In other BSG news, Fantasy Flight Games has now given the final preview for the latest Battlestar Galactica expansion, BSG: Exodus. The original announcement appears here: [link]
The first expansion, Pegasus, was for the most part intended to be used in its entirety. It included new characters and Cards (Crisis, Destination, Quorum; new skill cards in each colour with different effects; and even an entire new category of skill card, Treachery), some new rules (notably executions), and two major additions: characters could now opt to play a Cylon leader with their own agenda, and the game ended not with the search for Kobol, but on New Caprica.
Exodus, it seems, goes in a different direction. It consists of three modules of optional new rules. Players can choose to use any or all of them, in any combination. It's like three mini-expansions in one. FFG has now released previews of each one.
Conflicted Loyalties >[link]
Base game loyalties are pretty simple: you're a white hat or a black hat. This module muddies the waters. Players can now receive Human loyalty cards that impose penalties if checked, or give them personal goals to pursue that see them working against their own team (to avoid a greater penalty).
The Cylon Fleet >[link]
In the base game, Cylon attacks occur sporadically. They can arrive in clusters (Danger Will Robinson!) or not at all. This module instead tracks the pursuing Cylon force in its own space, following its own countdown to finding the fleet. New activation options for revealed Cylons, a guarantee the Cylons will find you - what could be better? The humans in turn gain a new pilot title of CAG, and potentially, more advanced vipers, to counter the relentless pursuit. This option makes combat more important, and dangerous.
The Ionian Nebula >[link]
Undoubtedly the most complex of the new modules. Players accumulate trauma tokens over the course of the game. Too many of the wrong kind could see them (humans
or
Cylons) executed,
without
replacement, at game end. There are ways of getting rid of trauma, but doing so hurts your team's chances. In addition, there are NPCs (including, potentially, unselected main characters) scattered at various locations. Using those locations means finding out whether those personalities intend to help or hinder the fleet. Finally, the game ends not at Kobol (or New Caprica), but at the Ionian Nebula. While the Cylon fleet launches an all-out assault, players each face their own personal crossroads, with unpredictable consequences.
Finally, the expansion also includes more new characters. Pegasus introduced Cain, Dee, Kat and Ellen Tigh; Exodus brings Felix Gaeta (OPG: Coup), Sam Anders, Cally and one politician (probably Tory).
I have to admit, I'm stoked about this one. It does not sound dull. Using them all sounds like it would create utter, grand, awe-inspiring chaos.