Hi everyone,

I'm the lead for Armada events at NOVA Open this year. We've got a full schedule, which you can sign up for starting March 1st. Full info on signup is in the latest NOVA Open newsletter. Details for all events are in the primers available here (if that link does not work, go to the 15 February newsletter and click the primer link there).Here's what we have planned:

US Grand Championship

Our premier event will be the 2019 US Grand Championship for Star Wars Armada. In addition to a wide variety of other prizes that will be announced at a later date, players who do well in a Grand Championship have the opportunity to win the following: The Top 4 players will all receive an invite to the next Star Wars: Armada World Championships. Starting in 2020, all FFG OP World Championships will be invitation-only for competitors, which means this prize will be heavily sought-after! The winner of the Grand Championship will also receive a free flight to Worlds.

There will be two heats: Heat 1 is Thursday, August 29th. Heat 2 is Friday, August 30th. The top two from each heat and the next four finishers from both days by tournament points will qualify for the finals on Saturday, August 31st. These eight finalists will play three swiss rounds to determine the champion.

Team Tournament

The Armada Team Tournament is an alternative to the standard Armada tournament. It is played two on two, with 800 points on each side. This is your chance to break out an Executor-class Super Star Destroyer, fly multiple fully equipped Imperial Star Destroyers, or allow Admiral Ackbar to command multiple MC80 cruisers. This event will run on Saturday, August 31st, at the same time as the Finals. Each player will need to sign up as an individual. If you don't have a teammate, don't worry--I will help match players up at the event (just bring both factions unless you've already found a teammate). There will be three swiss rounds of 150 minutes each.

Games of this scale require adjusted fleet building rules. When building your fleet with your teammate, you can choose one of two templates:

* Super Star Destroyer: You are required to field one Executor-class Super Star Destroyer. You are limited to one fleet commander, but that commander’s ability applies to all ships in the fleet. Only three flotillas may be included. Squadron allocation is limited to 200 points.

* MLU (Multiple Large Units): Each player builds a 400 point fleet. Each fleet must have a commander, and that commander’s ability applies ONLY to ships in that fleet. Each fleet MUST field at least one large-base ship and is limited to two flotillas. Squadron allocation for each fleet is capped at 100 points.

Pirate Furball

The Battle of Jakku is won. The Galactic Civil War is over. The Empire is no more. The Rebel Alliance is now the New Republic, and is demobilizing. For some, this means peace and prosperity, taking time to heal and rebuild, and building a new and just government that respects the rights of all sentient beings. For others, especially in the Outer Rim, this means CHEAP WEAPONS! Imperial depots are being emptied by corrupt quartermasters, Rebel ships are auctioned off...for all the new aspiring pirates, it’s never been a better time to outfit a small fleet!

Our final event will be a new format we're calling Pirate Furball. Here are the basics:

Fleet Points: 300

Ship Restrictions: No unique upgrades (including titles), no faction limited upgrades, only one upgrade per ship. Only small or medium base ships allowed. Flotillas are allowed, but limited to two.

Squadrons: No unique squadrons

Factions: Players may build fleets with ships and squadrons from both factions.

Objectives: objectives will be provided by the TO

Play area: 3x3

Time: 90 minute rounds, 4 rounds

That's all the basics. Please feel free to ask questions. Seats are limited, so make sure you sign up for the NOVA Open newsletter for the latest news on registration. I hope to see a lot of you there!

fantastic announcement!

Now please European guys, take that as an example and get going!

3 hours ago, dsnowak said:

Pirate Furball

Fleet Points: 300

Ship Restrictions: No unique upgrades (including titles), no faction limited upgrades, only one upgrade per ship. Only small or medium base ships allowed. Flotillas are allowed, but limited to two.

Squadrons: No unique squadrons

Factions: Players may build fleets with ships and squadrons from both factions.

Objectives: objectives will be provided by the TO

Play area: 3x3

Time: 90 minute rounds, 4 rounds

That's all the basics. Please feel free to ask questions.

This seems to be fun. I'm curious how the cross faction ships and squadrons will give new synergies! Three questions, please:

So this will be played without commander upgrade cards, which are unique and faction specific?

