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Exploring Distant Worlds

by Matt "Captain" Kirk

After Reflections 2.0 becomes legal in Second Edition tournaments, mission selection will become an even more important aspect of deck building. To further reward players for taking the leap into new and unexplored mission choices, Distant Exploration offers players a new, simple way to get some easy bonus points. With a moderate cost of 2 and no secondary requirements, this elegant expression of Trek's vision for the future should start appearing as a more stable round-the-corner alternative to Mission Accomplished, Legal Proceedings, and Cargo Run. Unlike its predecessors, Distant Exploration derives its effect from the quality of your missions, a previously untapped permanent resource in every game, from start to finish. Early, mid, or late-game, Distant Exploration will always be a welcome sight for those players willing to go the extra mile.

The obvious headquarters of choice for a player using Distant Exploration is Mouth of the Wormhole, Deep Space Nine, with its discounted inter-quadrant travel. But consider some other decktypes that already go boldly into uncharted regions: A Borg deck planning to use Sphere 634 for some cheap galaxy-hopping, and"borrowing" some personnel from their galactic neighbors while they're at it. Bajoran decks zipping around with the Baraka, then using the extra 5 points to get back home. Romulans or Klingons escaping detection while skipping across quadrants with Engage Cloak. And of course, there's always the all-purpose long-distance tools of Astrometrics Lab and/or Quantum Slipstream Drive (along with the brand new 2E version of the classic Trek card Transwarp Conduit). No matter your method, make sure you pack some extra fuel for the ride home... "It's not safe out here."

Unlike most of the mission-related special abilities that seem to be the theme of Reflections 2.0, Distant Exploration is a bit more lenient when it comes to its requirement. As opposed to the new U.S.S. Defiant, Exploration does not require you to have every mission meet the same standard, but you only get the bonus when you actually travel to strange new worlds. All in all, Distant Exploration gives a nice bonus that actually feels like it belongs in a Star Trek episode. Enjoy the ride!

November 15, 2004