Standing on the edge of a cliff, looking down at the pot of gold below. To get it I'll have to take the leap......
So
I plan to get this game but the high price tag makes me hesitate. After all, I'm an X-Wing fan and have my sights on starting Armada too. Armada costs less, or I can get my first Epic for X-Wing, but I'm still tempted to just be patient, save up and buy Imperial Assault.
I'm on the edge
Give me a push
I've played Armada and Imperial Assault. Both are awesome, but there's a ton more content in a core box with Imperial Assault.
There's your push.
Oh, and do you like to paint when there's no one to play with?
I've played Armada and Imperial Assault. Both are awesome, but there's a ton more content in a core box with Imperial Assault.
There's your push.
Oh, and do you like to paint when there's no one to play with?
I don't paint
But unpainted models won't put me off.
Agree w/ Boba - and I had not painted for over a decade, and even then only larger models (like airplanes and spacecraft, never game minis). The Sorastro's videos and seeing how easy it is to paint the models to make them look amazing gave me the push to actually diving into IA (I had played it before and enjoyed it) but in terms of getting my own - FFG should give a cut to Sorastro (I suspect this may be the case for many players)
Edited by nathankcYou may think the initial investment into Imperial Assault is higher, but the Core Set delivers a wealth of figures, cards, maps, etc. Hours upon hours of play. And the way it's set up, every mission is vastly different from the rest. The campaign mode gives you around 10 missions, and after you're done you'll want to play it again with different figures, taking you on a completely different path. And of course, whenever you feel the need, there is the Skirmish mode that all have different objectives much like Armada.
The Core Set is really the most complete boxed set I've ever purchased, delivering not one, but two complete games with endless replayability each.
You may think the initial investment into Imperial Assault is higher, but the Core Set delivers a wealth of figures, cards, maps, etc. Hours upon hours of play. And the way it's set up, every mission is vastly different from the rest. The campaign mode gives you around 10 missions, and after you're done you'll want to play it again with different figures, taking you on a completely different path. And of course, whenever you feel the need, there is the Skirmish mode that all have different objectives much like Armada.
The Core Set is really the most complete boxed set I've ever purchased, delivering not one, but two complete games with endless replayability each.
This. Also a lot of the missions event repeats can be different. When "events" occur often the imperial player is given a choice between A and B, the rebels won't know when this is but you can play the same 10 missions and have them feel very different due to event choices.
I've played Armada and Imperial Assault. Both are awesome, but there's a ton more content in a core box with Imperial Assault.
There's your push.
Oh, and do you like to paint when there's no one to play with?
I don't paint
But unpainted models won't put me off.
My play with Armada was definitely really fun, but it seemed slow - because naturally you have slow moving massive ships. X-Wing looks like a much faster paced game with starfighters dogfighting each other with crazy maneuvers. Imperial Assault is right there in the middle. Just my overall impression.
As far as painting, I refused to do it at first, but then I decided to give it a try and WOW the figures really pop, even if you're not an expert. It also adds a feeling of individuality and customization to the game. There will never be another copy of Imperial Assault like mine, because mine are all painted.
As far as painting, I refused to do it at first, but then I decided to give it a try and WOW the figures really pop, even if you're not an expert. It also adds a feeling of individuality and customization to the game. There will never be another copy of Imperial Assault like mine, because mine are all painted.
I love this quote.
You may think the initial investment into Imperial Assault is higher, but the Core Set delivers a wealth of figures, cards, maps, etc. Hours upon hours of play. And the way it's set up, every mission is vastly different from the rest. The campaign mode gives you around 10 missions, and after you're done you'll want to play it again with different figures, taking you on a completely different path. And of course, whenever you feel the need, there is the Skirmish mode that all have different objectives much like Armada.
The Core Set is really the most complete boxed set I've ever purchased, delivering not one, but two complete games with endless replayability each.
This. Also a lot of the missions event repeats can be different. When "events" occur often the imperial player is given a choice between A and B, the rebels won't know when this is but you can play the same 10 missions and have them feel very different due to event choices.
