History of the Vassal World Cup

 Welcome to the History of the Vassal World Cup.  We've been playing every January since 2016, and lists debuting in the VWC have gone on to be an integral part of the Armada Meta since the very first year.  Here I hope to record some of the more interesting statistics of the VWC before they disappear from the record as the old home of the VWC - the Fantasy Flight Games Forums - is due to shut down February 1st 2021.

2016

Winner - Clontroper5 - Screed
Runner Up - Madaghmire - Motti
Top 4 - JJs Juggernaut - Dodonna
Top 4 - Truthiness - Screed

Organizer - Biggs

Most Recent Legal Wave - Wave 2

Some names you might know in that top 4!  Clontroper5 disappeared after winning the VWC in 2016, going on a missionary trip to Africa, but his Clonisher list, and the signature Demolisher, remained with us ever since.

Clontroper 5's - Clonisher

Gladiator I-Class Star Destroyer (98pts) [Engine Techs (8pts), Expanded Launchers (13pts), Intel Officer (7pts), Ordnance Experts (4pts), •Demolisher (10pts)]

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)

The 98 point Demolisher remained with us for years after, though some might argue that any ordnance on a GSD-I with Engine Techs, Demolisher, Ordnance Experts, and Intel Officer made for a Clonisher.  It was a brutal list, and in wave 2 days, a swarm of Expanded Launcher Raiders absolutely punished most fleets to the point where people began to predict that squadrons would never be seen again.

Another list who's time in the son is over, Madaghmire ran the Corrupted Fireball - leveraging Major Rhymer and Firesprays to hit ships with Imperial Bombers.

Corrupted Fireball
Points: 398/400

[ 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)

Sadly, Imperial Fireballs / Rhymerballs have also fallen out of favor, between Rieekan Aceholes and Sloane Aces.


2017

Winner - JJs Juggernaut - Jerjerrod
Runner Up - Green Knight - Darth Vader 
Top 4 - MattShadowlord - Ackbar
Top 4 - Aresius - Dodonna

Organizer - Biggs
Judge - Drasnighta

Most Recent Legal Wave - Wave 5

Wave 5 was brand new.  Christmas had treated us to presents of Peltas, Arquitens, new objectives, and a TON of new fighters.  Green Knight dominated the POD rounds, pulling in a dominant 27 points and 810 MOV with his Darth Vader based list, but ultimately fell to the previous year's World Champion (not World Cup Champion) JJs Juggernaut.  Winning the Vassal World Cup immediately following the previous Worlds is a feat that no one has yet manage to replicate.

This also marks the point where the organizer stopped playing in the tournament.

JJs Juggernaut - Random Last Minute Stuff: 
394/400

Raider I-class corvette (44)    
- Agent Kallus (3)  
- Ordnance Experts (4)  
- Flechette Torpedoes (3)  
- Impetuous (4)
Total:  58

Imperial I-class Star Destroyer (110)    
- Minister Tua (2)  
- Electronic Countermeasures (7)  
- Leading Shots (4)  
- XI7 Turbolasers (6)
Total:  129

Gladiator II-class Star Destroyer (62)    
- Ordnance Experts (4)  
- Assault Proton Torpedoes (5)  
- Demolisher (10)
Total:  81

Gozanti-class Cruisers (23)    
- Moff Jerjerrod (23)
Total:  46

Lambda-class Shuttle (15)
"Mauler'' Mithel (15)
Black Squadron (9)
Captain Jonus (16)
JumpMaster 5000 (12)
Tempest Squadron (13)

These lists show us some problems of the time, namely the "lifeboat" flagship, and soon after we would have the FAQ / Rule Update of June 26th 2017 that prevented you from equipping a commander to your flotilla.  Interestingly enough, this architype never seemed to catch on outside of this one tournament.

