VASSAL OP 2022 Spring Team Tournament

Announcing the "Spring Team Tournament" VASSAL Organized Play event!

We had 2 team events in 2021 and both were very well received. This year we're doing something pretty close to standard Armada - but with teams.

Format

Players are grouped into teams:

• Each team picks a single faction (Empire, Rebel, Republic, or Separatist).
• There are 3 players per team.
• Each team elects a "Grand Admiral" to be in charge of the team.

3 rounds of "team" Swiss:

• It's the team's total score that determines the Swiss seed.
• During the 1st round, each team will be paired within its time zone (if possible).
• Rounds 2 & 3 are normal Swiss.

Winner:

The team with the most combined tourney points is the winner!

Schedule

Rounds will last 14 days.

Key dates:

• Signup/fleet submission deadline: Sunday, 10th April. 
• Round 1 starts Monday, 11th April.
• Round 3 ends Sunday, 22nd May.

Listbuilding restrictions/rules tweaks

Standard Armada rules, with the following exceptions:

• UNIQUE cards, including objectives, are unique within the team.
• Grand Admirals are responsible for "battle pairings" within each team.

Battle pairing:

• The GA of the team with the lower score (determine randomly round 1) decides if their side will put a fleet forward or of the opposing team will.
• The opposing team decides which fleet will oppose the nominated fleet, then puts forward one of its remaining fleets.
• Repeat until all fleets have been paired.

Signup

Sign up on Tabletop.to here: https://tabletop.to/sw-armada-vassal-team-tournament/signups

Fleet submission

You submit your fleet when signing up on TTT (see above).

Grand Admirals need to PM me on Discord with team names and members.

Battle reporting

Report battles here: https://tabletop.to/sw-armada-vassal-team-tournament/submit

Discord

Join the Armada Discord/VASSAL OP channel here: https://discord.gg/NKxp5DEkPC

Tournament software

We're using Tabletop.to to track players, scores, and matchups. 

You can find the event here: https://tabletop.to/sw-armada-vassal-team-tournament

Grand Championship 2022

• Points:
• Entry: 1
• Completion: 1 (3 games)
• Top 4: 1
• Runner-up: 1
• Winner: 2
• Special: 1 each
• TBA
• TBA

Scoreboard: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uA8tqtouirSzFUsqmNzvPcATvHLdEGid8rYlvjwKcH4/edit?usp=sharing

VASSAL OP Q3 2021 Escalation tournament

Announcing the "Escalation tournament," a new VASSAL Organized Play event!

Format

4 rounds Swiss.

(most likely there will be only 1 common time grouping but if there are many players I might split the event)

Schedule

Key dates:

• Signup/fleet submission deadline: Wednesday, 22nd September. 
• Round 1 starts Friday, 24th September.
• Round 4 ends in late October/early November.

Listbuilding restrictions/rules tweaks

Standard Armada rules, with the following exceptions:

• Escalation games: 300/400/500/600 points
• Custom commanders
• The ability for ships and unique squadrons to become veterans.

Read the complete rules pdf here.

The most recent version is 1.01.

Changelog:

• No fleet point cost for veterancy.
• Command 4 ships banned from start.

Signup

Use this signup/fleet submission form: https://forms.gle/xc1Botq5tn8uNFES9

Fleet submission

Your round 1 fleet is submitted when signing up (see above).

For rounds 2-4, please reuse the form.

Battle reporting

Report battles using this form: https://forms.gle/VZhChNm9X1MBAwwF8

Only one player has to do the reporting.

Discord

Join the Armada Discord/Online OP channel here: https://discord.gg/6pRQJ88A7z

Tournament software

We're using TTT to track players, scores, and matchups. 

You can find the event here: https://tabletop.to/vassal-op-escalation-tournament

Vassal Grand Championship

The Standard series is part of the Grand Championship.

Read more here. Contribute to the prize pool here.

• Points for this tournament:
• Entry: 1
• Minimum 4 games: 1
• Top 4: 1 (since only 6 teams)
• Runner-up: 1
• Winner: 2
• Special challenges: none

Current scores. 

VASSAL OP Standard series

Announcing "2021 Standard series," a new VASSAL (and TTS*) Organized Play event!

*While primarily a VASSAL event we'd also like to foster greater interaction between the VASSAL and TTS communities. If 

Format

Play any number of standard 400-point games on Vassal (or TTS) between Monday, 9th August 9th and Sunday, 7th November.

