They won't get me until they do an actual 3 x 6 mat. I use two 3 x 3 tables when I play at home, so it's nice to have a single mat that spans the gap between the tabletops. Sticking with my extra wide yoga mat for now.
Bespin Or Death Star II?
I agree. Is Armada seriously so unimportant to then that they can't make us ONE 3x6 mat? Sure you can use 2 3x3's and put them together. I could also buy 18 1' square mouse pads and put them together, but I'm not going to cause it looks stupid to just jam a bunch of wrong-sized pads together for your play surface.
It makes the 3x6 application--and, by extension, the game that uses it exclusively--look like an afterthought. You've got whole communities using yoga mats for play surfaces in the absence of an appropriately-sized official solution, for crying out loud.
Disclaimer: slightly drunk and grumpy. 
Don't wait for FFG, just get one from another manufacturer.
Bespin, but I want to echo the sentiment here that a larger game area mat would be preferred.
Don't wait for FFG, just get one from another manufacturer.
It's the principle of the thing. FFG's not producing one of the basic items required to play the game and essentially saying "eh, just use a couple of those X-wing mats that you obviously have already" rubs me the wrong way a bit. It really seems to indicate the game's second-tier priority.
Edited by ArdaedhelI've got a better idea.
Lets go play in a sand box and call it Jakku!
I've got a better idea.
Lets go play in a sand box and call it Jakku!
Why does everyone want to go back to Jakku?
I've got a better idea.
Lets go play in a sand box and call it Jakku!
Why does everyone want to go back to Jakku?
It's not 15 degrees and you get a free rebel helmet with every purchase of a portion?
Both, a thousand times both! I /think/ I pref Cloud City, but I'm very from certain.
I didn't. I use the yoga mat (which, btw, I actually prefer to any other option I've seen yet).Don't wait for FFG, just get one from another manufacturer.
It's the principle of the thing. FFG's not producing one of the basic items required to play the game and essentially saying "eh, just use a couple of those X-wing mats that you obviously have already" rubs me the wrong way a bit. It really seems to indicate the game's second-tier priority.
Oh what nonsense, it doesn't imply anything other than common sense on FFG's part, you're being absurdly oversensative. They most certainly ARE producing the part you describe as essential (which actually isn't), you just don't like that it's sold in two pieces. The reasoning is quite obvious: the smallest area one of their games uses is 3x3 so there's ne need to go smaller than that, and they've made one plain starfield mat and three others that are carefully designed (see: Cloud City map redesign) to fit side by side with it to make a 3x6 area. Producing them this way keeps the number of SKUs for them to manage to a minimum and also lets us mix the mats together in combinations of our choosing. Fleet of Death Stars, no problem, Death Star approaching Bespin? No problem! Four together to make a 6x6 area for huge games? No problem
Here's something I wonder about - if in future they make in-atmosphere mats, surface of Hoth for example, will they design them to tile so you could put two together? You wouldn't be able to tile them with the starfield one, so two of the same would be the only option. Of course, I doubt many people would want that, as who wants to play Armada in-atmosphere, so maybe they wouldn't restrict their design for that.
Edited by mazz0
I am thinking on this one from Deepcut. . .
Edited by Lyraeus
Death star.
Hey!!
FFG mentioned armada in a news update!!
And they actually replied to someone moaning about lack of wave 3 news!
All be it with a vague 'soon....'
It's a hidden announcement. The Death Star figure will actually be the same size as the one on the matt.
Oh what nonsense, it doesn't imply anything other than common sense on FFG's part, you're being absurdly oversensative.
It really could not matter less to me: kvetching on the internet != over-sensitivity.
They most certainly ARE producing the part you describe as essential (which actually isn't), you just don't like that it's sold in two pieces.
I'm not sure where you get that it's not essential, when the mat is an explicit requirement for tournament-standard play. And you're right, I don't like that it's sold in two pieces. That was... kind of my point.
The Bespin map looks fantastic next to the star field one. I also like that you can put some TFA ships on it and not look too ridiculous.
I am a bit surprised we haven't seen more TFA stuff from FFG. Even if Jakku is Tatoonie 2.0, I wouldn't mind more mats. Hell, I'd love a mat for Hoth.
I've seriously contemplated a Jakku all day game...where you ship crashes into a sand pile instead of vanished...and on a D6 roll you determine if the ship can still fire depending on the roll.
I am thinking on this one from Deepcut. . .
I have this and it is a real nice image but I also have the two mouse matt FFG ones and much prefer them. The deepcut one suffers because it is vinyl and you get a lot of glare.
I am thinking on this one from Deepcut. . .
I have this and it is a real nice image but I also have the two mouse matt FFG ones and much prefer them. The deepcut one suffers because it is vinyl and you get a lot of glare.
I am thinking on this one from Deepcut. . .
I have this and it is a real nice image but I also have the two mouse matt FFG ones and much prefer them. The deepcut one suffers because it is vinyl and you get a lot of glare.
