Why the Hall, Not? (#5)

Being one to never miss an opportunity for a nerd correction, BenHosp informed me that Shankar Story Time in WtHN #4 had details wrong. That took place at the first Manassters, not Man2. Thank you Ben, in a world of fake news it's very important that a star track cardz blog have it facts straight.

The Hosp (Imagine if The Rock had a tumor... no wait, the tumor would have more charisma and muscle mass) is the current GLORY Heavyweight Champion. Somehow, in the beautiful chaos that was the SuperRoundRobin at the Texas Invitational Tournament (TITs), Ben emerged with my title. I believe he beat MVB somewhere towards the end of the Gauntlet Match (shocking that Mike has never won the Big Gold Belt). The bad news for Ben is that I'm exercising my rematch clause (the classic 'rasslin gimmick) at Manassters 3: A 3-Day Argument About the Democratic Primary. Ben's chances of winning are as bad as his chances at being the next 2E Brand Manager. And if Sandy "The Sandman" Barnabas or Kenny "Omega" Brant enter the match I'll send them back up I-95 in tears. My manager Cameron (you can read his new decklist article on the CC's main page) has the hot tech and I'm now unstoppable. It's time to remind you nerds why I am THE GAME!

Today's "unremarkable" (according to Brian Sykes) nominations come from Ben. They almost got lost in the shuffle while Ben was still banned from the boards. Ben says he has all the angles covered with these nominations: one card is overpowered, one card has 'had it's run', and the other is "format eugenics" (trying to make a cleaner format). Although he can't remember what card fits what designation. 

Card: Luther Sloan, Man of Secrets
Last Year's Vote: Not Nominated
2020 Prediction: 45%

Like Klingon Riker, it's shocking Luther couldn't even garner a nomination last year. They have similar careers, seen a ton 'back in the day' but slowly trending downward the last decade. It was always rubbish that Luther Sloan was running around in TNG decks throughout those early years of 2E. Nine years ago they finally set things right with a DS9 (and slightly better) version of Luther Sloan. So there's not much of an argument to not retire the original version.

Card: D'deridex Advanced
Last Year's Vote: Not Nominated
2020 Prediction: 30%

This is a curious nomination. I'm inclined to vote yes solely to retire the worst card image of any of the three Trek games. Quite a number of those terrible 'ass end' images of ships in Premier. On the one hand, I have been bitching to people to nominate non-uniques. On the other, this is where Ben wants to start? The NeuRomulus HQ got this ship a few more miles, but I really wish I was writing about the Excelsior.

Card: Feast of the Dying
Last Years Vote: Not Nominated
2020 Prediction: 40%

I'll give BenHosp credit for picking three 'not nominated' cards. This is an easy Yes vote for me because there's no benign use for Feast. It only shows up in degenerate strategies. Starting with Mr. Beal and his Far Seeing Eyes decks many years ago. I did a quick decklist search to see the cards that people were looking to play over and over again: Imperial Entanglements, Uninvited, Biogenic Weapon, Cascade Virus, Secret Conspiracy, Central Command. Basically, nothing fucking good. Usually cards that are going to keep the game going on forever. In 2E getting cards out of the discard pile is supposed to be difficult (with the exception of Bajorans), and two cards for 4 cost isn't a high enough cost. Costs that should be based on affiliation flavor, not a generic event.

Why the Hall, Not? (#4)

Tonight's nominations come from my buddy, and ultimate Borg fanboy, Alexander Schmitz. If you listen closely you can hear him wanking furiously to the new 1E Borg set. 2E Design is taking a step backwards in their process (long live Phase 2), meanwhile the Europeans over in 1E Design are taking ecstasy and making Q of Borg*.
(*writes check for $1)

Card: Shankar, Maquis Soldier
Last Year's Vote: 62.9% 
2020 Prediction: 80%

Shankar fell one single vote short last year and BenHosp decided to punish all his guests at Manasster 2: More Man, More Ass last Spring. A nice combo with Mirror Quark and it's 4 or 5 Shankars a game. He got me in round 1, and I recall a few rounds later the look of murder on Maggie's face. People spend cash money on flights only to get NPE'd by the host! Later Ben bought a giant tray of general tso's chinaman so all was forgiven. I don't get too confident with HoF voting, but I think enough people have been scumbagged to get Shankar over the threshold this year. Besides events where you lose your opening hand in the first two rounds (Yes, this has happened.  I played Neil Timmons and Steve Nelson at TCM1 rounds 1 & 2 and got Shankar'd turn 1 both games. Won both games timed... then proceeded to lose the next 4 rounds), let me just point out that Mr. Shankar has had two separate careers. He had a run in the early days of 2E. Sure, Maquis wasn't the monster it was today, but he got played.  Quatal Prime, with all it's DMZ love, gave Shankar a rebirth. It's time to see an Indian Maquis deck that somewhat honorable.

