How does this generally play, compared to like Battlefleet Gothic, my only point of comparison.
One of the things I like about Armada is that it has a pretty strict turn limit. Each game is 6 rounds, and that's it, so you need to do what you need to do within that time period. That, and each game has a different mission - you pick a mission template alongside your fleet, and your opponent does the same, and the player who wins initiative gets to set the terms of the battle (Defending a Starbase vs. Assassinate a High-Profile Target vs. ... etc.).
I go, you go, all capital ships go first: attack, then move. Movement is done with a special movement tool, and ships have varying speeds and maneuverabilities (and, generally, the slower you're going the faster you can turn).
Capital ships have to be issued an order each round; the bigger the ship, the more in-advance you issue the order (e.g., for a major capital ship like an ISD, you issue the orders for the first three turns of the game before it starts; you issue the order for turn 4 at the start of turn 2, etc.). The orders do things like let you repair damage, boost attacks, increase your maneuverability, or command nearby fighters / bombers ("squadrons"). You can store orders for later, if the one you programmed isn't useful this turn, for a lesser effect.
Fighters / bombers go last, I go, you go, 2 at a time. Squadrons attack or move, but not both, and can block other squadrons' movement. Squadrons can be activated early, during the cap ship portion of the round, if you've issued that ship a "Command the squadrons!" order (which also allows them to move and attack).
Cool, thank you. The order system sounds interesting.
Looking at the quickstart rules, there also seem to be a lot more cards and accessories, while BFG mostly just has terrain and a unversal marker for turning and weapon arches.
honovere on
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Dr_KeenbeanDumb as a buttPlanet Express ShipRegistered Userregular
It's a FFG game so tokens, cards, and specialized dice are the standard. Still a super fun game, I prefer it over X-Wing by a wide margin.
If you want BFG 2.0 you should look into Dropfleet Commander. Andy Chambers also wrote the rules.
Yeah, Armada is still pretty much in the same boat as X-Wing, as far as cards and upgrades are concerned. Most ships will come with the cards you'd want to use with them, and the Core Set has a bunch, but there are definitely cases where you'd want to get, e.g., a Rebel ship to get an upgrade for your Imperial ship.
The starters will be able to field 200 point fleets or so.
They will include the same 12 objectives from the base game.
All current Armada cards will remain legal.
Republic and Separatists can fight against GCW era fleets.
There will be rules re-writes. It's not a full on second edition, but they are making changes... which are going to be impactful.
For instance, the dials pack will include more pass tokens. Some new mechanic is coming that addresses fleet disparities with that.
Speaking of the dials packs, they are changing standalone ship releases going forward. Dials won't be included. Instead they want to front-load dial purchase. The starters will also come with dials of course.
All cards will now be templated to standard TCG/LCG size. The ship cards will be double-sided (one focusing on setup, the other on play).
Upgrades are getting some new layout bits. To the right of the name will be a symbol that indicates if a card refreshes or not at the end of a turn. If it doesn't refresh, there will be a cost below it - usually discarding a token or dial. On the left side will be components that are placed on a card at the beginning of the game. For instance, Thrawn will start the game with a number of dials on him to hand out.
The upgrade card pack includes 290 cards and tokens that go with specialty cards. There will not be any ship cards in the pack. Some cards will get more than 1 copy.
They are taking the opportunity of the card upgrade pack to tweak wordings, errata, and most importantly POINT VALUES for cards.
Going forward, they are hoping to introduce tournament-play point adjustments. They are still working on that.
They also are going to move towards a living rules reference like the other minis games have.
All info on the updated rules and upgrade packs will be released before the starters in wave one.
Oh, and the Venator's going to be part of the first wave of ships.
AthenorBattle Hardened OptimistThe Skies of HiigaraRegistered Userregular
edited December 2020
Good LORD the starter boxes for the Clone Wars factions are heavy! Like.. just a ton of punchboard, the move to standard size cards, the full size manual... it's all just very awesome.
Edit: Oooo. Moving to the full-size standard cards as their stopgap to a new version was such a wise move. Getting to see their excellent artwork in a size that you can actually make out details is very baller.
