"Star Wars Armada - Review, Opinions?" Topic

Just curious to see how SW Armada stacks up as a game, since I've seen lots of gaming reports of it being mentioned in the news.

Are there any critical reviews on the subject, pro, neutral, or con?

How does it stack up to the Full Thrust set of rules for SW battles?

Differences and similarities?

looks overly complicated for any 'fleet' battle bigger than whats in the starter box

I've only cracked the cello, but I get the feeling it's not that bad for play complication, but have said elsewhere it might get to be a challenge for space with those large bases.

I do get the feeling I'd rather run 10-15 ships w/ FT, but I say that about anything outside of GOBS or ASFoS.

Doug

I'd have to say that SW Armada could get quite bogged down in big games. That being said, the tournament rules indicate that 400pt games will be the standard size game once Wave 2 is out. I suspect that will land most fleets to within the 3-8 ship level, supported by fighters.

-Tim

Well here is my "review" for what it is worth :)
I have played FT and own FT & SWA.
I like SWA I bought a second starter after going thru the rules. This is from memory so my apologies if there are errors.
In FT you plot your turns speed increase decrease and turn. In SWA you plot your command token. This is engineering, concentrate fire, maneuver, and activate squadrons. Depending on how "large" your ship is determines how many turns ahead you have to plan your commands, ex. C90 one turn, Star Destroyer in the starter 3 turns. You can spend your command token that turn or you can save it for a future turn but it gives lesser effects.
Moving is your current speed determines how many clicks or lines you can adjust the turning tool per turn. I like the idea but in a game I can see this becoming difficult to use as the ships close. Each ship card provides this info.
Shooting is using the range ruler like Wings of Glory or X-wing. The base and ship card provide the color and number of dice as well as the arc. You may do 2 attacks per turn from different firing arcs. Hits are damage to shields once those are gone you draw damage cards. If there is a critical you draw the damage card face up and apply effects. During attack the defender can choose to use defense tokens once per turn. These can reduce damage, or diver to another stronger shield etc.
Fighters have 360 firing arc and have to be closer to shoot. The cant move if are engaged with other fighters until one or the other is destroyed.
You shoot then move. Fighters activate after capital ships unless you use an "Activate Squadrons" command token.
There are lots of upgrade options like commanders, weapons, special abilities for ships etc.
Fighters can have upgrades.
I like the game though I can see it getting crowded. There is no book keeping everything is on the bases or the cards.
As to how it compares well I like both. FT is more paper work where SWA is more tokens.

It is a fine game and not like X-wing at all in gameplay – which was my initial worry (not that I dislike X-wing just didn't want to fork out money on a x-wing with big models game). It will come into its own when wave one hits the shelves.

It is a lot more objective/scenario driven than xwing or wings of glory and I have often 'won' the game without managing to take the imperial ships down by doing the objectives. Feels like 'Star Wars' and play well so I'm happy. No saving throws which is different – instead the defending ships use 'defence tokens; which can be depleted and ignored by some rolls etc. There is a lot of thinking you have to put into the game though which is to me is another plus – although the game play is simple.

t is a fine game and not like X-wing at all in gameplay –

Music to my ears; I wish it weren't so hard to get a game in.

Thanks so much!

Doug

Thanks for all the replies and info.

I really appreciate it.