Hey there! Playing my first run through on Armada.

My first snag:

engagement

While a squadron is at distance 1 of an enemy squadron, those squadrons are engaged.

Our question: distance 1 on the distance side of the range ruler or distance 1 on the range side of the range ruler?

When measuring a numerical range the range ruler only has numbers on one side - so this is used. The rules explain opposite side as short medium long

Exactly, it is also important to note that Squads shoot at distance 1 not close range

and don't forget that ships shot at squadrons at range of the defense die

(black close, blue mid, red long) (the ships in the core set are blue)

and don't forget that ships shot at squadrons at range OF THE ATTACK die

(black close, blue mid, red long) (the ships in the core set are blue)

Fixed that for you

A bit of a tangent, is the numbered range ruler used for ships at all? So, if you were playing a game with no squadrons on either side would you even need it?

Not normally, except in set up

But a few cards refrence it such as the redemption titile and leia