Phase 2 - Deployment: Ships Just Got Real

We have now talked about Preparation, and now it's time to move on to the next stage in the game.  Phase 2 - Deployment - is where the theoretical goes out the window and you know what you are using, and what the opponent has brought to the game.  This is an absolutely crucial phase, as any play in initiative choice, objective selection, obstacle placement, and deployment can have ripple effects for the rest of the game.

2)  Deployment - The other half of Turn 0.  This is where you begin to set playing pieces on the board.  If you have the higher bid, you will determine if you will take first or second player at this point.  If you are first player, you will pick from your opponents objectives as well.  You should enter this section with a game plan of how you want the eventual engagement to take place.  It begins with setting up obstacles - we have some older articles on using these to your advantage - and continues with the deployment of your fleets.  You should use the obstacles and your fleet deployment to dictate where and how the engagement will happen, and expect your opponent to do the same.  Once all ships are deployed and Turn 1's Command Phase is over, we move on to the next phase.

Key Advantages for this Phase:  Initiative Bids and Objective Selection, Second Player Obstacle Placement, Deployment Advantage