Key features:

- standard rules

- sign up at any time

- play as many games as you want in 3 months

- play against any opponent, even the same opponents more than once

- play with the same list, again and again, change it every time, or a mix thereof

- submit your lists and points after the match

- whoever has the most points at the end wins!

Schedule

You play as many or as few games as you want to.

• Start: Monday, 9th August.
• End: Sunday, 7th November.

Listbuilding restrictions/rules tweaks

None.

The whole point of Standard is that it's... standard 😅

Signup

Signup deadline: You can sign up at any time, even mid-event.

Signup form: None. You sign up by submitting results!

Fleet submission

You submit fleets with the battle report.

Battle reporting

Use this form.

Either both players have to submit a report or one player has to submit for them both, including lists.

Discord

Join the Armada Discord/Online OP channel here.

Tournament software

We're using TTT to track players, scores, and matchups. You can find the event here.

Vassal Grand Championship

The Standard series is part of the Grand Championship.

Read more here. Contribute to the prize pool here.

• Points for this tournament:
• Entry: 1
• Minimum 4 games: 1
• Top 8: 1
• Runner-up: 1
• Winner: 2

Current score.

VASSAL OP Autumn League

 

Announcing "2021 Autumn League," a new VASSAL Organized Play event!

Format

6 rounds vs random opponents (NOT Swiss)

The default is a new list for every round but you're also free to play the same list if that's your thing.

Schedule

2 weeks per round

• Round 1 starts Monday, 9th August.
• Round 6 ends Sunday, 31st October.

Listbuilding restrictions/rules tweaks

Custom format docs:

Errata 

Ships (points & upgrade slots)

Squads (points)

Upgrades (points)

Some key changes you should be aware of:

- All 4 factions have access to non-flotilla Fleet Support slots (Arq for Imps, Neb for Rebs).

- All 4 factions have a large-base ship with a Fleet Command option.

- Rebel Pelta has no fleet command slot (but the PH title adds it). Rebels also have better access to FC from other cards (Phoenix Nest & Liberator).

- Expect to see players experiment with SSDs. They are cheaper and can bring a defensive retro.

- Expect to see SHs, maybe even non-Agate ones. The SH1 can run ET, the SH2 can have Def retro.

- The Onager has been points-nerfed. That hurts the Onager (duh) but also opens some possibilities for slower ships. I hope.

- Rebels can bring Quasars if they take the Phoenix Nest title.

The astute observer can't fail to notice CW factions haven't been touched much. That's deliberate. They have less stuff, it's not yet played to death, and overall what they do have is pretty decent. If you want to play with more nimble Clams, Asajj Ventress, or LAAT/i squadrons, head over to the Fantasy Series!

Builder support

You can use any builder you want as long as you comply with the custom format.

This Warlords clone has support for the format: https://vassalwarlords.twilightpeaks.net/

Signup

Signup deadline: Sunday, 8th August

Signup form: https://forms.gle/o4pA26CpzS1bsX1u7

Fleet submission

Fleets are to be submitted PRIOR TO EACH AND EVERY GAME using this form: https://forms.gle/dwe9BaPH85NVAakMA

If you do not submit your fleet BEFORE your opponent spawns his fleet you will have forfeited the match. So don't.

Battle reporting

Use this form: https://forms.gle/H7HwyDsBojUDMjrW8

Discord channel

There is a dedicated Discord channel for the event.

Use it to chat and ask questions, but keep it related to the event. 

Tournament software

We're using TTT to track players, scores, and matchups. You can find the event here.

Vassal module

Use this version of the Vassal module to ensure you see new/updated cards: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AmLOw84tw_3Yhox7LrxhWGdt9yI5bQ?e=V8S23G

Vassal Grand Championship

Read more here. Contribute to the prize pool here.

• Points for this tournament:
• Entry: 1
• Completion: 1
• Top 8: 1
• Runner-up: 1
• Winner: 2
• Special challenges: 1 point each (2 max)
• A New Hope (Rebel challenge): Only play with the Republic faction & use each commander only once (one must be Leia). Post-Endor cards banned, including the SH, E-wings, and Agate (ask if you're uncertain).
• Going Commando (Unaligned challenge): Running only squadless fleets across all 6 games.
• Heart of the Swarm (Separatist challenge): Only play with the Separatist faction & use each commander only once.
• Objectively the Best (Unaligned challenge): Only use each objective card once across all 6 fleets.
• Republic Reinforcements (Republic challenge): Only play with the Republic faction & use each commander only once.
• There Can Be Only One (Unaligned challenge): Only use each unique card once across all 6 fleets.
• The Empire Strikes Back (Empire challenge): Only play with the Empire faction & use each commander only once (one must be Vader). Post-Endor cards banned, including the Onager, Romodi, and Sloane (ask if you're uncertain).

