So, I've been told for a while that first player must place squadrons before second player can place. I'm having a hard time finding this rule. Is it true?

2 minutes ago, Darth Sanguis said:

So, I've been told for a while that first player must place squadrons before second player can place. I'm having a hard time finding this rule. Is it true?

No.

1 minute ago, Drasnighta said:

No.

Thanks Dras

For those of you out there who are completely flabbergasted at my one word answer, here's the rules references to calm your souls.

RRG, Page 10, "Setup"

6. Deploy Ships: Starting with the first player, the players take turns deploying their forces into the setup area. A single deployment turn consists of placing one ship or two squadrons.

◊ Ships must be placed within their player’s deployment zones. When a player places a ship, he must set its speed dial to a speed available on its speed chart.

◊ Squadrons must be placed within distance 1–2 of a friendly ship and may be placed outside of deployment zones.

◊ If a player only has one squadron remaining when he must place two, he cannot place it until he has placed all of his ships.

◊ Ships and squadrons can be placed on top of the setup area markers as long as they remain entirely within the setup area.

One of the few times that deployment is Modified, but maintains the "alternating deployment" is Fleet Ambush - and you don't have to wait:

FAQ Page 9, "Fleet Ambush"

Fleet Ambush
The first player can deploy squadrons within distance 1–2 of a ship inside the ambush zone. After a player has placed all of his ships he begins placing squadrons on his next deployment turn . The other player continues placing ships until all of his ships have been placed, then he begins placing squadrons.

In the most technical of Technical senses... Superior Positions , Solar Corona and Fighter Ambush all feature times where you must wait for the enemy to finish deploying his fighters before you start deploying your fighters... BUT that's an ENTIRELY different Squadron of Defenders....

10 hours ago, Drasnighta said:

For those of you out there who are completely flabbergasted at my one word answer, here's the rules references to calm your souls.

Sometimes you learn new things about Armada. Other times you learn alternative ways to express 'surprise'