![IMG_20201127_1751101.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/proto26/d0yfY34u-IMG_20201127_1751105B15D.jpg)

Greetings, pilots! Today I'm going to discuss the ongoing eXode contest. If you're new to eXode, I'll explain what it's about (and include a helpful referral link and the end of this post which you can get free cards from!).

**What is eXode?**

![Screenshot 102.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/proto26/AlUxmYYr-Screenshot20102.png)

There are 2 play modes to eXode. The first, and the one that is live now, is Evacuation. First you put together a team in the deck builder and then you use those crew members and officers to:
1. Fix the hyperdrive
2. Load fuel
3. Grab cargo
4. Escort passengers safely to your ship's cabins

All this you must do while also fighting back against looters, hostile citizens, and while alien forces are attacking your ship from space. This is the aspect of the game that is currently in the contest. After you finish all necessary tasks and contribute to the contest objectives, you launch your ship and finally escape to a new galaxy and find a planet to settle on. That's when Colonization comes into play, however, this mode is still in development.

**Let's talk more about EVAC!**

Evacuation is meant to be somewhat stressful. Sometimes crew members are "On Leave" and you have to send another to go fetch them, which wastes some precious time. Then there are the hostiles that need to be dealt with. I visited the market (available after you purchase at least 1 starter pack) to get some more cards that I think I needed.

![firetalkers.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/proto26/JqT6L14T-firetalkers.png)

I knew I needed more weapons because the only ones I had were given to me as gifts after a nice trade with a fellow pilot. I opted for the Firetalker, not the sharpest tool in the shed but very affordable. Since I only purchased the Ark Scientist and Elected Leader packs, I was low on military cards.

![defense specialist.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/proto26/QSD9hOYx-defense20specialist.png)

This crew member will be very useful with his Hardpoints and Warfare skillgrades and will fill that empty spot in my crew nicely.

![Screenshot 101.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/proto26/0NdiTvMG-Screenshot20101.png)

Although this officer gets some pretty good stats, I didn't want to use 2 of him so I bought a different officer.

![tactical officer.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/proto26/ukqHFz9F-tactical20officer.png)

This one also has the Shooting skill, so he'll be particularly good with a gun. Besides the military origin, there is also a criminal origin which is also well-suited to playing EVAC. I heard other pilots talking about the Syndicate Trooper and how he is a good asset to have, so I snatched one up at a good price.

![syndicate trooper.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/proto26/xg31o4ZA-syndicate20trooper.png)

As you can see, his card also says "Shooting". Also his stealthiness helps to avoid being hit. 

I received 2 merits on Rank I, which is now over. The first was for successfully evacuating with the military origin.

![navy.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/proto26/kZmpPBhW-navy.png)

The other merit was for success with the Repentant Pirate (criminal) origin.

![Repentant Pirate.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/proto26/QQW3cKKs-Repentant20Pirate.png)

Military and criminal are good in EVAC because they don't suffer a skill penalty in Shooting when equipped with a gun.

I tried to evacuate with the Ark scientist...

![ark scientist.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/proto26/5nyH22g7-ark20scientist.jpg)

but my maintenance guy's work on the hyperdrive just didn't cut it. I failed to launch and each subsequent attempt further reduced my chances at success. I was eventually blown to bits.

![Screenshot 107.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/proto26/r0a6UxUo-Screenshot20107.png)

The rooms on the ship looked cool though.

![Screenshot 105.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/proto26/RmhYsvM2-Screenshot20105.png)
*The cockpit is where you can mange the ship's shields.*


![Screenshot 104.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/proto26/HEJHJBHg-Screenshot20104.png)
*The ship's interior is where the hyperdrive and fuel are.*


![Screenshot 103.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/proto26/zdZov47p-Screenshot20103.png)
*Load cargo and defend against looters in the cargohold.*


![Screenshot 106.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/proto26/PBA6zN4r-Screenshot20106.png)
*Crew members on-leave appear in station halls, as do rescuable citizens and more hostiles.*

I'm not so good at EVAC, as reflected in my low scores yesterday of approximately 400 and 500. But this last score in Rank II is just terrible.

![Screenshot 113.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/proto26/B3m8Tist-Screenshot20113.png)

A negative score. *Tisk tisk.* There were lots of hostiles in the cargohold; that's where most of my crew died. The objectives for Rank II are pretty challenging.

![rank ii.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/proto26/t2G60Ip6-rank20ii.png)

I doubt I'll win any more merits. But maybe you're up to the challenge! Buy your starter pack today using my [referral link](https://exodegame.com?ref=de7ed45) and you'll get 2 free booster packs. That's a $6 value, free! I recommend buying at least 1 pack and then building up your deck from cards in the Starbase Market. That's what I did for my criminal and military decks. There are some great deals to be had there. Once you've purchased your starter/s, feel free to join our [discord server](https://discord.gg/GZcYNXz). 

Good luck with your hyperdrives, captains! See you in the cantina!