We review progress in the modeling of Ne‐like‐Se XRLs. Dielectronic recombination plays an important role in the level kinetics as well as in ionization balance. Refraction becomes important at target lengths greater than 2cm by reducing signal at 0° view, and by having much larger signals emitted at a 10–20 mrad view. We predict success in scaling these systems to lower λ with higher Z targets, but at great cost in required driver power.