From: njs@cbnewsh.cb.att.com (nicholas.j.sauer)
Newsgroups: rec.games.board.ce
Subject: Re: Finnish Cosmic Encounter (and questions)
Date: 1 Oct 92 14:08:30 GMT
Organization: AT&T

In article <1992Oct1.101522.4490@polaris.utu.fi>, snurmela@polaris.utu.fi (Sami Tapani Nurmela) writes:
>
>I recently bought a game called "Universumin Valtiaat" (that is, "Masters of
>the Universe" :) by a Finnish game company.  After closer inspection I
>found a small copyright text on the box lid: (c) BRIO AB 1987, (c) West End
>Games Inc.  And after seeing the stuff inside the box, I realized I had 
>a Finnish translation of Cosmic Encounter (apparently the WE version) in
>my hands!

You might want to look for an expansion set, also.  When I spoke to
someone at West End (back when they were doing CE) he said that sales
of the game in Finland had been so good that they were releasing (planning
to, that is) an expansion set there but, not in America (where sales were
not so good).
  
>I know these rules are copyrighted material, so maybe I should try to 
>find the 'real' game.  Who (if anybody) is making CE sets presently ?

Mayfair Games.  I don't have their address with me right now.

>How complete the set currently in print is (i.e. are the original expansions
>included or are they sold separately) ?

The basic set has Eon expansions 1-4 and 9.  This is around 48 alien powers,
Flares and Reverse System Hexes.  Be warned, however, that these are Mayfair's
version of Flares which are very different from the Eon originals.

More Cosmic Encounter (which is just coming out) has all the rest (Moons, 
Lucre, Kickers, the rest of the powers) and, has some extra stuff like
Reinforcements and Comets and Instructional Destiny cards.  There are also
several new alien powers in both this and the basic set.  Most of them are
OK (need very little modifications/additions to make them usable).

>I have also a few questions about powers, as the Finnish power descriptions
>are not very complete:
>
>1. May Amoeba have more than four tokens in Cone ?

Yes, he may move in as many as he wants.

>2. May defensive Amoeba move tokens (the power description refers only to
>   tokens in Cone) ?

Yes, the Amoeba may use his power as the defensive player.

>3. When exactly Mind gets to look at main player's cards: before his decision
>   to ally or after ? (My rules says before the challenge cards are played, 
>   which doesn't help much)

He may look at a main player's cards before he decides to ally.

>4. If Vulch has nothing but Edicts in his hand when his turn begins
>   does he keep them and draw seven additional cards from Challenge deck or
>   does he discard/play the Edicts (like the other powers do) ?

He keeps the Edicts and draws seven new cards but, he must first reveal these
Edicts to the other players (before he gets his seven new cards).

>5. Where does Zombie put his lost tokens: to any of his bases or to any
>   of his _home_ bases ? (The text in my card says "to own planet")

The Zombie returns lost tokens to any of his bases.

>6. As part of a deal, how many other player's tokens Zombie may release
>   from the Warp ?

Any number.  The power does not give him any limit.

>Questions about Edicts:
>7. Do I play Mobius Tubes at the start of any challenge or at the start
>   of _my own_ challenge ?

The start of your own challenges only.

>8. Does Stellar Gas deny defensive ally rewards too ?

No, it just stops the main player from collecting consolation.

>9. What does a Plagued player lose: my rules state "3 tokens, 1 Challenge
>   card, 1 Compromise card and 1 Edict" (note _Challenge_, not Attack,
>   making it possible to lose two Compromises).

The Plague should make you lose: 3 tokens, 1 ATTACK CARD, 1 Compromise card,
and 1 Edict.  So, no, you could not lose two Compromise cards with the Plague.

If you have any more questions please feel free to ask.

Nick Sauer