Demo Fleets - Getting a local store into Noble Armada

[JMPayneJ]

I need the community's advice on this. A local store is wanting to expand into other miniature games, and I'm pushing for them to consider ACTA.

I've already got a fleet of Romulans and some Klingons coming, and we've got two other players locally that have bought into it. So we will have a representative sample there.

But I'm also looking at Noble Armada, as it looks like it is a little friendlier to the wallet then Star Fleet is. As such, he has mentioned that'd we could work something out on ordering a rulebook and a couple-three fleets and running some demos. I'm looking to the community as to what three starter fleets would be recommended that would give a variety of playstyles and still be fun. Also, what single blisters could I order along with each fleet in order to differentiate them more then "this is a Hawkwood frigate. It is slightly different then a Decados frigate because XXX."

 

[Apep]

Working on "converting" a local store myself - Only games being played up here at the moment seem to be from GW.

 

[Ben2]

I'd go with Hawkwood, Hazat and Li Halan. Hawkwood are the all rounders and the 'good guys' in the background, Hazat are short range brawlers who do a lot of boarding and Li Halan pepper everyone with lasers. The Hawkwood and Li Halan fleets are complete in and of themselves, but the Hazat need another blister of fighters to fill up the carrier. The Hazat box also has more points in it.

If you don't want to go for Hazat, Decados are a good choice.

 

[LimeyDragon]

I'd go with Hawkwood, Hazat and Li Halan. Hawkwood are the all rounders and the 'good guys' in the background, Hazat are short range brawlers who do a lot of boarding and Li Halan pepper everyone with lasers. The Hawkwood and Li Halan fleets are complete in and of themselves, but the Hazat need another blister of fighters to fill up the carrier. The Hazat box also has more points in it.

If you don't want to go for Hazat, Decados are a good choice.

I would agree with Ben2..

Also may I ask where you are located, perhaps an MI (Mongoose Infantry=demo guys) can show up and help you if needed or wanted..?

 

[starbreaker]

Decados offer the most weapon variety by far, which is a good way to show off the system's variety. Hazat and Hawkwood have a bit of a mix as well, but not as complex. Li Halan and Al Malik tend to be slightly one-trick ponies when it comes to shooting, which may or may not be a good thing - easy to learn, but can feel a little dull after a while. Including some galliots and general troop upgrades in any fleet to show off boarding tactics is a good idea as well.

Avoid anything from the Fleets of the Fading Suns, their stats are in flux (see the latest round of changes here http://forum.mongoosepublishing.com/viewtopic.php?f=103&t=49804 ) and the last thing you want to have to do is explain to a new player why the fleet he bought isn't the one he thought he was buying.

 

[MongooseMatt]

For a new store getting involved, I think we would recommend getting the book and box sets (fleets and dreads) only. Very simple, and they contain 90% of everything people will need. Maybe add the Cruiser blisters.

 

[IraShaine1972]

My strategy was to just start bringing my stuff to the local store and start demoing it. After only a couple of games there was so much interest that the owner started ordering what he could and there are several players now. It helps that it is a pretty inexpensive game to get into since all the mini gamers in my area have far more expensive tastes already spending $30 to start playing NA is no big deal. I will be pushing Star Fleet also so we will see how that goes.

 

[JMPayneJ]

I don't have any stuff yet. I've just read a friend's copy of the rules, however, he has since moved and I don't know of any local players in the Birmingham, AL area. However, there are multiple people who have mentioned wanting to get into a spaceboat game.

I'm going to invest enough money to get the rulebook and three different fleet boxes, and the store owner said he would stock one of each of the fleets and a couple of the books + a couple of blisters, just to see how it gets going. Planning on buying the fleets myself, painting them, and leaving them in the store for him to demo during the week if I'm not there.