We've been playing this card in such a way that all players choose how many cards they are going to add to the check, then we all reveal them at the same time. But somebody recently brought up the fact the wording seems to imply that the cards are added face-up when they are played, so that we know what the skill check numbers are before we add our own cards.

Which way is this card supposed to be played?

I believe its suppose to be played before any skill cards are added. At that point all cards are added face-up in order around the table. We use it all the time to pass a skill check exactly without wasting cards.

And the destiny deck cards DO go in first, I just realized how awesome this card is.

Played before any cards submitted, in fact it would be horribly game breaking if it was play at any time as it would pretty much screw over any chance of cylon sabotage. Under your system I'd simply always keep an IC in my hand and wait for a big play by all players, use the card and see who wasn't completely honest about their contributions.

Additionally it has to be announced before anybody even starts submitting cards, as even if you give people the opportunity to re submit, anybody who changes their submission cards is instantly outed.

Love the card though, knowing what the Destiny cards are is a huge aid, even if it tells you not to bother on an unlucky -10 destiny draw.

Kingmaker said:

He didn't say they play that IC can be played at any time, just that players cards aren't revelealed until everyone has added cards, so the cylons will know not to flub the skill check.

Before starting any skill checks we always ask if anyone wants to play an investigative comitee or scientific research, and if someone plays an IC, we always ask before revealing the destiney deck's cards if anyone is going to play a scientific research.

Gaius Frakkin Baltar said:

That's the best way to do it.

Gaius Frakkin Baltar said:

Oops my misread, I believe you still play everything face up right from the start, that way accurate numbers can be played. I think outside of executive order it's probably my favorite card.

From what I gather, it looks like everyone else plays this game where the cards are revealed as they are played during an Investigative Committee play. That's how we tried it last night. It really changed the dynamic of the game for us -- I used and IC once on a Release From Brig check just to see if the crisis deck was in our favor (4 player game, two cylons, both of us humans were in the Brig). Another time I used IC on a check we needed to pass. The unrevealed cylon didn't even blink an eye and played 3 cards against the check. Previously, using IC with the cards unrevealed until everyone had thrown in cards (and then seeing what each person contributed) helped keep the unrevealed cylons from throwing against checks. This time around, it helped them figure out whether they should or should not throw.

Looks like we'll be playing this card this new way, and see how it affects our games. And at least now we know. Thanks, everybody.