Green Knight - Return of the Vader,  WC 2017 
 Points: 395/400

[ flagship ] Imperial II-Class Star Destroyer (120 points)
-  Darth Vader  ( 36  points)
-  Avenger  ( 5  points)
-  Agent Kallus  ( 3  points)
-  Gunnery Team  ( 7  points)
-  Quad Laser Turrets  ( 5  points)
-  Electronic Countermeasures  ( 7  points)
-  X17 Turbolasers  ( 6  points)
= 189 total ship cost

Gladiator II-Class Star Destroyer (62 points)
-  Demolisher  ( 10  points)
-  Skilled First Officer  ( 1  points)
-  Ordnance Experts  ( 4  points)
-  Engine Techs  ( 8  points)
-  Assault Proton Torpedoes  ( 5  points)
= 90 total ship cost

Raider-I Class Corvette (44 points)
-  Instigator  ( 4  points)
-  Ordnance Experts  ( 4  points)
-  Assault Proton Torpedoes  ( 5  points)
= 57 total ship cost

Gozanti-class Cruisers (23 points)
-  Suppressor  ( 4  points)
-  Comms Net  ( 2  points)
= 29 total ship cost

1 Ciena Ree ( 17 points)
1 Valen Rudor ( 13 points)

Green Knight's list introduces us to a familiar pair we will see for years to come.  Ciena Ree and Valen Rudor, the cheapest 30 points of effective Imperial Fighters would become a staple of Imperial ship heavy lists for years to come.  Amusingly both lists take a Gladiator II, something rarely seen before, and rarely seen again.

Note the name Aresius in the top 4.  You'll see him again.


2018

Winner - JJs Juggernaut - Raddus
Runner Up - Green Knight - Darth Vader
Top 4 - Roquax - Dodonna
Top 4 - Tokra - Sloane

Organizer - Biggs
Marshall - Drasnighta
Judges - Truthiness / Ardaedhel

Most Recent Legal Wave - Wave 6 / Partial Wave 7

Another feat that no one has managed, JJs Juggernaut managed to repeat with his 2nd World Cup win, this time with an unreleased Commander, Admiral Raddus.  Green Knight once again wound up making it to the final game with a Darth Vader fleet.  Tokra dominated the POD phase, earning 28 Tournament Points and an impressive 850 MOV, though Green Knight had him beat in the overall tournament, scoring the equivalent of 53 tournament points over 6 games and 1508 MOV.

This also marked the first time the tournament was classified by the organizer as a Premier Level Event, previously being considered Casual level.

JJs Juggernaut
386 points

 MC75 Ordnance Cruiser
- Ordnance Experts
- Electronic Countermeasures
- External Racks
- Assault Concussion Missiles
- Profundity
Total = (128 points)

Hammerhead Torpedo Corvette
 - Ordnance Experts
 - External Racks 
Total = (43 points)

MC30c Torpedo Frigate
 - Admiral Raddus
 - Ordnance Experts
 - Assault Concussion Missiles
 - H9 Turbolasers
 - Admonition 
Total = (116)

GR-75 Medium Transports (18)

GR-75 Medium Transports (18)

Shara Bey A-wing Squadron (17)
Tycho Celchu A-wing Squadron (16)
VCX-100 Freighter (15)
VCX-100 Freighter (15)
Squadron Total = (63 points)

This tournament introduced the world to Nesting Doll Raddus, where a particularly nasty ship (in this case an MC30c) drops a Profundity on the target, which drops another nasty small base ship, in this case a Hammerhead.  Nesting Doll Raddus would be a dominant fixture in the Rebel meta for years to come.

Green Knight: "I HAVE YOU NOW"     
Points: 383/400     

[ flagship ] Imperial Star Destroyer Cymoon 1 Refit (112 points)
-  Darth Vader         ( 36         points)
-  Devastator         ( 10         points)
-  Intel Officer         ( 7         points)
-  Gunnery Team         ( 7         points)
-  Spinal Armament         ( 9         points)
-  X17 Turbolasers         ( 6         points)
-  Intensify Firepower         ( 6         points)
= 193 total ship cost

Gladiator I-Class Star Destroyer (56 points)
-  Demolisher         ( 10         points)
-  Intel Officer         ( 7         points)
-  Ordnance Experts         ( 4         points)
-  Engine Techs         ( 8         points)
-  Assault Proton Torpedoes         ( 5         points)
= 90 total ship cost

Gozanti-class Cruisers (23 points)
-  Comms Net         ( 2         points)
= 25 total ship cost

Gozanti-class Cruisers (23 points)
-  Comms Net         ( 2         points)
= 25 total ship cost

Gozanti-class Cruisers (23 points)
-  Repair Crews         ( 4         points)
= 27 total ship cost

Gozanti-class Cruisers (23 points)
= 23 total ship cost

This also marked the last time we would see multiple flotilla used for activation padding.  In April of 2018 the Tournament Rules would be updated to limit the number of flotilla in tournament legal lists to "2" at most.  This wasn't just due to the VWC though, as Worlds had been dominated by Rieekan Aces running 2+3 - 2 combat ships and 3 flotillas pushing unique squadrons, and Tokra had been famous in 2016 for bringing 8 Gozanti to Worlds.