Current score.

VASSAL OP Midsummer Madness

Announcing "Midsummer Madness," a new VASSAL Organized Play event!

I got a new puppy...and covid is still a thing...so I don't think I'll be going anywhere this summer. So why not have a summer event on Vassal!?

Format

Here's the exciting bit: you get to decide the format. Take this survey to have a say. 

Schedule

Starting late June/Early July. Details TBA

Listbuilding restrictions/rules tweaks

Depends on the format. Details TBA

Signup

Signup/fleet submission deadline: TBA

Discord channel

There is a dedicated Discord channel for the event.

Use it to chat and ask questions, but keep it related to the event. 

Tournament software

We're using TTT to track players, scores, and matchups. You can find the event here.

Vassal Grand Championship

Read more here. Contribute to the prize pool here.

• Points for this tournament:
• Entry: 1
• Completion: 1
• Top 8: 1
• Runner-up: 1
• Winner: 2
• Special: TBA

Current score.

Update for Vassal OP Q2 2021 Unconventional Warfare

Here's a little sneak peek of the tournament rules and perk tree for the upcoming Vassal tournament for Q2 2021, "Unconventional Warfare."

Round 1 has the first two perks active. You won't know exactly what the advanced perks are until after each round when they are revealed, but the rules document should give some hints. "Favors this or that."

It's inspired by AMG's Ministravaganza in March 2021. 

As you can see there are 4 perk trees instead of 2, 2 for squad-centric and 2 for ship-centric. Squads are further divided between "normal" and irregular. Ships between light and fast and flexible, and larger and moving in formation.

There will be 4 rounds of Swiss. It will not be a live event this time but there will be a 2 hour 30 mins time limit in effect. The live event proved we don't need more time than that. Dragging your feet doesn't help one bit so get fast, scrub 😅 On a more serious note, if one or both players are inexperienced they can have 30 mins extra (3 hours total).

The event is scheduled to run in May. Exact dates TBA.

Results for Vassal 1-day Swiss Event (Sunday, 21st March)

The 1-day Swiss event has ended. From a TO perspective, it went very well indeed. And it looked like players were having fun as well. That's the most important bit. We want them hooked on the digital plastic crack so they come back for the next one 😆

I'm happy to say that the majority of games were played to completion within the allotted 2h 15 min. IRL there are games that will not make it through round 6. Not bad, not bad at all. Gives me hope that we can play more "fast" Armada in the future. These 3-round Swiss events are a bit exhausting but they are double and they are fun. I'll run more.

I'm also going to set a time cap on all my tournaments from now - there will be no more 4 hour + games on my watch. It's not going to be 2h 15 min. Maybe 2.5 hours or even 3. Haven't decided quite yet. the point is you don't play better when you overthink and overmeasure. You have to make some judgment calls and try to play the way you would IRL.

But enough about the future. Let's have some key statistics for the tournament:

Winner: unskilledfirstofficer, 27 pts, Empire

Runner-up: pheaver, 25 pts, Seppies

Both went undefeated during the Swiss. Both leveraged second player and their objectives to good effect. UFO had a lot of scoring from his Abandoned Mining Facility and heaver was wrecking face using long-range Kraken-powered Volatile Deposits. UFO also has this in his list - one to watch out for?

The winning list is hardly a standard one. Ozzel and a Dictor? But nuOzzel is really flexible, freeing you from having to navigate much. Combined with Chimaera with TEA! you can pull off from great maneuvers with only a single nav token to feed the fleet command.

Heaver is still addicted to Munis 😅 But heæs managed to diversify a little bit and put in a bare-bones Recusant and a Hardcell. His ships are all very lean. Gives me a kind of X-wing vibe - the more ships on the table the better. Not sure how well his Hyenas performed?

Name: Wizard of Ozz

Faction: Galactic Empire
Commander: Admiral Ozzel
Points: 393/400

Assault: Advanced Gunnery
Defense: Abandoned Mining Facility
Navigation: Volatile Deposits

Imperial II (120)
• Emperor Palpatine (3)
• Boarding Troopers (3)
• Early Warning System (7)
• Chimaera (4)
• Entrapment Formation! (5)
= 142 Points

Interdictor Suppression Refit (90)
• Admiral Ozzel (20)
• Captain Needa (2)
• Projection Experts (6)
• Disposable Capacitors (3)
• Targeting Scrambler (5)
• Grav Shift Reroute (2)
• Interdictor (3)
= 131 Points

