What a Card: Classic Disruptor

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. Some classic equipment...

EXPANSION: Mirror, Mirror

PICTURE: A pretty blurry shot of a pistol that looks a lot like something left over from an old Flash Gordon serial, the weapon actually has the distinction of having been used by both the Klingons and Romulans in the original series. The composition isn't balanced, the colors are dirty, and the CGI touch-ups don't quite work (object and background composited from different shots). A slim 1.

LORE: For once, an equipment card that allows multiple affiliations to use it actually gives us justification in the form of the same alliance that is mentioned on the Kli/Rom Treaty card. Otherwise, it's the same old stuff we're used to. A 3.2.

TREK SENSE: It's a Classic Type II Phaser for OS Klingons and Romulans, and it works in very much the same way. It doesn't make the mistake of mentioning the 24th century in its lore, which makes the OS icon more than enough for our needs. The fact that only the Klingons and Romulans can use it has the same problem all disruptors have, namely that anybody can press a trigger. I might be more appropriate to say only those affiliations can report it, but anyone should be able to use it. This is even worse considering that only OS personnel can, a very small group indeed. Put a Disruptor into someone's hand, and they can act as Security. That's a nice innovation of the last couple expansions, since it makes sense and fills a niche left unexplored by tricorders, PADDs, et al. Only leaders get this bonus, but then they're the only ones who can initiate battle. And the ol' STRENGTH boost is still here, with all the commentary that usually entails (number of disruptors present, cumulativity issues, please look up some other hand weapon reviews if you're that interested). But despite that equipment card handicap, it does go as high as a 3.7.

STOCKABILITY: OS decks have fewer personnel, especially if you're gonna stick to the Klingons and/or Romulans, so any skill-adding equipment is going to be instrumental in their capacity to win a game. A Kli/Rom alliance via a Treaty, has the advantage of an Organian Fed/Kli Treaty of being able to battle pretty much at will, and that where Disruptors may come in. The STRENGTH boost is usual, but the extra SECURITY can't do any harm when going up against dilemmas or attempting missions. The OS Klingons and Romulans have 3 OFFICERs apiece, one of which, Subcommander Tal, can download the Classic Disruptor to add another SECURITY to his skill list. They have no Leadership personnel besides. Tal's download is a nice one, seeing as you can suspend play to either surprise your opponent with a STRENGTH boost in the middle of a battle, or suddenly come up with the SECURITY necessary to pass a just-encountered dilemma. It'a hand weapon with all the perks that represents, and as OS equipment, can report for free to K-7. Not a lot of personnel can use it for its full potential, but it'll see more use than the equivalent Phaser. Seeing as the OS Klingon have only one natural SECURITY personnel, and the Romulans only two, it's a good 3.9.

TOTAL: 11.8 (59%) Doesn't quite make it because of its poor image quality.

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