Battlefleet Gothic: Armada

Did You Know?

• The game includes two types of primary weapons: Macro Weapons and Lance Weapons.
• The Planet Killer serves as the flagship for Abbadon the Despoiler.
• A limited edition Early Adopters Box version included the Space Marine faction from the start.

Gameplay

Players control fleets from six factions: Imperial Fleet, Chaos Undivided, Orks Pirates, Eldar Corsairs, Space Marines, and Tau Empire. Ships from destroyers to battleships can be customized with weaponry, defense, and support subsystems. Primary weapons include Macro Weapons (accurate at close range) and Lance Weapons (precise, armor-penetrating, slower fire). Torpedo Launchers and Hanger Launch Bays are also available. Missions involve wiping out enemy fleets, stealing data, escorting transports, protecting stations, or reaching bombardment positions. Ships gain experience and promotions as they survive battles.

Plot

Set during the Gothic War (the 12th Black Crusade), the game follows Admiral Spire of Battlefleet Gothic as the Imperium fights Chaos under Warmaster Abaddon. The prologue begins with Captain Spire investigating an abandoned space station taken by Chaos; he escapes and informs Lord Admiral Cornelius von Ravensburg and Inquisitor Horst. Horst promotes Spire to Admiral to lead Battlefleet Gothic. Spire's fleet also combats Ork Pirates, Eldar Corsairs, and rogue Imperial Navy vessels. Chaos seizes three Blackstone Fortresses; Spire may accept or deny an alliance with the Eldar. The Planet Killer, Abaddon's flagship, destroys a planet. The three captured fortresses link beams to overload a star, destroying an Imperial-held planet. At Schindelgeist, Spire's fleet routs the Planet Killer, but the fortresses fire on the star. Captain Abridal sacrifices his ship, The Flame of Purity, into the beam focal point, disabling the fortresses. Chaos retreats, and Spire is proclaimed a hero.

Development

Battlefleet Gothic: Armada was announced on January 16, 2015, and developed using Unreal Engine 4. A Space Marines faction was available as downloadable content, included in the Early Adopters Box for preorders. The first DLC, adding the Space Marine fleet, released on June 21, 2016. The second DLC, adding the Tau Empire fleet, released on September 29, 2016.

Sequel

A sequel, Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2, released on January 24, 2019. It follows the Gathering Storm setting and Admiral Spire as he battles Abaddon and other powers around Cadia after the destruction of Imperial forces there. The Imperium is divided into three fleet types: Imperial Navy, Adeptus Astartes, and Adeptus Mechanicus. Returning factions include Chaos, Orks, Aeldari (Corsairs, Craftworld, Dark Eldar), and Tau (Protector and Merchant Fleets). Necrons and Tyranids each have their own campaign; a DLC is required for the Chaos campaign. The sequel adds Grand Cruisers and Titans as new vessel classes.