by Schaden
HiredSword wrote:
As I understand it, there is only one map area where the Financier is OP. In other regions, paying $2 per route section is at best a wash. So as an Alternate Errata solution, if a route requires specific icons for completion, like say a Pickaxe, the Financier ability is not usable to pay for those parts of that route. I think this keeps that Employee at the expected power level.
"At best a wash" monetarily is incredibly strong for longer routes because you are also spending literally 0 train cards. So for, say, a 6-length route you come out even on money plus just accelerated the game three turns' worth of draws at least (usually more), which has a strong effect on other players.
Other considerations:
You still get to draw a card if you take a route with a large city, meaning not only are you not using train cards but can slowly draw some in the meantime.
[o]The Financier is also in the game around the same time the upgraded company cards come into play, which mean paying $2 per space for your own routes is actually profitable.[/o]
And I feel like the Frontier has a strong interaction with four (half) of the frontiers, [o]granted the long tunnels on Haunted Wastes is probably the most egregious one:
Florida (if still in game) easy Circus tickets, which can be a net positive even at $2 per train on route.
Haunted Wastes: Tunnels, especially early ones when other players physically can't take them due to lacking all the pickaxe cards.
Cascadia: Tunnels, as above.
Badlands: Allows you to get any stock you want without a train card by taking a single-train route for $2.[/o]
It's possible I'm overrating it. But even if the Financier only let you reduce train cards spent by 1 and you had to play at least one train card to take a route using the Financier (i.e., you couldn't snipe a 1-length route with it) it'd probably still be the employee I always picked when available. In its current form, it's bonkers.