Cactus Game Design Message Boards

If a card is drawn by game rule (in the opening hand or the draw 3 at the start of a turn), after replacing any Lost Souls, you may choose to activate any star abilities on cards from that draw by revealing the star cards you wish to use and carry out the star abilities in the order you choose.

According to the quote from the reg star abilities can only be used when drawn by game rule. I'm wondering why this is. Is it to keep star abilities from being too OP. I think being able to use them whenever drawn as opposed to just being able to use them when drawn by game rule would open up some fun combos and strategies. I find it very frustrating when I draw a star ability and can't use it. What's everybodys thoughts on this.

Stars activating on a natural draw is a subtle cost to draw abilities. Drawing 3 or so is good, but you lose value if any of those three are stars. It adds depth to deck design, and while there are fun combos that would be available if this wasn't the case, I think the game would be worse off. Do you build based on drawing, and risk losing stars, or do you build your speed from searching, and hope to draw your star cards naturally by thinning everything else?

I agree. I believe star abilities whenever you draw them ( either a draw ability or regular draw 3 at start of turn)  would make the star abilities overpowered and not good for the game.