When making a bid for initiative, its from what I get, mostly to be able to be 1st player.

But how many of you out there actually make a bid to be sure to be the 2nd player???

And how low of a bid do you go for?

Just curious to know

When making a bid for initiative, its from what I get, mostly to be able to be 1st player.

But how many of you out there actually make a bid to be sure to be the 2nd player???

And how low of a bid do you go for?

Just curious to know

I don't bid for 2nd Player.

I build a list that has 400 points and probably fewer activations than my opponent.

They'll go first all on their own.

I have bid 393 for Second Player before. I now have a regular opponent who bids 390 or below just because he knows I usually want it.

Hmm... I guess my question is, is there a list that wants second all of the time??? Being genuine... also drinking corona's in the hot sun...

Hmm... I guess my question is, is there a list that wants second all of the time??? Being genuine... also drinking corona's in the hot sun...

Rieekan and Pals like 2nd player a lot more than 1st player.

Hmm... I guess my question is, is there a list that wants second all of the time??? Being genuine... also drinking corona's in the hot sun...

Some lists are made to be either first or second player, some lists are made to be heavily dependant on being first player, so why should it not be likewise for second player?

Hmm... I guess my question is, is there a list that wants second all of the time??? Being genuine... also drinking corona's in the hot sun...

yeah, anything with Rieekan that isn't Super-Amount of Activations is usually a second preferencer...

But those who bank heavily on objectives (usually mass-bomber) want to be able ot run second to attempt to get those chosen.

Hmm... I guess my question is, is there a list that wants second all of the time??? Being genuine... also drinking corona's in the hot sun...

Rieekan and Pals like 2nd player a lot more than 1st player.

And I capitalized on that in my regional/GCW list. There are lists that will hurt even Rieekan if allowed first.

After my regional win, I looked over the bids and realized that 397 would have had the pick against every non-DeMSU except one build, and you know the DeMSUs are going for first. My thinking right now tends to run around 396 as the low I'll go for a second bid. The first bid post backs up this data. Most of the lists do hit 400 or so.

Rieekan lists often benefit from second, but you can build your Rieekan list to have some advantages in going first. Squadron builds pick up a lot of benefit from being able to launch that alpha strike. I think that's a big key is that I'm willing to pay for the "choice" at 396, but when I'm playing at 396-400, I'm looking for builds that are comfortable with both first and second player. If I'm bidding 390-395, I'm looking at a preference for first player, but am seeing it as acceptable if I go second.

Hmm I guess I'm just trying to think of the obvious 2nd player list... as in demsu must go first, (blank) must go second... fill in the blank... though I'm sure there are lists that NEED first, I just haven't heard of one that NEEDS second... but ya reiken for sure doesn't mind second, doesn't mind first either which I think illustrates a strength of the good general...

There will be interdictor lists which need their objectives, we just havent worked out what those lists are yet.

Oh, and I'm sure that the new Objectives we're getting are going to have some that will be heavily skewed with bonuses in both directions

Hey guys, first post, but been lurking for a long long time.
This question was something I have been debating a lot with a few builds. I also won my Regional by bidding for second player.

A 10 point bid

Thinking my list could handle going second I always wanted to play PS or SP, having Demo made ppl never pick HSA. with my wings able to rack up tokens and Demo just being a counter puncher or something that finishes off worn down ships from wings, the list really wants to go second to get the max out of every part of it. obviously if I win the bid and see my opponent probably has a shared objective I want ill take 1st and pick it.

Just my 2 cents

Test List EDM

Faction: Galactic Empire
Points: 390/400

Commander: Admiral Motti

Assault Objective: Precision Strike
Defense Objective: Hyperspace Assault
Navigation Objective: Superior Positions

[ flagship ] Imperial I-Class Star Destroyer (110 points)
- Admiral Motti ( 24 points)
- Avenger ( 5 points)
- Boosted Comms ( 4 points)
= 143 total ship cost

Gladiator I-Class Star Destroyer (56 points)
- Demolisher ( 10 points)
- Ordnance Experts ( 4 points)
- Engine Techs ( 8 points)
- Assault Proton Torpedoes ( 5 points)
= 83 total ship cost

Raider-I Class Corvette (44 points)
= 44 total ship cost

1 Darth Vader ( 21 points)
1 Major Rhymer ( 16 points)
1 Dengar ( 20 points)
1 TIE Bomber Squadron ( 9 points)
3 Firespray-31s ( 54 points)

Oh, and I'm sure that the new Objectives we're getting are going to have some that will be heavily skewed with bonuses in both directions

Hope so, I'd like to see an objective that rewards fewer activations rather than many

Hmm... I guess my question is, is there a list that wants second all of the time??? Being genuine... also drinking corona's in the hot sun...

Currently: trying my hand at fleets that don't care. You want to give me first? Great. Or I can go second - I've some great objectives for me.

Is there any case where ensuring the objectives you want is preferable over going first ? I'm genuinely curious, because the lists built to rack up points with objectives are usually gimmicky and the first player advantage is still very strong against them.

To be honest, I think the best second player bid is ensuring that your opponent will absolutely not want you to go first. You gain the advantage of both more points to play with and the objectives. Typically, I think about lists with lots of black dice and nasty black dice friendly objectives such as Hyperspace Assault, Minefields (hmmm, now that I think about it, I really need to think about an Assault Objective that works well with black dice...).

My Riekken Independence/B wing list loved going 2nd. Your mileage may vary of course. Check out Biggs' blog for an excellent article on this.

(hmmm, now that I think about it, I really need to think about an Assault Objective that works well with black dice...).

Opening Salvo, because you likely have Ordnance experts and a crit effect.

But minefields isnt that good for black dice. We need a new blue objective to fill that gap and make insidious sing.

(hmmm, now that I think about it, I really need to think about an Assault Objective that works well with black dice...).

Opening Salvo, because you likely have Ordnance experts and a crit effect.

But minefields isnt that good for black dice. We need a new blue objective to fill that gap and make insidious sing.

Good point about Opening Salvo. I did try a Screed OS list once but I got absolutely obliterated by Ackbar adding 2 extra red dice to already devastating broadsides...

Precision Strike I'm not too sure, doesn't work well if you haven't got many Bombers against Bomber specific lists. Advanced Gunnery could work even though you give a big advantage to the opponent and will have to absolutely ensure that you don't double arc, even though red dice are more preferable.

Maybe Most Wanted then ? It does favour smaller ships vs larger ships for sure, but it does add an extra black dice when you get your target, which isn't bad.

For Minefields, I don't know, the ability to funnel the enemy in a desired area is quite priceless to me (picture a minefield set up with the obstacles in a wide circle and the mines inside this, there's no way you go through that without taking severe damage straight to the full.

____

Speaking of Insidious, I actually wonder whether it was a title meant for a GSD-II carrier rather than the GSD-I. With a GSD-II AA carrier, you're less likely to use Nav Commands to get into optimal range, so you rely on the ships's natural yaw value to shoot at them after passing them by.