Armada Reference Manual - FULL Release - Version 1.0.2
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1T57stO2NSGdgf8ikhL_x_cXDBqYpFSDs
Star Wars Armada Explained began as a simple passion project for Fantasy Flights Games excellent miniatures game “Star Wars Armada”.
It was meant for new players to understand what a card does and to understand the interactions of why the card is able to do what it does. As an active member on the forums and discord, I was witness to many players often asking the same questions over and over again, or witnessing grand rule debates between respected community members that otherwise could never be shared to other communities or Judges. I kept wishing there was a way to share this wealth of knowledge and information that would otherwise be lost.
When I kept complaining about how I wanted “FFG” to make some videos or something akin to it, I was challenged to produce the content instead of sitting around wishing “someone else” would. I took that challenge to heart, and that's how SWAE was born in January of 2019.
It's been a crazy road since then and it’s provided opportunities to me I never would have dreamed of, meeting so many wonderful people in the Armada community and those that work with FFG. Becoming a contracted Judge for this game has been an absolute highlight and pleasure for me.
As I started becoming involved with Judging in Armada, more and more I wished I had some sort of book on hand that I could reference too, some way to easily access the knowledge and information that didn’t require sitting through a 10, 15, ****, even 30 minutes worth of video to remember some niche interaction with an upgrade card or flipping through pages of FAQ or RRG to find the exact wording phrase I was looking for.
When I initially pitched the idea of a Reference Manual to the discord community, by and large the response I received was “But why?”. And honestly, I still don’t have an answer to that question.
The task seemed impossible, doing videos on every card was already crazy enough, but to then try and WRITE that all out in a sensible format? Where to even begin?
All projects have a start, and this Reference Manual was born in June of 2019 and over the course of many long months of tears, anxiety, frustrations, and sheer force of will, this is the end result.
This Reference Manual is designed with the intent that all Judges and players will have equal footing and understanding of Armada. While it was ultimately designed to help me remember stuff, it also serves the purpose of helping players avoid those “gotcha” moments in Armada that nobody enjoys being on the receiving end of.
Please know that almost all of these explanations are not based on how "I" feel a card works and to show credibility, I ensured I was conversing with persons (or in some cases, developers) that have TO'd at regionals, nationals, or worlds for Star Wars Armada, I myself having Judged at GenCon 2019 and would of been a Co-Judge at Worlds 2020.
However these explanations are not officially supported nor endorsed by FFG. These are rulings by human beings working with what we're currently given by FFG. FFG can (and likely will) make changes or clarifications that will either coincide or invalidate what is written. However, all efforts will be made to continue to keep this document up to date.
I want to personally thank and Acknowledge the following for the many long hours and debates that helped me form this Manual.
First and foremost, to the Dark Lord of the Rules, Drasnighta and to the Rules Emperor Ian Cross.
Dras and Ian without both of your many hours of selfless service to this community and for your patience and encouragement I wouldn’t be where I am. SWAE wouldn’t exist without you, and this **** Reference Manual wouldn’t be “complete”.
Thank you both for the long hours of discussion we’ve shared, and here's to hopefully many more.
Secondly, to the (current and former) Developers at FFG that allow me to pester them with endless questions. I’m sorry that I keep finding ways to break the game, it's not on purpose.
Third, to GiledPallaeon, Ardaedhel, Rasproteus, Shmitty, Snipafist, Truthiness, Brobafett, and Ginkapo, for smacking me upside the head when I would get TOO crazy, or stupid, when Dras or Ian weren’t around and for additional debate, insightful input, or assistance in helping me with this Manual.
Lastly, to the vast amount of community members on the Star Wars Armada discord. There are too many of you to name, but there are many that pushed, or otherwise demanded better explanations on rules, challenged “accepted” rulings with debate, or simply provided feedback. This manual wouldn’t also exist without all of you.
As always, if you DO see anything in error, please be sure to PM me or leave a comment on the forums or Discord.
With Love,
Karneck
Edited by Karneck