Battlefleet Gothic: Armada

Battlefleet Gothic: Armada is the predecessor to Armada 2, establishing the real-time fleet combat formula in the 12th Black Crusade setting. Players command Imperial Navy, Chaos, Ork, or Eldar fleets in battles across the Gothic sector. The game successfully translated the tabletop naval game into compelling real-time tactics.

The core gameplay involves maneuvering ships to bring weapons to bear while avoiding enemy fire arcs. Each faction plays distinctly - Imperial ships are balanced workhorses, Chaos vessels favor long-range lance weapons, Orks prefer close-range brawls, and Eldar rely on speed and specialized attacks. Special abilities and boarding actions add tactical layers.

The campaign follows Admiral Spire defending the Gothic sector against Abaddon's crusade. Famous events from Warhammer 40,000 lore appear as mission objectives. The strategic layer requires balancing fleet maintenance with sector defense priorities.

The visual presentation captures the scale and gothic aesthetic of 40K void warfare. Ships are detailed and distinctive, with damage visibly accumulating during battles. Battlefleet Gothic: Armada proved the concept that Armada 2 would refine and expand.