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Strategy Articles
So, You're New to The Next Generation?
by Maggie Geppert, Vice Chairman
6th September 2017
“Oh, no, Number One. I'm sure most will be much more interesting. Let's see what's out there. Engage!” – Jean-Luc Picard, Encounter at Farpoint
Peaceful exploration of space has always been at the core of the Federation’s mission. In Second Edition this theme is explored in the ![[TNG]](/images/icons/tng.gif "[TNG]"){kind=icon}
affiliation in two different ways. The first is that they solve missions. Many other affiliations have themes around battle or capture, but Feds do missions. The second part of the theme is they gain advantages by helping out their opponents.
Missions
The Federation is flush with scientists and engineers. The non-Alpha 5 Approach missions in this deck reflect that, requiring Science, Engineer or both of these skills. Federation personnel also tend to have above average cunning, so all missions require cunning to complete. A5A is here to prevent micro-teaming missions and boost New Life.
Draw Deck
New Life is the quintessential example of ’s “sharing is caring” theme. This card gives a benefit to the opponent when they attempt a mission with six or more (each player gets a card draw) but that benefit is bigger when the card’s owner attempts a mission (two card draws for the card’s owner). Other cards that fit in this theme are Common Ground and VIP Welcome. The latter two cards are not as powerful as New Life because each player gets the same benefit, and the opponent could, theoretically, gain a bigger advantage. I’ve had it happen before where I placed Data on my HQ and my opponent placed Lore on theirs. Oops.
The Feds also have big ships, so Miracle Working is a great way to draw through your deck to get the things you need. Another very helpful support card is Lingering Grief. Did your opponent just hit you with Personal Duty? Use some interrupts or Honor personnel in your hand to exclude your Officer or Leadership personnel from the random selection.
The personnel in the deck are chosen to support the Science/Engineering theme of the missions. Data, Lucasian Chair is the star of the show. He has all the skills for Avert Danger and gets you the 5 point bonus. Nel Apgar, Temperamental Researcher is also helpful in that regard. Davies is in here time two to get you past the Geology requirements on Mining Survey. Really, everything is drop and go. Get out a ship and start solving missions!
Dilemma Pile
This dilemma pile is a Legacy pile. All of the other dilemmas require a skill, so odds are good that Legacy will reveal more skill dilemmas from your dilemma pile than your opponent’s pile. Once you’ve used all three of your Legacies, the dilemmas will still gel together to give some nice combos. Is your opponent attempting a space mission? Filter a couple of personnel with Cover Extraction and Magnetic Field Disruptions then hit them with a Vanishing Act. What about a planet? Triage + Kolaran Raider + Mugato looks fun.
Excelsior
This deck is compatible for the Excelsior format that is currently in development. It pulls cards from Version 0.3 of the restricted card pool and rules document. Feel free to print this deck and give it a try! The next public playtest for Excelsior will take place at the World Championships in Orlando in October.
Discuss this article in this thread.
This deck is currently eligible for the following family or families of achievements:
- Next Generation Player
- Skillz + 1
- Unbroken I
- Crew Quarters: Next Generation
- Good Casting: Spiner (Data)
- Chair's Challenge 2019: Assimilate This!
Decklist
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