 Card: Holding Cell
Last Year's Vote: First year eligible
2020 Prediction: 62%

Problem with the 10 year rule of HoF is it's 2020 and I'm constantly reminded of the shitshow that was 2010 Worlds in Germany. It's telling that the least broken thing around that weekend was a non-unique Holding Cell. Let's focus on the NOW though. After the errata it was still a heavily played event. 4 cost to get rid of whoever the hell you want AND prevent two interrupts (or sometimes 3 by naming "your mom" if they didn't have anyone good) is a mighty good deal. 10 years, almost in 600 listed decklists, that sounds like a first-ballot hall of famer to me.

Card: Vault of Tomorrow
Last Year's Vote: 51.4%
2020 Prediction: 55%

I was shocked when I saw this dilemma is listen in DOUBLE the decks as Holding Cell. I just don't see many people other than me use it, but apparently I'm playing in the wrong places (or maybe people are beating me so easily now they don't even need to use it). So obviously, with so many decks played and barely over 51% of the vote, this is a crutch card people don't want to give up. Ironically the dilemma I get most often with Vault is Timescape, which is another card people aren't willing to vote Yes on. I'm not optimistic that Vault will meet the threshold in 2020. I would like to see a zero cost version that allows you to download a dilemma that cost 1 or less. There are too many cheesy 2-cost dilemmas that Vault can grab (Well-Prepared Defense, Brave Words), and it takes deckbuilding out of the game. Drawdecks have too much download, dilemma piles shouldn't really be doing it.

Why the Hall, Not? (#3)

I made a Facebook plea for people to nominate non-unique personnel and ships. Sadly, it fell on deaf ears. I really would prefer a 'go fuck yourself, nerd!' rather than 'hey, can you post these nominations for me?'. First off, I can't because I'm a nerd exile. Secondly, you're not that important you yuppie shit to take three minutes and post three star track cardz for Hall of Fame nomination. It's a pet peeve of mine, the status symbol of the 21 century: acting like you don't have free time. Humans have more free time in any point in history. Netflix is a billions dollar operation for a reason. You're not spending 5 hours a day preparing food and washing your clothes in the river. You're binge watching 7 episodes of Messiah (it was a solid watch). Today we got three excellent nominations from my best friend Mike Shea. That's not the right term... he's my nerd soulmate, a shared katra... the Julian to my O'Brien.... the Second Heart... my Imzadi.



Card: Unexpected Difficulties
Last Year's Vote: 60%
2020 Prediction: 62%

When you vote always remember the Hosp Rule: If retiring the card makes you feel cold and alone, vote Yes. It's scary thinking about a world without Unexpected Difficulties. It won me countless games. A zero cost event that can get you one or two more turns in a game. No other card comes close in value. That's why it's been played continuously since 2003. That would be like a 17 year career with 17 trips to the all-star game. I can't think of a card that fits the bill more of the Hall of Fame than Unexpected Difficulties. We're all going to have to be brave, vote Yes, and boldly go where 2E has never gone before. I do have two minor arguments if that isn't enough of a resume. Retiring UD opens up space for cards like Voluntary Withdrawal. Sure, this card is a 'lesser' version of UD, but that's why you never see it. In a vacuum it's not a terrible card, but it just can't compete, give it a chance to shine. My next argument is one that I don't even believe: games go too long. If you do think too many 2E games go to time, then how in the world can you vote No to a card that makes games go longer?

Card: Necessary Execution
Last Year's Vote: 54.3%
2020 Prediction: 58%

I bet the thought of retiring NE makes you almost as nervous as retiring UD. Anarchy will ensue. Players will be going right back to planet-planet-space like the first 5 years of 2E. Perhaps, but that wouldn't be the worst thing. This dilemmas has been around since 2006. That's well over a decade of smashing fools who dare go planet first. I should know because I punished many players, sometimes hitting them with two Executions. In HoF, hopefully, you've cycled out cheeseball planet missions like Investigate Maquis Activity, so what's the harm in letting people do a fair planet mission first? You still have Neural Parasites to choose someone to die. Unlike my previous argument, Parasites doesn't need space. I've used this dilemma in tandem with NE. Lining up three dudes on the wall and picking them off early game really ruins your opponent's plans. That said, it would see even more play with NE retired and that's a good thing.

