do you have to place objects in a game?

if an opponent does not can you place double the amount?

The placement of objects doesn't look optional in the rulebook (page 5). Never heard a ruling on it otherwise.

AFAIK, object placement is mandatory.

thanks all

Thing I don't like about the object thing is you get a starter set with 3 light and 3 heavy. But when you play games, the way I understand it anyway, you can throw any three into a pile you want. Light or Heavy. I like it 3 and 3 a piece. If I'm wrong let me know.

There is no Rule of 3 & 3.

Each player can field any three he chooses. There's not even a rule saying that he has to tell you what three he plays or that all of them must match from a set. If I want to field 2 heavies and a light and make my heavies from LOSH and lights from FF, that's totally kosher. (I think it defeats the purpose of drawing blind, but it is fine anyway.)

Is there a rule for drawing blind?

That's what I mean. You can put in from any legal starter set. Which there should be two at any time. And you should know what your's should look like. So even if you're trying not to cheat. It's real hard not to. That's why at the venue I play at someone offers up the set of objects to use for the game. All from the same starter. Same when we play at home. That way all is fair. Or at least as fair as can be.

FF rulebook (page 5):

After Step 3 is complete, each player places any three standard object tokens face down in a common pile called the object pile, after which the pile is randomized. One at a time, beginning with the first player and moving clockwise around the table, each player chooses a token from the pile, looks at it, and places it face up on the map. If the Special Objects Tactic is being used in the game, see Part 4 of these rules for more on how special objects are brought into the game and placed on the map.

So pretty much the only way to control your objects is to pick what you don't want to use and choose your opponents objects, then switch them out for playable Special objects.

Are standard objects subject to retirement? I didn't think they were. Hope not.

I've never kept my objects organized enough by starter. Once you go through people borrowing your objects, needing extras for Rip It Up, Debris or multi-player games, or having them disappear just by falling on the floor, you say heck with it and heap 'em all in the same bag.

As far as I know, they are not. Neither do Barrier markers, Smoke Cloud markers, or dice retire. That's just gaming material that happens to come with the starter set.

Although it would be hilarious if the white dice retired in two years, and everyone had to use the new dice from the FF starter.

I got blue ones.