Best and Worst Corps discussion

[Draffut]

Just want to put a time stamp here: I was so wrong about Credicor being the Mars Overlord, it's actually Tharsis. In a skilled player's hand, Tharsis is almost unbeatable in the none corp era format on the Tharsis board...it's a Tharsis world and we are living in it.

How many player game are you talking? Tharsis is probably the most dependant on that. They are pretty weak at 2, and very powerful at 5. Their starting cash is average.

Going AI without developing economy is almost like forfeit. Unless you get super lucky and draw into global discounts you need to drag the game to like 14 gens to have a shot. AI is super costly, of course inventrix takes care of 1 sci tag, but you need to find and play other 2 and power. Even in best scenario AI will cost you 45 mc, and then you draw cards you can't play, because you have no money. Even planner looks horrible in that situatiion when opponent forces you to claim it early.

You have plenty of money since you only have to keep like 1 card per draft and can hate draft more. And almost any science tags you get to play this are also giving you economy.

[RoyalRook]

Just want to put a time stamp here: I was so wrong about Credicor being the Mars Overlord, it's actually Tharsis. In a skilled player's hand, Tharsis is almost unbeatable in the none corp era format on the Tharsis board...it's a Tharsis world and we are living in it.

How many player game are you talking? Tharsis is probably the most dependant on that. They are pretty weak at 2, and very powerful at 5. Their starting cash is average.

We are talking about 3p none corp era.

Also I am double down on my ranking for Inventrix now, it's too weak. Thorgate just simply provides better econ and flexibility, especially in the early game. I just had a game, no lie, everything was perfect, I was triple milestoning with all the helpings: deco eco bird fish predator + Large Convoy to close it out...barely won with Inventrix against Thorgate/IC in 3p. I played all my card with synergy, it just doesn't score well. In fact I should have lost, Thorgate didn't see the winning line to end on previous gen, he just simply missed it. I was caught off position.

Game link: https://boardgamearena.com/table?table=527646591

[RoyalRook]

I feel like IC is so much better than MG for none corp era. The upfront steel deposits and 2MC rebate on all events just make everything good for the corp. You can manage MG easily, but there is no way to manage IC. IC will rarely have problem with left over steels in the end, because it spent it all at the right times, and you give out effeciencies everytime you pass an event to IC. IC counter MG hard, because it can easily steal builder and mayor, and you bet IC is drafting builder tag in the early drafts. I think I just whoop MG with IC in all my games because all the above points, do you guys have a different experience so far?

[cranesflyhigh]

I feel like IC is so much better than MG for none corp era. The upfront steel deposits and 2MC rebate on all events just make everything good for the corp. You can manage MG easily, but there is no way to manage IC. IC will rarely have problem with left over steels in the end, because it spent it all at the right times, and you give out effeciencies everytime you pass an event to IC. IC counter MG hard, because it can easily steal builder and mayor, and you bet IC is drafting builder tag in the early drafts. I think I just whoop MG with IC in all my games because all the above points, do you guys have a different experience so far?

IC is just the better corp in general, imo probably 2nd or 3rd best corp (Credicor 1, Ecoline 2 or 3). 70 effective starting cash is really good if u have the tags for it (and even if u don't for all, u can get them soon in drafts) and a built in mini Media Group is pretty premium anyway, since Media Group is already good. MG is very situational needing early tile placements - if u start with those and can play them early MG is good, otherwise it is kinda meh. MG is way more fun tho.

[RoyalRook]

July 1st 2024 updated ranking for None Corp Era:

1. Tharsis: The King is dead, long lives the King. All I do is win win win no matter what.
2. Credicor: I am a monster, just wait till you see me in corp era. I will be back.
3. Ecoline: Just terrifying when hit the right tempo, with GIA or Deimo the game is half finished.
4. IC: No building tags no problem, better ones will surely show up. I have a big event just for you. Builder, terraformer, mayor, I am just a celebrity.
5. Mining Guild: Umm, engine, free MS, or I can get all three and a cheap fund? Yes please.
6. Thorgate: I am actually really good, things just come cheaply to me. It's blackout time, no power for you.
7. Phobolog: I pity the fool who sit behind me, no greenery for you. Of course I have Deimo and GIA in hand, that's why I am here.
8. Helion: I can do whatever I want. But a spoiled child is a rotten child.
9. Inventrix: I am way too fancy. Luck could be on my side, but I would rather be Tharsis.
10. UNMI: Don't look at me.

[cranesflyhigh]

Tharsis first with Thorgate and Phobolog that high seems fairly wrong to me. That said I do not play non corp era. Also where is Saturn Systems and Teractor?

[thulcandrian22]

I believe Saturn Systems and Terractor are corporate era corporations…maybe that’s why they were left off the list.

[cranesflyhigh]

I am unsure what is complicated about Teractor and Saturn Systems to make them corp era. Anyway I do hope for a better arena ruleset. The current one kinda sux.

[thulcandrian22]

I don't believe the criteria for which cards are corporate era has to do with complexity. My understanding was that non-corporate era cards are geared towards terraforming, while corporate era cards are geared towards non-terraforming engines. Of course, which cards fall in which category is not entirely objective, but I believe that's what the designers were going for.

[Corbz]

I am unsure what is complicated about Teractor and Saturn Systems to make them corp era. Anyway I do hope for a better arena ruleset. The current one kinda sux.

Terractor isn't in Non-Corp era because there are barely any Earth tags and Saturn Systems because there are only 4 Jovians and no mults.