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Hello all. I have known about X-Wing and Armada both for a while now, but I hadn't really looked into them too seriously until last night. Both systems are appealing to me for different reasons.

X-Wing: Lots of ship variety, relatively small area of play, quick play time, rules don't seem very complicated.

Armada: Capital ships, seems more tactical/strategic, rules dont seem terribly different from X-Wing.

Anyway, my questions now are which system is easier to get into, which one costs the least to get into, upgrade/maintain, and which is typically considered more fun? General pros and cons of both systems?

Two disclaimers: 1. I'm not new to wargames, having played 40K, Warmahordes, and Infinity. 2. I realize both systems are pretty affordable to get into.

Thanks in advance for what I'm sure will be sound advice.

X-Wing is cheaper to get into and has more options for now and is more of a high speed maneuvering game. Armada is easier to get all the options and is all about planing ahead. They both play rather differently.

 ChaoticMind wrote:
X-Wing is cheaper to get into and has more options for now and is more of a high speed maneuvering game. Armada is easier to get all the options and is all about planing ahead. They both play rather differently.

Easier to get all the options as in the range of models available now? Or in some other way?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I should maybe add that regardless of which system finally wins me over, I'll be going with the Imperials.

 the_kraken wrote:
Armada: Capital ships, seems more tactical/strategic, rules dont seem terribly different from X-Wing.

Armada is very different, and only shares some component similarities (range rulers and special D8 dice). They're similar in the sense that they're Star Wars themed space combat games, and their monetization scheme (core set + expansion packs) is identical. You're basically right about the other stuff. Armada is a longer game, and requires more space, but potentially supports meatier strategic play. X-Wing is a highly tactical, and has a more extreme emphasis on positional play. Both have a very high skill cap; superior players will consistently win games.

I realize both systems are pretty affordable to get into.

Before you buy in to one or the other, check to see if there are groups in your local area who are playing one of the systems. You'll have a lot more fun if you have a larger circle of potential play partners.

 DanielBeaver wrote:

 the_kraken wrote:
Armada: Capital ships, seems more tactical/strategic, rules dont seem terribly different from X-Wing.

Armada is very different, and only shares some component similarities (range rulers and special D8 dice). They're similar in the sense that they're Star Wars themed space combat games, and their monetization scheme (core set + expansion packs) is identical. You're basically right about the other stuff. Armada is a longer game, and requires more space, but potentially supports meatier strategic play. X-Wing is a highly tactical, and has a more extreme emphasis on positional play. Both have a very high skill cap; superior players will consistently win games.

I realize both systems are pretty affordable to get into.

Before you buy in to one or the other, check to see if there are groups in your local area who are playing one of the systems. You'll have a lot more fun if you have a larger circle of potential play partners.

There is a pretty even division in my local meta between the two. So, whichever system I go with, there will be a decent player base. I got lucky there.

Could you try out a couple games of each? They definitely have a different feel.

 DanielBeaver wrote:
Could you try out a couple games of each? They definitely have a different feel.

I could probably manage that.

I would definitely recommend seeing if you can sit in and play a game or watch the games going on. I vastly prefer X-Wing and find the gameplay much more tense and exciting. Armada was quite boring in comparison. You will find others who feel the opposite. So getting a chance to sit in would be your best bet.

You will find that with X-Wing, if you want to go straight imperials, you will either end up buying Rebel or Scum ships for upgrades you wanted (if you play in tournaments), or buying the upgrades online. Alternately, if you are playing for fun, just use a list builder and proxy cards.

I personally prefer Armada, but both games are fun, and I have started buying X-wing stuff, because there was no Armada player base in my area. Though apparently had I waited another 2 months I would have been joining the game at the same time as a largish group of 40K defectors/refugees.

You need to look around your local area you will be playing and see what the favorite game is. Armada is starting to die off in many areas while X-Wing looks like its increasing.
It would suck to drop a few hundred dollars onto a game and then find out no one else plays it.

Okay, update. Made it into my FLGS yesterday and played a game of Armada and a few of X-Wing. As I was starting to suspect, I much preferred X-Wing and there is a modestly active base of players for it.

As it sits now, I believe I'll be going with the Imperials. I ordered an orginal core set and a FA core set from Amazon last night. Can't believe how cheap this game is compared to 40K/WMH.

Any advice on how to expand my list from there?

 the_kraken wrote:

Any advice on how to expand my list from there?

You know the only possible answer to that is "One of everything," right?

Seriously, though, I would get the Interceptor and Imperial Aces pack. A shuttle. If your crew allows for proxies, get a Tie Adv. and give it the title.