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

Gozanti Cruisers (23)
• Comms Net (2)
= 25 Points

Squadrons:
• Maarek Stele (21)
• Colonel Jendon (20)
• Zertik Strom (15)
• Valen Rudor (13)
= 69 Points

###

HaMMeR Tickles

Assault: Ion Storm
Defense: Fire Lanes 
Navigation: Volatile Deposits

Faction: Separatist Alliance
Commander: Kraken
Points: 399/400

Munificent-class Comms Frigate (70 points)
- Linked Turbolaser Towers ( 7 points)
= 77 total ship cost

[ flagship ] Munificent-class Comms Frigate (70 points)
- Kraken ( 30 points)
- Tikkes ( 2 points)
- Engine Techs ( 8 points)
- Linked Turbolaser Towers ( 7 points)
= 117 total ship cost

Hardcell-class Transport (47 points)
- Parts Resupply ( 3 points)
= 50 total ship cost

Recusant Light Destroyer (85 points)
- Wat Tambor ( 5 points)
- Linked Turbolaser Towers ( 7 points)
= 97 total ship cost

2 Hyena-class Droid Bomber Squadrons ( 22 points)
1 Phlac-Arphocc Prototypes ( 19 points)
1 DIS-T81 ( 17 points)
= 58 total squadron cost

All lists can be found here: https://tabletop.to/vassal-1day-swiss-event-q1-2021

Here is the full ladder. Poor rasp took one for the team since there was an odd number of players.

VASSAL 1-DAY SWISS EVENT Q1 2021 - LADDER (29)

Player	Rank	W/L	TPs	MOV/SOS
unskilledfirstofficer	1	3/0	27	836/6.33
Pheaver	2	3/0	25	650/5.56
Jamesmorgan	3	2/1	21	430/4.89
SpeKre	4	2/1	20	611/5.33
Benk3i	5	2/1	20	359/5.56
BiggsIRL	6	1/2	20	302/5.00
Shyvalry	7	2/1	19	329/6.22
Roald Hansen (Roald/lilrys#8187)	8	2/1	19	315/5.89
Aresius	9	2/1	19	165/5.67
Slendy_Games	10	3/0	19	141/4.89
Veleno111	11	2/1	18	365/6.00
Callum	12	2/1	18	146/6.44
Mrks.	13	2/1	17	334/6.33
ginkapo	14	1/2	17	191/5.56
Gerrit	15	2/1	17	178/5.33
187-Leon	16	2/1	17	131/5.00
paindemic	17	1/2	16	90/5.00
TigerKonigs	18	1/2	15	149/5.11
Jolliegreengiant	19	1/2	15	22/4.67
BackSeatAdmiral	20	1/2	14	42/5.78
CaribbeanNinja	21	0/3	14	0/5.11
Ardaedhel	22	1/2	13	34/5.56
Doktor	23	1/2	12	48/5.44
Karneck	24	1/2	12	31/5.00
Maturin	25	1/2	11	16/5.89
EbonHawk	26	1/2	10	79/5.11
mmusterer	27	0/3	9	0/6.00
Craig Fleming	28	0/3	8	0/5.33
rasproteus	29	0/0	0	0/0.00

Factions:

Massive overrepresentation by rebels (Starhawks and Agate very popular) and seppies (roll all the red dice). The winner was Empire, however, same with 3rd place. Seppies on 2nd and 4th. Top rebel on 5th place. Then more imps and seppies. Highest scoring Republic on 9th.

 

Empire - 4

Rebel - 10 (rasp had a rebel list)

Republic - 3

Seppies - 12

Assault:

MW overrepresented of course. Ion Storm had a presence given all the seppie fleets. AG made a showing. Surprised to see Marked for Destruction. And where did Surprise Attack go?

Most Wanted - 41%

Advanced Gunnery - 17%

Marked For Destruction -  13%

Ion Storm - 10%

Defense:

The only surprise for me here is Hyperspace Assault. Didn't expect to see multiple fleets with that one. Retro. From what I could see, HA didn't perform too well.

Asteroid Tactics: 20%

Contested Outpost: 17%

AMF: 14%

HA: 14%

Rift Ambush: 14%

Navigation:

Good to see Doomed Station show up. I think it's a fairly solid objective that is underplayed. Volatile Deposits is linked to the numerous red-die-chucking seppie fleets.

Solar Corona: 24%

Volatile Deposits: 24%

Infested Fields: 21%

Doomed Station: 14%

Don't forget to join our two upcoming events: the team mini-league and the unconventional warfare Swiss turnament.