First Contact

In response to my SOBH’s introduction (Son Of a Bueno Hombre), I feel I have to contribute this little piece of wisdom before we engage in a two kitchens wide Corellian conflict (we play at each other’s place depending on mood).

Here it is : Helmuth von Moltke the Elder is a German strategist that once said, “No plan survives contact with the enemy.” His thesis on the ground in the 1800s evolved into a fact checked experience over the course of many virtual 3’ X 6’ space battles.

Over many victories and defeats, I called meetings with all the serving commanders so they could build different armadas. No one fleet was launched a second time without modifications. Winning recipes they have found, but enemies tend to smell and recognize the food before it is served. Darth Vader has rarely given a second chance to his own crew, so imagine how my rebels felt about a second serving of flaming Imperial Star Destroyer with a hive of squadrons. They expressed need for change, just in case.

On just about every emergency scrums, meaning a few minutes before hell is unpacked on the table, my commanders managed to propose different ways to engage the enemies. All attempts to choose one over the others were met with skepticism and curiosity … even by themselves. “Not bad.” “Looks better but.” “Let’s try it.” If only they had a few more minutes to change it again!

At just about every encounter, there was one similar thought at the start of every round 2 : “What the … happened?” The enemy was supposed to move here, increase speed or stay grouped. He did not. Two of my ships even got to fire on an enemy in the first round, thanks to the ambush zone the Imperials got me into. Really!? None of my officers had predicted multiple hits on the first round before. Imagine the Imperials who thought they had surprised us!

So, why the quote? Well, my SOBH’s introduction speaks of strategy to come. In my opinion, the strategy happens way before you enthusiastically roll the dice, way before you over confidently place your ships in the setup area … and yet, way after you swallow a punitive humility lesson, because if you did not learn from that one, you’re in for another engine whoopin’.

Peter Plan

Introduction

Hi all,

Welcome to my Star Wars Armada blog. This blog is in no way trying to be as up to date, meta-relevant or as shiny as the blogs we love so much like Steel Strategy, Concentrate Fire!, or Cannot Get Your Ship Out and others.

I am building this blog in prospect of an upcoming Corellian Conflict campaign with my father Peter, my main and most worthy opponent up to now. This blog shall be the home to a thematic story-telling of this campaign as well as reflective pieces on the strategic choices made in the campaign. I will lead three imperial battalions to capture the unstable Corellian system as Peter organizes the rebel resistance.

The blog's name is inspired by Han Solo's thematic quote from The Empire Strike Back, that is really thematic of the rebel dodgy playstyle in Armada, let alone the rebellion as a whole in the Star Wars universe.

As time goes, I hope I will find time to publish more posts about strategies (more specifically on the empire side for me and Peter will likely post some useful tips for the rebels), but only time will tell if we manage to get time to do it.

A good opponent once gave me a tip when I was making a bad move,
my worthiest opponent made me suffer for it and I came back stronger.

All you amateurs out there, play nobly (well maybe throw in a scummy rebel surprise every now and then), but most of all, play the Armada game you want to play. The internet is full of people that will tell you how to enjoy a game, but ultimately you and your opponent are the only ones in that immersive space battle.

-Darth Max