I'm keen on the skirmish side.
Don't get me wrong, I'll learn to play by playing the campaign. But I like creating my own narrative games/campaigns.
Dude, just jump!
Seriously though, I think it's worth asking yourself what style of game you prefer.
--I have a friend of who is a huge Star Wars fan and is crazy about X-Wing...but that's because he's always been a fan of the various dog-fighting games that have been produced over the years. And since X-Wing is Star Wars and is so well made, he's all in with it. He's played Imperial Assault a few times, but he's less into the tactical skirmish games and more into the dog-fighters, and so he never really jumped for IA the way that I did.
--But me on the other hand, I have ALWAYS been all about the tactical skirmish games. I think I own them all: Star Wars Miniatures (my favorite until IA came along), World of Warcraft Miniatures, Dungeon Command, D&D minis (started too late to really "get in" the way that many did)...I love them all. I tried X-Wing and enjoyed it because it really is a good game, but I've never really been drawn to the dog-fight games and so I stopped collecting it after Wave 4 or 5 or something (the last ship I bought was the Outrider and the Scum & Villainy variant box). I am primarily interested in IA for the skirmish mode. However, I also love Descent 2.0 and Super Dungeon Explore, so the campaign mode of IA is simply golden.
So I think you would benefit most by asking yourself what style of game draws you the most.
And as for painting: yeah, I'd never painted a mini in my life either. Now I'm working through Sorastro's videos. Yes, they're THAT good! If you buy IA, then do yourself a favor and paint some Stormtroopers and then see how you feel. 
Imperial Assault, Armada, and X-Wing are all very different games that scratch very different itches.
I play all three (now), so I can give you a general rundown with a healthy dose of opinion...
X-Wing suffers, in my opinion, from being a bit bloated right now. Netlists are very popular, competition seems to hover around a few less-than-fun strategies with fringe lists still being competitive but far from ideal. Gameplay is limited by the lack of an objective system (every game is a deathmatch) and nobody in my area at least ever bothers with the missions, since they don't tie into any larger game system. Epic is fun. In fact, Epic right now is what keeps my playing, but it's balanced for fun, NOT competition, and it requires both players to own and use an Epic scale ship, since a swarm is wildly unbalanced against one. Casually, mechanically, it's quite fun, but daunting to get into right now since it is, as I said, a bit bloated.
Armada is a beautiful game. Just beautiful. It's the game that killed Warhammer 40k for me. It's larger, slower, and more dense than X-Wing (or Imperial Assault) by a pretty wide margin though. 3'x6' play space, 2.5 hour game clocks, and the recent upswing of squadron play result in games that play out gradually over six turns, rather than frantically over however-many-turns. Of the current FFG miniature properties, this is the game for the strategically minded players. Ships have weight, some turning ponderously to train their arcs on their opponent as they come into range while smaller ships turn nimbly and accelerate forward to seize objectives or chase down fleeing ships... competitive games are balanced across a series of levels, and as someone who has been playing regularly for months now, I can say that Armada is one of the most amazingly balanced games I've ever played. No two games, even between the same opponents with the same lists, will play out the same.
Imperial Assault is great. I love the miniatures, and the rules are simple to pick up. Campaign mode adds a whole extra level of replayability, and the game is definitely more friendly to a group of new players than any of the other cores sets.
If I had to pick two games and leave one, I'd take Armada and Imperial Assault, and leave X-Wing (Some people really enjoy it, but I like something a bit slower).
If you haven't played Armada... find a demo game. Seriously, the game is AMAZING, but you have to be willing to really knuckle down and dig in, because poor play in Armada is REALLY poor. Armada is, for me, the crowning achievement of FFG wargaming at the moment.
EDIT: I'd also agree that the Core Set of IA includes more raw content than Armada. With Armada you need a few additional expansions to reach a "critical mass" at which you can really start to experiment, whereas the IA core set has enough to sit down with four friends and play for a few weeks!
