How to Win the Primary in 10th Edition (Without Tabling Your Opponent)
Primary scoring is the backbone of every mission. If you win primary by 10–15 points, secondaries almost don’t matter.
Here’s how to consistently win it.
Step 1: Establish a Safe Home Objective
You need:
- One durable unit
- That doesn’t require babysitting
- That can survive light pressure
If your home objective is vulnerable, your entire scoring plan collapses.
Step 2: Contest the Midfield Early — But Not Recklessly
The midfield is where primary games are won.
However:
- Don’t rush fragile units forward
- Don’t overextend just to score one extra round
- Don’t trade your only durable unit turn 2
Midfield control is about:
- Staging safely
- Projecting threat
- Moving out when necessary
- Forcing your opponent to overcommit
Step 3: Trade Smart, Not Hard
Good trades:
- Remove enemy scorers
- Flip objectives
- Set up future scoring
Bad trades:
- Kill something irrelevant
- Leave you exposed
- Don’t change the score
Always ask:
Does this trade change the scoreboard?
If not, reconsider.
Step 4: Plan for Late Game Primary
Turn 4 and 5 scoring often decide tournaments.
Ask:
- What units are still alive late?
- Do I have a mobile piece to flip an objective?
- Can I survive chip damage or indirect fire?
Late-game objective flips are how tight games are won.
Final Rule
Primary is about positioning, not aggression.
The player who stands in the right place at the right time wins.