You might recognize the 90 point Demolisher in Green Knights list as being the spiritual successor of the Clonisher.  This was a different Demolisher than the 2016 and 2017 versions - it could no longer attack after Engine Techs were used, but it was considered useful enough to have the added maneuverability that Engine Techs were included anyway on a 90 point platform.



Winner - NebulonB - Raddus
Runner Up - Aresius - Rieekan
Top 4 - Clontroper5 - Jerjerrod
Top 4 - Mhd - Sloane

Organizer - Biggs
Judge - Truthiness

Most Recent Legal Wave - Wave 7

Wave 7 marked a long time where we just don't get to have any new Armada.  It also marked the return of the original World Cup Winner Clontroper5 who would face against JJs Juggernaut in the 2nd elimination round.  Ultimately, JJ's Raddus fleet would fall to the original World Cup Champion, marking the end of an era.  MandalorianMoose would dominate the POD play, scoring a near perfect 30 Tournament Points / 1121 MOV, but lose to Mhd in the first round of elimination. 

But Clontroper's Jerjerrod fleet wasn't equipped to handle Aresius and his Rieekan fleet, who would move on to face NebulonB in the final.

This was the 3rd time this game is played.  Back in POD play, Raddus and NebulonB scored a closely fought win, and leaves NebulonB as the only remaining undefeated player.  In spite of going 3-0 in POD wins, none were large enough to seal a POD victory, as Aresius blew out his remaining opponents.  Aresius has also dispatched multiple Raddus commanders en-route to the finals.

Meanwhile, on Feb 16th, at the Austrian Regional - after POD play but while eliminations were ongoing - NebulonB lost to Rieekan and Aresius. 

The third time these two will face off.  For NebulonB it means going undefeated in the World Cup and exacting revenge for the Austrian Regional.  For Aresius it means erasing the one blemish on his otherwise stellar World Cup run.  For both, it means the 4th greatest prize in Armada Tournament Gaming - being able to claim that you are the World Cup Champion for 2019!

NebulonB

MC80 Battle Cruiser (103)
• Intel Officer (7)
• Caitken and Shollan (6)
• Engine Techs (8)
• SW-7 Ion Batteries (5)
• XI7 Turbolasers (6)
• Spinal Armament (9)
• Mon Karren (8)
= 152 Points

CR90 Corvette B (39)
• Engine Techs (8)
= 47 Points

CR90 Corvette B (39)
• Engine Techs (8)
= 47 Points

Hammerhead Torpedo Corvette (36)
• Admiral Raddus (26)
• Hondo Ohnaka (2)
= 64 Points

GR-75 Medium Transports (18)
• Slicer Tools (7)
• Quantum Storm (1)
= 26 Points

GR-75 Medium Transports (18)
• Comms Net (2)
= 20 Points

Squadrons:
• A-wing Squadron (11)
• Tycho Celchu (16)
= 27 Points

Total Points: 383


Aresius 

Hammerhead Torpedo Corvette (36 points)
= 36 total ship cost

GR-75 Medium Transports (18 points)
-  Leia Organa  ( 3  points)
-  Comms Net  ( 2  points)
= 23 total ship cost

Hammerhead Torpedo Corvette (36 points)
= 36 total ship cost

GR-75 Medium Transports (18 points)
-  Ahsoka Tano  ( 2  points)
= 20 total ship cost

[ flagship ] Hammerhead Torpedo Corvette (36 points)
-  General Rieekan  ( 30  points)
= 66 total ship cost

MC80 Star Cruiser (96 points)
-  Mon Karren  ( 8  points)
-  Bail Organa  ( 7  points)
-  Caitken and Shollan  ( 6  points)
-  Engine Techs  ( 8  points)
-  X17 Turbolasers  ( 6  points)
-  Spinal Armament  ( 9  points)
-  SW-7 Ion Batteries  ( 5  points)
= 145 total ship cost

1 Tycho Celchu ( 16 points)
1 Shara Bey ( 17 points)
2 VCX-100 Freighters ( 30 points)
1 A-Wing Squadron ( 11 points)
= 74 total squadron cost

Total Points = 400

Maximum flexibility in dropping the Raddus bomb is what would eventually give NebulonB the win against a Rieekan list that emphasized ship to ship combat and not squadron contributions.  This would mark the last hurrah of original Raddus - the next year just a week before the VWC, Raddus would be Eratta'd by an FFG Admin post in the forums, changing his ability from deploying your set aside ship at distance 1 of a friendly ship, to deploying at distance 1-2 of the flagship.


