Card Extra

Vidiian Boarding Claw from Chris Heard (04/27/2001)

The dreadful phage, the bane of Vidiian existence, has in no wise dulled the technological expertise of the afflicted. If anything, it has driven them to devise new, more effective methods of acquiring the necessary biological material to fight the disease. The Vidiian Boarding Claw is a key tool in the Vidiian arsenal. The Boarding Claw creates a physical link between your Vidiian Cruiser and your opponent's ship, allowing your Vidiians easy access to the other ship.

Several aspects of this incident increase its usefulness. The affected ship and your Vidiian Cruiser cannot fire WEAPONS at each other as long as they remain attached. Nor can the ship your Claw is grasping simply move away; if it does, both ships are damaged. Once your business is done aboard the opposing ship, though, you may discard your Claw voluntarily.

While your Vidiians are aboard your opponent's ship, you'll want to make the most of the time by committing a little Organ Theft. But that's another story.

Combos

• Vidiian Boarding Claw vs. opponent's Eliminate Starship: The Borg had better change their plans.
• Vidiian Boarding Claw + Vidiian Cruiser + another Vidiian ship: The Cruiser must be staffed and "unstopped" in order for you to play the Claw on the opposing ship, but once the claw is in place, your Vidiians can go on about their business on another ship while your opponent's ship remains grasped by the claw.
• Vidiian Boarding Claw + Battle Bridge side deck stocked with Plasma Energy Bursts: Ensure that your opponent cannot take a cheap shot at your Cruiser just after breaking away from your Claw. (Take your own cheap shot on your subsequent turn.)