BSG (Doc)

RSV from sector three to sector four.

BSG

The RSVs do the RSV shuffle. A contentious decision! Especially since apparently it won't make any difference. Cottle's crisis card is:

Divisive Behaviour
Skill Check (10 YGP)

Possible interrupts: IC, SR, RO, ASC, Reckless. Everyone, please pass or play. You can also send me COs for the check itself. Leoben plays first, Cottle last.

BSG (Leoben)

Pass on interrupts.

I can help a lot.

BSG (Apollo)

Pass on interrupts. I can help; wish I hadn't used so much on that last check, though.

BSG(Doctor Flat)

Pass on interrupts, I can help a little.

BSG (Helo)

pass on interrupts. I can help some

BSG

Everyone passes on interrupts; the check begins!

Divisive Behaviour: 10 YGP

Destiny: 2 cards
Leoben: 1 card
Baltar:
Hoshi: (COs received)
Apollo:
Helo:
Cottle: (COs received)

Baltar is up next. Apollo and Helo, you can put in COs if you wish.

On that note, and bearing in mind the conversation after the last check, remember that, especially if you play late into a check, you can make COs conditional. If there's an IC, you can say something like "if the check is 6 over the pass level, I pass." If not, you can make it conditional on the number of cards played.

Another note: secrecy rules prevent you from stating what you played into a check, but you are permitted to say that your play was "high" or "low". (If you play more than one card, you can also say "medium".) That can help later players plan their contribution.

BSG

I have everyone's play. Strap yourselves in, this is going to be an interesting check:

Divisive Behaviour: 10 YGP

Destiny: 2 cards
Leoben: 1 card
Baltar: 1 card
Hoshi: 1 card
Apollo: 1 card
Helo: 1 card
Cottle: 3 cards

Cards played:

Consolidate Power 2
Preventative Policy 5
All Hands on Deck 0
Iron Will 0
Declare Emergency 4
Quick Thinking 0
Launch Scout 1
Install Upgrades 0
Test the Limits 5
Personal Vices 3

Fascinating. We get a check with negative Consequences for skill check effect cards, and suddenly five of the things turn up. But first things first, did it pass?

Tally: 12 - 8 = 4. Fail? Maybe this isn't first things after all. Let's take another look at those effect cards. Let's start with the Treachery:

Personal Vices 3: this charming card will giver everyone a Treachery card, and Cottle a mutiny card.

Install Upgrades 0: Cottle gets to draw a Blue card. If a way can be found for the check to pass, he'll get two.

All Hands on Deck 0: Now it gets interesting. This card means that every 0-value card adds 1 to the check. There are four of them, so we get a new tally:

Tally: 16 - 8 = 8. Fail? We're now into DE range. But we're not done yet.

Iron Will 0: If the check fails within 4 points of the pass level, there will be no effect. And that is where we are now. No effect! But there's one more:

Quick Thinking 0: And here's the fun part. Cottle may now remove one card up to 3 value from the check and put it in his hand. There are some choice options:

• If he takes AHoD-0 or IW-0, the check fails after all (at 4 or 7 respectively).
• If he takes the PV-3, then the check passes outright! Plus, no one else draws Treachery and Cottle doesn't get a mutiny card.

Actually, that's not quite true. Cottle also chooses the order in which the cards take effect, where it matters. He could allow the card to take effect before removing it, in which case we will stay with a fail for no effect.

The other cards won't change the outcome. Doc Cottle, you have a decision to make. Which card would you like to reclaim? Before or after it takes effect?

Finally, the Consequence quite emphatically triggers, and Cottle is going to send someone to Sickbay. Allow me to set all you minds at ease by letting you know that I have COs from Cottle. We'll deal with that, and the rest of the card,

BSG (Apollo)

...My gods, that's complicated. The Install Upgrades is good for Cottle, but I am still eyeing that TtL-5 as a potential spike.

Gah. There may be a reason people say the BSG game is too complicated.