Thinking of expanding my current repertoire of games as the good lady wife is looking to get involved.

Anyone played either/both of the above? Any feedback on them and how easy they are to learn?

_________________
Walk softly. And carry a big gun.

Not played either but X-Wing looks fun in this video.

http://youtu.be/1mxPFHBCfuU

_________________
Clickable links for more Epic goodness:

Life of Die Channel including Epic Podcasts and Battle Reports

Epic 40K Players Page on Facebook
Net Epic Evolution Rules
Net Epic War! Campaign Rules

I've played x-wing and I found it quite fun. It was pretty easy to learn, although I imagine that was because I had an experienced player teaching me.

I found that it had simple mechanics that produced complex (i.e. interesting) results on the board. There are a lot of upgrades and special attributes/unique pilots, but you can self-limit that between two friendly players to keep it from getting burdensome. And there are plenty of plain ole' x-wings and TIEs (goons FTW! Imperial swarms are just plain fun to run) to go around. The stories I heard of what tournaments are like (extensive anti-cheating measures being necessary, for one) thoroughly discouraged me from any truly competitive play. That's based on second hand knowledge though.

_________________
Let us playtest like the Greeks of old... You know the ones I mean

My experience with X-wing is that it's nearly impossible to find ships from the first, second, and third wave of releases. The models are pricey, and FF has had difficulty with making enough of them.

Seems like a fun game, though.

_________________
Blog: http://epicmot.blogspot.co.uk

I have not played Armada so I won't say too much about that.

X-wing is really basic to learn but harder to master. My nine year old daughter and I were playing a game witht he core rules in about ten minutes.

It is a great intro game to wargaming, rules are solid, and it has some clever stuff like how they do damage etc. The move/fire order is also pretty cool. The downside is that it does not have altitude making it just another 2D game, the models can be hard to find/expensive for multiples, and it is designed around individual fighters as opposed to squadrons.

However, those are just quibbles for the most part. It is eassy to find other players and I recommend it.

_________________
Do you like Free Wargames?
http://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/

Seems that Amazon has a glut of items (I'm admittedly assuming that something like the X-wing or Y-wing or Tie Fighter expansion packs were from the initial waves)

PS ohhhhhh E-wings .... NEAT

_________________
He's a lawyer and a super-villian. That's like having a shark with a bazooka!

-I HAVE NO POINT
-Penal Legion-Fan list
-Help me make Whitescars not suck!

Armada is fairly fresh out I think? The few reviews I have read all said its similar to X-Wing but with more emphasis on the capital ships (obviously) but fighters still play a part.

The core set for X-wing is way cheaper than the Armada one. Hmm, not sure which to get. Or if I should just not bother and keep an eye on ebay for Man 'o' War!

_________________
Walk softly. And carry a big gun.

Yep, i believe Spartan are going to be releasing a whole load of 'Halo' franchised games shortly.

the first of which will be a space ship combat game, presumably using a similar rule set to Armada (maybe simplified). Plastic ships (unpainted), so should be cheaper too.

Guessing this is to compete more with x-wing, but hinges on whether the Halo universe is for you or not.

_________________
Blog: http://epicmot.blogspot.co.uk

I am fond of the Halo universe, but outwith the infantry vehicles I have shot in the games I don't know anything about the spacecraft. Could be interesting though.

I am tempted to take the plunge on Armada anyway

_________________
Walk softly. And carry a big gun.

I believe that SW Armada innovation (or annoying thing depending in your viewpoint) is the movement ruler. Capital ships can only come to new headings just so fast and maneuver only so much. They've got this bendy ruler thing used to represent that on the tabletop. Neat in principle.

_________________
He's a lawyer and a super-villian. That's like having a shark with a bazooka!

-I HAVE NO POINT
-Penal Legion-Fan list
-Help me make Whitescars not suck!

I also think that you don't issue orders to the capital ships for the current turn, you issue them for the next. this is supposed to represent the size and ponderous nature of their movement.

Its an interesting looking system, as it has squads of fighters that move similarly to Xwing, then more depth in the capital ships.

_________________
Walk softly. And carry a big gun.

2nd hand from a mate who is a BIG xwing player and who has pre ordered and now downloaded the rules for armada :

Biggest difference seems to be armada is scenario driven, xwing is "kill um all!" Otherwise, he's disappointed that armada does seem very similar to xwing. Main change is obviously the focus on big lumbering Capitol ships (with the bendy stick) with fleet of little protecting fighters, though this doesn't seem so different to the big ships blockade runners in xwing. All similar mechanics.

That said I've played xwing a few times and it's a great! Impressive that it seems to be able to be played as a very competitive tournament game or as a friendly knockabout almost equally successfully. And be FUN both ways.

I must admit when I saw the cost of the additional models I nearly force chocked myself

_________________
Walk softly. And carry a big gun.

This is a family forum, we'll have none of that in here.

_________________
Check out my youtube channel for Tutorials, Battle reports and other stuff in both 6mm and 28mm

www.youtube.com/user/ManticMoments