I'm trying to get used to the tournament maps for some competitive play. Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems like the upper deployment zone on Anchorhead Bar has significant advantage when it comes to objectives? I hadn't seen discussion about this, please direct me if there has been.

I had also noted this in a few threads. I think their justification is that the bottom deployment Zone has a better sight line into the bar, and it is easier for them to get near the exit point to block people grabbing crates.

I will have to play some more to see if there is an actual difference in sun percentages, but upon first review I agree with you.

I prefer the bottom. I like to control the exit area for the mission that they have to escape with the token. Even for the patrons I feel like I can get my Jedi Luke into position to go into two different directions easier based on how my opponent starts. Also, obiwan can reach a better position to deny control from the bottom because he's not cut off by that long hallway. I think it depends on the list.

Also, I haven't tested the map enough to feel too confident about this, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt.

-ryanjamal

Ryan- do you grab a crate at all in Line of Fire (extraction point mission)? I just noticed that with beast tamer a bantha rider can grab and extract in two turns provided no massive figures are in the way... otherwise I can see your strategy of controlling the extraction area working

Top deployment is indeed closer to the crates in Line of Fire and has a better, well, line of fire to the crate area.

However, bottom deployment is much closer to the patrons in Gaining Favor. Bottom deployment has two patrons 6 spaces away without opening the door and a third another space away. Without opening the door, the closest patron the top player can reach is 8 spaces away. This is pretty big, since with just two officer boosts you can easily mark two patrons on turn one. With some nimbler figures and/or some movement cards I can see getting three pretty easily.

I remember from one of the interviews that the dev team specifically look for assymetrical maps when considering rotations, in order to provide an upside to getting initiative on turn one.

26 minutes ago, seef1033 said:

Ryan- do you grab a crate at all in Line of Fire (extraction point mission)? I just noticed that with beast tamer a bantha rider can grab and extract in two turns provided no massive figures are in the way... otherwise I can see your strategy of controlling the extraction area working

Just thought about the secondary ability of Beast Tamer, that plus Nexu (ignores movement penalties and legs it 12 squares)

I mostly ignore the crates for the extraction mission. I am playing with some melee heavy bruisers (Jedi Luke and Obiwan) so I try to just take out people before they can score. I don't have too many figures that can afford to not attack. I've picked up the crate with my alliance smuggler mainly for extra defense and points denial, but rarely is it my focus. Of course, I take what my opponent gives me.

As to the Bantha, that's interesting. I don't play against the Bantha too often so I can't say. But if their main figure is otherwise distracted, even if they're scoring those points, that's still maybe to my advantage.

-ryanjamal