1. Will I feel like I need 2 core sets to make the most out of this game?

2. How much space will I need to play?

3. My wife enjoyed the likes of Middle Earth Quest and the Game of Thrones Board Game but I guess you could say she's more of a 'casual' gamer... Is she likely to enjoy this? I know this is impossible to answer for anyone who doesn't know her but I guess what I'm trying to ask is, is the game too complex to put someone off who's not THAT into the Star Wars franchise, and who's too impatient to sit and read a huge manual (I would have to explain the rules lol)?

4. Is it easy to fit everything back into the box neatly?

5. How long does it take to set up and how long is the average game?

6. What's the replay value like? Will every game be pretty samey or are the expansions going to be essentially a requirement to stay interested beyond 5 games with the core set or so?

I think that's all... Thanks in advance for any responses!

Welcome!

A few very quick answers:

1. Nope, not at all. One core set + any expansions you want is plenty. If you feel like you need more dice/rulers they can be purchased separately. Some people didn't like the core set by itself but I thought it was great. It doesn't "feel" like an incomplete game- at least not until you've played full sized game with expansions.

2. 3'x3' bare minimum (but is all that is needed for just the core set by itself). 3'x6' is ideal for a full game. This doesn't include space to store cards/dice/tokens/etc.

3. Hard to say, since I haven't played the other games you mentioned. Armada is reasonably complex but a far cry from being TOO complex.

4. Yep, with room to spare!

5. Expect a good half hour to set up and another half hour to clean up, especially when you're first getting into the game. Play time takes roughly 90-180 minutes, depending on the number of points you're using (core set = about 90min).

6. YMMV. The objectives add some variety but even with them the core set all by itself will get old after a while. Adding in even just a couple expansions will give you far more variety and enjoyment.

1) 2 core sets is up to you, me personally I have only gotten 1 and have everything I need. I have been thinking of getting a second core set to get some duplicates of the upgrade and also to get a second damage deck (mainly b/c those I play with I supply all the stuff to play)

2) The play area is a 3' x 6' area for a full 300+ game. But for learning games it is recommended to play on a 3' x 3' area. So for full games, you will generally want at least a 3' x 6' table and then maybe 2 trays for all your ship cards and tokens and everything. Or if you have a bigger table, no trays needed

3) Cannot really comment as I have not played either of those so not sure how they are compared to a game like Armada.

4) You can easily fit the core set back into the box neatly, I currently have everything in my core box (and that includes all the expansions and fighter packs i purchased). If you are worried about being organized and dont want to spend a lot of money on storage you can look into SirWilli's tuck boxes https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/index.php?/topic/175355-sirwillis-workshop-armada-stuff/ cheap alternative, but can be time consuming depending on how many squadrons/ships you have.

5) Setup can vary, depending on how familiar you are with the game and if you already have your lists ready. Longest setup I have gone through was about 15-20 min, but I was also helping my friend build a list to play, so it took a little longer. As far as game time, each game taks 1-2hrs (again this is largely dependant on how familiar the players are with the game).

6) Replay is very high, you have 9 (maybe 12? Cannot remember off the top of my head ) objectives that can vary the game. Some are you get extra dice for attacking the rear of the ship. Some you have to dodge objectives (minefields) or you can take damage. Some you want to stay near the space station. Also with all the upgrades and different ships (will require you to purchase the expansions to have more variety) you have plenty of lists you can build that will all play very differently.

Hope this helps.

A second opinion for you.

1) Nope. 1 core set is good. Now that the rest of wave 1 arrived, you're better off buying the expansions you want rather than a second core set. Just about the only thing a second core set gets you that you can't get elsewhere is a second damage deck, which isn't all that useful comparatively.

2) See above ^^^ in post #2. I'll add that I created a modular table space that I can set up and store easily. I got a 8x4 MDF panel at lowes and had them cut it up into 2x4 sectoins. A quick tape line creates the 3' play area leaving me 6" of space for cards, tokens etc.

3) My wife enjoys a good boardgame, but this one isn't her thing. She played a few games when I got the core just so she could follow along when I told her about games at the store. Remembering upgrades and how those "break" the rules didn't appeal to her.

4) Yes! My core set box currently holds 2x vic, 2x neb, 2x cr90, 2x glads, 1x Assault Frigate, 1x rebel squadron pack, 1x empire squadron pack and all associated tokens, dials, bases etc. I'm only using about 2/3 of the volume. Granted my storage system is atypical and very efficient.

5) Set up and take down (only getting out cards, dials, tokens etc. not deploying) for me take about 5 minutes since my ships are in individual slots, and all the tokens are sorted in trays.

6) See above ^^^ in post #2

1. Probably not. You can buy the maneuver tool and dice individually. If you see yourself wanting 3 Victory Class, 3 CR90 Corvettes, and 3. Nebulon B Frigates, plus picking up the extra maneuver tool and dice, it is cheaper to buy a second core set. It is also nice to have 2 damage decks if you are the one providing everything for your group.

