Sorry but I'm a Noob to Armada. Looking at the objective cards it seems it's a decided advantage to be the second player. That is you don't want the initiative. Is this a fair assumption? If so what squad point cost do you normally shoot for to lose the initiative bid. Meaning to all but guarantee you are the second player.

If you end up being the first player is it common to run your squad more aggressively? Or any other suggestions to being the first player would be appreciated. Thanks!

It can be an advantage. I personally do better when I am first player though.

Being FIRST player is always advantageous.

Objectives try to mitigate that by giving bonus to SECOND player.

I still prefer going first, but you need to be ready to go second sometimes.

One of the things I like about the game is the subtle dynamics of initiative. For the longest time I went second with 2 ship activations and squadrons and people thought I was nuts but I won a lot of games that way and it really taught me a lot about ship deployment and movement. Now when I go first, I cant believe how much better I do but a lot of that is mainly because I know how to play against the objectives and many times I make them work for me better than opponent. It takes time and patience but at first I do feel that going first is much more forgiving to mistakes but the key is knowing and understanding the objectives.

I'm interested in this topic as well, and I don't think I've found a very indepth guide or explanation to Initiative yet. I'm all ears in this one

Of course, this would also mean covering objectives since going first or second has a dramatic effect on the missions themselves.

As a follow up. My first match ever I had initiative and choose Dangerous Territory. When my opponent landed on an obstacle and tried to attack the next round the shot had to go through part of the obstacle. Is that attack considered obstructed? Or does the second player get to ignore all effects of the obstacle since he is on it? It was both our first game ever so it was slow going but we were unsure about this one.

Initiative is one of those things...

First Player Advantages

You Move First.
You choose from the Second Players Objectives, which may have suited you.
You may have more points than your opponent (or been lucky with a Coin Toss)

Being able to choose which ship (and squadrons) to activate first, potentially getting a kill in, or out of trouble.

First Player Disadvantages

In the Shoot-Then-Move game, if you are equipped with Fast Ships, may put yourself at risk earlier to a long range strike.

Your enemy has probably built their list to perfectly suit their Objectives, and you're playing their game.

Second Player Advantages

You can see where your enemy has moved before reacting, hopefully catchign them at long range.

Your objectives are your choices, and you not only gain an advantage in them, but your list should be tailored towards using them.

Second Player Disadvantages

Your enemy is acting, you are generally reacting.

If your enemy has activation advantage, then you may find yourself hurt twice in quick succession.

Initiative plays out in two main portions of the game, beyond list building. The first consideration is wether you are expecting to have activation advantage or not. What this means, is wether or not you are the one to move a ship last. The last ship to move has the advantage that enemies may have come into range before you get your shot off. First player is inherantly an advantage, as you get the chance to destroy enemies before they activate, and also control the beginning of the activation order, so you can lock down enemy squadrons or move your ships into positions which block or stop your enemy.

This is compensated with the second player getting the advantage of placing an obstacle First (and Last If they have planned their objectives to include Contested outpost or Minefields). As well as the narrowed choice of objectives that you are hopefully (intelligently) prepared to play towards, and within the objective itself, you gain the larger bonus. The choice of obstacle also means that the second player has the potential to control the only helpful Obstacle - the Space Station - in position, in regards to where in the board he expects his ships to be at a certain time...

If you want to control the Game before you start, then you start with a smaller force for a larger initiative bid. This is a sacrifice in power and capability to narrow the choices of objectives towards what you are wanting... This could be Opening Salvo if you have multiple small ships. Or Advanced Gunnery if you have a couple of Victory Destroyers...

If you are not as concerned with that, or have something like Demolisher, or expect to have activation advantage, then going First Player allows you to control the game once the game has started.

This is compensated with the second player getting the advantage of placing an obstacle First and Last.

I'm not entirely sure what you mean here. The second player, by their very nature of placing one of the 6 obstacles first and then alternating, will always place the 2nd to last obstacle. Unless the objective is Contested Outpost or Minefields that is.

This is compensated with the second player getting the advantage of placing an obstacle First and Last.

Unless the objective is Contested Outpost or Minefields that is.

That was what I was getting at, but missed... You're controlling the objectives, so if you have them, that is how it works...

unfortunately, I was typing quickly rather than correctly... So thanks for picking that out - I've updated it... I posted, and then walked away from the house to do a search for a Snuggie for my Wife in the -3C evening, and come up empty...

When Demolisher is on the table, you always want to go first. Doesn't matter whose side Demolisher is on.

This is compensated with the second player getting the advantage of placing an obstacle First and Last.

Unless the objective is Contested Outpost or Minefields that is.

That was what I was getting at, but missed... You're controlling the objectives, so if you have them, that is how it works...

unfortunately, I was typing quickly rather than correctly... So thanks for picking that out - I've updated it... I posted, and then walked away from the house to do a search for a Snuggie for my Wife in the -3C evening, and come up empty...

Good luck on the snuggie.

This is compensated with the second player getting the advantage of placing an obstacle First and Last.

Unless the objective is Contested Outpost or Minefields that is.

That was what I was getting at, but missed... You're controlling the objectives, so if you have them, that is how it works...

unfortunately, I was typing quickly rather than correctly... So thanks for picking that out - I've updated it... I posted, and then walked away from the house to do a search for a Snuggie for my Wife in the -3C evening, and come up empty...

In China, they stitch sewing patterns into duvets then cut them up, re-sew them to make fitted duvet pyjamas.