Hey guys and gals,

I just wanted to get an update out there about the squadron command plates.

Big thanks to everyone involved who made my opening day such a huge success, I sold roughly 30 pieces the first week. I just received the parts needed to finish building those orders, and those will be shipping out over the next few days!

I wanted to discuss my plans on doing a demo video to show them in action. I'm talking to some people right now and organizing the necessary people and supplies for such a thing.

For those of you who are interested, but maybe on the fence, is there anything I can cover in the video that will help clear up how they work or why they'd be helpful? Or anything specific you'd like to see either in the video or future designs?

Thanks for all of your help guys, you've all been wonderful.

(For those who hadn't seen the last post, feel free to check it out below, and those interested can check out my store at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ArmadaFix )

I think these are awesome. I'm in Canada (and generally try to avoid shipping rates from US to Canada), but I hope to be at GenCon with money in hand, if you're going to be there.

5 minutes ago, Paindemic7708 said:

I think these are awesome. I'm in Canada (and generally try to avoid shipping rates from US to Canada), but I hope to be at GenCon with money in hand, if you're going to be there.

Unfortunately I will not, I just started up. I'm not sure your method of travel, but If you're coming through Ohio, I'd be willing to drive a bit from where I am to deliver an order.

Ooooh. Do want...

Just now, Darth Sanguis said:

Unfortunately I will not, I just started up. I'm not sure your method of travel, but If you're coming through Ohio, I'd be willing to drive a bit from where I am to deliver an order.

Dang. We generally do drive through Ohio, though, I believe, just the northern part.

5 minutes ago, Paindemic7708 said:

Dang. We generally do drive through Ohio, though, I believe, just the northern part.

I'm in NE Ohio near Cleveland. If you make an order, I'd be willing to drive a little ways to drop your order off by hand, Gen Con is still a ways off, but as long as I have 2 weeks before the day you need to meet up, I should be able to do it.

If you decide you're interested, PM me, we'll get everything sorted.

I would love to get the 8 count one in black.

15 minutes ago, Truthiness said:

I would love to get the 8 count one in black.

Let me talk to my printer, see what we can do

For the 4 Long and the big ol' 8 squad one, can you fit a second card slot in there? Reduce the need for so many multiples if you're just running two of one squad and two of another, four of one, four of another, etc...The top two would be for one card, the bottom two could be for another, or even a unique and you just don't use the second dial.

My engineering brain wants to optimize that space...lol

They're beautiful, no doubt, but opponents haven't expressed problems tracking which is which, and has how many hull points, or has or has not gone? Because I know I would, and in a tournament I'd almost certainly ask my opponent to set their fighters up the proper way. It's a shame, too, because these look great, but I abhor hypocrisy, so if I'd be bothered by someone else using them, I'm not going to. :-/

8 hours ago, Card Knight said:

For the 4 Long and the big ol' 8 squad one, can you fit a second card slot in there? Reduce the need for so many multiples if you're just running two of one squad and two of another, four of one, four of another, etc...The top two would be for one card, the bottom two could be for another, or even a unique and you just don't use the second dial.

My engineering brain wants to optimize that space...lol

Agreed. This would be great to see added at some point.

6 hours ago, Admiral Theia said:

They're beautiful, no doubt, but opponents haven't expressed problems tracking which is which, and has how many hull points, or has or has not gone? Because I know I would, and in a tournament I'd almost certainly ask my opponent to set their fighters up the proper way. It's a shame, too, because these look great, but I abhor hypocrisy, so if I'd be bothered by someone else using them, I'm not going to. :-/

This has been a topic of much discussion concerning these plates. During the play testing, none of the players who used these complained that tracking was a problem. In situations where they could not see the HP or activation slider from across the table, they found that spending the 2 seconds it takes to vocalize the question "what's red 3 at" or "What are these at 3 at" was exponentially less annoying than constantly having to dig fighters out of a cluster to use them. Because of the hands free approach players saved time overall, which was important during the tournament matches, but also secured the matches accuracy by completely avoiding bumps and accidental movements typically caused by squadrons adjustments.

