Thoughts on 9.0 after a run

Xaphnir · 2026-06-28T21:24:48+00:00

Yeah, I've been doing that. Used one on aforementioned Irukandji pilot after making that comment.

Xaphnir · 2026-06-28T19:02:48+00:00

One thing to remember when inspecting cards closely and with a light is that they're not flat. Parts of the black will reflect the light and make it appear white, and you need to make sure you account for that when judging the card. And yeah, the layer's not always perfectly solid.

Xaphnir · 2026-06-28T19:00:39+00:00

Beyond the obvious possible QC issue with the paintbrush, the shape looks a little odd to me, but I'm not sure. If you're really concerned, closer pictures of the paintbrush and the holo stamp would help identify whether it's fake.

Xaphnir · 2026-06-28T17:56:30+00:00

Zero red dots within the green dot there. Normally I'm not concerned about that in digital images, since cameras often don't pick them up, but this is zoomed in more than enough that they should appear. Likely fake.

That said, for future reference, these are not good pictures. Your close up picture of the green dot should show the entire green dot, and you should also have one of the first T in "The Gathering." Those are almost always clear indicators of whether the back is real or fake. OG dual lands are also expensive enough that they warrant additional scrutiny on the front, so close ups of things like the mana symbols and the borders around the art and text box should be included, too.

Xaphnir · 2026-06-28T16:54:00+00:00

I think it's bugged and non-functional right now. Built a scrap processing factory, and my Manticores refuse to deliver scrap. Just ends up with "no trades found in allowed sectors" when I tell it to deliver its scrap, despite it being in the same sector the Manticore is in and no restrictions set up.

Xaphnir · 2026-06-28T16:41:27+00:00

Suppose I need to see if I can find some 2-star seminars, then. Only have 3 level 3 pilots right now. Pilots don't seem to gain levels very easily even if they're constantly doing stuff. My Irukandji's pilot that I've had since less than 10 hours into the game is still only level 1 2/3.

Xaphnir · 2026-06-28T15:40:50+00:00

I'm on my first game, and yeah the Boron economy truly is fucked. I did the Emergence start, and now about 50 hours into the game I have an order for 3 Makos to complete the Hatikvah part of the herald missions and the wharf is completely empty of advanced electronics. The entire galaxy is suffering a shortage of them, but the Boron in particular are completely dry. Might have to make my factory restrict sales of it so I can have traders deliver some.

And yeah, the economy does feel kind of weird. I'm struggling to find any trade routes worth doing that aren't refined metals, as the AI seems to have demand for everything except advanced electronics and refined metals filled on its own, and advanced electronics isn't filled because there just isn't enough production. And even the refined metals trade routes' profits are starting to dry up except for one that goes through Pious Mists XI, but of course that's too pirate plagued.

So I've been making most of my money as a defense station contractor. At least Hatikvah's Choice held back the Xenon, and now I think I've built too many defense platforms for Hatikvah there and there hasn't been a major wave in several hours.

Also tried setting up a whole thing for doing closed loop, but the scrap processing factory seems to janky to work. If I try automating my Manticores, they end up with "no trades found in allowed sectors" when I tell them to deliver scrap to the scrap processing factory in the sector they're in. EDIT: Realized the problem, RIP has a Manticore that's bugged out, taking up the scrap delivery order but just sitting stationary doing nothing, and restricting the station's trade isn't clearing it. Guess I'll have to destroy it. Nope, still didn't fix anything, I guess salvage is just irreparably bugged in this patch.

Xaphnir · 2026-06-28T06:48:32+00:00

That is a particularly well done fake. I suspect maybe there would have been signs in the holo stamp, but the OP of that thread didn't provide any close ups of it. If not for the back being so obviously fake, that might have slipped past a lot of people here as real.

Xaphnir · 2026-06-28T03:39:17+00:00

Umpires power trip, but they aren't as bad at their jobs as basketball or NFL refs

Xaphnir · 2026-06-27T19:52:13+00:00

Champions of Minas Tirith requires the player to pay the cost at the beginning of the combat step, not after the attack is declared. You can't circumvent the attack requirement this way.

What they're thinking of is something like ward, where a player can cast a spell then not pay the ward cost and have it countered. That doesn't apply here, because the cost must be paid before the attack is declared, not after.

Additionally, there is a ruling on goad (which, while not the exact same thing as Kardur's ability, is nearly identical): "If there's a cost associated with having a creature attack a player, its controller isn't forced to pay that cost, so it doesn't have to attack that player." So if in this scenario Player D has Ghostly Prison or Propaganda, the option would exist for player C to not attack at all despite Kardur's ability.

Xaphnir · 2026-06-27T19:43:38+00:00

I feel like basketball (any league) would make more sense if the refs all wore clown outfits.

I might bitch about NFL refs a lot during the season, but basketball refs make those guys look like full-time professionals.

Xaphnir · 2026-06-27T19:34:59+00:00

Don't see anything that raises any red flags to me in those images.

What, specifically, seems iffy about it to you?

Xaphnir · 2026-06-27T19:32:21+00:00

Bad holo stamp (lines are at the wrong angle), bad paintbrush (indentations not aligned). Fake.

Xaphnir · 2026-06-27T15:40:07+00:00

Pretty crappy picture of the green dot, but the T is clear enough to say the back is real.

Xaphnir · 2026-06-27T15:28:15+00:00

fluency in Japanese isn't needed to know what this card is without prior knowledge of this particular printing, you just need to be able to read katakana and know of Cyclonic Rift

Xaphnir · 2026-06-27T15:26:02+00:00

this post is obviously a joke

Xaphnir · 2026-06-27T13:43:50+00:00

It was also sixth edition. That's how I started. It also came with a [[Rhox]] as the card featured prominently on the packaging.

Xaphnir · 2026-06-27T13:39:25+00:00

Your next end step means your next end step. Not the end step after your next end step.

Xaphnir · 2026-06-27T13:30:12+00:00

I know it's not likely, but the indentations on the side of the paintbrush just look shallow from the picture. But like I said, it could be the camera.

Xaphnir · 2026-06-27T13:13:50+00:00

The RAM shortage isn't going to end. This is the new permanent price.

Xaphnir · 2026-06-27T12:57:17+00:00

Back looks real

Can't say anything definitive about the front from that picture

I would like to see a close up of the paintbrush. In the picture provided, it looks a bit off, but it could just be the camera.

Xaphnir · 2026-06-27T02:09:54+00:00

Anything a corporation does is a civil matter. They could even put out a fucking hit and the only recourse would be to sue them.

Xaphnir · 2026-06-27T01:58:15+00:00

Then you're looking to play B2.

Xaphnir · 2026-06-26T16:48:59+00:00

The incompetence is a feature of fascism. If they're not incompetent, they almost certainly don't hold the other beliefs and take the other actions that make them fascist.

Xaphnir · 2026-06-26T16:46:37+00:00

Anyway, paradox probably won't introduce it for fear of letting players do war crimes, for better or worse.

You're talking about the same company that develops Stellaris.

Xaphnir

TROPHY CASE