Star Trek Customizable Card Game (1994) Board Game

The Star Trek Customizable Card Game (STCCG), released in 1994 by Decipher, is a collectible card game based on the popular science fiction television series, Star Trek. Designed by Tom Braunlich, Evan Lorentz, Bill Martinson, Jason Robinette, and Roland L. Tesh, the game allows players to build decks using characters, ships, and equipment from the Star Trek universe to compete against each other.

Game Components of Star Trek Customizable Card Game

Cards: The game includes various types such as personnel, ships, equipment, events, interrupts, missions, and dilemmas. The initial Premiere set contained 363 cards, divided into rare, uncommon, and common categories[4े।

Affiliations: Cards are grouped into affiliations like Federation, Klingons, Romulans, and Non-Aligned, each with its own unique attributes and playstyles[2。

Expansion Packs: Available in 60-card starter boxes and 15-card expansion packs[2。

How To Setup Star Trek Customizable Card Game

To set up the game, players need to build a deck around a chosen affiliation. Each deck must include at least five missions, a dilemma pile with at least twenty dilemmas, and thirty-five cards from the other card types. Players randomize their decks and draw a starting hand. The game also involves setting up the space and mission locations where gameplay will occur.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mission Completion: The primary goal is to earn 100 points by completing missions, which involves overcoming dilemmas using personnel with the required skills and attributes[1。

Card Interactions: Cards can interact in various ways, such as ships and personnel battling, events and interrupts altering gameplay, and other cards affecting player strategies[1。

Affiliation Dynamics: Decks are built around specific affiliations, each with its strengths and weaknesses[2。

Dilemma Resolution: Players must resolve dilemmas during mission attempts, using the skills and attributes of their personnel to overcome challenges.

Player Experience

The game offers a rich and immersive experience for Star Trek fans, allowing players to engage with their favorite characters and ships. However, the game’s complexity and the large number of card types can make it challenging for new players to learn. The game’s depth and variability, thanks to the numerous expansions and affiliations, provide a high level of replayability.

Pros

Depth and Variety: The game has a wide range of card types and affiliations, offering extensive replayability and strategic depth[2।

Immersive Theme: It is highly themed around the Star Trek universe, appealing strongly to fans of the franchise[1。

Community Support: Despite the game being out of print, the community continues to support it through fan expansions and tournaments.

Cons

Complexity: The game’s rules and mechanics can be complex, leading to a steep learning curve for new players[2।

Bloat: Over time, the game accumulated many card types and rules, making it harder to manage and balance[2。

Out of Print: The game is no longer in production, making new cards and official support difficult to obtain.

Personal Thoughts on Star Trek Customizable Card Game

The Star Trek Customizable Card Game is ideal for dedicated fans of the Star Trek franchise who enjoy complex strategy and card games. While it presents a significant learning curve, the depth and variety it offers make it highly rewarding for those willing to invest the time. The ongoing community support through fan expansions ensures the game remains vibrant even years after its initial release. However, it may not be the best choice for casual players or those new to collectible card games due to its complexity.

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