Mot's Useless Card Review #92: Shipwreck

While battle has been a gradually more common element of the game for some time now, things took a sharp jump with the release of The Dominion expansion, and not just because of the introduction of a new battle-hungry affiliation. There are now battle oriented decks making the rounds in tournaments using virtually every affiliation, even the Federation.

Tactical Console quickly found its way into many battle strategies. A +3 to WEAPONS for having a SECURITY-classification personnel aboard is a tempting offer, particularly for the Klingons (with plenty of Mission Specialist SECURITY to start the game with). The Bajoran's General Hazar will take that up a notch as well.

Kurlan Naiskos is starting to turn up again in some places, with use of the Kevin Uxbridges needed to counter it at an all time low. Meanwhile, Bynars Weapon Enhancement never went out of fashion (and can now be downloaded by 10 and 01), and defensive cards like Nutational Shields and Metaphasic Shields also remain popular (particularly among the Federation).

The U.S.S. Odyssey and the I.K.C. Toh’Kaht, with their Gamma Quadrant bonuses, have been showing up in decks. Martok has become arguably the most favored Klingon personnel, with his WEAPONS bonus to all Klingon ships in his "fleet". And of course, don't forget Captain’s Log, whether it was downloaded by Kirk to benefit a Federation deck or Ready Room Doored in to support a vast Klingon or Rinnak Pire/Bajoran armada.

Nasty strategies, all of them. All can be shut down by Shipwreck. Part of the trick is to make sure that on a level playing field (no ship enhancements), your ships are bigger than your opponent's. No problem in most cases; strip away the bonuses from Rinnak Pire, and there's nothing but a swarm of Bajoran Interceptors; shut down Martok's armada, and you're likely facing a handful of K'Vorts. The Romulans or Cardassians often come out ahead after a Shipwreck... the D'Deridex and Keldon Advanceds aren't receiving ship enhancements, but rather are avoiding attribute reductions through Tal Shiar and Obsidian Order. The Dominion may also favor Shipwreck; they are ineligible for any Captain's Log benefits on their universal ships, but those ships can do plenty of damage against an unenhanced enemy. Of course, the ultimate advantage will always go to a Borg Cube (which can then use a Multiplexor Drone to destroy the armada that was trying to collect 45 points).

Speaking of Borg ships, the Borg Ship dilemma can work in an effective combination with Shipwreck. ENGINEER and SCIENCE heavy decks that often sit back behind SHIELDS-enhancing events will be in for a real shock if you slip Shipwreck in just when a passing Borg Ship initiates battle. You might also try a Lore-doubled Crystalline Entity in space, although remember that timing demands you play Shipwreck before the dilemma is shown.

Shipwreck's second function is fast coming into its own as well. With Admiral Riker's download of any Enterprise, players are suddenly considering an Enterprise armada with Wall of Ships. (Notice the increased number of people asking recently on the BBS, "can I play the C, D, and E at the same time....) Throw in Guinan and Captain Kirk, and there are some very strong possibilities in such a deck. Again, Shipwreck is the last word in defense against the strategy, nullifying all Wall of Ships cards in play (permanently).

Ship battle will grow still more prevalent once Blaze of Glory arrives. The side deck we've heard about may bring about still more "shoot first, solve missions later" strategies. Shipwreck will be ready and waiting when the time comes.