=Scum%20and%20Villainy&d=v9ZhZ20Z458XWW234WW389WY534X125W470WWW92WWW472W47WY398X120W125WWWY117X120WWWW441W92WW159W8Y612XWW45W63W80W93W416WWW150&sn=Unnamed%20Squadron...
Episode 11: Unlimited Power!!!

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Nick, Andrew, and Manny, continue the conversation about power creep. How do we define power creep? When is something so impactful it’s time to walk away? The crew discusses this concept and the current design space of X-Wing!
Become the ultimate supporter of 312 Squadron and get awesome perks! Check out our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/312Squadron
Support our partner StrataStrike by using this link and checking out with code “312Squadron” for 15% off store-wide! https://www.etsy.com/shop/stratastrike/?etsrc=sdt<...
Episode 10: The Silver Lining of Online Play (Featuring Greg Kash)

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Nick, Andrew, and special guest Greg Kash, chat about the implications of overpowered SL cards, the silver lining of online X-Wing, and the Nickel City X-Wing Draft League!
Follow the draft league and the action, follow NickelCityXWing on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nickelcityxwing
Join the reserves for NCX Draft League Season 6: https://forms.gle/A6WA5vfG3g8zhXYt5
Become the ultimate supporter of 312 Squadron and get awesome perks! Check out our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/312Squadron
Episode 9: New Year, New STUFF?

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Nick, Andrew, and Manny dive into their New Year’s resolutions, speculation on the Battle of Endor pack, and how we cope with losing in a competitive environment.
Become the ultimate supporter of 312 Squadron and get awesome perks! Check out our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/312Squadron
Support our partner StrataStrike by using this link and checking out with code “312Squadron” for 15% off store-wide! https://www.etsy.com/shop/stratastrike/?etsrc=sdt
Hey, join the conversation, hop into the Discord! ht...
Episode 8: The Gifts that Keep on Giving

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Nick, Andrew, and guest Pym dive into a clarifying meta change, the 16 player rule, and a reflection on 312 over the years! The holiday are fully upon us!
Support our partner StrataStrike by using this link and checking out with code “312Squadron” for 15% off store-wide! https://www.etsy.com/shop/stratastrike/?etsrc=sdt
Hey, join the conversation, hop into the Discord! https://discord.gg/xknEegJw67
Las Vegas Open info:
https://www.lasvegasopen.net
You can follow us live for we...
Episode 7: The Community That Made Us!

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Nick, Manny and Andrew are joined by Team USA’s very own Stephen Weiland! The quartet discusses sustaining interest in the game of X-Wing, Upsilons in extended, and the community that made us!
Support our partner StrataStrike by using this link and checking out with code “312Squadron” for 15% off store-wide! https://www.etsy.com/shop/stratastrike/?etsrc=sdt
Hey, join the conversation, hop into the Discord! https://discord.gg/xknEegJw67
PAX Unplugged info: https://unplugged.paxsite.com/en-us/registration.html
Las Veg...
Episode 6: The New Player Problem

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Nick, Manny and Andrew take a dive into the new player problem. How do we introduce and retain new players in X-Wing? Why is it a lot harder than we might think?
Hey, join the conversation, hop into the Discord! https://discord.gg/xknEegJw67
PAX Unplugged info: https://unplugged.paxsite.com/en-us/registration.html
Las Vegas Open info: https://www.lasvegasopen.net
You can follow us live for weekly content on our Twitch channel: http://twitch.tv/312_Squadron
Episode 5: Gauntlet Gamble

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Nick, Manny and Andrew do a look at how to make some Gauntlet pilots work, the timeline of an evolving meta, and they even rank where they’d put the Star Wars shows!
Hey, join the conversation, hop into the Discord! https://discord.gg/xknEegJw67
PAX Unplugged info: https://unplugged.paxsite.com/en-us/registration.html
You can follow us live for weekly content on our Twitch channel: http://twitch.tv/312_Squadron
Like our page on Facebook for updates on future...
Episode 4: Stay on Courser!

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Nick and Manny are joined by Matt Courser of The Bespin Benchwarmers Podcast as we talk about Golden State Games, underrated T-65 pilots, glaring needs in the game of X-Wing, and more!
Hey, join the conversation, hop into the Discord! https://discord.gg/xknEegJw67
Check out Matt and his crew at The Bespin Benchwarmers on Podbean! https://www.podbean.com/pu/pbblog-ygvdw-9fd909
Register for our Windy City Trials Turkey Trot Official Store Champ on November 18th at Good Games Chic...
Episode 3: Women in X-Wing!

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Andrew and Nick are joined by Catherine Nyxsera and Emily Rastyl to discuss women in X-Wing and the gaming community at large! In this episode, we break down the experience Catherine and Emily have had being a part of the small (but growing) community of female players. We also finally break the silence on Ahsoka and drop our takes as we near the final two episodes of the show.
Hey, join the conversation, hop into the Discord! https://discord.gg/xknEegJw67
Check out...
Episode 2: Super Nova (feat. Chrispy)

A long time ago… in a windy city, far, far away… Your hosts Andrew and Nick enlighten the galaxy in a conversation with top X-Wing player Christopher (Chrispy) Patrick! The trio dives into the meta trends of the recent Nova Open Worlds Open Qualifier, breaks down the B-Wing chassis in our debut segment of “Break it or Buy it”, and we address scenario fatigue by theorycrafting interesting scenario ideas!
Help support our friend Chris Tanner over at PlanningPhase Syndicate by donating using this link: https://streamlabs.com/312_squadron/tip to help support medical treatment for his daughter, who was...
Episode 1: Dashing after GenCon.

A long time ago, in August 2023, your hosts Nick, Andrew and Emmanuel entered the gauntlet at the GenCon X-wing miniatures open. Nick even made top 4! On this episode, we discuss the post GenCon meta, the new YT-2400 and Imperial bomber releases.
Our friend Chris Tanner's (Planning Phase Syndicate) daughter is battling cancer and if you would like to join us in helping cover her medical costs you can donate here: 312_squadron / Streamlabs 100% of the donation will be given to Chris's family.
If you are in the Midwest you can sign up for our Chicago X-wing Tu...