by Lugburz
tms_ wrote:
interesting idea. I would say the first explored planet of each color in quadrant gets one native and the second of the same color gets two. Please no dice in AE! That is a sacrilidge to have both flicking and dice in one game :)
I love it! Not only does this maintain the thematic feel suggested by Jeff's variant, but it also reduces the amount of book keeping required by each player. Essentially, you only have to worry the ratios of planets in each quadrant — some might only have 1 planet of a particular type (granting 1 defensive meeple), while certain quadrants of space might have 2 or more planets of the same color (granting 2 defensive meeples).
Given the 4X nature of Ascending Empires, it feels right thematically to expect resistance when trying to "conquer" or colonize new worlds. After all, visiting an unexplored planet is certain to provide resistance or other native hazards.
Great variant! Gotta find myself some alien meeples :)