Just curious how players are handling the new Systems Phase, particularly if only one, or neither player has Systems triggers (bombs, de-cloak).

I've overheard several times at nearby tables players forgetting to bomb or de-cloak. In the games I've played where neither of us have systems, we just check-in at the beginning of the game and agree to skip it.

Is it critical to to still ask "Systems?" out loud before proceeding to Activation?

Since I fly phantoms a lot, I consider it good table manners to remind my opponent at the start of every turn that he has to wait for my systems phase.

If after that he still goes on and reveals a dial without waiting for me to decloak I usually say "thank you for the advanced intelligence, we are still at the systems phase". ?

I double-check with my opponent before the game to see if either of us has anything that would be used during the Systems phase- if not we simply agree to skip the phase since there is no point in even mentioning it. If we do, I always make sure to ask about bombs/decloak/etc before we go to Activation, its good manners and helps everyone remember the phase.

I've got a habit from Magic of saying "effects before combat" that I have found myself saying a lot. Its as much a reminder for myself as for my opponent.

27 minutes ago, tsondaboy said:

Since I fly phantoms a lot, I consider it good table manners to remind my opponent at the start of every turn that he has to wait for my systems phase.

If after that he still goes on and reveals a dial without waiting for me to decloak I usually say "thank you for the advanced intelligence, we are still at the systems phase". ?

I run Whisper every game. If I know I plan to decloak I just say politely “I will be decloaking during the System phase this turn at the end of the previous turn. It acts as a reminder for me, and a notice for my opponent.

I keep frakking forgetting it.

The one time I did remember it I killed Corran Horn with my own damned bomb.

What is the tournament protocol when an opponent keeps going to movement/reveal dials before doing decloaks?

Heck, I've also had opponents who start revealing their dial and moving when I very obviously haven't made any actions yet.

Poorly.

42 minutes ago, Blail Blerg said:

What is the tournament protocol when an opponent keeps going to movement/reveal dials before doing decloaks?

Heck, I've also had opponents who start revealing their dial and moving when I very obviously haven't made any actions yet.

This is covered under Missed Opportunities, in both the old and the vanished 2.0 tournament regulations.

Quote

Players are expected to act with respect and not intentionally distract or rush an opponent with the intent of forcing a missed opportunity.

Obviously rushing to reveal your dial is not a valid strategy to deny phantoms decloaking or evading bombs. If a TO is called to rule in a case like that, the player that rushed to reveal dials should get a warning and the other player should be allowed to perform his systems phase. If you are worried he is taking too much to perform his system phase or has forgotten about it, you can always politely ask if he is done with his systems phase. There is no need to remind them they forgot to decloak or drop their bombs, the fact you asked alone should be a good enough warning. After their reply you are free to proceed to your activation phase and if he forgot he wanted to do something during the systems phase, then tough luck. Additionally, if some is not performing his systems phase timely you can always bring a TO to inform him about the rules regarding intentional stalling.

The problem I keep having is when my opponent has the first ship to move and he’s forgotten about my bomb and I have to ask “are your dials set?” or “ready for System Phase?” and then he wonders why I’m asking and suddenly remembers my bomb and changes his dials.

3 hours ago, stuffedskullcat said:

I've overheard several times at nearby tables players forgetting to bomb or de-cloak.

To be honest, I heard that also in 1st edition, without a dedicated phase for it

Running bomb lists, I'm getting pretty good at remembering the system phase. I'll announce it until it's very clear that neither of us have anything to do in the system phase anymore.

I've been calling systems phase out loud regardless just to remind myself of it. Even if I look like an idiot calling it out when I have nothing to declare, it's helping me remember it.

5 hours ago, skotothalamos said:

The problem I keep having is when my opponent has the first ship to move and he’s forgotten about my bomb and I have to ask “are your dials set?” or “ready for System Phase?” and then he wonders why I’m asking and suddenly remembers my bomb and changes his dials.

I always ask my opponent "Good to go?" at the end of each planning phase, regardless of anything else. That way everyone is very clear about where you are in the game.

If your opponent has the first ship to move and is in the process of going to reveal their dial, you can always say that you still need to do your System Phase at that point. Obviously try not to let them actually reveal a dial, but you shouldn't lose your System Phase just because they've jumped the gun. Equally though, it just seems sporting to remind people that the System Phase exists, at least at this early stage of the game.

4 hours ago, Jarval said:

I always ask my opponent "Good to go?" at the end of each planning phase, regardless of anything else. That way everyone is very clear about where you are in the game.

If your opponent has the first ship to move and is in the process of going to reveal their dial, you can always say that you still need to do your System Phase at that point. Obviously try not to let them actually reveal a dial, but you shouldn't lose your System Phase just because they've jumped the gun. Equally though, it just seems sporting to remind people that the System Phase exists, at least at this early stage of the game.

I do something similar, ask "All set?" and when i get the affirmative, I just say "Systems Phase" that way it is apparent we have moved on and that dials wont be changed due to forgetting about bombs. Also, it gets said before any hands move towards dials to flip them.

11 hours ago, skotothalamos said:

The problem I keep having is when my opponent has the first ship to move and he’s forgotten about my bomb and I have to ask “are your dials set?” or “ready for System Phase?” and then he wonders why I’m asking and suddenly remembers my bomb and changes his dials.

this is what I do. once my dials are set i just ask, "systems phase?". if they have nothing its just "move to activation. not that hard

i also keep the quick guide list from the rules pdf printed on the table and place a marker on the sheet to indicate the phase we are in just till i am as comfortable with 2.0 as was 1

My first ever game of 2.0 was with Redline/Deathrain/Whisper.

I don't forget the Systems Phase. EVER.

System phase is fine, I rarely forget it.

What I will forget though is to flip my Flappy Wings before revealing the dial.

I tend to acknowledge the Systems Phase, even if neither of us has anything using it. I figure it'll help it stick in my mind, so I don't forget when I or an opponent fly ships that need it.

1 hour ago, Sk3tch said:

What I will forget though is to flip my Flappy Wings before revealing the dial.

I'm really glad that Advanced Sensors says "After revealing your dial..."

I keep forgetting it...

last time I ran bombs, I kept forgetting it. I just need to get more games in. It's been slow going and I feel like I can't get into the swing of the new edition as fast as I want/need to.

I'm new to the game and find it very difficult to do any damage with bombs in this phase.

Was the old way of dropping bombs better in respect of player order or am I missing something?

Ta

34 minutes ago, PanchoX1 said:

last time I ran bombs, I kept forgetting it. I just need to get more games in. It's been slow going and I feel like I can't get into the swing of the new edition as fast as I want/need to.

Best thing I can recommend is to have the full Turn Order sitting nearby while you play, and make sure you at least acknowledge all the steps. Even if it's, "System Phase: nothing happens," it'll help you remember to take each phase into account.

26 minutes ago, Niro750 said:

I'm new to the game and find it very difficult to do any damage with bombs in this phase.

Was the old way of dropping bombs better in respect of player order or am I missing something?

Ta

In V1, high init pilots were aventaged since they would drop bomb after the other ships had moved.

In V2, bombs are really useful to reduce the number of manœuvres of the opponent. He will try to avoid them, so you know were he will not be and can have a better guess at were he will be.