Is there a general consensus on whether it's better to play first or second?

I've only played a couple times. In my experience, if you have 3 capital ships and your opponent has 2, going second can be very difficult. If you're trying to concentrate fire on a single ship, that ship has an opportunity to move to the best possible defensive position before you get to fire.

If it's two vs. two or three vs. three in terms of capital ships, though, maybe the objectives benefits outweigh that disadvantage?

If you really feel strongly about your objectives, it may behoove you to go second. That said, I generally prefer to go first.

I think it depends on your fleet build and objectives, and what your opponent is bringing to the table. If you benefit strongly from all your objectives, going second can make a big difference. But as you say, getting in that first strike can be crucial. I find this even more so when both fleets are fighter heavy - getting in the first set off squadron attacks can really swing things in your favour if you take out a decent number of enemy fighters.

For the specific build I'm thinking about the objectives aren't anything special, and it only has 2 fighters.

I wonder how many points I should sacrifice for initiative. It is a 295 point build, and it only has two awkward fighters--Howlrunner and Soontir Fel. I could pull both of those and take only Vader to be a little bit of a damage soak and throw Wulff Yularen on a ship. That would take the build to 289. Howlrunner + Soontir Fel, or Wulff Yularen + Vader (and much better chance for 1st player)? Might even throw Insidious on a ship. How many people would have less than a 292 point build?

When I (rarely) make a list where I feel strongly I want to play my scenarios I have been going 289 and still lose it once in a blue moon.

Objectives provide these amazing bonuses to the second player that I think it's a no brainer to go second.

Especially if you have more ships than your opponent.

It depends on my build and what I play against. Now I usually like to go first there are times when second is a huge boon. Things like denying the Gladiator player or the player with 3+ ships their ability to hit and run is huge! There is also getting squadron commands first.

I think planning wise, going second let's you plan for things a turn earlier than going first does. What I mean is that with going first you have to plan that turn, and likely the next turn because you will move into them before they come into your range (sometimes) so first player is more likely to get hit before second player. To mitigate that you should plan for a juke or giving second player something tasty to let them try and sink their teeth in

The beauty of this game is that there aren't going to be any single winning tactics. It will all depend on what you have, and what your opponent will field.

I'm sitting at a modest ~8 or so games played of Armada, and so far through both choice and luck I've never been first player. Either I've built for objectives, and selected 2nd myself, or been declared 2nd by an opponent who underbid me.

On one hand, it's taught me the value that 2nd player can bring. I agree with the previous comment that 2nd player tends to get the first viable round of shooting off. It'll often be at long range, but if you're playing red-heavy ships like a Frigate or a Nebulon that can be enough to start swinging the game in your favour. However, it's also true that the first player can then return fire and potentially maneuver somewhere to deny you a second hull zone shot, or force your shots onto an undamaged zone of his own. Objective selections can be huge, but it's far more important in small games, where the leanness of your build commits you to certain strategies. I don't think it's as beneficial at 300+ plus.

And on the other hand, I haven't been able to form a credible opinion on the value of going first, because I still haven't done it. Every single one of my tactical considerations thus far has been made from the position of 2nd player and trying to maximize whatever advantages are available to me.

I really need to bid hard my next game and take 1st, because I feel like I've only played half the game so far.

You have asked a question that can not really be answered

It is to much of an individual choice depending on do you build your list and choose you objectives to take advantage of being 2nd or build a list to be first knowing you can handle any objective you opponent makes you choose from

Lately iv decided to not care either way and build full 300 lists because I don't want to give Up vvaluable points

Is there a general consensus on whether it's better to play first or second?

There is no absolute - some times you want to go first other times you want to be in charge of mission selection.

A Corvette Swarm may well want to give you the worste possible missions and then have your 2-3 ships goes off first then react with 3-4 of there own.

A Gallant Haven Aces build may well want to go first to put those fighters in your face at the best chance.