New Player Help

By CBS Ink, in Star Wars: Armada

Posted at

Hey everyone,

Im considering getting into Armada. Can I get some advise on what I should purchase to play some semi-competitive Fleet?

I would like to go with Rebels.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Posted at

If you're going to run rebels, purchase one MC30 for now. Some would argue that one is enough in a solid rebel fleet, and if you love it (which you will) you can always purchase more.

Posted at

the simple answer is to get one of everything rebel. but obviously that's expensive. if that's not in the cards, then beyond the core set, I'd get a MC80(home one) or assault frigate, and a rebel fighter pack. then I'd get the mc30 and probably a second GR-75 or CR90. and a second fighter pack.

the mc30 is a great ship, but it isn't the easiest thing to use for a new player.

Honestly I would buy your favorite star wars stuff. you can make most things viable, the balance in this game is pretty good.

Posted at

For a semi-competitive fleet, the basics of all you need are:

1). At least 3 ships (four is better, maybe)

2). Some squadrons (4-6 at a minimum gives you nice Deployment options)

Really, Armada is really about playing what ships you have well, less so about the power combos you bring. So I'd echo the advice to buy the ships that look cool. Once you figure out the game a bit more you can get into the gritty details of the type of fleet you'd like to fly.

Edited by Maturin
Because, grammar.
Posted at

The Assault Frigate is a good all round ship - great for beginners IMO.

Posted at

Let us assume you have the core set contents. I would advise:

1. MC30, which is good on its own and the turbo laser reroute circuits card makes your core set corvette great.

2. 1 pack of rogues and villains, as being able to run Dash Rendar, Han Solo, and Jan Ors makes learning the squadron game less punishing.

3. 1 MC80 Home One, which is a durable centerpiece for a fleet, good for new players, and with the core set and rogues, almost at a quality 300 points.

4. 1 GR-75 for fleet support - a good and cheap all arounder.

5. 1 of each Rebel squadron pack 1 & 2.

That would be my real wish list to start.

Posted at
1 hour ago, CBS Ink said:

Hey everyone,

Im considering getting into Armada. Can I get some advise on what I should purchase to play some semi-competitive Fleet?

I would like to go with Rebels.

Thanks in advance for the help!

My advice, as you learn the ropes, build a defensive fleet with lots of fighters. Maybe snag home one, a couple of gr 75s and both fighter packs? I was able to build this fleet with just those, and it could be pretty mean...

It's not optimal, but cover all the basics as you learn to play.

W46dLxd.png

Posted at

Crabbok actually has a great video on exactly this. His focus is on a budgeting and getting to 400 points as quickly and $$ efficiently as possible, but along the way you will be able to put together a decent fleet. I don't agree with all of his suggestions, but it's a good way to go.

A quick note on squadrons. If your immediate concern is budget, then the core set X-Wings will be fine for a while. Squadrons can get surprisingly expensive, especially considering they can only be 1/3 of your fleet. In order to put together several competitive options for squadrons that work with various builds and commanders, you are going to need (IMHO) at least:

Rebel Squadrons I x2

Rebel Squadrons II x1 (I have two in order to run a few fun setups, but unless you want a ton of Z-95s I don't think 2 is necessary and you end up with a lot of extra stuff you won't use, unless you can find a winning way to run 4 VCXs)

Rogues and Villains x1 (you will probably want more eventually, but if you want to focus on Rebels you really just want this for Jan for now. No 4 YT-2400 lists on a budget)

Corellian Conflict (seriously, get this or get the Rebel squadron cards from an Imperial playing friend. Shara, Norra and Biggs are worth the cost of the box alone. I might suggest getting this before other Squadron packs, because Biggs can make your core set X-Wings into a great tarpit that can do some bombing if the enemy doesn't bring many squadrons)

For actual ships, either large mon cal ship is a good place to start. I actually prefer the Liberty over the Home One as a starter ship, it's a little more straight forward (literally, fly straight forward and shoot), and Ackbar (who comes with Home One) is HIDEOUSLY expensive if you only have one broadside based ship. To run Ackbar/Home One "as intended" you really need multiple assault frigates or MC-30s.

Edited by FatherTurin
Posted at

Thanks so much for your Great Advice everyone!

Posted at

imo the mc30 is the most difficult rebel ship to learn. But as others have said buy what you like. Great thing about the game is virtually everything if relevant.

