Post originally by Shannon Appelcline at 2004-04-22 11:27:09
Converted from Phorums BB System

I just shuffled up the powers to randomize them, then dealt one each, and didn't even think about the double-sided issue.

But, yeah, it's clearly an issue, for that initial randomization if nothing else. It'd also make hidden powers very hard to do as you suggest.

I don't think they were trying to balance the powers, because the powers can't be balanced. There's some that are implictly great, and some that comparitively suck. Because the game is about negotiation and alliances, good players will balance the strong powers, e.g., by not inviting Virus to ally. It's not my experience that the Virus, or other strong powers from other sets, like Tripler, have a cakewalk.

I'd have to guess that there are only 20 powers because (a) they didn't want to confuse the average Toys 'R Us shopper with too many choices -and/or- (b) they couldn't afford to put in too many because of the overproduction of the power cards.

Shannon