AegeriTiny wee bacteriumsPlateau of LengRegistered Userregular
I got both starters, the fighters and the entire upgrade card range.
I'm really happy with this. Selling my Armada is one of the greatest gaming mistakes I have ever made. Now to rebuy only the ships I want as I have all the fun cards for them!
webguy20I spend too much time on the InternetRegistered Userregular
edited December 2020
So how do I go about upgrading my Armada set? I finally have a space to display my ships and figured it might be time to get some of the newer ones, especially the rebel mon-cal cap ships which I only have the first one. Also maybe the super star destroyer.
So how do I go about upgrading my Armada set? I finally have a space to display my ships and figured it might be time to get some of the newer ones, especially the rebel mon-cal cap ships which I only have the first one. Also maybe the super star destroyer.
It's not much of a lift. The main thing you need (and that is subjective) is the card collection. It contains all the new versions of the cards, which add new mechanics/clarifications. And some of the old cards are invalidated by it because they weren't republished. The upgrade pack even includes the cards from the SSD set. It does NOT contain the faction cards from the new starters, naturally. The upgrade card pack also includes a small sheet of punchboard with some of the new focus/chaff tokens.
You might also want to pick up a dial pack if you aren't getting a new starter. Previously, ships came with the max # of dials per ship, but it looks like they are cutting those out. Which makes sense as some of the new upgrade cards allow you to stack dials. The biggest unique thing in the dial pack, though, is a set of pass tokens.
For the ships, they are all still valid. They are just switching from single-sided tarot sized cards to double-sided cards with setup info on one side and gameplay on the other.
From there, the living rules reference just covers everything.
AthenorBattle Hardened OptimistThe Skies of HiigaraRegistered Userregular
Today, Atomic Mass Games did an unveiling of their Star Wars stuff, taking over for FFG. For Armada, there was absolutely nothing new that FFG didn't already talk about, sadly. But we got to see the models!
Fuck man, I saw "Heart of the Swarm" and momentarily forgot what thread I just clicked on losing my mind over the idea that FFG had gotten the StarCraft license back.
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AthenorBattle Hardened OptimistThe Skies of HiigaraRegistered Userregular
Fuck man, I saw "Heart of the Swarm" and momentarily forgot what thread I just clicked on losing my mind over the idea that FFG had gotten the StarCraft license back.
You know the poor PR person at FFG/AMG (who has been having a hell of a couple years) enjoyed the in-joke.
AthenorBattle Hardened OptimistThe Skies of HiigaraRegistered Userregular
Mother of God, those squadron bays are amazing.
Like.. I still am doing the papercraft boxes, but I'm waiting for Sir Willi to upload his latest work (he's getting caught up on X-wing). But admittedly that box looks like it could be more compact and easier to use.
Posts
https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2019/11/19/rebel-might/
I cannot justify it as a purchase however
https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2019/11/25/the-siege-breaker/
I'm over the moon for these ships, really pleased with the artist's work.
Origin ID: Discgolfer27
Untappd ID: Discgolfer1981
One of the things I like about Armada is that it has a pretty strict turn limit. Each game is 6 rounds, and that's it, so you need to do what you need to do within that time period. That, and each game has a different mission - you pick a mission template alongside your fleet, and your opponent does the same, and the player who wins initiative gets to set the terms of the battle (Defending a Starbase vs. Assassinate a High-Profile Target vs. ... etc.).
Does BF:G do something similar?
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
How's the turn sequence in armada? Battlefleet was classic I go you go, only with torpedoes and fighter/bomber squadrons moving in both player turns.
Capital ships have to be issued an order each round; the bigger the ship, the more in-advance you issue the order (e.g., for a major capital ship like an ISD, you issue the orders for the first three turns of the game before it starts; you issue the order for turn 4 at the start of turn 2, etc.). The orders do things like let you repair damage, boost attacks, increase your maneuverability, or command nearby fighters / bombers ("squadrons"). You can store orders for later, if the one you programmed isn't useful this turn, for a lesser effect.