 Mathieu Raymond wrote:

 the_kraken wrote:

Any advice on how to expand my list from there?

You know the only possible answer to that is "One of everything," right?

Seriously, though, I would get the Interceptor and Imperial Aces pack. A shuttle. If your crew allows for proxies, get a Tie Adv. and give it the title.

I was afraid of that, haha. The Lambda is probably the highest on my list right now.

It's a good ship. My regular opponent likes it because it's a solid chunk of HP without the cost.

I would say X-Wing. Its fun and you can start small. Most likely have more opponents available as well.

Armada is fun too, no reason to stop at one game...but start with X-Wing.

For me, I like armada more but it is solely for fluff reasons. Both are well constructed games. I just like capital ships more, that and I technically get to use fighters also.

 the_kraken wrote:
Okay, update. Made it into my FLGS yesterday and played a game of Armada and a few of X-Wing. As I was starting to suspect, I much preferred X-Wing and there is a modestly active base of players for it.

As it sits now, I believe I'll be going with the Imperials. I ordered an orginal core set and a FA core set from Amazon last night. Can't believe how cheap this game is compared to 40K/WMH.

Any advice on how to expand my list from there?

I know what you mean. Myself, my daughter, and my son all play it and I buy sets of everything for each of us (we rarely have to share ships and cards)...so 3 complete sets. I still have yet to spend as much as even 1 of my 40K armies (which I will likely sell soon since I really am fed up with GW's attitude towards the Gaming Community).

As for expanding...just start with one or 2 ships every payday. get at least 1 regular TIE Fighter and a F/O TIE. They have different named pilots so that helps fill out your squad (the same with the X-Wing and T-70). The same with regular Interceptors and the Aces pack.
Learn to fly and fight the small ships before getting a big turret ship (Falcon/Decimator/etc) Too may people jump on the easy and forgiving big turret and never pick up the nuances of flying. Then they wonder why they fly the same exact things as the Champions do...yet always get their butts handed to them.
Also, some good cards only come in other faction expansions (autothrusters for Interceptors), so at some point your going to have to get different factions to make your ships optimal.
Buts that's also the best way to learn how to fight against things like BroBots...fly them and learn how they work. Then you know their weak points.

(EDIT) And don't worry about the internets meta lists. Fly what you like and figure out what works for you. I like scum Y-Wings. I took non-TLT Ywings to top 8 at regionals. They work for me and my flying style. Do what works for you, not what the internet says is the "top list." Ultimately...Fly Casual and have fun.

KellyJ wrote:

 the_kraken wrote:
Okay, update. Made it into my FLGS yesterday and played a game of Armada and a few of X-Wing. As I was starting to suspect, I much preferred X-Wing and there is a modestly active base of players for it.

As it sits now, I believe I'll be going with the Imperials. I ordered an orginal core set and a FA core set from Amazon last night. Can't believe how cheap this game is compared to 40K/WMH.

Any advice on how to expand my list from there?

I know what you mean. Myself, my daughter, and my son all play it and I buy sets of everything for each of us (we rarely have to share ships and cards)...so 3 complete sets. I still have yet to spend as much as even 1 of my 40K armies (which I will likely sell soon since I really am fed up with GW's attitude towards the Gaming Community).

As for expanding...just start with one or 2 ships every payday. get at least 1 regular TIE Fighter and a F/O TIE. They have different named pilots so that helps fill out your squad (the same with the X-Wing and T-70). The same with regular Interceptors and the Aces pack.
Learn to fly and fight the small ships before getting a big turret ship (Falcon/Decimator/etc) Too may people jump on the easy and forgiving big turret and never pick up the nuances of flying. Then they wonder why they fly the same exact things as the Champions do...yet always get their butts handed to them.
Also, some good cards only come in other faction expansions (autothrusters for Interceptors), so at some point your going to have to get different factions to make your ships optimal.
Buts that's also the best way to learn how to fight against things like BroBots...fly them and learn how they work. Then you know their weak points.

(EDIT) And don't worry about the internets meta lists. Fly what you like and figure out what works for you. I like scum Y-Wings. I took non-TLT Ywings to top 8 at regionals. They work for me and my flying style. Do what works for you, not what the internet says is the "top list." Ultimately...Fly Casual and have fun.

I like the mentality of one or two ships per payday I'll be sticking to that if all goes well. I have a few friends that might be interested as well, so I'll most likely try to flesh out a Rebel or Scum fleet as well.

Thanks for the input.