Make a Statement

by Charlie Plaine, Chairman

24th November 2008

In the Designer's Q&A for Raise the Stakes, several questions were asked about missions. Missions are key to deck construction, and offering new missions allows new decks to be built, encourages variations of old decks to emerge, and inspires players to think outside of the box.

We told you that there were more missions in Raise the Stakes than in Favor the Bold, and that's true: there are three missions in Raise the Stakes. We also told you there are more space than planet missions - a ratio of two (2) space to one (1) planet. Oh, let's just let you see one, shall we?

•Demonstrate Aggressive Intent
[40]
Astrometrics, Honor, Navigation, Officer, Security, and Cunning>40
When your personnel complete this mission, you may destroy your staffed ship here to download two Damage cards and place them on an opponent's ship.
Near New Bajor: "There was no need for a suicide attack."
Any affiliation (except or ) may attempt this mission
[SPAN 3]

That's right, ladies and gentlemen, you're looking at a mission worth '40 or more' points. In fact, all three of the new missions in Raise the Stakes are Gamma Quadrant missions worth 40 or more points. Each of the new missions is designed to fill gaps in the game's "mission matrix" and each can be used in a variety of decks.

This mission, •Demonstrate Aggressive Intent, is from the final episode of Season 2 of Deep Space Nine, "The Jem'Hadar." Having rescued Commander Sisko, Quark, Nog and Jake Sisko from The Dominon, a Federation task force turns away from the Jem'Hadar fleet to return to Federation space. A single Jem'Hadar ship collides with the Galaxy-class U.S.S. Odyssey, destroying it. It is this battle - where the Jem'Hadar demonstrate how far they are willing to go - that this mission represents.

There are already a few ways to place one Damage card onto an opponent's ship, but this mission captures the theme of Raise the Stakes by taking this mechanic to a new level. You complete the mission, you demonstrate your aggression by destroying a ship, and you can place an opponent's ship in a world of hurt.

Did you notice that the Damage cards can be placed on an opponent's ship anywhere in the galaxy? That nice, fresh U.S.S. Enterprise-D (Personal Flagship) an opponent played to his or her Earth last turn? Bust it up! Is there a Borg Cube at Wolf 359 damaged by Gomtuu? Destroy it! There are an infinite number of situations where this mission's ability can be useful, as long as you can time it right.

Stay tuned later this week for more information about, and spoilers from, Raise the Stakes. If you have questions, don't forget to visit the Designer's Q&A thread on the Boldly Going forum and ask them!