DESCRIPTION

The Winnu are a race that long ago was torn about in strife and war and was saved by the ancient rulers of the galaxy, the Lazax. Indebted, the Winnu became their faithful servants, and after the fall of the Lazax the Winnu on Mecatol Rex began to act as Stewards of Mecatol and preservers of Lazax culture, art, and literature. There has now become a rift between the Winnu of the home planet (also called Winnu) and the Winnu who were the servants of the Lazax and now act as Guardians of Mecatol Rex who have reconvened the Galactic council. As a player, you are from the Winnu homeworld and are interested staking your claim to Mecatol, and doing so, of course, in the memory of the fallen Lazax.

Though the other races of the galaxy turned against the Lazax, no one could deny the quality of their island retreats. Here a well-known resort manager poses with his indentured Winnu servant.

In terms of abilities the Winnu are kind of a hodgepodge. You need to use your imagination to understand why certain abilities and technologies fit together in a single theme. Perhaps it is simply that the Winnu are more well-rounded than the other races that they seem to have more disconnected and random abilities.

SPECIAL ABILITIES

You may always add the influence value of your Home System planet to your votes, even if it is exhausted.

Your planets that contain at least 1 Ground Force are immune to the Local Unrest Action Card.

You do not need to spend a Command Counter to execute the secondary ability of the Technology Strategy.


I have not yet come up with an explanation as to how these abilities work together to describe the Winnu as a people.

STARTING UNITS

3 Ground Forces
1 Carrier
1 Cruiser
2 Fighters
1 PDS
1 Space Dock

I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, 'Hey! Only 3 Ground Forces and 1 Carrier? That's really going to slow down by expansion in the first round!' Well, yeah, 3 Ground Forces isn't great. But you also have Stasis Capsules, so at least that Cruiser can take a Ground Force somewhere. Better than some other races start with.

A Lazax officer and his Winnu assistant fail to notice the Yssaril spy who has infiltrated their secret lab.

STARTING TECHNOLOGY

Antimass Deflectors
Enviro Compensators
Stasis Capsules

RACIAL TECHNOLOGY

Bioptic recyclers - Cost: 3 - Once per game round, as an action, you may discard an Action Card from your hand to gain 2 Trade Goods or 1 Command Counter.

Lazax Gate Folding - Cost: 4 - At the start of each Status Phase, you may place 1 Ground force on Mecatol Rex. You may only do this if the planet is uncontrolled or is under your control. (Discard any Domain Counters on this planet).


I haven't played the Winnu yet, but when I do, I shall try and get Lazax Gate Folding right away and take Mecatol Rex in the first round. I could build up a solid defense before anyone else could even get to it! Would have to get the Technology Strategy and a Trade Good first, though.

HOME SYSTEM

This is an interesting system. Production isn't great but you have good influence (which you can even use when this system is exhausted) and a Yellow tech bonus (which is really rare).

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TRADE AGREEMENTS

A 3 and a 1. That 3 gives you a good opportunity to make a powerful ally.

OFFICERS

REPRESENTATIVES

Berekar Berekon - +3 Votes - Councilor - If the Political Card does not resolve the way you voted, you may place a Cruiser in a system you control.

Perdin Perdona - +2 Votes - Councilor - If you vote 'Against', gain +3 Votes.

Menda Mendala - +0 Votes - Spy - Assassinate a Representative. Your Spy may not be killed by enemy Spies.

MOTHER SHIP

SALAI SAI CORIAN - Sustain Damage; Cost 10; Battle ? dice at 7; Move 1; Capacity 3; '?' is equal to the number of opposing non-Fighter ships present this round during a Space Battle.

So this ship would be much more useful against, say, 6 Destroyers than 1 Carrier and 6 Fighters.

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