Personally, I do not understand the few who have brought this up. I'm legitimately perplexed. In tournaments I've never been so rushed that I couldn't afford the moment to ask (and with the use of these plates it even seems asking saves time overall since players no longer have to waste time carefully pulling a squadron up or being extra careful to push sliders) or my strategy been so secretive I needed to hide what I was looking at. But i think the gap in understanding comes from experience. I have used the plates, extensively. I've watched them used, extensively. So I know how they work and that they are a huge relief in gameplay. I think players who bring up this point do so because they do not share that experience. Perhaps the workings of the design seem more complex in the mind, or the accessibility of information seems too diminished? Which is why I normally reply with this:

They're not for everyone, people are going to like what they like and hate what they hate, but I would contest that should you have the opportunity to test them yourself, give them a try before turning them down, you may find your mind has been changed.

1 hour ago, benskywalker said:

Agreed. This would be great to see added at some point.

I may design a few this way, I hadn't considered that there was a need for it. lol

57 minutes ago, Darth Sanguis said:

Personally, I do not understand the few who have brought this up. I'm legitimately perplexed. In tournaments I've never been so rushed that I couldn't afford the moment to ask (and with the use of these plates it even seems asking saves time overall since players no longer have to waste time carefully pulling a squadron up or being extra careful to push sliders) or my strategy been so secretive I needed to hide what I was looking at. But i think the gap in understanding comes from experience. I have used the plates, extensively. I've watched them used, extensively. So I know how they work and that they are a huge relief in gameplay. I think players who bring up this point do so because they do not share that experience. Perhaps the workings of the design seem more complex in the mind, or the accessibility of information seems too diminished?

I can tell you from my experience, I do not want any info essentially "hidden" from me unless I have to ask my opponent for it, which this kind of falls into. I have very good eye sight, but I still don't want to have to look across the table every time I want to plan how my squads will move or attack. This game is all about "open" information, so any time I can attempt to mask my intent is something I jump at. These plates remove that component for me, especially because I prefer to be quiet when I play tournament games.

In a casual game it's fine. But in a tournament, asking for the health on a few squads can flag your opponent to what your intent is. And it prevents me from knowing the current board state at all times, such as knowing which squads are activated or not, which I don't want to have to ask every time I want to know something.

I do think your experience with them and the fact that you make money off it biases you towards not understanding the opposing argument. It's a cool product and I love that players are making stuff like this for other people to enjoy. I'll also admit I am biased because I have not had the opportunity to use them or play against them, so maybe my initial reaction is misplaced. But I do hope this helps you understand that your test group may not be reflective of everyone who plays the game.

Edit: How does this system track aces? It seems like it is geared for generic squads, but using multiple of the single squad plates for aces would be confusing.

4 minutes ago, Undeadguy said:

I can tell you from my experience, I do not want any info essentially "hidden" from me unless I have to ask my opponent for it, which this kind of falls into. I have very good eye sight, but I still don't want to have to look across the table every time I want to plan how my squads will move or attack. This game is all about "open" information, so any time I can attempt to mask my intent is something I jump at. These plates remove that component for me, especially because I prefer to be quiet when I play tournament games.

In a casual game it's fine. But in a tournament, asking for the health on a few squads can flag your opponent to what your intent is. And it prevents me from knowing the current board state at all times, such as knowing which squads are activated or not, which I don't want to have to ask every time I want to know something.

I do think your experience with them and the fact that you make money off it biases you towards not understanding the opposing argument. It's a cool product and I love that players are making stuff like this for other people to enjoy. I'll also admit I am biased because I have not had the opportunity to use them or play against them, so maybe my initial reaction is misplaced. But I do hope this helps you understand that your test group may not be reflective of everyone who plays the game.

Edit: How does this system track aces? It seems like it is geared for generic squads, but using multiple of the single squad plates for aces would be confusing.

Experience, yes, money, eeeehhhhhhhhh...you'd be surprised.... After applying for a business license, vendor's license, the cost to host each piece, what my printer charges per piece and secondary parts that go into them, I have not made a sensible amount of money on these lol I think of 30 units sold I've come up with $20 profit? It's been a crazy mess lol This is less about money for me, more about never having to bump an ISD II out of arc to place a tie again. Squadron play is nothing short of infuriating with big clumsy hands lol

I would say if you ever see 'em, test 'em, you may find it just as relieving. lol

The single plates are for aces, they can be printed with a number 1-8, so aces will always be black or white, but the number will change per ace/plate.