2. The official play area for a full size game (300-400 points) is 6'x3'. If you are just using the core set, the recommended fleet size is 180 pts and play area would be 3'x3'.

3. I'm going to say that most likely, she won't enjoy this a ton. This is a rather slow moving miniatures game with several layers of tactical strategy as well as having several things to consider and track at all times. I consider myself a miniatures veteran and the first several times playing were very slow making sure I was not forgetting something or skipping a step. I'm much more fluent now, but it is still a draining experience at times.

4. The core set will fit back into the box easily. To better organize, this guy has created some great options: http://www.sirwillibald.com/

5. Set up and tear down is around 10-15 min for me, but I play weekly and have my stuff well organized. Average game length for us is around 2 hours, sometimes more.

6. The game will feel samey much like any tactical miniatures game in that there isn't really a huge gameplay difference introduced in each expansion. What I mean is that expansions are just new combinations of stats and existing game elements. Sure, new things can be introduced, even stuff that changes the way older ships play, but it isn't like a board game where an expansion can fundamentally change they way the game is played.

Having said that, there is a ton of replay value in that you never know what is gonna happen. Your plethora of options available at any given moment will definitely feed into that. Trying new ships, new upgrades, and new strategies will make each time you play feel different enough, in my experience anyway.

Wow... Thanks for the replies guys didn't expect such a quick response! lol. Well my main concerns were making sure my dining table was big enough to play and that I didn't feel like 2 core sets was a must so I guess I'll definitely be buying this now. thanks again guys probly be posting again soon once I have the game

1) Nope. I bought one core and one each expansion for everything in the core. Two of all others. Works fine.

2) double x-wing (180 x 90 cm in the 21st century way-of -measuring stuffs)

3) Not very likely. Armada is a bit heavy for a casual me thinks. (hope I am wrong though for your sake)

4) Yes it is. (until you try to fit in more than a few expansions anyhow)

5) At a guess about 2,5, maybe 3 hours in all. Incl. setup.

6) With core only it gets old fast. With expansions? No clue. Not there yet. Still loving it.

This forum is extremely nice compared to others.

If you have any rules questions or things to consider, you can check out my videos in my signature. Armada Tactics News is sort of my hobby inside of this hobby.

No need to buy multiple core sets. Matter of fact, the expansion CR90 and Neb B have better cards inside.

Ideally you want a table 4x6, but I did ok with a 3x5 kitchen table. You'll have to get creative with the cards and such.

This may not be the game for a significant other, unless she's into SW and has an open mind or has played games like X Wing before.

The stock box will fit quite a bit if you cannibalize it. But it won't last past wave 1. It won't be super neat.

Setup times vary, but expect 15-20 on setup, about 60-120min to play, as it gets quicker the more you play.

Every game is slightly different unless you remember every move and setup the same way every time. Core set alone feels incomplete, but as you add ships it gets more varied. But you'll want more ships as you find the weaknesses of each and discover what you like.

Everyone else has pretty much answered all the questions, though I will say that even though it does take some convincing to get my wife to play with me, she usually enjoys playing the game when we do. I think she mostly has issue with the time it takes to play a full game. Being new parents to a 19 month old means we don't usually have a free couple hours to spare unless we play after the baby goes to bed.

I must state you WILL need the extra dice pack. Without it you can exceed the core set while only using the core set. Sadly.

Everyone else has pretty much nailed the answers I would have given except for 3.

Having played both those games myself, I'm not sure Armada would be her thing. Armada feels more like a classic miniatures game than a tactical board game, so if you're looking for something you can play together I'd recommend Imperial Assault. You can play the story mode or skirmish mode and it might be something she can appreciate more.

That said, you can't find a better group of people for a hobby. As a video gamer who specifically avoids forums because of the hostile fanbase, it's been a real pleasure to come to this forum and see people be constantly friendly and helpful. So if you stick to buying it, you'll be in good hands

3. My wife enjoyed the likes of Middle Earth Quest and the Game of Thrones Board Game but I guess you could say she's more of a 'casual' gamer... Is she likely to enjoy this?

I find that Armada is easy to learn and hard to master. There are some rules that you may have to be careful with, but if you are both making the same mistakes it will be fairly even.

Wow, folks have experienced hostility on game forums? (Que: abuse?) Not for me, I always find mutual appreciation, we're into the same things, maybe it's where I hang out forum wise? My way of painting is better than yours, doesn't really happen, constantly learning new techniques, tweaking bits here and there, exploration I suppose. Isn't it the same when list building? Any road I digress. Big cheer for us!

Setup shouldn't take you long to do. If you really want to cut down on time it is best to have some sort of organization to the game components. What I do to eliminate lengthy set up time is that I will come up with a list idea, and set up each ship load out and put all that ships load out in a zip lock bag. And do the same for any additional ships in you list . you will have plenty of zip lock bags after you make a few ship expansion purchases, put them to use.

That is what I do to stay organized and to cut down set up time.