IA is a LOT of fun. You wont regret it.
To reply to comments I've read:
I stank at 40K, really I got pancaked, barbequed, deep fried (ok I'm hungry), pounded, obliterated....I could go on but you get the idea. But I was great at Space Hulk (both sides), Gorkamorka, Battlefleet Gothic and Heroquest.
Skirmishes, board games and space battles seem to be my thing.
But vast armies battling over a field causes brain freeze. Tactics go out the window and I just react.
(and on the topic of Armada, my only gaming surface is 6x4 so no worries)
To reply to comments I've read:
I stank at 40K, really I got pancaked, barbequed, deep fried (ok I'm hungry), pounded, obliterated....I could go on but you get the idea. But I was great at Space Hulk (both sides), Gorkamorka, Battlefleet Gothic and Heroquest.
Skirmishes, board games and space battles seem to be my thing.
But vast armies battling over a field causes brain freeze. Tactics go out the window and I just react.
(and on the topic of Armada, my only gaming surface is 6x4 so no worries)
Even though the hardcore Armada player in me wants to tell you to buy Armada... from what you say I recommend Imperial Assault.
Try a demo game of Armada in the meantime, and consider getting into it IF you like it and IF there is a healthy local community to get in regular gameplay. If there's a healthy community you won't have any problem finding demo games.
IMO Armada is a measurably superior game to 40k. It has all the *good* complications without any of the "WTF IS THIS?!" complications.
Edited by TvayumatTo reply to comments I've read:
I stank at 40K, really I got pancaked, barbequed, deep fried (ok I'm hungry), pounded, obliterated....I could go on but you get the idea. But I was great at Space Hulk (both sides), Gorkamorka, Battlefleet Gothic and Heroquest.
Skirmishes, board games and space battles seem to be my thing.
But vast armies battling over a field causes brain freeze. Tactics go out the window and I just react.
You can do vast armies (stormies everywhere), or you can do smaller groups (Luke, Leia, Chewie, Gideon and C-3PO). Tons of customization.
Standing on the edge of a cliff, looking down at the pot of gold below. To get it I'll have to take the leap......
So
I plan to get this game but the high price tag makes me hesitate. After all, I'm an X-Wing fan and have my sights on starting Armada too. Armada costs less, or I can get my first Epic for X-Wing, but I'm still tempted to just be patient, save up and buy Imperial Assault.
I'm on the edge
Give me a push
If the price tag is your concern, you need to walk...no, RUN, run for your life, flee, flee for your life from FFG! They will eat your wallet and demand more. They are the destroyers of bank accounts, the eaters of spare change, the slayers of paychecks! Do not draw their voracious gaze!
You're here, on the forums. They have your scent.
You have been warned. The peril is real.
Standing on the edge of a cliff, looking down at the pot of gold below. To get it I'll have to take the leap......
So
I plan to get this game but the high price tag makes me hesitate. After all, I'm an X-Wing fan and have my sights on starting Armada too. Armada costs less, or I can get my first Epic for X-Wing, but I'm still tempted to just be patient, save up and buy Imperial Assault.
I'm on the edge
Give me a push
If the price tag is your concern, you need to walk...no, RUN, run for your life, flee, flee for your life from FFG! They will eat your wallet and demand more. They are the destroyers of bank accounts, the eaters of spare change, the slayers of paychecks! Do not draw their voracious gaze!
You're here, on the forums. They have your scent.
You have been warned. The peril is real.
Arrrrrgh!
Too late!
Fortunately my gaming addiction is only FFG Star Wars so there's no competition for my time and hobby fund.
Unfortunately the price tag of Imperial Assault is scary. Frankly, the core box would take an entire months hobby fund. Even the Armada core costs less.
But I'm also aware that once I've got the core game, the packs are roughly equal to X-Wing expansions; and the expansions are about the same as Epic ships.
All I'm sacrificing is a month of new toys to get a box of new toys.
Standing on the edge of a cliff, looking down at the pot of gold below. To get it I'll have to take the leap......