Deepcut used to do a mousepad version of their mats as well. Not sure if they still do. I think it was just a supplier issue though, so they will probably offer them again in the future.
Oh what nonsense, it doesn't imply anything other than common sense on FFG's part, you're being absurdly oversensative.
It really could not matter less to me: kvetching on the internet != over-sensitivity.
They most certainly ARE producing the part you describe as essential (which actually isn't), you just don't like that it's sold in two pieces.
I'm not sure where you get that it's not essential, when the mat is an explicit requirement for tournament-standard play. And you're right, I don't like that it's sold in two pieces. That was... kind of my point.
There's a difference between "essential" and "essential in official tournaments", but fair enough - I actually had no idea the tournament rules dictated playmats. Seems crazy to me!
My point still stands - it is quite obvious why they've done it the way they've done it and it doesn't indicate any lack of care for Armada, it simply indicates that they haven't decided it would be financially profitable to maintain another SKU for what is presumably a small number of players who are only interested in single 3x6 mats, given that most of us are happy using two 3x3 ones. I admit I'm making an assumption there, I could be wrong and most people agree with you.
Definitely Bespin!
Since there is a rules issue here, or rather, a rules statement that has been made that I feel is incorrect... Here's the excerpt from the Tournament Rules on play Surfaces: (Italic emphasis mine)
Play Surface
Competitive play in Star Wars: Armada depends on precise placement of ships and squadrons. It is strongly recommended that each play area be covered with playmats, felt, or a similar material in order to create friction and prevent ships and squadrons from sliding out of place when accidentally bumped.
In events where players provide their own playmats, only official FFG X-Wing™ Playmats are allowed. This is to guarantee a consistent experience for all players and prevent any advantage players may gain from familiarity with a particular playmat that is not widely available. FFG playmats are widely available for examination and play.
If a venue provides playmats for their event, they may use third-party playmats. Players may replace third-party playmats if they provide their own FFG playmat to use
So, are FFG playmats/surfaces required for Tournament Play?
No.
It is strongly recommended, but it is not required.
If players are required to be bringing Mats, they can only bring FFG mats...
If however, the Venue is providing mats, then a taped-down felt surface is entirely legal if not completely appropriate or preferred... As well as 3rd Party mats...
Or a real mat:
I ordered the Death Star 2 playmat and just got the shipping notification. Now I just need the regular star field mats to get back in stock so I can have a full 3x6.
http://www.playmats.eu/x-wing-armada/107-armada-2.html
I have two of the above and one deep cut as the one you are thinking. You can see pictures on BGG under Armada to get a better feel. I like both but the playmatseu pops more with less detail and glare and also really does lay flat. You roll that thing out and it is flat. Awesome.
I have this and it is a real nice image but I also have the two mouse matt FFG ones and much prefer them. The deepcut one suffers because it is vinyl and you get a lot of glare.
Deepcut used to do a mousepad version of their mats as well. Not sure if they still do. I think it was just a supplier issue though, so they will probably offer them again in the future.I have this and it is a real nice image but I also have the two mouse matt FFG ones and much prefer them. The deepcut one suffers because it is vinyl and you get a lot of glare.
I have this and it is a real nice image but I also have the two mouse matt FFG ones and much prefer them. The deepcut one suffers because it is vinyl and you get a lot of glare.
Deepcut used to do a mousepad version of their mats as well. Not sure if they still do. I think it was just a supplier issue though, so they will probably offer them again in the future.I have this and it is a real nice image but I also have the two mouse matt FFG ones and much prefer them. The deepcut one suffers because it is vinyl and you get a lot of glare.
https://boardgamegeek.com/image/2813512/star-wars-armada
https://boardgamegeek.com/image/2724045/star-wars-armada
https://boardgamegeek.com/image/2724050/star-wars-armada
------the deep cut can be a little lumpy but the detail close up is cool.
https://boardgamegeek.com/image/2813516/star-wars-armada
Edited by AdmiralNelsonSince there is a rules issue here, or rather, a rules statement that has been made that I feel is incorrect... Here's the excerpt from the Tournament Rules on play Surfaces: (Italic emphasis mine)Play Surface
Competitive play in Star Wars: Armada depends on precise placement of ships and squadrons. It is strongly recommended that each play area be covered with playmats, felt, or a similar material in order to create friction and prevent ships and squadrons from sliding out of place when accidentally bumped.
In events where players provide their own playmats, only official FFG X-Wing™ Playmats are allowed. This is to guarantee a consistent experience for all players and prevent any advantage players may gain from familiarity with a particular playmat that is not widely available. FFG playmats are widely available for examination and play.
If a venue provides playmats for their event, they may use third-party playmats. Players may replace third-party playmats if they provide their own FFG playmat to use
So, are FFG playmats/surfaces required for Tournament Play?
No.
It is strongly recommended, but it is not required.
If players are required to be bringing Mats, they can only bring FFG mats...
If however, the Venue is providing mats, then a taped-down felt surface is entirely legal if not completely appropriate or preferred... As well as 3rd Party mats...
I stand corrected.
This is why I love you, Dras.