Being a look back at cards from the Star Trek CCG, and what I thought of them back when they were fresh and new... in EPISODE order. The game produced five cards for "The Arsenal of Freedom", starting with...
PICTURE: Lush with color, this is one very beautiful card. Oh sure, the Drone looks like something out of a Disney sci-fi movie, and the image is so packed, it could be lost in the bustle, but I still like it. A 4.
LORE: Everything's there and more, going a long way to explaining the card's singular evolutionary abilities. What can I say except it gets a 4.1?
TREK SENSE: I applaud Decipher's design team for making this Equipment rather than another boring STRENGTH-related dilemma. The Killer Drone is the only anti-personnel device we have. It starts off with the equivalent of STRENGTH 10 (strong indeed) and then goes up by 10 every time because it adapts to opposing personnel's tactics. Fine, if we're talking about the same personnel, but the Echo Papa keeps building STRENGTH even if it goes up against different Away Teams. Even if they aren't from the same affiliation! And technically, the progression can get ridiculously high. I won't take exception to the fact that it doesn't pair up in combat, however. That's fine with me, as the EP 607 usually attacks from the sky, providing cover fire for your troops. But I do find it strange that it can be used aboard ships and facilities. Not all of these have wide open spaces like, say, the Promenade. Also, on the show, they didn't require personnel to use them. A mixed, but positive review at 3.5.
STOCKABILITY: With combat becoming more and more important over the life of the game, STRENGTH boosts became, as well. Most of these come from hand weapons, which can initially net you more of the vital attribute, but an Echo Papa thrown in there can, in the long run, get you more. And it isn't dependent on the number of personnel you have, so a Killer Drone that has won a few battles can easily defend a two-man Away Team. You can go on a rampage with a minimum of personnel while your important people are out solving missions. Sure, hand weapons have some advantages and are mentioned globally on a number of cards (mostly missions and dilemmas), but they have disadvantages, too. An Echo Papa cannot be adapted to by the Borg (pit drone versus Drone!), for example. Specialized and fun, but not always worth inclusion and specifically nullifiable by Paul Rice (ooh, I'm scared). A 3.6.
TOTAL: 15.2 (76%) Not a bad little card despite the sometimes annoying bookkeeping.
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