So
I plan to get this game but the high price tag makes me hesitate. After all, I'm an X-Wing fan and have my sights on starting Armada too. Armada costs less, or I can get my first Epic for X-Wing, but I'm still tempted to just be patient, save up and buy Imperial Assault.
I'm on the edge
Give me a push
If the price tag is your concern, you need to walk...no, RUN, run for your life, flee, flee for your life from FFG! They will eat your wallet and demand more. They are the destroyers of bank accounts, the eaters of spare change, the slayers of paychecks! Do not draw their voracious gaze!
You're here, on the forums. They have your scent.
You have been warned. The peril is real.
Arrrrrgh!
Too late!
Fortunately my gaming addiction is only FFG Star Wars so there's no competition for my time and hobby fund.
Unfortunately the price tag of Imperial Assault is scary. Frankly, the core box would take an entire months hobby fund. Even the Armada core costs less.
But I'm also aware that once I've got the core game, the packs are roughly equal to X-Wing expansions; and the expansions are about the same as Epic ships.
All I'm sacrificing is a month of new toys to get a box of new toys.
It really is a high value for its dollar given the considerable content and replayability. Especially once you've built up the funds to start picking up expansion content.
Arrrrrgh!
Too late!
Fortunately my gaming addiction is only FFG Star Wars so there's no competition for my time and hobby fund.
Unfortunately the price tag of Imperial Assault is scary. Frankly, the core box would take an entire months hobby fund. Even the Armada core costs less.
But I'm also aware that once I've got the core game, the packs are roughly equal to X-Wing expansions; and the expansions are about the same as Epic ships.
All I'm sacrificing is a month of new toys to get a box of new toys.
Umm.. amazon shows the core set for armada for more. Not sure where you get the idea it is cheaper then the IA core box. I have both games and the both have been enjoyable to play. But straight out of the box you can play more IA then Armada. The base core for Armada is limiting, if you tried to play at your local game-store most players will have a larger fleet then you will. IA straight out of the box you have the campaign and then the skirmish mode which while limited still plenty of choices.
Both games require at least two people to play. If you have a limited play group and would just play pick up stuff at the game-store then armada would be best. If you have dedicated group IA probably would be better.
Imperial Assault
£70.99
£7.52 delivery
Armada
£56.27
Free delivery on UK orders
But correct that there's more in the Imperial Assault box and I wouldn't run out of different games.
Edit: I should say these are the prices on 9th January. The prices do rise and fall by up to £5. I'm hoping Imperial Assault drops to about £65 and gets better delivery. Then I can snipe it I look every day
P.S.
Anyone who has checked out my blog will know that I've decided to buy Imperial Assault before anything else. Got to save up, but within two weeks I'll have enough for the nearly £80.
Just gotta avoid impulse buying.
Imperial Assault
£70.99
£7.52 delivery
Armada
£56.27
Free delivery on UK orders
But correct that there's more in the Imperial Assault box and I wouldn't run out of different games.
Edit: I should say these are the prices on 9th January. The prices do rise and fall by up to £5. I'm hoping Imperial Assault drops to about £65 and gets better delivery. Then I can snipe it
Ahh you are in the UK, my apologies, in the US here.. How available are the fighter units for armada? The imperial one is scarce here. Just curious.
imperial fighters are available online still in the UK
Imperial Assault
£70.99
£7.52 delivery
Armada
£56.27
Free delivery on UK orders
But correct that there's more in the Imperial Assault box and I wouldn't run out of different games.
Edit: I should say these are the prices on 9th January. The prices do rise and fall by up to £5. I'm hoping Imperial Assault drops to about £65 and gets better delivery. Then I can snipe it
Ahh you are in the UK, my apologies, in the US here.. How available are the fighter units for armada? The imperial one is scarce here. Just curious.
Just like D503 said, they've been available since I've been looking at Amazon. Imperials and Rogues & Villains too. All of Waves 1 and 2 are there.
Today the debate is over:
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