My FLGS has a sizable X-Wing population but *gasp* no Armada players. They've practically stopped carrying Armada due to the non-existent demand, which is horrifying because I don't care to pickup X-Wing and I'm a bit of an Armada junkie. I've been planning on running some demo games at the store, but I've never done anything of the like prior.

I'd like some advice on how I should organize and advertise the event. Do you think it is feasible to guide and instruct two separate tables of beginner players to maximize the amount of participation? I certainly have the components to field four fleets. I have two core sets, an additional VSD, CR90, and NebB, an ISD, MC80, MC30, Raider, two Glads, two AFs, two squadron packs for each faction, and a pack of Rogues and Villains. I have two of the FFG playmats and I assume the store could probably loan me another set. So would you introduce at the 400-point level to give a better impression of the game or start with the bare minimum?

Basically I'd just like some input from people that have done this before. If the purpose of running a demo game is to drum up some competition in the store, I don't want to turn people away from the game with a lack-luster demo.

I have run what Is Called a "Roman Melee with sides" Give each new player one ship and the fighters it can command with 2 or 3 upgrade cards, and let them fight it out with you filling in the rules as needed you can also keep feeding in new players as they want to play or giving players that have lost their ship a new different one to play and just keep feeding in new forces. Its lots of fun and the new players don't get over run trying to keep track of a full fleet they also get to see other players moving and fighting their ships more in one turn then just playing a one on one game.

If you get players who want to try a one on one game after this your all set to run it and they should have a good grip on the base rules.

Be patient. Best to run the core set learn to play and just show off the basic order of things. How movement, shooting, squadrons work.

I ran some 3 or so months ago and FINALLY people started to pick it up. Even a stout X Wing player is saying it's better than X Wing. So you may not see the intrest immediately, but if people see it played, get a simple introduction... If they like it, they will come around.

Stasy, would you be better off not running while X-Wingers are around?

1. Will they be likley to add or change to Armada?

2. Will people that play other games be just as inclined to try?

Typically you'll convert X Wingers over to Armada easier than people not into it. The other people who seem to take interest are those who play large games like 40k who are looking for a change of pace/ disgruntled with game systems they used to love.

I'd run when they have X Wing going if there is room. Even if you don't, I'd advertise when you're going to show it off if the store has a Facebook page or is willing to promote that you are demoing.

Sorry, just one more. Once you get over that "But X-Wing is cheaper" speed bump, do you start to see more traction?

Personally I have played Armada every weekend with but 2-3 exceptions since it came out and between painting, and list building and such found that I have had great reward from my purchases. And I am "the guy" in a group of 4 players who is buying it all, my cost per game is probably somewhere in the $20 range at the moment and will go down until wave 3 strikes our shores. My X-Wing addiction is probably $100 a game as I just haven't played as much.

I recently ran a demo game, and I did a 400 point list with one large, one medium, and one small ship per side, with some upgrades/titles to show off combos and a mixture of regular and rogue squadrons. I feel the core set game, while great and all, does not show off what makes Armada so great (i.e. the varied ships and the objectives). I allowed my opponent to choose the faction and he actually beat me 8-2. Was a lot of fun.

I would also consider printing off some of the basic rules or obtaining some extra rule books for those that have interest and are watching from the sidelines. I agree with the idea of some very basic demo games. Maybe find another player in the area who will help show off a small game of 150-200 points first then allow the people interested to take part in some very small games. You could even see about a small store prize like a Cr-90 or Raider. Good luck though and I hope it goes well.

I did an intro last night. He chose Rebels. We jousted once, he got behind me, but all three ships survived. He beat the VSD up something fierce, but didn't manage to kill it, and it was going to take another twenty minutes or so just to turn around and finish each other off (he understandably wanted to repair his CR90 before getting back into range). I gave him the victory, but the game didn't actually fight all the way out and no ships were destroyed.

The only problem with doing something different is you can't include other Imperial ships that match the iconic image of a Star Destroyer. The VSD looks enough like an ISD for people to get what it is, but a GSD and a RDR are drastically different. Across the table, a CR90 and Neb-B are instantly recognizable, but an AF or MC30c aren't.

Maybe have people throw down with the big boys? An ISD and MC80 are utterly iconic, instantly recognizable and about equal in points. Sprinkle in some fighters and smaller vessels. You could even drop a Raider onto the Imperial side, because the ISD is obvious enough for people to realize what's going on.

Typically the flow of the game sells it. It's a little deeper than X Wing, the momentum built in, the scale... Ultimately the core gets them interested, but you may want to show them a real 400 point game to sell them on it.

But for a demo...having them play the full thing typically glazes eyes over.At least the first time out.

I wouldn't do a full game as a demo, but maybe use ships other than the VSD.

And I remember doing a BFG megabattle intro which was similar to what someone suggested (large fleets with each player controlling a few ships), but how would that work with Armada? BFG worked well because all of the Imperial players would go, then all of the Chaos. But since Armada alternates ship-by-ship, it would make it run slower.

Not slower we play a lot of 6 person battles and they take the same time to play one on one.

Demo games are great and all but there's also that essential element of regular games. That's also a key to the prize of people to play against you want.

To build a following, people gotta know if I show up at such and such a time somebody is going to be there to play. It's a hard thing to do and you have to not be discouraged when some days won't work out. Persistence pays off and once you build that core set of people then you'll be rewarded with players.

Yeah, right now there's a guy that's supposed to be running a starter league in April. But he's been there once in the last three or four weeks and hasn't been playing Armada. So now I'm trying to show up and bring an opponent just so people can see the game being played. And playing an intro game the other night had half a dozen people stop by to check it out. Sure, some of them didn't want to engage in conversation, but they were clearly interested.