2020

Winner - Aresius - Agate
Runner Up - MandalorianMoose - Romodi
Top 4 - Brobafett - Motti
Top 4 - jp82729 - Sloane

Organizer - Biggs

Most Recent Legal Wave - Wave 8 (spoiled / not released)

This year the VWC attempted a different final, instead of elimination for the last 4 rounds, the final 2 rounds were turned into 3 rounds of a new Top 4 POD... to mixed results.  After some very close games, Aresius and his Agate Starhawk emerged victorious, with MandalorianMoose and his 30 Tournament Point / 1135 MOV POD dominating Romodi fleet came in second by MOV tiebreaker.


Aresius - 400 Bid

GR-75 Medium Transports (18 points)
-  Bright Hope  ( 2  points)
-  Ahsoka Tano  ( 2  points)
-  Bomber Command Center  ( 8  points)
= 30 total ship cost

[ flagship ] Starhawk-class Battleship Mark I (140 points)
-  Kyrsta Agate (com)  ( 20  points)
-  Concord  ( 12  points)
-  Strategic Adviser  ( 4  points)
-  Bail Organa  ( 7  points)
-  Ruthless Strategists  ( 4  points)
-  Flag Bridge  ( 0  points)
-  Linked Turbolaser Towers  ( 7  points)
-  Leading Shots  ( 4  points)
-  Entrapment Formation!  ( 5  points)
-  Magnite Crystal Tractor Beam Array  ( 10  points)
= 213 total ship cost

GR-75 Medium Transports (18 points)
-  Leia Organa (off)  ( 3  points)
-  Comms Net  ( 2  points)
= 23 total ship cost

2 X-Wing Squadrons ( 26 points)
1 Hera Syndulla ( 28 points)
1 Y-Wing Squadron ( 10 points)
1 Jan Ors ( 19 points)
1 Scurrg H-6 Bomber ( 16 points)
1 Gold Squadron ( 12 points)
1 Lando Calrissian ( 23 points)
= 134 total squadron cost


MandolorianMoose - 400 Bid

Onager Testbed (96)
• General Romodi (20)
• Admiral Ozzel (2)
• Veteran Gunners (5)
• Gunnery Chief Varnillian (6)
• Medical Team (1)
• Orbital Bombardment Particle Cannons (5)
• Cataclysm (5)
= 140 Points

Quasar Fire I (54)
• Governor Pryce (7)
• Flight Controllers (6)
• Boosted Comms (4)
• Squall (3)
= 74 Points

Gozanti Cruisers (23)
• Hondo Ohnaka (2)
• Comms Net (2)
= 27 Points

Gozanti Cruisers (23)
• Darth Vader (1)
• Comms Net (2)
= 26 Points

Squadrons:
• Morna Kee (27)
• Maarek Stele (21)
• Colonel Jendon (20)
• Major Rhymer (16)
• Tempest Squadron (13)
• Mauler Mithel (15)
• JumpMaster 5000 (12)
• Black Squadron (9)
= 133 Points

And without much in the way of in-person gaming in 2020, we haven't seen much besides the VWC lists when it comes to meta.  And here we get the Hawk134 - a Tank of a Starhawk with 134 points of squadrons, as well as the Romodi Cataclysm Onager.  Two staples going into 2021.  But with Wave 9 out and Wave 10 on the horizon, what does the future hold?


2021

Winner - RealVeers - Sloane
Runner Up - Angry Ewok - Ackbar
Top 4 - GiledPallaeon - Thrawn
Top 4 - Truthiness - Cracken

Organizer - Biggs

Most Recent Legal Wave - Wave 9 (Released)


2022

Winner - SamS - Romodi
Runner Up - Louis-Andre - Jerjerrod
Top 4 - BrobaFett - Sloane
Top 4 - Paul - Motti

Organizer - Biggs
Co-Organizer - Giled Pallaeon

Most Recent Legal Wave - Wave 10 (Released)


2023

Winner - 
Runner Up - 
Top 4 - 
Top 4 - 

Organizer - Biggs
Co-Organizer - Giled Pallaeon
Co-Organizer - Stewbucket

Most Recent Legal Wave - Rapid Reinforcements I

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