I've been playing for several months, though I only have 6 or so games under my belt. So far, every game is similar. Before I ask my question, here is my experience:

Turn 1: All ships out of range - maneuvering into position

Turn 2: Usually still out of ship to ship range. Some fighter attacks.

Turn 3: Most everyone has a ship to ship target. Imperial players have ships in deadly front arcs doing massive damage. Rebel players attack with weak front arcs doing some damage. Fighter dogfights everywhere.

Turn 4: Every ship still has a target, but some Imperial ships have passed the point where they can target with front firing arc - forced to attack with weaker side arcs. Rebel ships powerful side arcs are now in range doing massive damage. Fighters still engaged.

Turn 5: Imperial ships are turning, but side arcs are still facing enemy, so they attack with weak side arcs or sometimes weaker rear arcs. Rebels also turning, so powerful side arcs do massive damage. Fighters start to kill enough enemy fighters that some break free and either attack other fighters or plink at ships.

Turn 6: Many times, slow turning ships are way out of position to have a target. Some small maneuverable ships have turned and still have a ship to ship target or can fire at fighters. But most ships are out of range - the game is largely over.

It seems to me that the Rebels have a huge advantage. If they fly at high speed early in the game, they only have to weather one turn in the Imperial's front fire arc. They can then turn and fire from their powerful side arcs in Turns 4, 5, and to a lesser degree 6. The Rebels also typically have better side shields making the situation worse.

Engine Techs can help on Gladiators and Interdictors, but that requires a Navigate command, so you can't repair or use Concentrate Fire.

Is this your experience? What am I missing?

Thanks!

Sounds like you're setting up across from each other and driving full tilt at each other? If so then yes the situation you describe will happen. The way to avoid this is to try setting up at different points on the map, facing sideways at an angle for the rebels, going different speeds, and using more navigate commands to get tighter turns. Use the objectives to force different deployments.

Imperials shouldn't be afraid to run head on into the rebel ship so that the rebels can only fire with their front arc while imperials get to use their front volleys over and over again.

Really, it cannot be emphasized enough - don't underestimate the power of the Nav command. The power of a single extra die is insignificant compared to the power of a double arc.

Yes we usually set up across from each other. I usually play Imperials. My Rebel opponent does purposely set up directly across from me to shorten the time it takes to get behind me. And yes he comes at me at high speed.

I haven't toyed much with the objectives. At this point we are playing kill the man.

So far, every game is similar.

...

Is this your experience? What am I missing?

I haven't toyed much with the objectives. At this point we are playing kill the man.

You are of course free to play your own games as you want, but I would point out the strong relationship among these three points. Every game is the same because your objective doesn't change. Your objective doesn't change because you're not using the objectives.

Armada without objectives is like chess without the checkmate rule. You can play it, and all the mechanics are the same, but it's not the same game.

Oh, and I'd also reiterate Mat's point about the nav command. A well-flown ship is better defense than a repair command, and better offense than a concentrate fire command. If a nav command is the difference between dodging an ISD's front arc, you've probably saved more damage than a repair would have healed off. If you've positioned yourself for a double arc, you've put out more extra fire than a CF would've added.

Yeah - what Ard said. You have graduated from "basic Armada" school. Start using objectives - you'll find yourself playing a very different, and much more interesting, game!

Welcome to the Dark Side.

In my experience, Imperials should generally win a straight up slug-fest, so some thoughts:

Set up the SDs to ram and stop a Reb ship dead in it's front arc unless it's got some NAVs set up (see Tractor Beams below). If this happens, then you will quickly see a change in the outcome of the battle you described.

Fly the Imperial ship "just so" in order to make the Rebels hit an asteroid or debris field if they flank around one side, or they go further out and you get the obstruction cover and they get out of position for following rounds. Also set you maneuver so you end up slightly turned to the other way so if they avoid the obstacle by going they other way, then they are spending another turn in your front arc. Practice using obstacles you cover your vulnerable sides/rear.

If you are flying VSDs use lots of NAV commands to keep your turning up.

Tractor Beams can be your friends.

Use Bombers & Squadrons to strike down shields and possibly burn some redirects before your main shot.

Try switching sides and play the exact same fleets against each other after you lose. You get to see the battle from the Rebel perspective and the strengths & weaknesses of the Imperial fleet you just played. You will understand the Reb fear of facing a well maneuvered ISD front arc.

But mainly, as mentioned above, start using objectives. That will change the game immensely. If you don't want to overthink the choice since you haven't been using them, just choose one randomly and play it... you will generally see a change in play immediately.

Don't come in head on as Imperials. Come in at a slight angle. Maybe by popping Nav commands on the opening turn of shooting. Get turned slightly towards the likely direction that your opponent will break towards. This will probably buy you another turn of shooting as Imperials.

As a mostly rebel player, I probably use 1 engineering and 1 concentrate fire dial per ship per game. The other 4 are Nav or Squadrons. Im relying on arc dodging. Even with MC80 command/assaults. Like was pointed out, engineering buys me 2 repaired shields, a hull, or shifts shields. That is less effective than just dodging an 8 die ISD front arc.

Try varying your approach speed and angle of your ships. It should set up extra opportunities to get another round of shooting in. Slamming the brakes on/slowing down Rebel ships with another way to go. Staggering your fleet is viable as well. I commonly leave a light 'carrier' and bomber force behind my main fleet so that any ships that bulldoze their way past my main battle line run the risk of being jumped.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I'll let you know how it works out.

Hopefully it works out in the form of causing many tiny rebel spaceships to become spiraling fireballs shooting off into the depths of space!