Hi there,

I've been trying to clarify a rule point via searching of online forums and getting mixed results. I wonder if someone could clarify once and for all.

If an objective says "I now spend XX resource of influence" can trade goods really be used to achieve this objective? The wording of the objectives is so precise it seems to me that the specifics, coupled with the fact there are objectives relating only to spending trade goods means that it has to be planetary influence or resource?

If not it makes these objectives very easy for Hacan or other trade-oriented races.

Whats the ruling?

Thanks.

You can definately spend trade goods in this situation.

Rules p26:

Some Objective Cards state “Now I…”. This requires

a player to actually fulfill the requirement during the

first step of the Status Phase. For example, one

Objective Card reads “I now spend 20 Resources (2

victory points).” In order for a player to receive these

two victory points, he must have enough Trade Goods

and unexhausted planets to spend 20 resources during

the first step of the Status Phase.

If an objective says "I now spend XX resource of influence" can trade goods really be used to achieve this objective? The wording of the objectives is so precise it seems to me that the specifics, coupled with the fact there are objectives relating only to spending trade goods means that it has to be planetary influence or resource?

The objectives that specifically require you to spend Trade Goods must be paid for with Trade Goods. The objectives which ask for Influence may be paid for with Trade Goods, or they may be paid for with Influence from planets, or with any combination of Influence and Trade Goods that the player desires. Ditto for Resource objectives.

Store A only accepts cash. Store B accepts cash or credit. Does the simple existence of Store A mean that I'm required to pay with credit at Store B?

If not it makes these objectives very easy for Hacan or other trade-oriented races.

Trade-oriented races love resource objectives.

Influence-oriented races love politics.

Military-orientated races love to skirmish.

But military races love to squeeze out a juicy trade contract out of Hacan if they can.

So the game does balance out most of the time.