Deployment is the sequence for establishing an Army's presence within the Play Area prior to the commencement of the first Round. The boundaries of Deployment Zones and the specific sequence of unit placement are mandated by the Mission Card. In instances where the Mission Card does not define a sequence, players alternate unit placement one at a time, beginning with the Blue Player. The text on the Mission Card serves as the final authority regarding placement order. If a player fails to assign their Army Leader to an eligible host Unit during this process, that Army Leader is removed from play for the remainder of the game.
- No portion of a Unit Base may overlap the boundary of a Deployment Zone, other Unit Bases, or the footprint of Blocking Terrain.
- Bases within the same Unit must be placed in a state of legal Cohesion, ensuring every Base is within 1 inch of at least one other Base in that Unit.
- Players determine the facing of their Units during placement, provided all Bases remain entirely within the Deployment Zone.
- After both players have finalized the establishment of all Units according to the required sequence, the Deployment Phase ends and the match proceeds to the initial Activation Phase.