Card: Bridge Officer's Test
Last Year's Vote: 48.6%
2020 Prediction: 45%

I could make a number of arguments to vote Yes for BoT, but I doubt there's a point. I'm surprised that this card couldn't crack 50% last year. We all know what BoT is, it's "prevent & overcome". You either think P&O is an acceptable game mechanic or you're of the same mind as me: that 2E is a game of facing dilemmas. I usually don't make the gameplay argument for HoF cards, but this time I will. Is there anything more shitty than stopping your Cardassian opponent's personnel with a dilemma like Intimidation or Chula: the Chandra and them playing a Bridge Officer's Test? Like you don't have enough proper cheaters to deal with, you're getting a P&O scumbag card thrown at you. There's a reason why both Kirks and K&E are in the Hall of Fame, it's time to send this P&O cousin to join them.

Why the Hall, Not? (#2)

Card: Feldomite Rush
Last Year's Vote: 62.9 %
2020 Prediction: 70%


Card: Acquire Illicit Explosives
Last Year's Vote: 54.3% 
2020 Prediction: 67%

Card: Avert Danger
Last Year's Vote: 60%
2020 Prediction: 70%

Let's talk missions. These three "easy missions" were put up for nomination by Maggie Geppert. All of which came up a few votes shy of induction last year. Makes me wonder what's holding some people back. These missions, along with Geological Survey (also one vote short last year), have been around since the beginning of 2E (Avert coming Set 2). Haven't you had enough yet? Designing new missions is one of the toughest jobs. Plenty of missions from the CC era that don't see the light of day. Now some of those are turds and deserve their fate, but some just need some space to grow. The way to do that is to clear the weeds of those 'easy missions' (<32 requirements). That aside, all three of these missions have a long history, good careers. Avert was the 2nd step in the classic TNG Davies Geo deck. That deck was the gold standard the first 5 years of 2E. Acquire Illicit Explosive was the first mission in my Worlds winning Ferengi deck, but it saw plenty of play the decade before. It's 2 range counterpart, Kressari Rendezvous, was inducted last year. It's safe to say any 2 range space mission is destined for the Hall. Now Feldomite Rush perhaps saw less play than these other two, but I recall a number of time three Androids solving this mission and making me sad. So I humbly make the plea for a Yes vote for all three of these missions and many more. It's arguably the most important card type to retire (maybe it's dilemmas). It's where deckbuilding begins, and since Hall of Fame format is all about evolving decktypes it's where our focus should begin. 

Why the Hall, Not? (#1)

"Why the Hall Not?" will take cards nominated for the 2020 Hall of Fame and I will *probably* make the case for why they should be inducted, unless it's something dumb that Josh Sheets nominated. This edition's cards were nominated by Phil Schrader.

Card: At An Impasse
Last Year's Vote: 51.4%
2020 Prediction: 55% 

I don't know what kind of history a card needs to make the Hall of Fame then being part of a broken deck that won Worlds. I believe the 2nd deck of the Pulsfort Worlds of Brokenness had a never ending At An Impasse. Needless to say, that wasn't a fun weekend. Now Phil might not be thinking of history, and has to deal with a sociopath who only plays Romulan or Maquis. Either way, this card has the career and the NPE stank on it to earn a hard Yes vote.

Card: Well-Prepared Defenses
Last Year's Vote: 51.4%
2020 Prediction: 50%

Here we have another card that came up 5 votes short last year. It's hard to argue with this dilemma's career. Raise the Stakes came out in 2009 and I can't recall ever going too long without seeing it. If you vote purely for gameplay reasons (We'll save that debate for another day) let me plead to retire all dilemmas that require "no talent" to play. I don't care for dilemmas that require no skill tracking and are 'automatic'. Sure, you could probably come up with a blank if you run into a bigger mission deck, but that's never happened to me. Strangely, more than a few times I've had mission require the same total amount. Which means the dilemma works for both players. And not for nothing, I think it's undercosted by 1. Solid career. I don't expect it to make it, but it should.

Card: Hindrance
Last Year's Vote: Not Nominated
2020 Prediction: 30%

We have to talk about Errata. Does that factor into your Hall of Fame voting? Since my vote is based on a card's career, it doesn't matter to me. If you're voting based on current gameplay, you're only thinking about the current version. Luckily, this was an errata that didn't kill a card (there's a few of those being discussed by a new Errata administration), and you still see it occasionally. If you need some history of Hindrance, remember the K'mtar days where you killed him over and over AND got more dilemmas. Sick. Nasty. Hence the errata. I'm going to vote Yes, but I suspect a short memory by the Selection Committee.