u/Sad_Pear_1087

I have watched SCPT & CCC guides but they don't include TE. The game will be me and my friend with several games, one first timer and two who've played a couple. The very first POK game for my group which inspired me to try, Winnu is still unplayed in our group. So 4-5 player game. Experienced player is playing Ral Nel or Cabal, no info about others.

Starting tech? I was thinking AI DevAl because with a blue/red synergy and its skip that's already carrier II prereqs. I'll need my breakthrough though. If I get warfare or tech works out (Breakthrough+carrier II from home) I can take Mecatol round 1. If there's asteroids I'll start with Antimass def. Dark energy tap was recommended but with TE I don't need blue over red and I won't have time to explore space at the start, right?

Am I thinking about Mecatol too hard? And how will I get my breakthrough, I could trade my agent for somebody's commodities. Or otherwise cough up some trade goods and spend my home for five influence. Then I won't be having a mech+free building on my way to Mecatol but I don't need that just yet do I? I should avoid discarding a secret for it as I'm probably not drawing many more with Imperial. Or maybe I am if I just hunker down on Mecatol but don't actually score off it before some sort of a final push involving my agent. Getting my breakthrough will discourage trading supports and my buddy is hard into blockpicking strategies so that could be a bluff where he picks Imperial to block me when I wasn't gonna take it anyways.

Anything to say to me?

My friend told me some experienced players online are saying it's very important, and that if not the first, then it should be used on the second game at the very least. I don't see why base game wouldn't be fine.

Money isn't a blocker, availability is, which is why this isn't a dilemma for us right now, as of now we couldn't buy it if we wanted. We got the game for the good price of 110€ better than new, bagged & sleeved. Still haven't yet played, the first game should be next weekend.