Star Trek Customizable Card Game (Second Edition) (2002) Board Game

The Star Trek Customizable Card Game (Second Edition) was released in 2002 by Decipher. It is a two-player card game set in the Star Trek universe, where players take on the roles of competing starship captains trying to outmaneuver each other in space combat.

Game Components of Star Trek Customizable Card Game

Cards: The game includes various types of cards such as dilemmas, equipment, events, interrupts, missions, personnel, and ships. The initial set consisted of 415 cards, with subsequent expansions adding more.

Starter Decks: Pre-constructed decks for immediate play, including Next Generation, Deep Space 9, Klingons, and Romulans. Each starter deck contains 63 cards, including three random rare cards[4>.

Booster Packs: 11-card packs containing one rare, three uncommon, and seven common cards.

How To Setup Star Trek Customizable Card Game

To set up the game, players start by constructing their deck, which must include five missions, at least twenty dilemmas in a dilemma pile, and at least thirty-five cards made up of the other five card types. Each player receives a starter deck or builds a custom deck using booster packs. The game begins with each player drawing a hand of seven cards and receiving seven ‘counters’ or Action Points (APs) at the start of their turn.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Cost System: Each card (except interrupts) has a cost listed in the top left-hand corner, ranging from 0 to 9. Players must spend the corresponding number of counters to play a card.

Turn Structure: Each turn is divided into three steps: Play and draw cards, Orders, and Discard excess cards. Players can use their counters to draw cards or play cards during the first step.

Dilemma Handling: Dilemmas are drawn on-the-fly during the game, replacing the lengthy seed phase of the First Edition.

Game Objective:

The objective is to complete missions by overcoming dilemmas and using personnel, ships, and other resources effectively. Completing missions earns points, and the player with the most points wins the game.

Player Experience

The Star Trek Customizable Card Game (Second Edition) offers a streamlined and more consistent gameplay experience compared to its predecessor. The game is designed to be accessible to new players while still offering depth and complexity for veterans. The addition of a cost system and the on-the-fly dilemma handling method make the game more fluid and equitable. However, some veteran players might find the new mechanics and lack of “Trek sense” in some card effects to be a significant departure from the First Edition.

Pros

Streamlined Gameplay: Simplified rules and a more consistent gameplay experience.

Cost System: Adds a new layer of strategy to card play.

Accessible: Starter decks are playable out of the box, making it easier for new players to join.

Expansions: Continuous support from The Continuing Committee adds variety and depth to the game.

Cons

Departure from Source Material: Some card effects lack the “Trek sense” of the First Edition.

Redshirting: Tactics like sending cannon fodder to discard dilemmas can feel contrary to the spirit of the show.

Collectibility: Rare cards, especially those featuring popular characters, can be expensive to acquire.

Personal Thoughts on Star Trek Customizable Card Game

This game is ideal for fans of Star Trek and collectible card games looking for a more streamlined and balanced experience. New players will appreciate the ease of entry with pre-constructed starter decks, while veteran players will enjoy the depth and complexity introduced by the new mechanics. However, those deeply invested in the First Edition may need to adjust to the changes in gameplay and card effects. Overall, the Star Trek Customizable Card Game (Second Edition) is a great choice for anyone looking to explore the Star Trek universe in a strategic and engaging way.

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