I've played 3-4 games of Armada, but never using objectives (I was trying to familiarize myself with the mechanics first). I've seen different references on here about bidding, initiative, objectives, and being the 'second player.' What do these things mean? Who decides who goes first? Is it the person with the lower-cost fleet? Who picks objectives? Thanks for any help . . .

RRG pg. 10

SETUP:

3 . Determine Initiative: The player whose fleet has the

lowest total fleet point cost chooses which player is the

first player. The first player places the initiative token

next to his edge with the a side faceup. If the players

are tied in fleet points, flip a coin to decide which

player makes the choice.

4 . Choose Objective: The first player looks at all three of

his opponent’s objective cards and chooses one to be

the objective for the game.

Bidding is short hand for intentionally not spending all of your fleet points to help ensure that you get to choose who is first.

So the "bid" is based on how many points you have spent on your fleet. The person with the lowest amount of points decide who is first player and who is second player.

First player then gets to look at second players objectives and chooses one of them.

The player with initiative is first player.

So the first player would have initiative in rounds 1,3,5

The second would have it in 2,4,6

Right?

No the first player is always the first player from p6.

INITIATIVE
Initiative determines which player acts first during the Ship Phase and Squadron Phase. It is assigned to a player during the “Determine Initiative” step of setup. That player is the first player and takes the initiative token. His opponent is the second player.
• The first player retains initiative for the entire game.

That's Correct... Its a change from the Learning Game, but that's the way it is...

180pt Core Set "Learning" Scenario - Initiative Changes.

300/400pt Regular Game Scenario - Initiative Stays with the First Player

xxxpt Regular Game with "Death Match" Unlimited Rounds Rule - No Objectives, Initiative Changes.

So the first player would have initiative in rounds 1,3,5

The second would have it in 2,4,6

Right?

Squadrons are activated in the squadron phase unless a squadron command was used.

So in recap, player 1 is always player 1 and player 2 is always player 2. In a 6 round standard game the initiative STAYS with player 1.

That's Correct... Its a change from the Learning Game, but that's the way it is...

180pt Core Set "Learning" Scenario - Initiative Changes.

300/400pt Regular Game Scenario - Initiative Stays with the First Player

xxxpt Regular Game with "Death Match" Unlimited Rounds Rule - No Objectives, Initiative Changes.

Thanks all.

I must say, I appreciate the learning scenario included with the core set, but have found the differences between it and a 'standard' game confusing and annoying. I'd rather have all the rules up-front before an example where some rules are different (but not so stated).

I really wish they had never put that stupid learning book in the game, it's caused more confusion than it's worth.

OP, just burn that darned thing. Read the rules reference book, that's the real deal.

I agree. The rules are tight, but they're not presented well, and the learning book has messed me up more than I realized. I'm half tempted to create a narrative rulebook with frequent pointers to the reference book . . . for my own benefit, it not for others.