Season 19 thoughts, 2p vs 3p Terraforming Mars

[RoyalRook]

https://boardgamearena.com/table?table=619287264

Look at this one for example, bushes just burned in Chester's hand, and I would never play it in this situation since it's just going to be bird food. Which it could have been, if not for me passing bird with predator in hand. Had he just follow my line of thinking, bushes would be a never keep, or tossed.

Another one I think 3p makes an an ok 2p card much worse is Physics Complex. With faster tempo, I would rather just take the 6 heat than 2 points.

[HappyMeaI]

I think hackers might be the best 2p gen 1 card in the game, especially if played w power generation or if you somehow go against Robinson as a bonus. Physics complex might also be up there if you can start gen 2 and control the tempo (obv spending 6 power means slower heat), but that is 20 pts gtd on one card.

What are your thoughts on those 2 for gen 1/2 in 2p?

[Boricua1]

I definitely think that the player counts in game matter very much; indeed some amazing cards in 2p are terrible in higher player counts. I have seen the math behind how hackers is not an efficient play; I find it very playable in 2p (especially early gens, with ample power prod) and amazing in some spots (including the mentioned vs Robinson scenario).

I think that's the beauty of T Mars; there was some winning plays / strategies that involve drafting a mid tier card over say a usually S tier card (Earth Catapult) and having that be the winning play.

[bwalsh96]

A gen 2 physics complex and actually using it in 2p is a solid way to lose a game. You should, at a minimum, be letting the energy roll into heat and play it late game as a steel dump for 2-4 points and science synergy.

Early hackers also has a terrible win rate in 2p.

[RoyalRook]

A gen 2 physics complex and actually using it in 2p is a solid way to lose a game. You should, at a minimum, be letting the energy roll into heat and play it late game as a steel dump for 2-4 points and science synergy.

Early hackers also has a terrible win rate in 2p.

100% agreeing to the Physics Complex part. Think this way, what's more terrifying? 20 points or 60 heats? You know the guy who took the 60 heats won the game.

I know stats are shaky on Hacker, but there is no way I am not playing it with a cheap or free energy on gen 1 2p. It's a 4MC "CASH$$$$" swing on 2p, with sciences in hand, I take that deal.

With that being said, here is a quick one:
7 earth tags as Vitor with earth office and titanium production waking up to trash, trash, Cartel and Asteroid Mining Consortium, passing to Saturn on Gen 6 draft. What do you take?

[HappyMeaI]

I think it depends on how good Saturn is, how many J tags hand if banker is in play. I lean towards consortium unless you can take banker with Cartel.

[Boricua1]

I am not under the delusion Hackers is a good, efficient card in general or in a vacuum... I have played it at times and, at times, when it was an early gen and I had plenty of power, it was even good. . (So I agree with RoyalR).

[HappyMeaI]

Hackers is extremely specific to 2P early gen 1/2. If played gen 1-2, it is very net profitable. If it means you can't play AMC, IO, or Strip Mining, obviously don't play it, but there's something very satisfying about using this card in a HU battle on gen 1 .

[RoyalRook]

I think it depends on how good Saturn is, how many J tags hand if banker is in play. I lean towards consortium unless you can take banker with Cartel.

With that being said, here is a quick one:
7 earth tags as Vitor with earth office and titanium production waking up to trash, trash, Cartel and Asteroid Mining Consortium, passing to Saturn on Gen 6 draft. What do you take?

Well it's gen 6, and we never fight for banker since it's too volatile, it's a speculative asset. If you run into this situation, don't overthink it just take AMC. Cartel gave you 4 prod swing for 5 after purchasing, earth office discount -3 -1 from Saturn AMC. AMC provides 5 prod swing in titanium (+1MC to Saturn) for 13 + 3 - 3 vitor = 13 plus a point(about 5MC) so 8MC. Since it's Saturn, you could be also giving away 5 points(1 on AMC and 4 more possible point to Jov Mults) by passing it and if you have 7 earth tags, Saturn probably won't benefit much from Cartel anyway. In essence, draft priority demands you to take AMC here.