Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Armada World Cup Elimination Round - Previews

The Armada World Cup is really heating up.  So let's take a look at the 16 teams that advanced to the elimination round, and see what the matchups look like!

Armada World Cup Action



Ardaedhel vs Quark - (2130GMT on Wednesday 27th. That's 1330 PST and 0830 in Oz)


Ardaedhel
Man Your Own Jackhammers (388/400)
=================
Assault Frigate Mark II: Assault Frigate Mk.II B (72 + 35)
+ Garm Bel Iblis (25)
+ Flight Controllers (6)
+ Boosted Comms (4)
Assault Frigate Mark II: Assault Frigate Mk.II B (72 + 20)
+ Adar Tallon (10)
+ Flight Controllers (6)
+ Boosted Comms (4)
Nebulon-B Frigate: Nebulon-B Escort Frigate (57 + 8)
+ Veteran Captain (3)
+ Yavaris (5)
Squadrons: B-wing Squadron (14)
Squadrons: B-wing Squadron (14)
Squadrons: B-wing Squadron (14)
Squadrons: B-wing Squadron (14)
Squadrons: B-wing Squadron (14)
Squadrons: Jan Ors (19)
Squadrons: Wedge Antilles (19)
Squadrons: "Dutch" Vander (16)

Qark
MC80 Assault (114)
-Ackbar (38)
-Intel Officer (7)
-Engine Techs (8)
-Electronic Countermeasures (7)
-Leading Shots (4)
-XI7 Turbolasers (6)
-Home One (7)
191
CR90 A (44)
-Turbolaser Reroute Circuits (7)
-Jaina's Light (2)
53
CR90 A (44)
-Turbolaser Reroute Circuits (7)
51
CR90 A (44)
-Turbolaser Reroute Circuits (7)
51
Squadrons
2x YT-2400
2x A-Wing
54
Total: 400

So heavy bid by Ardaedhel vs no bid by Qark means Ardaedhel is in the driver seat regarding initiative.  For Deployment, Ardaedhel also has the advantage of last placement, 7-6, though Qark will always have last activation, 3-4.

Overall, we have a completely differing strategy of Rebel ships.  On one hand, Garm leading a pack of squadron activations into the fight, and on the other a bare bones fighter cover with small, fast ships designed to hit heavy with broadsides.  Will the B-Wings be able to keep up with the CR90s, or will the CR90s out-fly the AFIIs / Yavaris?

Biggs' Pre-match Bet:  Not a good matchup for a 191 point MC80.  I will guess two CR90s are still flying, but so are most of the B-Wings and at least one AFII.  Advantage - Ardaedhel (slight)


Clontroper5 vs Miedomeda - (8:30PM GMT Wednesday 1/27)


clontroper5 387
+ Gladiator Star Destroyer (98pts) +
Gladiator I-Class Star Destroyer (98pts) [Engine Techs (8pts), Expanded Launchers (13pts), Intel Officer (7pts), Ordnance Experts (4pts), •Demolisher (10pts)]
+ Raider Corvette (273pts) +
Raider I-Class Corvette (68pts) [Expanded Launchers (13pts), Intel Officer (7pts), Ordnance Experts (4pts)]
Raider I-Class Corvette (68pts) [Expanded Launchers (13pts), Intel Officer (7pts), Ordnance Experts (4pts)]
Raider I-Class Corvette (80pts) [Assault Proton Torpedoes (5pts), •Admiral Montferrat (5pts), •Admiral Screed (26pts)]
Raider I-Class Corvette (57pts) [Assault Proton Torpedoes (5pts), Ordnance Experts (4pts), •Instigator (4pts)]
+ Squadrons (16pts) +
TIE Fighter Squadron (8pts)
TIE Fighter Squadron (8pts)

miedomeda
Faction: Galactic Empire
Points: 400/400
Commander: Admiral Ozzel
Assault Objective: Precision Strike
Defense Objective: Fleet Ambush
Navigation Objective: Superior Positions
[ flagship ] Imperial I-Class Star Destroyer (110 points)
- Admiral Ozzel ( 20 points)
- Gunnery Team ( 7 points)
- Boosted Comms ( 4 points)
- Leading Shots ( 4 points)
Gladiator I-Class Star Destroyer (56 points)
- Demolisher ( 10 points)
- Ordnance Experts ( 4 points)
- Engine Techs ( 8 points)
- Assault Proton Torpedoes ( 5 points)
Raider-I Class Corvette (44 points)
- Ordnance Experts ( 4 points)
- Assault Proton Torpedoes ( 5 points)
1 Darth Vader ( 21 points)
1 Major Rhymer ( 16 points)
1 Dengar ( 20 points)
1 Boba Fett ( 26 points)
2 Firespray-31s ( 36 points)

Clontroper has the lowest bid of anyone on his half of the elimination bracket, at 387.  In terms of deployment advantage, they are tied at 6-6.  In terms of activation advantage, Clontroper has the edge, 5-3.

