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Strategy Articles
There's No Time Like The Future
by Amber Van Breemen, Guest Writer
4th December 2013
Although there have been many sets since the Affiliation Headquarters was started in 2008, there were no new affiliations added until 2013. This year brought two new affiliations into the fold of Second Edition (2E); Relativity and Khan. It’s no secret that I’ve been playing a lot of Relativity, and so have received several questions on how the deck plays and key cards to include. This led me to think that an article, similar to the previous Top 5 articles published in the HQs, would be of help to those who may be wondering where to start with their own time traveling adventure.
Overall, I’ve found this deck to be very fun. I enjoyed the episode this is based on, so was intrigued when I first saw the cards. Then, as I realized I could add in other favorite characters like Data, Lucasian Chair or James T. Kirk, Original Thinker, I got more excited and started working on a plan. One benefit realized early is that this deck type is strong against kill piles, which have seen a lot of play in our area. Even if your opponent kills most of the away team, you can recruit them again from the past (discard pile)! The deck discards a larger number of cards than most; if you’re running a small deck, you’ll probably want a way to get cards back, like Tacking Into the Wind. I prefer to run a somewhat larger build (Worlds Day 1 deck, included below, was 72), and usually end up with about 30 cards in the discard pile. I’ve also heard from others that the deck feels closer to First Edition (1E) than most other 2E deck types; so if you’re a 1E player who wants to try 2E, this may be a good place to start.
Keys of the Deck: Prevent Historical Disruption and U.S.S. Relativity
These deserve their own section, as the deck doesn’t work without them. Prevent Historical Disruption is the mission which allows you to download U.S.S. Relativity (or the other Temporal ship, U.S.S. Wells) and play it. In this deck, discarding four cards to pay the cost is not a huge obstacle as in other decks; it can sometimes be more of a benefit than cost! The mission requirements aren’t too difficult, and this can be a good first mission to attempt if you’re having trouble getting all the staff stars you need to move.
The Relativity itself is free to play, although the low cost is somewhat offset by the 6 staffing icons required. This is your floating headquarters, allowing Future Federation personnel (and equipment) to play aboard. Any non-Future personnel who may have been recruited do have to go back to their own timeline (be discarded) at the start of your turn. You also aren’t able to play Non-Aligned personnel, but that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make if I don’t have to worry about flying to a headquarters and back.
The other drawback is one that comes up rarely (I’ve only had it happen once), but can be confusing or forgotten so I wanted to mention it. Unlike a Voyager deck (which has Finding Our Way), there is no card for a Relativity deck which allows you to redirect personnel you are directed to place on your headquarters. If your opponent uses the new dilemma Soul Searching, you don’t have a way to get the personnel back. Also, if Ezri Tigan gets stopped, you take command of her right where she is, as there is nowhere else for her to be placed – and then at the start of your turn, she goes to her owner’s discard pile as she isn’t a Future personnel.
Top 5 Cards to Make the Deck Work Well:
- Temporal Transporters: This 2-cost event is the key to recruiting your non-Future personnel to the Relativity, along with any Future personnel you may want to get into play for less than their printed cost. Since the Replicate happens first, you can even discard the personnel you want to get into play. It’s a great way to get Data, Lucasian Chair into play for lower cost; and where would the Federation be without James T. Kirk, Original Thinker to save the day? Just remember, when using this, you are ‘placing’ the personnel instead of ‘playing’ them, so you don’t get to take advantage of any “When you play…” abilities.
- Data, Lucasian Chair: His attributes and skills make him a key personnel. By himself, he has all the skills needed for the first two missions. I usually attempt, Navigate Xindi Corridor and Avert Danger (including 2 Science for the bonus 5 points on Avert Danger). If you choose to complete Prevent Historical Disruption first, he can play for 1; otherwise, he’s a great target for Temporal Transporters.
- Kathryn Janeway, Regretful Leader: One of only a few personnel in the game with 8 skills, she even makes the cut in non-Future decks. However, it’s here she can really shine. If you complete an Engineer or Science mission first (like Navigate Xindi Corridor), she plays for free. Even at 4 cost, her skills and especially her ability are worth it. This deck runs multiple Temporal events, including Temporal Transporters and Hindrance; there are also equipment to get, like a Trellium-D for cycling.
- Hindrance: Even with the recent errata, this is very strong. It only costs 1, then you kill a Future personnel who costs 3 or more and destroy the event to get a draw 3/spend 3 boost to your dilemma draw. There are 2 in the deck; they can easily buy you a couple of additional turns. Have an extra Janeway or Juel Ducane in hand? Kill one with Hindrance, then replay them the next turn to re-use their ability!
- Fitting In: This will probably be the most surprising one. Although I may not use it in each game, I feel better knowing the ability is there when needed. This interrupt is usually not expected by the opponent, as it’s rarely seen outside of ‘past’ decks (Starfleet, TOS, etc.). The additional attribute can be just what’s needed to pass Gomtuu Shock Wave, Where No One Has Gone Before, or other dilemmas that will put a damper on your mission attempts.
Honorable mentions go to Geordi LaForge, Retired Engineer and one of the future non-unique personnel, Simmons. As long as you have points, Geordi can prevent and overcome a damage dilemma, keeping you safe from a badly-timed Greater Needs or Gomtuu. Simmons is a good way to cycle through your deck and get better cards in hand (or the discard pile, if you want); the draw three and discard two helps you come out ahead with him.
I hope this helps you start on your own Relativity adventure, and if you already play, feel free to add your top cards to the discussion. I’m just a PM away if you have questions!
Discuss this article in this thread.
Tournament Record:
- Constructed - Worlds Day Two (2013-10-20): 13th place
This deck is currently eligible for the following family or families of achievements:
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