Now that I click-baited you here, I hope that you don't find me and beat me. It took three days to play one game of Armada, and yes, technically one of the days was my birthday. I set up the fleets Thursday, I started turns 1-3 on Friday Night, and finished this morning after I woke up.

Rebel Fleet:

Dodonna's High Rollers (392):
AFb w/ FC, EHB, TRC

MC30 Torp w/ OE, APT, Foresight

CR90A w/ TRC

CR90B w/ SW7, Dodonna and his Pride

Wedge, Dutch, Keyan, B Wing, 2x 2400's

Imperial Fleet:

Victory Formation (394):

VSDI w/ Tarkin, Weapons Liaison, GT

VSDI w/ Weapons Liaison, GT

GSD I w/ OE

GSDI w/ OE

Rhymer, 2x Firespray, 3x T/F, T/A,

I did not get a starting picture, but it's pretty evident how it played out. Picked most wanted and the Imperials had initiative. Ships selected were Dodonna's Pride and the non-flagship VSD.

End of Turn 1:

I was hoping to turtle with the Imps, but I kind of ignored my own thoughts. Since the Rebels decided to ride the edge, I figured I'd close the door on them. I figured turning hard across the board was a bad idea with the Rebels.

End of Turn 2:

The Empire bit down on Wedge hard. only 1 HP left, but it was a bad idea. Now out of range of activation, they would pay dearly for launching the fighters. In the ship to ship game, the TRC90 managed one hit to the swinging GSD, but no other action.

End of Turn 3:

Imperial Fighters don't even get to return fire as they are shredded. Some fire is exchanged, but little comes of it. The GSD flanking is riding in rough, but will deliver a payload before popping next turn. Dodonna's CR90 is riding the edge of the board. I was sweating bullets there. The next 3 turns would be wild for sure. Not sure if springing the trap was going to work here.

During Turn 4- This roll was natural from the MC30 to the Most Wanted VSD. No OE's required!!! (aka- where the **** are rolls like this during games that count!?!?)

End of Turn 4:

Flanking GSD dies to the combined fire of the ships and some fighters. It beat up the MC30, not killing it. The 2400 exchanged for the Firespray, and the Wanted VSD is also being beaten up. Dodonna on bombers is delivering results, despite the lousy crits I'm drawing.

End of Turn 5:

The MC30 is killed by the wanted VSD before it gets a shot off! A minor victory for the Empire. However, that is short lived when Dodonna manages a double arc on the remaining GSD and eliminates it with help from his friends. I'm really running out of realestate for the Rebels.

End of Game:

Tableled- Tarkin's VSD is ended by Keyan and some bombs. Also eliminated at the end is Rhymer. Both CR90's are moderately damaged, but still alive. Ultimately this was a 473-296 win for the Rebels (hopefully my quick math isn't wrong here).

Takeaways: The Imp list needs work. I think it was executed right, but it was made a little wrong. Already planning to go with Motti, remove the Liaisons, and run IO's instead. The fighter base will be changed, I'm thinking IG, and Advanced, and 3 T/F's. I would have enough points to make one VSD the carrier with the expanded hangers. The Rebel list will remain as is until I play it some more. I think the SW7/Dod's Pride is redundant, but maybe it makes sense to have that option of 2-3 hits or just a face up I choose. I didn't use TRC a lot on the Frigate, but I know when I take it off, I'll find the blank dice all day.

Is it cruel of me to wish you had more players on your area. . .

Is it cruel of me to wish you had more players on your area. . .

And I can drink at home as opposed to the one FLGS that supports the game.

i would totally play you if we lived next to each other.

I'm fortunate that my only restriction at the moment is my schedule as opposed to the number of players.

It looks like I have a similar situation opponents-wise I ended up giving myself a trip to a regional (and 3 games of armada) as a birthday present.

You wanted more? YOU GOT MORE!!!

Rebel Fleet:

Same As Above

Imperial Fleet (394):

VSD I w/ Motti, IO, and GT's

VSD I w/ IO, GT's, and Exp Hangar

2x GSD I w/ IO and OE

3x T/F, T/A, and IG

Imperials given first player, selected Superior Positions

Start of Game:

Cutoff in the picture is the TRC90. It's hope was to flank the Imperial formation. Because lets' be honest, they would really need to swing to intercept the incoming gun line exposing their rears...so I thought.

End of turn 1:

No news. VSD's drop to 0, GSD's proceed to turn. 2400's split the difference in coverage with IG.

End of turn 2:

Oh snap! The GSD opts to play navigator in the obstacles. This means the CR90 has some thinking to do. Some shots fired, but the only damage was from the 2400 to the GSD.

End of turn 3:

The GSD has the CR90 in a bad spot. But so does the MC30 with the other GSD. IG is fighting off two 2400's with a good level of success. From here, things would get messy.

End of turn 4:

The lone CR90 was smoked by hot dice. I nearly forgot to let it live (by using CF) so I could roll against the rear for the only token claimed the whole entire game. The GSD on the other side, was crushed by the MC30, but it took a few solid rolls in the process from the VSD's. Wedge nearly dies while eliminating the T/A. and the 2400's roll average while not getting any accuracy against IG. At this point, I'm looking at the Rebels being beyond a win unless I do something about it.

End of Turn 5:

The 30 gets pummeled by Motti without even getting a shot off. I had to take a risk, so I bumped Dodonna to speed 4 and land him nose to nose with Motti. A few collisions with the VSD's are helping the Rebels, but not a lot.

End of Game:

The Dodonna gamble paid off...kinda. It survives the Motti arc, but does not survive a medium range roll from the Vic. TRC's saved the day, and avenged Dodonna and finished Motti off. One TIE goes down, the others lived through some horrible fighter combat dice. The Imperials win 251-198 with only one token claimed by the Imperials. It's a 6-4 win.

Takeaways:

The Imperial list is much better. IG is just a monster and there isn't anything that I could do different with him. I probably should have slowed the Rebels down and not have turned in. Still, the points margin was not bad for what felt like a blowout.