Clontroper has faced multiple Bomber lists so far in his POD - B's, and both flavors of Rhymerball (Vanilla and Cinnamon).  Miedo though has had practice getting the ball rolling, winning his final game by a rambunctious 9-1 to make the final... though he faced one "Brawler" type list with a low squadron compliment and did poorly.

Biggs' Pre-match Bet:  Sorry, POD7 buddy, but I think Clontroper takes this one.


JJs Juggernaut vs Nebulon B  - (Saturday the 30th 9 AM CST (GMT -6))


JJs Juggernaut
List: [ REBEL FLEET] (389 points)
1 • Assault Frigate Mark II B - General Dodonna - Raymus Antilles - Expanded Hangar Bay - Electronic Countermeasures - Gallant Haven (119)
2 • CR90 Corellian Corvette A - Turbolaser Reroute Circuits (51)
3 • CR90 Corellian Corvette A - Turbolaser Reroute Circuits - Jaina's Light (53)
4 • MC30c Scout Frigate - Lando Calrissian - Ordnance Experts - Assault Proton Torpedoes - Turbolaser Reroute Circuits - Admonition (97)
5 • Jan Ors Moldy Crow (19)
6 • X-wing Squadron (13)
7 • X-wing Squadron (13)
8 • X-wing Squadron (13)
9 • A-wing Squadron (11)

NebulonB
Total: 396 pts
-Flagship: (137 pts)
Assault Frigate Mark II B (72 pts)
Commander: Admiral Ackbar (38 pts)
Intel Officer (7 pts)
Gunnery Team (7 pts)
Electronic Counter Measures (7 pts)
XI7 Turbolasers (6 pts)
-Fleet Ship 1: (99 pts)
Assault Frigate Mark II B (72 pts)
Intel Officer (7 pts)
Gunnery Team (7 pts)
Electronic Counter Measures (7 pts)
XI7 Turbolasers (6 pts)
-Fleet Ship 2: (96 pts)
MC30c Scout Frigate (69 pts)
Foresight (8 pts)
Gunnery Team (7 pts)
Turbolaser Reroute Circuits (7 pts)
Assault Proton Torpedoes (5 pts)
Squadrons (64 of 134 pts):
2x A-Wing Squadron (22 pts)
2x X-Wing Squadron (26 pts)
1x YT-2400 (16 pts)

JJs has the initiative (389 vs 396), the deployment (6-5) and activations (4-3).  If he can use those to his advantage, he can outmaneuver a broadside heavy Ackbar list that seems built to take his down.  Between XI7s, TRCs, Intel Officer, and Gunnery Teams, Nebulon's build seems designed specifically to hunt down JJ's.

Bigg's Pre-Match Bet:  Nebulon B has the better matchup here from a pure gun vs gun perspective, but JJ has all the advantages in his corner, and is a former champion to boot.  Still, I think NebulonB pulls off the upset in this one.  Any mistake in JJ's flying will be punished severely, and it's hard to go a full game without making any.


Quadro28 vs Zanos - (Sunday, Jan 31st at 9 pm EDT (-4 GMT))


Quadro28
1 • Assault Frigate Mark II B - General Dodonna - Flight Controllers - Boosted Comms - Electronic Countermeasures (109)
2 • Assault Frigate Mark II B - Raymus Antilles - Flight Controllers - Boosted Comms (89)
3 • Nebulon-B Escort Frigate - Yavaris (62)
4 • X-wing Squadron (13)
5 • X-wing Squadron (13)
6 • X-wing Squadron (13)
7 • X-wing Squadron (13)
8 • A-wing Squadron (11)
9 • Y-wing Squadron (10)
10 • Y-wing Squadron (10)
11 • Jan Ors Moldy Crow (19)
12 • Scurrg H-6 Bomber (16)
13 • Scurrg H-6 Bomber (16)

