In what order do you build your fleets?

By SomeKittens, in Star Wars: Armada

Noticed another topic where someone said the first thing they did was pick their Admiral, then plan everything from there. I'm a bit different, I start with ship mix -> Admiral that best supports those ships -> fill in cracks with upgrades & fighters.

I'm still new to listbuilding so I'd love to hear how you put things together and why.

My order:

> Have an idea on the list I want to construct (squadrons, damage, control, maneuverability..etc)

> Find Admiral that will best put my list into action

> Find ships that will compliment the admiral's strengths

> Fill the rest up with squadrons once all essential upgrades are in place

I usually order fries first and then go from there.

generally starts with "how do I want to bludgeon my opponent to death?"

sometimes it's B-wings, sometimes it's Defiance

the rest falls in from there

generally starts with "how do I want to bludgeon my opponent to death?"

sometimes it's B-wings, sometimes it's Defiance

the rest falls in from there

Dammit Fickle, stop supporting Mon Mothma's terrorists. You could be so much more.

star_wars___empire_propaganda_recruitmen

because everyone else is :P

someone's gotta be the good/bad guy

generally starts with "how do I want to bludgeon my opponent to death?"

sometimes it's B-wings, sometimes it's Defiance

the rest falls in from there

I usually steal a list and try to tweak it in that case, not confident enough in building my own (though getting there...)

My order:

> Have an idea on the list I want to construct (squadrons, damage, control, maneuverability..etc)

> Find Admiral that will best put my list into action

> Find ships that will compliment the admiral's strengths

> Fill the rest up with squadrons once all essential upgrades are in place

I can go with this.

The idea. . . Lets make Nebulons work!

Hmmmmm Mon Mothma

Nebulons. . . duh

Yavaris needs things!

I go with the concept. This can be anything from proving that something works to testing a theory. This can also be based on a specific objective I want to test. . .

The admiral part is the most fluid of the build. . . Some work well in some builds other are meh but absolutely NO Admiral is better than any other. They each have their place.

Ships are interesting. What is your goals for this game? Are you making an All Comers list or are you just trying to demolish a specific opponent?

Upgrades. . . whats the goal that you want each ship to fulfill? Same goes with squadrons.

Practice, practice, practice.

My order:

> Have an idea on the list I want to construct (squadrons, damage, control, maneuverability..etc)

> Find Admiral that will best put my list into action

> Find ships that will compliment the admiral's strengths

> Fill the rest up with squadrons once all essential upgrades are in place

Yup, this is pretty much exactly how I do it. Sometimes the order is switched up based on what that initial idea is that I want to try ("every single B-Wing I can justify" is built differently than "hardest-hitting torpedo shrimps possible, GO"), but this is the general outline for me too.

I generally follow this pattern:

  1. General concept/formation/combo
  2. Core Ships
  3. Admiral
  4. Support Ships
  5. Upgrades - usually about 10%
  6. Squadrons
  7. Objectives
  8. Deployment Plan

The order steps 4-6 can get juggled around depending on the fleet. I almost always choose the basic formation for my fleet first. It really helps inform the rest of my choices.

How would you define "core ships" vs "support ships"?

How would you define "core ships" vs "support ships"?

Core ships are ships that will actively execute on your strategy. Support ships are those nice to have ones that help your core ships so they execute on the strategy better.

How would you define "core ships" vs "support ships"?

If I was building an Ackbar gunline, I would pick the ships that go in the gunline first. Assault Frigates, an MC-80, maybe an MC-30 scout. Those are my core ships.

Then, I might grab a CR-90 or Neb-B for additional activations, flanking, acting as a trailer, or objective work. Those are Support ships. Not a key part of the strategy or build, but helpful to my overall success.

It's not so much about having support abilities, just not being key to the builds concept.

I've got some examples of using this process on my blog if you're curious.

Edited by shmitty

1. Ships, with consideration for how I want them to perform.

2. Any upgrades necessary for that performance. This may or may not determine admiral. (If an Imperial list is aiming to make use of critical effects, Screed; lots of Rebels planning long range broadsides? Ackbar!)

3. Retain space for some kind of fighter screen. Usually around 25%, but that may vary with intended theme.

4. Fill remaining points with: a. Admiral if not already selected. B. Additional (less build essential) upgrades. C. Additional squadrons.

1) A wee dram of Scotch.

2) The central core of ships.

3) Best suited Admiral.

4) Details.

I'm really interested in the thought process from the guys picking ships before admirals and treating admirals as an after thought.

I'd like to know more!

I'm really interested in the thought process from the guys picking ships before admirals and treating admirals as an after thought.

I'd like to know more!

They're not really an afterthought, just "what admiral has the most synergy with this fleet?" My thoughts always go towards what theme of fleet I want to build and, not being very good with fighters, usually is a ship heavy list. Can't say this is the ideal, just the way I do it currently.

Because the Admiral is the one mandatory component of the fleet, I think its the logical starting point for me. Even if that starting point is "take the cheapest/most universally useful one in order to do XYZ".

Its not the only way to build a fleet, but I think that's the one I fall back on 9 times out of 10.

1) Have a grrrrrreat idea about a list.

2) put the list together

3) realize I'm way over on points

4) pare the list back until it doesn't work

5) return to step 1

How would you define "core ships" vs "support ships"?

Core ships are ships that will actively execute on your strategy. Support ships are those nice to have ones that help your core ships so they execute on the strategy better.

Say I want to bum rush you with 2 shrimps. That's the core.

I want you to be lured into attacking my 3 frigates though with TRC. All with ackbar or Mon Mothma. The 3 CRs are support.

I wanna play a bomber list. Core: B wings x3, Neb with Yavaris and Ray or Adar. I'd also consider the 1st AF core. For putting my commander on.

Let's say I pick Dodonna.

Then I can add a Support Neb Salvation Slaved Turrets to go next to the Yavaris to deal firepower. Support ship.

I think after that I can fit in one CR90 B with Overload Pulse. Just for kicks. Support.

Step 1: Basic concept

Step 2: Ships

Step 3: Admiral

Step 4: Upgrades

Step 5: Squadrons (If any)

I'd like to change my answer to the mathematical order of operations.

Don't look at me that way, I'm doing SCIENCE!

First, I buy Yavaris and two B-wings, then I buy Salvation and a Turbolaser, and then I buy one or two more ships and a commander and as many snub fighters as I can afford.

I really like the NebB.

I'd like to change my answer to the mathematical order of operations.

Don't look at me that way, I'm doing SCIENCE!

Phylon Q7 Tractor Beams

Enhanced Armament
MC80
Dominator
Admiral Ackbar
Slaved Turrets
Pretty solid list already. Look out Worlds, Deathseed is coming!

I'd like to change my answer to the mathematical order of operations.

Don't look at me that way, I'm doing SCIENCE!

Phylon Q7 Tractor Beams

Enhanced Armament
MC80
Dominator
Admiral Ackbar
Slaved Turrets
Pretty solid list already. Look out Worlds, Deathseed is coming!

what_has_science_done.jpg