Darth Sanguis, where do you play at locally, and when?

I'm in NE Ohio, and would love to see these in action.

3 minutes ago, cynanbloodbane said:

Darth Sanguis, where do you play at locally, and when?

I'm in NE Ohio, and would love to see these in action.

My gaming group is Friday nights at 6:30pm at the Empire Gaming Center in streetsboro, you're welcome to come down, I'm always there.

http://www.empirecards.com/empire_game_center

I love these!

6 minutes ago, Sirdrasco said:

I love these!

Thanks! I'm quite fond myself!

2 hours ago, Undeadguy said:

I can tell you from my experience, I do not want any info essentially "hidden" from me unless I have to ask my opponent for it, which this kind of falls into. I have very good eye sight, but I still don't want to have to look across the table every time I want to plan how my squads will move or attack. This game is all about "open" information, so any time I can attempt to mask my intent is something I jump at. These plates remove that component for me, especially because I prefer to be quiet when I play tournament games.

In a casual game it's fine. But in a tournament, asking for the health on a few squads can flag your opponent to what your intent is. And it prevents me from knowing the current board state at all times, such as knowing which squads are activated or not, which I don't want to have to ask every time I want to know something.

I do think your experience with them and the fact that you make money off it biases you towards not understanding the opposing argument. It's a cool product and I love that players are making stuff like this for other people to enjoy. I'll also admit I am biased because I have not had the opportunity to use them or play against them, so maybe my initial reaction is misplaced. But I do hope this helps you understand that your test group may not be reflective of everyone who plays the game.

Edit: How does this system track aces? It seems like it is geared for generic squads, but using multiple of the single squad plates for aces would be confusing.

I could not agree with this more. Although you downplay having to ask, undeadguy is correct, asking telegraphs. Adding an extra step certainly will not save time, as it also delays my planning, as an opponent.

I also don't like opponents using card trays that have them standing, as I can't see them unless I walk around the table, despite their overall poor visibility Cross table as is.

So I would need to ask every squads health and status, each step, to keep plans open.

Well, I'll chime in for support. If I can see cards across the board, I can see these numbers and their health across the board. These markers do nothing but speed up my game and reduce chances for things to get knocked around. I cannot think of a single moment where asking the health of a squad would have "telegraphed" my plan. The only reason I usually need to know the health of a squad is deciding what to shoot or who to shoot with. The thing is, if I'm in that position, I then do it. My opponent doesn't get a chance to do anything between me asking the question and then taking an action based on that question. What part of your plan revolves around your opponent not knowing what squad you're about to attack?

5 hours ago, Truthiness said:

Well, I'll chime in for support. If I can see cards across the board, I can see these numbers and their health across the board. These markers do nothing but speed up my game and reduce chances for things to get knocked around. I cannot think of a single moment where asking the health of a squad would have "telegraphed" my plan. The only reason I usually need to know the health of a squad is deciding what to shoot or who to shoot with. The thing is, if I'm in that position, I then do it. My opponent doesn't get a chance to do anything between me asking the question and then taking an action based on that question. What part of your plan revolves around your opponent not knowing what squad you're about to attack?

I tend to agree. I've never had a plan involving squadrons that wasn't self telegraphing.

You sort out some Overseas shipping costs and minimum buys and we have something here. I could even try and get a few stores to use them even as their tournament trophies, this stuff will fly out the door.

Great work.

Oh and don't get me wrong, I love them. Were I not still finishing up college right now I'd be all over them, just offering some potential additions.

Love em!

Oh wow. I just noticed you also had the activation slider on them as well haha.

Have you had any issues with the slider not being on the stand? Or are they still stiff enough that the stand doesn't fall out?

7 hours ago, Card Knight said:

Oh and don't get me wrong, I love them. Were I not still finishing up college right now I'd be all over them, just offering some potential additions.

Love em!

Oh wow. I just noticed you also had the activation slider on them as well haha.

Have you had any issues with the slider not being on the stand? Or are they still stiff enough that the stand doesn't fall out?

They are very snug on the plate. I use a #9 x 3/4" copper belt rivet as a peg and a vinyl 1/8" dia vacuum cap to hold the parts on.