I believe, although I could be wrong, that both Vitas and myself started by concentrating on the battles with the following priority: Jedi, Palace, Plains, Starfighter. In the long run, the palace battle determines who wins and who loses. The Jedi battle, however, can affect the Palace battle considerably. The plains give the bonus card advantage, which is not to be overlooked, and the Starfighter, of course, determines the timing of the end of the game.
The rounds in which we both battled in the same areas were determined by the cards we had available, which were usually fairly balanced in strength, and the rolling of dice. If we always chose the same battlefields to fight in, the game would not be too different from Risk, in a way. If, on the other hand, each player concentrates on different battles, the game becomes more interesting.
NABOO Strategy
So, if I were playing Naboo, I would concentrate mostly on the Jedi (3 of the 4 action cards) and defending the queens in the palace (1 action card) until Darth Maul is dead. If, after the first turn, I see that the Trade Federation is attacking on the Plains, I replace the palace card with a Catapult card, and then take the any bonus cards from the Theed Palace.
In attacking Darth Maul, I would use both Jedi. In the game against Vitas, I only attacked with Qui-Gon, figuring that I should get in as much damage as I can before he was destroyed by Darth Maul. But, in the palace after the Jedi battle is determined, two wounded Jedi would be more valuable then one completely healthy one.
Now, after the Jedi battle has been determined, infiltrating the palace should be much easier. The gaurds and the General should be able to zip up the windows to the third floor and hold onto much of that floor, while the Jedi keep the queens safe on the first floor. Pile the gaurds into the throne room, and, once you have the majority there, solely draw Anakin cards until you win.
TRADE FEDERATION Strategy
Ignore Darth Maul. Ignore the Gungans. Kill the General and the Queen(s).
Darth Maul has his work cut out for him in dueling the two Jedi. He's probably not going to win. If you don't fight back and work on the gaurds in the palace instead, you will force your opponent to abandon the Jedi fight (or at least pay less attention to it). Then it will take even longer for the Jedi to enter the palace and start decimating your droids.
It's particularly important to block up the window spaces with your droids. With the move-first-then-attack mechanic, once you occupy a space, it takes two actions to take that space back. Draw groups from the Gungan battle field if necessary. They are much more useful if you confine the Naboo palace forces to the first floor, as that is where the droids are placed.
On the Gungan field, the Naboo player is usually on the defensive - He or she wants to remain behind the shield and protect the Fambaas. While ignoring the field won't win you any bonus points, not attacking will deprive your opponent of them as well. If you move troops into the palace, move them from the front lines. If your opponent wants to get bonus cards, lure troops outside the shield so that you can use your tanks. Make your opponent work for those bonus cards!
Once you have decimated all of the palace gaurds and the queens, then the game is over, regardless of the Jedi/Sith or Gungan outcome. When you kill Panaka, you'll get a bonus card. If you have the windows blocked up and the real queen has been killed, getting the guards into the throne room at a movement of 2 each will seem a real challenge to your opponent.
As far as I can tell from a single game, the Trade Federation is at an initial advantage in the palace, and a disadvantage in the Jedi/Sith battle. This strategy is simply to concentrate your efforts where they can do the most good.
posted by FlyingSheep @ 10:27 AM
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