strange trend in bidding

By kinnison, in Star Wars: Armada

Last two games, both opposing players won the bid, and deferred first play to me so I had to select their objectives. And there are some I would never play. Contested outpost I doubt I will ever see get played. Especially against Imperials with 1 or 2 VSD

Both bid about 7 or 8 points i think. I have seen some 12 point bids

What are some trends you are noticing?

I always bid down the cost of a fighter, if not more.

In my local meta, the minimum bid is like 10 points if you even want to consiter going first.

I think people build 275 point lists, then throw on a fighter or two.

I will bid about a fighters worth. Usually not more than 9 points since very few will go a tie fighters price +

Locally there is not much of a meta really.

People tend to build what they like (incl. me) and only the 'rest-points' so to say are the 'bid'.

But we play not nearly enough to my liking... :(

I have gone the exact opposite direction and now write my lists to basically come in at 299 or 300 (if I can find one point to cut, I will), and try to build lists that will be good at the objectives that other people commonly pick.

I find guessing on the bid ultimately ends up being less valuable (someone always has a bit less) than trying to build a pretty strong list and just rolling with it.

Edit: I have found it hilarious when Imperial players have contested outpost in their list and expect a Rebel will never pick it. The right build with a metric ton of bombers will obliterate a VSD in a single turn in the middle; contested outpost just means I know exactly where to point my B-wings!

Edited by Reinholt

I personally am happy to build to 300 and let my opponent play against me understrength.

Just won a tourney with a 296 list....always went first.

So people don't generally bid down 10 to 15 points? Weird.

Underbidding seems like a red herring to me. Build the best list you can with the understanding that you will probably not get to choose who goes first, then come out swinging.

As far as I can see, sacrificing points on a bid is for if your fleet needs your opponent to be choosing your objectives, or if it relies on you moving first (say for double activation shenanigans). Personally, I'm just spending all my points and practising how to deal with my opponent having the more favourable mission rules.

gladiators love initiative, for sure

as rebels, apart from dodging close range firepower, I can personally take it or leave it

As I may have mentioned before, sometimes I run a dual VSD list. Dual VSDs need favorable objectives or it's an autoloss. So I have a 10 point bid built into the list, and always opt to be second player.

I have 5 points. Locally I seem to get the bid decently often. I let my opponent go first. I like my objectives being second player.

The concept of "bidding" has me confused since there is no auction mechanic in determining the first player. The rule is the lower point fleet gets to choose and in the event of a tie there is a coin toss. Once you present your fleet you don't have the option of trimming it down based on what your opponent has brought to the table.

Only a few (including myself) underbid in my area which is great for me because my Rebel builds are built around my objectives.

Edited by Overdawg

Is it odd I don't bid? I don't mind going first or second in this game and am usually happier to have the extra squadron presence

I used to underbid by about five points or so, back in April/May. Objectives seemed to be more important then. Now objectives seem to matter less, and I don't worry about the bid much.

It's worthwhile, I think, to talk about these questions with your regular opponents. That way you learn how they're thinking about these issues, and you can plan accordingly.

The concept of "bidding" has me confused since there is no auction mechanic in determining the first player.

The phrasing confused me a bit when I first encountered it in x-wing as well. Think of it as more of a silent auction. Each player secretly "bids" how many points they are willing to give up to control who goes first. Then they are revealed simultaneously and whoever bid the most points wins the choice.

Quite a few games have something similar as a more explicit bidding mechanic, FFG games just kinda make it an implied thing.

I used to underbid by about five points or so, back in April/May. Objectives seemed to be more important then. Now objectives seem to matter less, and I don't worry about the bid much.

It's worthwhile, I think, to talk about these questions with your regular opponents. That way you learn how they're thinking about these issues, and you can plan accordingly.

So people don't generally bid down 10 to 15 points? Weird.

I've bid about 12 points, I think, possibly slightly more. I knew exactly what I wanted and it was to go second. That was worth more to me than some piddling squadron. I won very handily because of my bid.

my piddling B-wings seem to be the only things that get **** done sometimes <_<

I used to underbid by about five points or so, back in April/May. Objectives seemed to be more important then. Now objectives seem to matter less, and I don't worry about the bid much.

It's worthwhile, I think, to talk about these questions with your regular opponents. That way you learn how they're thinking about these issues, and you can plan accordingly.

You see me bid all the time Mikael and i get my choice (usually first) it works for me

I never make a bid. 300 points all the time, baby!

12 point bids are two XI7 Turbolaser upgrades...

also yavaris and salvation

Winning the bid meant more to me before I got a better grasp of the game. Now I focus on creative listing to try to 'squeeze the lemons' so to speak.