THE NEKRO VIRUS
The only cure is love.
DESCRIPTION
I have never played the Nekro Virus, nor been in a game where someone else played them. Not because I wouldn't like to. They look awesome. But there are usually a couple new players at the table and I'm always worried about throwing these guys in the mix. Just by reading their abilities, I think they play quite differently from the other races and at the same time minimize diplomacy and maximize the need to employ aggressive strategies. Those aren't bad things, but when I have new players I think the Nekro Virus would be to steep a learning curve for the new guys to play and a little malicious to allow the experienced players to torment the new guys with. If you like a game where your basic goal is to exterminate the rest of the galaxy, and you want the other players to fear you, and probably gang up on you, but have fun destroying them in the coming onslaught, Nekro Virus just might be your style.
I think of the Nekro Virus a lot like the Replicators in Stargate. They are intelligent, but hostile to life and have the ability to steal technology. They can't vote, but can send in political Representatives to jack up the Council. I look forward to the day to see these guys in action.
I think of the Nekro Virus a lot like the Replicators in Stargate. They are intelligent, but hostile to life and have the ability to steal technology. They can't vote, but can send in political Representatives to jack up the Council. I look forward to the day to see these guys in action.
Hey Ma! I just made a universal terror out of Lego!
SPECIAL ABILITIES
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You may not vote on Political or Agenda cards.
When you destroy at least 1 enemy unit in a Space Battle or Invasion Combat (excluding PDS fire), you may copy (receive) 1 free Technology Card (ignoring all prerequisites) that the enemy player has already researched. Limit once per battle. You may not receive Technology Cards from Political, Assembly, Action, or Strategy Cards. (Note: You CAN receive technology from Distant Suns and Final Frontier tokens). Any time you would receive a Technology Card in this way, receive 3 free command counters instead. Awesome. Just awesome. Steal one tech from anyone as soon as you kill an enemy unit in battle. Get Automated Defense Turrets and a lot of Destroyers as soon as possible, I say. Kill a Muaat fighter - get War Sun technology. Kill a Jol-Nar fighter - get whatever they've been hoarding. Worried about the L1Z1X racial tech that allows them to skip prerequisites when they research tech? Not anymore. The L1Z1X get it, you can get it. And it gets even better, which I will cover in the Racial Technology section. |
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STARTING UNITS
2 Ground Forces
1 Mechanized Unit
1 Carrier
2 Cruisers
1 Space Dock
So not a very impressive fleet. Again, get Destroyers as soon as you can so you can start getting cheap tech from enemy fighters. Suicide missions are fine - as long as you get one fighter with your anti-fighter barrage you're getting technology for the cost of 1 Trade Good. Collect lots of Command Counters so you can just send Destroyers around the board sniping the enemy.
1 Mechanized Unit
1 Carrier
2 Cruisers
1 Space Dock
So not a very impressive fleet. Again, get Destroyers as soon as you can so you can start getting cheap tech from enemy fighters. Suicide missions are fine - as long as you get one fighter with your anti-fighter barrage you're getting technology for the cost of 1 Trade Good. Collect lots of Command Counters so you can just send Destroyers around the board sniping the enemy.
Sure, they look cute now, but wait until they get hungry!
STARTING TECHNOLOGY
Gen Synthesis
Hylar V Assault Laser
Dacxive Animators
First, a quick note on the combination of Gen Synthesis and Dacxive Animators. Gen Synthesis is rolled during combat; Dacxive Animators is rolled AFTER combat and ONLY for troops that were killed and did not respawn due to Gen Synthesis. For example, say you go into an Invasion Combat with 5 Ground Forces. 3 are killed, and 2 are successfully brought back using Gen Synthesis. You would only roll Dacxive Animators for the 1 troop that was killed and not revived.
Second, the presence of Hylar V reinforces my theory that you should focus on Destroyers.
Hylar V Assault Laser
Dacxive Animators
First, a quick note on the combination of Gen Synthesis and Dacxive Animators. Gen Synthesis is rolled during combat; Dacxive Animators is rolled AFTER combat and ONLY for troops that were killed and did not respawn due to Gen Synthesis. For example, say you go into an Invasion Combat with 5 Ground Forces. 3 are killed, and 2 are successfully brought back using Gen Synthesis. You would only roll Dacxive Animators for the 1 troop that was killed and not revived.
Second, the presence of Hylar V reinforces my theory that you should focus on Destroyers.
RACIAL TECHNOLOGY
VALEFAR ASSIMILATOR (X 2) - Gain this Technology by using your Racial ability to copy a racial Technology an opponent has researched. You cannot copy a Technology that modifies his racial ability. Place the race's control marker on this card to remember which ability you have copied (if you forget something like that then Twilight Imperium is not for you).
This is just beautiful. You want to learn Mirror Computing from the Mentak? Bam. You want a Slave Wormhole Generator from the Ghosts of Creuss? You got it. The Nekro are the only race which can gain the racial techs of other races. Now, there are a couple limitations. For example, the L1Z1X Inheritance Systems is useless as you can't research technology (though you COULD steal it, it would be worthless). Also, techs like the Arborec's Spore Acceleration won't work because is modifies a racial ability you don't have. But the majority of racial technologies are fair game. Just remember, your opponent has to have researched a technology before you can steal it!
This is just beautiful. You want to learn Mirror Computing from the Mentak? Bam. You want a Slave Wormhole Generator from the Ghosts of Creuss? You got it. The Nekro are the only race which can gain the racial techs of other races. Now, there are a couple limitations. For example, the L1Z1X Inheritance Systems is useless as you can't research technology (though you COULD steal it, it would be worthless). Also, techs like the Arborec's Spore Acceleration won't work because is modifies a racial ability you don't have. But the majority of racial technologies are fair game. Just remember, your opponent has to have researched a technology before you can steal it!
The Nekro Virus helped Merlin defeat Mad Madam Mim at their famous Wizards' Duel.
HOME SYSTEM
It's not perfect but it's home.
TRADE AGREEMENTS
A 1 and a 2. I'm actually kind of surprised to see that 2 in there.
OFFICERS
REPRESENTATIVES
BEELZEBUL - Councilor - After the Resolve Spies step, all COUNCILORS are killed (including this one). Then discard the political card.
WENDIGO - Bodyguard - In order for a player to vote "for", he must give you 1 Trade Good or 1 random Action Card from his hand.
ASMODAI - Spy - Choose a player and an outcome. If he votes this way, copy one of his Technology cards.
WENDIGO - Bodyguard - In order for a player to vote "for", he must give you 1 Trade Good or 1 random Action Card from his hand.
ASMODAI - Spy - Choose a player and an outcome. If he votes this way, copy one of his Technology cards.
MOTHER SHIP
THE ALASTOR - Sustain Damage; Cost 9; Battle 3 dice at 9; Move 1; Capacity 1; If this ship is destroyed, destroy all friendly and enemy ships in the system.
Well, what better way to get rid of a massive fleet than sicking your Alastor in them? A wise opponent will send a small fleet out to stop you so you'll need that screen of Destroyers that we talked about earlier.
Well, what better way to get rid of a massive fleet than sicking your Alastor in them? A wise opponent will send a small fleet out to stop you so you'll need that screen of Destroyers that we talked about earlier.