What about Fleet Command upgrade cards, which are unique? Pelta is a small ship and holds the slot.

Squadron cap is 100 pts.?

Is this proof that the ssd will be available then? O.o

4 hours ago, drumtier said:

Is this proof that the ssd will be available then? O.o

It's the hope that FFG can get their production and delivery sorted in 6 months 🙂

5 hours ago, Triangular said:

This seems to be fun. I'm curious how the cross faction ships and squadrons will give new synergies! Three questions, please:

So this will be played without commander upgrade cards, which are unique and faction specific?

What about Fleet Command upgrade cards, which are unique? Pelta is a small ship and holds the slot.

Squadron cap is 100 pts.?

No commanders, since they are all heros of the Rebellion or Empire, and would never sick so low as to be pirates (or they’re dead). Yes, squadron cap is 100 points. And no fleet command, since it’s unique, and those complex systems are way beyond the technical capability of Outer Rim Pirates. What respectable pirate wants to run a console when they could be in the middle of combat?

I am outraged that Hando isn't allowed to participate in a pirate event.

Hondo is a true friend to all and only wishes to earn a respectable share of the profits.

1 hour ago, Karneck said:

I am outraged that Hando isn't allowed to participate in a pirate event.

Hondo is a true friend to all and only wishes to earn a respectable share of the profits.

I assure you, NOVA Open has the utmost respect for Hondo, and also considers him a true friend. However, a pirate of Hondo’s considerable reputation warrants a considerable price for his services, and that is simply not within the meager budgets of newly eastablished pirate fleets. However, Hondo is tracking events in the Outer Rim very closely, as he is always attuned to potential profitable opportunities. Should events take a profitable turn, he may choose to join us at an opportune moment.

Really wish they would move this event around the country. Sad that it’s always in the same area. Just call it another regionals

1 hour ago, ripper998 said:

Really wish they would move this event around the country. Sad that it’s always in the same area. Just call it another regionals

like Worlds 😉

Just now, NebulonB said:

like Worlds 😉

Which is in Chicago this year, different from last year.

oh. The World is covered, I see

9 minutes ago, ripper998 said:

Which is in Chicago this year, different from last year.

Yes, Worlds moved from the Upper Midwest of the United States to the lower Upper Midwest of the United States. Instead of poutine, we shall dine on deep dish pizza!

1 hour ago, dsnowak said:

Yes, Worlds moved from the Upper Midwest of the United States to the lower Upper Midwest of the United States. Instead of poutine, we shall dine on deep dish pizza!

Using the same distance nationals could have been in ny, Boston, or Charlotte. I don’t think it’s asking to much to provide some diversity in locations.

Pirate mini-tournament looks great! Wish I could attend.

@dsnowak Any chance there will be a sub-competition for "most pirate-looking" fleet as part of the tournament?

7 hours ago, ripper998 said:

Using the same distance nationals could have been in ny, Boston, or Charlotte. I don’t think it’s asking to much to provide some diversity in locations.

I sidetracked the topic enough, but I love the (probably lost) irony.

A fantastic event in any case, have fun all attendees!

Is no one else going to point out the elephant in the room - that 2020 Worlds is going to be invitation only?

Mostly because it was fairly griped about when we first heard via OP update article, and were quietly seething at yet another thing we need more information on.

15 hours ago, CyborgNinja said:

@dsnowak Any chance there will be a sub-competition for "most pirate-looking" fleet as part of the tournament?

That isn't fair. We all know you would win.

Haha thanks.

I might be about to tear the bridge section off a gladiator and replace it with one from a BFG Chaos Cruiser. Got all summer to figure it out.

20 hours ago, CyborgNinja said:

@dsnowak Any chance there will be a sub-competition for "most pirate-looking" fleet as part of the tournament?

This is a brilliant idea I wish I came up with before I had to submit the primer. So, no official sub-competition, but I will certainly recognize (and maybe reward) the most pirate-looking fleet!

Loving the sound of pirate furball in particular, but sadly I probably won't be making this one.

Update on the Team Tournament: Each player must purchase an event ticket i(e, both players on the team). If you want to play and don't have a teammate, I will help you find one at the event.