What does gain mean on MDH-19s system upgrade for the campaign? Is this the same as claim or does it mean he adds tje card to his abilities?

Claim is used for things that are placed in the player's / hero's area.

Gain is a general term to receive abilities that can be used.

Yes, it looks like Systems Upgrade allows MHD-19 to gain the abilities of one Medical card. However, notice that doing so will lose the +2 Health, because the Systems Upgrade will be depleted.

The issue is that the medical cards have discard as a cost and none are actions, thus MHD-19 can't perform any of them without having the card. So I think the Systems Upgrade should read claim , the same as MHD-19's regular ability.

Thank you

However, notice that doing so will lose the +2 Health, because the Systems Upgrade will be depleted.

Are you certain of this? I can't find anything saying that depleting a card with static, passive effects separate from the effect payed for by the depletion "turns off" said effects.

The only thing I can find regarding static effects in the RRG is the line under class cards that state that cards with passive effects are placed face up in the play area. And the line under deplete that says depleted cards are flipped face down and can no longer be used.

I think those together gets us the "turns off" conclusion.

However, notice that doing so will lose the +2 Health, because the Systems Upgrade will be depleted.

Are you certain of this? I can't find anything saying that depleting a card with static, passive effects separate from the effect payed for by the depletion "turns off" said effects.

It's in the Hoth rulebook, page 9:

"When a card is depleted, abilities on that card no longer have any effect."

Then it gives MHD's card as a specific example.

Mak can't use the first ability of Supply Network if he uses the second one by depleting it.

Why would a static effect be different than a dynamic one? If it can't be seen, it can't be used.

It's not in the RRG, it's in the Hoth Book. In fact, it *specifically* calls out this exact ability:

"Deplete", RtH, Page 9:

When a card is depleted, abilities on that card no longer have any effect. For example, if MHD-19 uses the “deplete” ability on his Reward card, “Systems Upgrade,” that card no longer provides the “+2 Health” ability, and MHD-19’s Health value is immediately reduced by 2.

As for the gain vs. claim debate, here's my few cents (not like my money's any more valuable!): The ability is there so that once per mission, MHD-19 can get the exact medical card it needs at the exact time to utilize its effects per normal consumable cards. Nothing about "gain" would state otherwise. In reference, you "gain" credits. You "gain" XP, These are tangible, consumable resources, just like supply cards.

Wow, that's dumb. It takes a card that's already only decent ("do that thing you're already doing all the time, but once per game you don't have to pay the cost; here's two more health too, because yeah, that effect's kinda lame on its own") and makes it worthless. Not to mention it makes zero thematic sense - why would brewing up some medicine degrade the droid's armor?

Thanks for finding the clarification, though.

Wow, that's dumb. It takes a card that's already only decent ("do that thing you're already doing all the time, but once per game you don't have to pay the cost; here's two more health too, because yeah, that effect's kinda lame on its own") and makes it worthless. Not to mention it makes zero thematic sense - why would brewing up some medicine degrade the droid's armor?

Thanks for finding the clarification, though.

Perhaps the droid can tap into the spare chemicals to boost its own defensive capabilities. Once mixed in the proper ratios (draw the card), it can no longer use those chemicals?

As far as value, you're looking at it wrong. Having the exact card at the exact time you need it is an incredible ability, and if it meant sacrificing 2 health on MHD-19 in order to prevent a rebel from being wounded, or a rebel loss, then it is extremely valuable. More like, "You can draw a medical card of your choice at any time during the mission, but before you do, you have +2 health."