Zanos
[ EMPIRE FLEET (398 points)
1 • Victory I-class Star Destroyer - Gunnery Team - Assault Proton Torpedoes - XI7 Turbolasers (91)
2 • Victory I-class Star Destroyer - Admiral Screed - Gunnery Team - Assault Proton Torpedoes - XI7 Turbolasers (117)
3 • Gladiator I-class Star Destroyer - Engine Techs - Assault Proton Torpedoes - Demolisher (79)
4 • Firespray-31 (18)
5 • Firespray-31 (18)
6 • Firespray-31 (18)
7 • Darth Vader TIE Advanced Squadron (21)
8 • Major Rhymer TIE Bomber Squadron (16)
9 • Dengar Punishing One (20)

Squadron Fight!  Quadro has the initiative bid, 394 to 398.  He also has deployment advantage with 8 to Zanos' 6, though neither side can claim activations.

Of the two, both heavily invested in squadrons, Quadro has the biggest Anti-Squadron setup, and the numbers to afford to split his forces into interceptors and bombers.  Zanos needs to close in as well for his guns to be most effective, though if he manages to do so it'll hurt.

Biggs' Pre-match Bet:  I'm going to bet on Quadro for this one - more squadrons and better setup than the Fireball should be enough to break the back of Zanos' fighter cover, and land some big hits on the slow Victorys.


Cutter9999 vs Madaghmire - (Tuesday 26th - 10PM EDT (-4 GMT))


Cutter9999:  Total 386
FLAGSHIP: Gladiator I-class Star Destroyer
Admiral Screed 26
Total Points: 82
SHIP: Gladiator I-class Star Destroyer
Intel Officer 7
Ordnance Experts 4
Engine Techs 8
Expanded Launchers 13
Demolisher 10
Total Points: 98
SHIP: Raider I-class corvette
Assault Proton Torpedoes 5
Total Points: 49
SHIP: Raider I-class corvette
Total Points: 44
Firespray-31 x 4  Total Points: 72
Dengar Punishing One Total Points: 20
Darth Vader TIE Advanced Squadron  Total Points: 21

Madaghmire
Corrupted Fireball
Author: Madaghmire
Faction: Galactic Empire
Points: 398/400
Commander: Admiral Motti
Assault Objective: Advanced Gunnery
Defense Objective: Contested Outpost
Navigation Objective: Superior Positions
[ flagship ] Victory I-Class Star Destroyer (73 points)
- Admiral Motti ( 24 points)
- Corrupter ( 5 points)
- Wing Commander ( 6 points)
- Flight Controllers ( 6 points)
- Boosted Comms ( 4 points)
Imperial II-Class Star Destroyer (120 points)
- Avenger ( 5 points)
- Captain Needa ( 2 points)
- Gunnery Team ( 7 points)
- Electronic Countermeasures ( 7 points)
- XI7 Turbolasers ( 6 points)
2 Firespray-31s ( 36 points)
1 TIE Advanced Squadron ( 12 points)
1 "Howlrunner" ( 16 points)
1 Major Rhymer ( 16 points)
1 Dengar ( 20 points)
1 Soontir Fel ( 18 points)
1 "Mauler" Mithel ( 15 points)

Fireball vs Fireball.  Cutter has the lowest bid in the tournament at 386.  Deployment advantage also in his favor, 7-6.  Activation way in his favor at 4-2.

As far as matchups, the ISDII is the only anti-ship capital that Magad brings to the fight, but his squadrons are set up with more of a skew to anti-squadron than Cutter.  If both sides turn into a big furball in the middle, the advantage would go to Magad in squadrons, though he does have 2 raiders to toss into that mix as well.

Biggs Pre-Matchup Bet:  This one feels like a toss-up to me.  If I had to guess, I'd go Magad for having the better chance of isolating Cutter's squadrons from the fight, but I wouldn't put money on either side.

Update 1/27 - Magad wins, 404-125 - Contested Outpost.  Cutter as First Player.


Green Knight vs Caribbean Ninja - (Friday 1/29 at 4 PM Central (9PM GMT))


Green Knight
A SKY FULL OF A-WINGS (392 points)
1 • Objectives - GALACTIC TOP SECRET (0)
2 • Assault Frigate Mark II B - Admiral Ackbar - Raymus Antilles - Gunnery Team (124)
3 • Assault Frigate Mark II B - Gunnery Team (79)
4 • Assault Frigate Mark II B - Gunnery Team (79)
5 • A-wing Squadron (11)
6 • A-wing Squadron (11)
7 • A-wing Squadron (11)
8 • A-wing Squadron (11)
9 • A-wing Squadron (11)
10 • A-wing Squadron (11)
11 • A-wing Squadron (11)
12 • A-wing Squadron (11)
13 • A-wing Squadron (11)
14 • A-wing Squadron (11)

