I like Armada - a lot

But, if I had to change one thing it would be the maneuver tool.

I like the idea of it and how it represents setting a course both visually and in game terms, but after turns 3/4 in a game when ships are often passing close to each other it can be more than a little awkward to use sometimes when you're trying to thread it intervening ships etc...

So I was kicking about some ideas for alternative ways to achieve the same result: (varying from the simple to ridiculous)

1. Use multiple x-wing style templates
2. Allow the maneuver tool to be easily taken apart (think of Lego jointed sections that "click" into position)
3. Use an overhead projection system (would be cool, but probably waaay too expensive)

I'm not looking to change the game per se, just to see if there's a way to improve this aspect of it.

Your second idea is already available. ffg sells extra maneuver tool pack. You can build various lengths as you like but it costs more to build all of the possible lengths. Most replays I have seen show players using only a length(speed) one maneuver tool(m-tool) built from the pack, aside from their standard full length m-tool.

I personally think extra tools will be more clutter.

Myself I recommend just measuring from front end first. Start from the front end(arrow) as zero and count backward to the number of your current speed, and use that notch. All the unneeded length of the m-tool would be behind your ship and thus would clash less often with other things that are in the path of your ship. For example, for a speed one maneuver I use the second notch from the front, or the fourth notch from the back. To make it easier, reverse the order of the speed tokens that you inserted into the m-tool, with 0 at the front. Then, when you want to move, just place the notch of your ship's current speed to the ship, and then move as normal. May take a little while to get used to if you have always been notching the ship with the back end of the m-tool, but I find it helps loads once you are accustomed to it. cheers

The maneuver tool can be a little bit of a hassle on a crowded board. That will be equally true of any movement template.

X Wing style templates are great for choosing a maneuver without seeing how it will look (at all) when you go to do it. That would not be effective in Armada. The number of tools needed would be very inefficient (5 for speed 1, 25 for speed 2, 125 for speed 3, and 625 for speed 4 - to incorporate all possible options, which we should.) We also have to factor in that each different ship size would require a different template size. So all in all we'd need 2320 different templates to get all possible movement options for all 3 ship sizes.

A detachable tool would likely not be as sturdy. When the maneuver tool has too much give, it won't click add firmly in place, potentially altering what your resulting move looks like.

I don't think a projector system is very practical at all.

It's good to examine potential alternatives, but other than just making the current tool a bit more sturdy, I don't think there's much we can do to actually improve it significantly.

Well my first choice would be to do away with templates altogether and have a turning 'gauge' and simply use a tape-measure like any sensible games does.

But if we have to use special rules and maneuver templates, then I'd recommend using X Wing style ones.

Now, unlike the guy who reckons we'd need 6,000+ templates, I think we'd need more like 12. We've got what, four speeds? And at each speed we have three options: straight, one click, or two clicks. So if we had a modular movement template system, where they might be magnetised or otherwise click into each other, where you can assemble it to suit your movement needs each time you need it, I think that would be the best option.

But still not as good as just using a **** tape measure in the first place.

I think you could actually get away with three x-wing style templates

• Straight
• Angle 1 (1 click) (I imagine this as a triangular wedge with slots for the ship)
• Angle 2 (2 click)

You could use several of these in turn to build your overall maneuver - either calling it in advance or make it up as you go along.

The loss (to me) would be the visual representation you get with the tool as it is.

Your second idea is already available. ffg sells extra maneuver tool pack. You can build various lengths as you like but it costs more to build all of the possible lengths.

I've seen these too and have been tempted to get a pack or two for myself

What I was think of was more of a re-design of the tool to allow it to be broken into sections - maybe using magnets and "guides" at the end of each section to ensure that it's the same shape every time rather than having specific lengths (ironically getting closer to the x-wing templates)

Gameplay aside, there's probably a business reason to consider too - FFG might lose sales of tool-packs.

I personally carry a 4 and a 2 sized tool when I play. It helps. But, I think the aftermarket probably could look at a more sturdy design/materials for replacement tools.

The only other thing I can think of is possibly making the tool narrower to help with fitting it between ships.

I think the visual representation is important, though, as it helps you figure out if you are going to collide or not.

Now, unlike the guy who reckons we'd need 6,000+ templates, I think we'd need more like 12. We've got what, four speeds? And at each speed we have three options: straight, one click, or two clicks. So if we had a modular movement template system, where they might be magnetised or otherwise click into each other, where you can assemble it to suit your movement needs each time you need it, I think that would be the best option.

"the guy?" My name is right there. Plus, I said 2000+, not 6000+. At each speed we have 5 options, the maneuver tool clicks in both directions, not just one.

