Bit of a random musing, but what are people's thoughts on how the side mission deck is revealed/drawn?

I've been thinking about the two campaigns that my group have run (second one has just done the two side mission in a row part which has revealed the last active side mission). In both campaigns, we have seen a minimal set of the personal missions. Diala in the current one has had no chance to try for her lightsaber and our first campaign revealed a single red mission.

The rules for the side mission deck mean that you'll see a maximum of 6 available side missions from the deck during a campaign (the initial two, followed by four additional, one after each side mission to replace the one just played). If an agenda side mission is played and performed, that reduces this number and with the threat missions for the Hoth expansion, this looks to go down even further.

I understand it gives variety in not seeing/being able to go for anything, but would hope that would be captured by the choice of allies, random grey missions and heroes chosen for red personal missions. It seems a shame that at least half the deck never even gets revealed, especially as this is what the ally packs add.

Does anyone feel that the side mission deck doesn't get enough exposure?

There was a thread a while ago where someone proposed the un-used side mission(s) getting discarded. That will see the entire deck exposed. The only problem is it'll hurt a bit if you see two really good missions at the same time.

There was a thread a while ago where someone proposed the un-used side mission(s) getting discarded. That will see the entire deck exposed. The only problem is it'll hurt a bit if you see two really good missions at the same time.

Yeah, but more of a thematic improvement rather than a problem.

I mean, Chewbacca isn't going to wait around forever while you go off and do 4 other side missions and then finally say "Oh.... hey... you're still here? Umm... yeah, we can go get your spice now".

No, Chewbacca would've snapped your neck off in a fit of rage and left.

It also benefits the Imperial Player as it makes the Agenda Missions (non-forced) more strategic. They can put one out when the heroes get a mission they really like and make them choose. As it is now, you almost always choose the Agenda Missions because delaying a side mission you want isn't as bad as giving the IP player a free power-up card.

As for the previous thread, it mostly came down to:

(A) Keep the unused side-mission and use "Draw 2 pick 1" for replacement or

(B) Discard the un-used side mission(s) and Draw 2 every time.

There was a thread a while ago where someone proposed the un-used side mission(s) getting discarded. That will see the entire deck exposed. The only problem is it'll hurt a bit if you see two really good missions at the same time.

I remember that thread. It was a good thread. I came up with my own house rule based on that thread that gives the Rebels the choice of what they want to do with the unused side mission, keep it on the table, or discard it.

If you wanted a chance to see every mission, you could draw 3 per side mission option. There's 4 side missions, so you would see all 12 if you discarded the unplayed missions.

Of course the Imperial Agenda missions can always throw a wrench in the plans of playing any specific missions.