CaribbeanNinja
399/400
Flagship
ISD 2 (Reverence) 120 points
-Motti (24)
-Gunnery Team (7)
-ECM (7)
-XI7 (6)
ISD 2 (Regulation) 120 points
-Gunnery Team (7)
-Expanded Hanger Bay (5)
-ECM (7)
-XI7 (6)
Squadrons (90)
-Howlrunner (16)
-Darth Vader (21)
-Dengar (20)
-"Mauler" Mithel (15)
-Soontir Fel (18)

Green Knight has the initiative bid, 392 to 399, and deployment as well 8 - 4, and activations 3-2.  What Caribbean Ninja has is a major amount of hull, between Motti and 2 ISDIIs.  He will likely need them, as Green Knight has invested heavily into Ackbar and Gunnery Teams.

The question is how long can the elite Imperials tie up the A-Wing swarm, and how quickly can a pair of ISDs drop the first AFII (or two).  Green Knight did go without ECM, so with the ISD's front arc that may be fast enough.

Biggs Pre-Match Bet:  It's gonna be bloody, but I think Green Knight will likely lose close.  I don't see both ISDs being dropped, and do see at least one of the AFIIs as smoldering wreckage by turn 5.  Caribbean's easiest way to win is getting rid of some A-Wings and dropping 2 AFIIs - Green Knight either needs a good objective, or all ISDs dead.  Advantage to the Ninja.


Doobleg vs Truthiness


They already played this one, jerks.  Winner, Truthiness.


Reith 28 vs JRockNZ


Reath28
ISD 2 (120)
-Captain Needa (2)
-Gunnery Team (7)
-Boosted Comms (4)
-Electronic Countermeasures (7)
-X17 Turbolasers (6)
Total 146
Vic 1 (73)
-Admiral Motti (24)
-Wulff Yularen (7)
-Gunnery Team (7)
-Boosted Comms (4)
-X17 Turbolasers (6)
Total 121
Squadrons:
-Major Rhymer (16)
-Tie Bomber x 3 (27)
-Soontir Fel (18)
-Tie Advanced x 2 (24)
-JumpMaster 5000 (12)
-IG-88 IG-2000 (21)
-YV-666 (15)
Total 133 (yes it fits perfectly :D)
List total 400pts

JRockNZ
Faction: Galactic Empire
Points: 391/400
Commander: Grand Moff Tarkin
Assault Objective: Precision Strike
Defense Objective: Contested Outpost
Navigation Objective: Superior Positions
Victory II-Class Star Destroyer (85 points)
- Expanded Hangar Bay ( 5 points)
[ flagship ] Imperial I-Class Star Destroyer (110 points)
- Grand Moff Tarkin ( 38 points)
- Admiral Chiraneau ( 10 points)
- Expanded Hangar Bay ( 5 points)
- Leading Shots ( 4 points)
4 TIE Bomber Squadrons ( 36 points)
2 TIE Fighter Squadrons ( 16 points)
1 Soontir Fel ( 18 points)
1 TIE Interceptor Squadron ( 11 points)
1 "Howlrunner" ( 16 points)
1 Major Rhymer ( 16 points)
1 Darth Vader ( 21 points)

JRockNZ has the initiative bid, 391 to 400.  Deployment 7-7 and Activations in favor of neither, 2-2.  Both are highly modified Rhymer Balls, with taking different approaches to carriers.  Reath's are more capable of sending their fighters out to longer ranges, and his ISD is capable of really joining the anti-ship fight, while JRock has more squadrons that he can fling, and no Intel support, though he does take Chirneau.

Biggs Pre-Match Bet:  I'm surprisingly high on Grand Moff Tarkin right now... but ECM and longer range on the ISDII I think is the deciding factor.  Victory to Reath.

2 comments:

  1. great job Biggs, loving your work! I (Miedomeda) am really enjoying this tournament as I had the opportunity to practice against different players, each bringing new exciting ideas to the table, and understand the game in all its complexity. If I were to sign up now, I'd probably bring a different list, but hey, a good commander has to do with what he has. Anyway, by winning the last game and going to the final round on my first competitive experience, I already feel satisfied with my results; I don't think I really stand a chance to beat that many raiders this time, but let's give it a try with positive attitude and see what happens.
    Rematch when?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Definitely would be up for a rematch! We'll be in touch.

      Delete