Posted at
3 hours ago, Tirion said:

imo the mc30 is the most difficult rebel ship to learn. But as others have said buy what you like. Great thing about the game is virtually everything if relevant.

Very true. I'm still trying to learn how best to fly mine.

Posted at
2 hours ago, idiewell said:

Very true. I'm still trying to learn how best to fly mine.

it took me a long time to figure out that beautiful gem.

Posted at

Yeah, I'd pick Home One for similar reasons.

The Liberty comes with Madine, who seems best suited to Liberties and MC30's. Now they're both great ships and I love em, but they're both glass cannons. One small mistake and *poof* they're space debris. Home one is a much more forgiving ship to learn the game with.

Posted at
46 minutes ago, Maturin said:

Yeah, I'd pick Home One for similar reasons.

The Liberty comes with Madine, who seems best suited to Liberties and MC30's. Now they're both great ships and I love em, but they're both glass cannons. One small mistake and *poof* they're space debris. Home one is a much more forgiving ship to learn the game with.

I agree home one but heavily disagree with calling it a glass canon.

it is arguably the tankiest ship in the game.

Posted at

Another cost option especially to get to know the game and get some practice in is to download vassal, (vassalengine.org), get the Armada module and away you go. Coupled with a fleet builder http://armada.ryankingston.com it's a decent way to get into the game, meet some people as well as get some games in.

However, it's not a replacement for playing in person. Honestly get to know your local players!

Fly casual you new scruffy looking nerf herder.

Posted at

Great advice guys. Thanks!

@tgall Who's Scruffy Lookin?

Posted at
24 minutes ago, Tirion said:

I agree home one but heavily disagree with calling it a glass canon.

it is arguably the tankiest ship in the game.

Sorry, I meant the Liberties and MC30's are glass cannons.

Yes, Home One is the tankiest of the tanks!!

Posted at
10 minutes ago, Maturin said:

Sorry, I meant the Liberties and MC30's are glass cannons.

Yes, Home One is the tankiest of the tanks!!

gotcha my bad!

Posted at

I think home one is way more iconic as well, which, for me is notable.

Posted at
On 2/15/2017 at 9:36 AM, CBS Ink said:

Hey everyone,

Im considering getting into Armada. Can I get some advise on what I should purchase to play some semi-competitive Fleet?

I would like to go with Rebels.

Thanks in advance for the help!

The greatness of Armada is that I can ask this question: What play style do you like?

You can play a variety of styles and still be competitive.

Do you like balanced lists? Bomber heavy? Up-close fighting? Large ship? Multiple-small-units(ships)?

Are there specific ships that drew you to rebels? Do you like the rag-tag look?

These questions should help guide you. There are ships that are "better" than others, but you can make a semi-competitive fleet with almost anything in the rebel arsenal.

Posted at
24 minutes ago, ryanabt said:

The greatness of Armada is that I can ask this question: What play style do you like?

You can play a variety of styles and still be competitive.

Do you like balanced lists? Bomber heavy? Up-close fighting? Large ship? Multiple-small-units(ships)?

Are there specific ships that drew you to rebels? Do you like the rag-tag look?

These questions should help guide you. There are ships that are "better" than others, but you can make a semi-competitive fleet with almost anything in the rebel arsenal.

Unfortunately, I don't know which style I like better. Im only just starting out, so Im not sure.

I come from playing X-Wing and I have just always preferred Rebels and Scum. I also want to stick to Rebels because they are my favorite in the movies.

I just happen to recently purchase a few Armada ships from Swap and Sell.

Im getting:

- Core Set

- Rogues & Villains Fighters

- Nebulon-B

- Assault Friget

So, my first builds will incorporate these ships.

Posted at

Cool. My only suggestion then would be to get a damage providing ship. None of those you have is a true heavy hitter. You might want a liberty, home one, or MC30. Also a squadron pack might be nice to add more letterwings.

Posted at
10 minutes ago, CBS Ink said:

Unfortunately, I don't know which style I like better. Im only just starting out, so Im not sure.

I come from playing X-Wing and I have just always preferred Rebels and Scum. I also want to stick to Rebels because they are my favorite in the movies.

I just happen to recently purchase a few Armada ships from Swap and Sell.

Im getting:

- Core Set

- Rogues & Villains Fighters

- Nebulon-B

- Assault Friget

So, my first builds will incorporate these ships.

if you add a home one and a rebel fighters (the first one) to that, you'll be able to build a decent amount of things and be able to figure out what you like. that'll give you a nice set of options.