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Getting the Most From Cargo Runs
by Chris Brennan
I'll assume you know the basics of how a cargo run works: Use lots of Freighters (Xepolites are the best), use Docking Ports to play them for free, be sure to download Kasidy Yates at the Cargo Bay as soon as possible, etc.
This article will focus on ways of getting even more out of your cargo runs.
- Q's Planet. It's a mission, and it has no span. That's a free additional card draw or Latinum if you pass it. The best thing to seed under Q's Planet is Orb of Wisdom, so you have the ability to quickly play all those cards you draw from the Cargo Run. You can also run the Orb itself.
- Seed Ultimatum. This lets you play DS9 without having to use Bajor-region missions. That makes it easy for any affiliation to use the station without wasting missions or requiring Espionage / Bribery. The Bajoran Wormhole inserts into the spaceline, letting you control exactly where DS9 will be seeded relative to your other facilities. This can let you run from one facility to another in one turn, so you're not sitting in space vulnerable to attack.
Even if you are playing Bajor-region missions, you get an advantage from DS9 at the Wormhole. Picture this, you move from Alter Records past Relocate Settlers to DS9 seeded at Refuse Immigration. That's one mission passed. Now add a Bajoran Wormhole at the end. You get to pass Refuse Immigration and count that mission, too, with just one additional span on the trip. Note that DS9 has to be at the Wormhole for this to work. If you pass the Wormhole, it won't count for the cargo run, because it's not a mission.
- Homeworlds and Headquarters. Be sure to get a Latinum from every cargo run. You can fly that Latinum back to the homeworld, and exchange it. Then start a cargo run from your HQ, taking the new equipment back to the Cargo Bay, and repeat the process.
You could use Quark's Bar to exchange the Latinum, but then it takes another turn to walk the Latinum there. Or you would need 2 away teams, one runs the equipment, one takes the Latinum to the Bar. But that spreads out your force and makes you vulnerable to attack. Remember, this is all about setting up the most efficient cargo runs possible. That means exchanging the Latinum at one end of the trip without the extra walking.
You could exchange at a Ferengi Trading Post, but HQs are much more useful, and safer too.
- Morn. If you have Acquisition, you only need one Latinum to exchange for another equipment. Morn is the best source for that skill. He downloads with the Cargo Bay if you don't draw him, he has a command star for staffing, and best of all he can special download an equipment card. That means you don't need to use a card play getting an equipment to start your runs. (And yes, you can run the Latinum itself. Weird, isn't it?)
When you get a second Acquisition personnel from your deck, you can then move Morn to Quark's Bar and have him play Dabo. Remember the Ultimatum? Dabo at the Bajoran Wormhole is safe from Altonian Brain Teasers.
- Don't play Cardassian. Yes, Cardassians can cargo run, too. If they do, they should probably use a generic Nor instead of Terok Nor, since it's annoying to fight for an opponent's DS9. But Cardassians just don't need cargo runs. Process Ore gives them enough card draws, and the Nor's download abilities can give them equipment without needing Latinum. Cargo Runs are much more profitable to the other affiliations.
Don't bother with Empok Nor, either. It's easier to just seed DS9 and an appropriate treaty, or just use lots of VIPs, or run with a totally non-aligned crew/ship. It's faster than wasting time commandeering Empok Nor.
Chris "Rom" Brennan
crbrennan@yahoo.com
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