BSG
Here is something that I've been considering and would like to bounce it off the group. When playing BSG in person I have found that it is much more difficult to track every single card being played and as such people are trying to rely on their memory and impressions a lot more and I actually like that dynamic. Online the game play seems to be tilted towards players who are very keen on keeping track of how every single card is played in and out of a deck. I'm wondering if there is a way we can tweak how cards are shuffled to obfuscate the deck contents a little more, or if anyone else would even be interested in that.
PBF does differ from F2F play in that it creates a paper trail, which makes things easier for humans generally, and card-coutners specifically. Conversely, Cylons don't have to worry about their body language giving them away, and can think more carefully about what they reveal. In practice it doesn't seem the Cylons are suffering too much.
However, there is one small variant that would at least make Destiny less predictable. Here's how it would work: I create a Destiny deck using
three
cards from each deck (so 18 in total). Whenever the deck gets down to 6 cards, I shuffle in another two cards from each deck. Makes Destiny harder to predict, and it never gets to the point where a card counter can say "there are two cards left and I know what they both are".
Would people like to try this?
BSG
That actually sounds like a pretty cool variant to me.
BSG
Although I have come to rely on the card counters, I do think it would be fun to try this variation. And more in character with the TV show too.
BSG
Nooooooo, you're going to destroy my system!!
But that does sound kind of cool. Although with that variant, I may lean toward IC revealing Destiny to offset the greater variety.
Ok then, let's give it a try. If that changes anyone's votes on the ICs, let me know. Anyone who hasn't put in their votes yet, I'll keep it open until tomorrow morning (my time). Then I'll send out the files and we'll start character selection.
BSG
OK, we are ready to go. Here are the details, and the voting outcomes:
1. This will be a six-player game, using the No Sympathiser rules. That means that there will be no sympathiser card in the loyalty deck; just 2 Cylon cards and a bunch of Not-A-Cylon cards. To balance things out, resources start a bit lower, and revealed Cylons (once they leave the Resurrecion Ship) draw 3 cards instead of 2.
2. By a vote of 4-1, this game will include both expansions. None of the optional modules will be included.
3. The vote on character selection was 2-2. We will therefore use the default choice. Character selection will be done in player order, per the standard rules.
4. By a vote of 2-1 (lots of abstentions), we will use the Exodus loyalty deck. That means that there is always at least one card left in the loyalty deck, and an executed human player gets a new card (so their replacement may be human or Cylon).
5. By a vote of 2-1, we will use the nukes from the Cylon Fleet module. This means that a nuke has a chance to destroy everything in the sector at which it is fired, both Cylon and human ships alike.
6. By a vote of 4-1, we will use base game Investigative Committees. They reveal all cards in a skill check, including Destiny.
7. We will use a variant for the Destiny deck. It will start with 3 cards from each deck (total of 18 cards). Every time it drops to 6 cards, I will add 2 cards from each deck and reshuffle. This should make it somewhat less predictable.
Game files are going out. Character selection starts now, in this turn order:
-t
omnis_audis
NoiseDesign
chrismg
Laga
Polter-Cow
I've received preference lists from a couple of players, which I'll use per the standard rules for their character choice when it gets to them. Everyone else is welcome to put in a list of preferences too, or wait to see what the players before them select.
-t, you're up. Which character would you like to play this time around?
BSG
Chief Tyrol is on board. I'll be sure to cause lots of damage and give you something to do. Omnis is up next. You may select anyone except Chief Tyrol. (It's a little early to give away that there are many copies.)
BSG
In addition, everyone after the first player receives a starting draw of 3 cards from their regular draw. Everyone following, as you select your character, you may also specify the colours of your starting draw.
BSG
Sorry about the delay. I think I'll jump in blindly to the new expansion stuff, and play:
Samuel T. Anders **EXODUS**
Gods help us all.
