2007. Decipher no logegr was supporting Star Trek CCG in any edition. The Continuing Committee came along and hit the ground running with everything; tournaments, message boards and new cards. That last item was on most people's minds. What would the new cards look like? Would it be the game that they knew and loved?
Thankfully, in late Spring, we got the answer in the form of The Undiscovered Country, the first virtual expansion!
Thematically, the game picked up right where it left off. Coming off the heels of What You Leave Behind, which was kind of designed to be The Last Expansion Just in Case, you can immediately see that there are Dilemmas with the Persistent keyword. It ended off the physical run and started off the virtual one. That wasn't the only link. There was something for every affiliation and faction in this set. While later sets would have to see some sitting out every now and then, the message was clear that the committee would continue not only to support the game but support it for all.
Another overall linking theme was more obvious; almost a third of the images were from the eponymous feature film, even a deleted scene. This was and is still very rare especially in a virtual expansion, even those featuring teams. Yet this did help to connect to the prior set which was liberaly focused on the films while creating an identity in and of itself.
While Romulan Ambassador Nanclus appeared in the expansion immediately preceding The Undiscovered Country, the Romulans did get some jewels in this set. They start right off the bat with D'Ral, a Dissident, fueling that strategy further. Not just that, but he has a way of doing some really niche tricks that only the Romulans can do effectively. It takes planning, coordination and a bit of luck, all of which are in the Romulan wheelhouse. If it weren't enough to have fun with your own hand, Sorus gives you an opportunity to get a peek at your opponent's hand and toss out a verb for good measure. These two cards are a pretty concise microcosm of the Romulans.
In terms of cards with lasting effects, Breaking the Ice, Show Trial, We'll Never Know have become popular in dilemma piles While Debate over Dinner helps integrate your dilemma pile with your deck. Personnel are a bit more of a mixed bag although Lance Cartwright, Gaila, and Kerla remain well liked. And of course Aldea, Aid Legendary Civilization has given several players, myself included, nightmares.
It may have the novelty and legacy of being the first virtual set, but it did more than its fair share of laying the groundwork to come.
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