A final (final) update: Override 1.5
We're back with one final (final) and major rules update! First, some quick context:
The goal for Override was always to simplify while maintaining and amplifying the best parts of the classic rules. Since the launch of Override we’ve gotten some great feedback via additional testing (thanks yall!) and watching players at Fall Game Market West. A minor issue we noticed was some friction around the Plan action. Nothing busted but something we thought we could easily improve. And by easily, I mean we’ve completely overhauled the Plan action.
Fortunately, this rework not only simplifies the Plan procedure but also deepens the decision space. For reference, the Override 1.0 Plan was:
Draw 2 cards from the deck and add each face up to the top of any empty Undercity column(s). If none are empty, choose any column(s).
Swap cards in hand with the same number of cards in an Undercity column or take all cards from one column into your hand.
We knew that most players would usually just swap instead of take, which was more of a niche action you could use in a pinch. This was an intentional flexibility, but over time we had to acknowledge that it was mostly a non-decision. Moreover, the two card draw muddied decision making and column breaks forced us to include end steps as part of clean up. The new Plan solves all these issues.
1.5 Plan now reads:
Draw 1 card from the deck into your hand. If the deck is empty, reshuffle the discard pile.
Discard 1 card from hand to the top of an Undercity column or swap any cards in hand with the same number of cards in a single column.
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When a column hits 4 cards, immediately discard all those cards and refill with 1 from the deck.
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This change comes with a bunch of positives. Plan is now a tougher and real decision: do you give up a single to clean up your hand or do you leave behind a bunch of cards in the market to power up your hand? The update also slows The Undercity churn so you can incorporate the market into longer term plans. As a bonus, the simplification let us more elegantly integrate the column breaks and start of turn and end steps into the rules. The updated reference card is a lot more welcoming as a result.
Plan has always been at the core of Takeover's hand crafting. These new changes really just cut straight to that focus.
Override 1.5 will probably be the last update for Takeover as we move full speed ahead onto our trick-taking racing game and a few other projects. You'll see the new update (along with some minor text improvements!) in the rulebook and reference cards, so make sure to reclick if you're using a downloaded or printed copy.