Fighters / bombers go last, I go, you go, 2 at a time. Squadrons attack or move, but not both, and can block other squadrons' movement. Squadrons can be activated early, during the cap ship portion of the round, if you've issued that ship a "Command the squadrons!" order (which also allows them to move and attack).
EDIT: Quick play / learn to play rules: https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/fe/95/fe95988e-2cfb-42b6-8546-2470ff86da58/swm01_learn_to_play_web_ready_engcompressed.pdf
Full rulebook: https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/25/29/252933c1-4f13-4bfd-858f-b0a3ff3a6754/swm01_rules_reference_guide_web_ready_eng.pdf
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Looking at the quickstart rules, there also seem to be a lot more cards and accessories, while BFG mostly just has terrain and a unversal marker for turning and weapon arches.
If you want BFG 2.0 you should look into Dropfleet Commander. Andy Chambers also wrote the rules.
3DS: 1650-8480-6786
Switch: SW-0653-8208-4705
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
The Clone Wars:
http://www.steelstrategy.com/2020/07/clone-wars-pictures.html
First, the preview articles are up.
https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2020/7/31/fleet-essentials/
https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2020/7/31/conquer-the-galaxy-1/
https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2020/7/31/protect-the-republic/
Now onto some meat and potatoes:
Oh, and the Venator's going to be part of the first wave of ships.
I'm trying to be good and not buy all of these models... But the Clone Wars ones are tempting.
Steam: betsuni7
The fighter upgrade still has two groups of jedi fighters
Still I would be tempted if I didn't so burned by FFG over star wars
Preview article focusing mostly on Acclimators and V-19 squadrons.
Which Star Wars?
Origin ID: Discgolfer27
Untappd ID: Discgolfer1981
So X-Wing, Armada, and Legion are being moved from FFG to Atomic Mass Games. Not sure if this changes anything.
New boxes made. So only changes is that we might get a lot of Wave 2 at clearance along with any Wave 1?
Edit: Meant this for the X-Wing thread and not here. Although guess it is somewhat the same but not waves.
Steam: betsuni7
Edit: Oooo. Moving to the full-size standard cards as their stopgap to a new version was such a wise move. Getting to see their excellent artwork in a size that you can actually make out details is very baller.
I'm really happy with this. Selling my Armada is one of the greatest gaming mistakes I have ever made. Now to rebuy only the ships I want as I have all the fun cards for them!
Origin ID: Discgolfer27
Untappd ID: Discgolfer1981
It's not much of a lift. The main thing you need (and that is subjective) is the card collection. It contains all the new versions of the cards, which add new mechanics/clarifications. And some of the old cards are invalidated by it because they weren't republished. The upgrade pack even includes the cards from the SSD set. It does NOT contain the faction cards from the new starters, naturally. The upgrade card pack also includes a small sheet of punchboard with some of the new focus/chaff tokens.
You might also want to pick up a dial pack if you aren't getting a new starter. Previously, ships came with the max # of dials per ship, but it looks like they are cutting those out. Which makes sense as some of the new upgrade cards allow you to stack dials. The biggest unique thing in the dial pack, though, is a set of pass tokens.
For the ships, they are all still valid. They are just switching from single-sided tarot sized cards to double-sided cards with setup info on one side and gameplay on the other.
From there, the living rules reference just covers everything.
https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2020/12/1/new-rules-of-engagement/
Specifically Pryce, Bail Organa, and Strategic Advisor.
Because Pryce with two ships was winning too much.
https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2021/1/25/heart-of-the-swarm/
Neat!
Origin ID: Discgolfer27
Untappd ID: Discgolfer1981
Steam: betsuni7
April 16th for the next 4 ships.
You know the poor PR person at FFG/AMG (who has been having a hell of a couple years) enjoyed the in-joke.
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
In addition to Republic and Separatist logos, what other lid decorations would y'all like to see?
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Like.. I still am doing the papercraft boxes, but I'm waiting for Sir Willi to upload his latest work (he's getting caught up on X-wing). But admittedly that box looks like it could be more compact and easier to use.