What you are describing is totally unlike the X Wing templates, though, so you are recommending a system much more like the Armada maneuver tool than the X Wing template system. That's why your proposal is so different in numbers than the X Wing style system.

Thing is, you still have to place it on the board. Which like you said will likely overlap other ships by turn 3 or so, A thing I would like to see, would be shield dials on ships we can get to too change when the ships in the middle of the crowd.

Ideally I think we would all just activate the Armada program on our VR glasses to play, and then we wouldn't bump ships with our tools, and we wouldn't have to carry around huge toolboxes.

I think you could actually get away with three x-wing style templates

• Straight
• Angle 1 (1 click) (I imagine this as a triangular wedge with slots for the ship)
• Angle 2 (2 click)

You could use several of these in turn to build your overall maneuver - either calling it in advance or make it up as you go along.

The loss (to me) would be the visual representation you get with the tool as it is.

Your second idea is already available. ffg sells extra maneuver tool pack. You can build various lengths as you like but it costs more to build all of the possible lengths.

I've seen these too and have been tempted to get a pack or two for myself

What I was think of was more of a re-design of the tool to allow it to be broken into sections - maybe using magnets and "guides" at the end of each section to ensure that it's the same shape every time rather than having specific lengths (ironically getting closer to the x-wing templates)

Gameplay aside, there's probably a business reason to consider too - FFG might lose sales of tool-packs.

http://www.corseceng.com/products/armada-movement-tool-set

These are the tools you're looking for

You would only be allowed to use those for a speed 1 move.

"So all in all we'd need 2320 different templates to get all possible movement options for all 3 ship sizes"

I'm just going to select a maneuver tool, I'll be back in about a month or so...

I think you could actually get away with three x-wing style templates

• Straight
• Angle 1 (1 click) (I imagine this as a triangular wedge with slots for the ship)
• Angle 2 (2 click)

You could use several of these in turn to build your overall maneuver - either calling it in advance or make it up as you go along.

The loss (to me) would be the visual representation you get with the tool as it is.

Your second idea is already available. ffg sells extra maneuver tool pack. You can build various lengths as you like but it costs more to build all of the possible lengths.

I've seen these too and have been tempted to get a pack or two for myself

What I was think of was more of a re-design of the tool to allow it to be broken into sections - maybe using magnets and "guides" at the end of each section to ensure that it's the same shape every time rather than having specific lengths (ironically getting closer to the x-wing templates)

Gameplay aside, there's probably a business reason to consider too - FFG might lose sales of tool-packs.

http://www.corseceng.com/products/armada-movement-tool-set

These are the tools you're looking for

Hadn't seen those. There's more money to Cor Sec just when I'd finished replacing all my squad activation sliders.

See, if those corsec ones had some way to lock into one another, they'd be perfect.

1 glass top table

4 sets of strong magnets

1 maneuver template set to your move magneted to the bottom of the glass

No bumpies.

You can probably halve your magnet load if you happen to have a transparisteel table, but that could get pricey.

Personally, I take great satisfaction in seeing my opponent caaarefully set the tool, slooowly move his ship... and then take his hands away too quick and knock over three other things.

I don't think there is anything wrong with the tool be sides the fact that the joints wear out. I also play with a 4, a 3 and a 2.

Need to come up with one that lasts longer.

And I am absolutely against an X-wing style system. One of my most hated things about xwing where all those templates.

I also h ave 3 of the tools with speed 2 speed 3 and speed 4, I also use the markers that came with the game and move the other ships out of the way. (that's what they are for)

on a side note I was drawing up an idea for the tool to have a joint in the middle of each length that would bend 90deg up off the table to get it out of the way and could also be usable as a handle if minis are in the way.

I just wish the manuever tool was more resilient. The tool wears out and angles are off by quite a lot. Also Ive sen it flexed during a move to get the desired results of the player. Bogus!!

Its just too loosey goosey!!

The flexing and 75% of the wear out can be fixed by the acrylic rulers, but it is disappointing they only have a range 1. I use a separate ruler for each range, so that spreads wear and tear out between the 4, and limits ship bumping as much as possible, but its still not perfect.

I personally think the maneuver tool is one of the best aspects of the game.

Granted I have a length 1,2,3 and 4 version of the tool.

"So all in all we'd need 2320 different templates to get all possible movement options for all 3 ship sizes"

I'm just going to select a maneuver tool, I'll be back in about a month or so...

392 templates only required accounting for reflections. 780 total movement options

I personally think the maneuver tool is one of the best aspects of the game.

Granted I have a length 1,2,3 and 4 version of the tool.

Nice tip Lyr, I will try that out tonight.