There are two strategies to assigning your characters. One requires planning. The other is based upon double clicking random characters. As I think most of you can handle the latter, let us consider a planned approach.

In general the first thing you want to do each turn in as assignment, though in special circumstances you might want to do something else, such as blocking an adversary using Olaf (Cimmerian Fighter) or Staff Weapon.

The First Assignment

You have ONE objective when it is your turn; complete a mission. I say a mission instead of missions because most of the time it is better to secure one mission instead of gambling on taking two. The exception is when you are cornered or if you play a mission race deck with low total experience on the team. If you are able to take two, great, but do not play like you are trying to.

So when the mission you will try to complete hits the table, the very first character you should assign is the one which will help you do just this. Most of the time this will be the character with the highest skill related to the mission. If it is a combat mission, assign the character (be it team or support) that has the highest combat skill. If it is tied between a support and a team member, choose the support. If it is tied between two team characters, choose the one that will benefit from the glyph.

Remember to take into consideration your team members who can get boosted skills when assigned. Like Jacob Carter (Man of Two Worlds) or Cameron Mitchell (Eager Adventurer) on the first mission. Or the SGC+Quick Study, Jaffa+Nice Shot, Tok'ra+Antiquity or NID+Special Training combos. A few missions also give you good hint of which character to assign first. If the mission is Loop of Kon Garat, you will assign Samantha Carter first. On Pursue the Harcesis, Daniel goes first.

So why do I nag about assigning the best character first not to menation telling you to use those support character that you usually assign last? Because you never know if you opponent have a obstacle with a block text in hand. Many of these target support characters, that is why you should not forget them. A block obstacle will not only increase the difficulty, but also remove a chance you have for completing the mission.

However there are a few exception to this rule. If you have a character that can help remove a obstacle on assignment, like Samantha Carter (Scientific Genius) or Khonsu (Goa'uld Imposter), select another with the same amount of skill or the second best. Warning if you only have team members with say 2 or less combat skill and a 3 combat skill support character in hand do not play it on your first move. After you play it, it is your opponents move, and then you got the same chance of him having that block obstacle. Assign first, then drop the supports to the table.

The Second Assignment and Beyond

Now we are off to a good start. But we have even more decisions to make.

Sufficient Skills to Complete The Mission

Let us say you first assigned character completes the mission, and your opponent passes. Should you just pass too and complete the mission? It all depends. If it is a support that completes the mission, NEVER. Do not give glyphs to support characters, they are too easy to kill. Assign a team member that will benefit from the glyph to take the glyph.

If a team member completes the mission, but you have another team member that will benefit more from this glyph, you should usually assign that team member. This will help you complete more missions later, and you will need it, since the more power your opponent has the more difficult it is to complete missions. However, if you pack (and preferably have in hand) Tight-knit Team or Malek (Outpost Commander), you can always move the glyph later on.

Almost There

If your first assignment leaves you 1 skill point short of completion, the second should be a team member that both brings 1 or more skill points to the mission and who also needs the glyph.

If the first assignment is a character that also will use the glyph, the second should be a support character. If none is present, do not play one. Play support characters as late as possible, it keeps them in alive longer. Rather assign a team member, and let it be one that will give you enough skill to complete the mission. If you assign a character that makes you even on the mission, it makes it easier for your opponent to just play a complication. If you assign a character that puts your skill one more than is required to complete the mission, you will force him to play a obstacle, thus often using more power. The more power you can force your opponent to use early, the more in control of the situation you will be. In general, once the villain player is out of power he can do nothing more than pass.

Far Away

If you are 2 or more skill away from the completion, assign the next character using the same assumptions as when you assign the first.

Conclusions

• Always assign the characters that will most likely help you complete the mission first. It is better to safe one than, than gamble on two and complete none.
• Remember that the right glyph on the right team member will help you later on.
• Support characters are more vulnerable to obstacles than team members.
• As with anything, these basic guidelines are just that, do not play them by rote. The best players are able to adapt their play to each unique situation.