FIELDNOTES: "Mule"

What's in the pack??

MULE

"Spend 1 [Load token] to discard a card from hand and draw 1 from the deck."

Suit: 4 of Hearts

The mule has been the subject of many fan made expansions over the years so not surprisingly, it makes an appearance in FRONTIER.

Most versions I've seen employ some kind of hand limit extension: "You may hold up to 2 more cards at the end of your turn" or "you may store 1 card from hand on this", etc. While it's as good a thematic match as you could hope for, I've never been a fan of cards that are just character proxies (looking at you GOLD RUSH with your Boots, Gun Belt, Lucky Charm and Horseshoe). At best they feel a little lazy and at worst they weaken the efficacy of the original character (Sean Mallory).

RULE #2: If it exists as a character ability, try something else.

With that in mind, I leaned away from the idea of the mule as a storage shed and into the notion of it being a one stop shop for all your traveling needs! Finding yourself ill-equipped? No worries, you brought a mule! Rummage in the sack and see what you find... And so the "mulligan" ability was decided. I can't stress enough how helpful, and frankly, fun, just sitting on the real life attributes/function of a card subject can be. It's a major part of my own card design process, one which I hope to actively highlight in these Field Notes posts. But anyway, back to the mule.

Now this could've just been a blue-bordered card that allowed you to "discard X amount of cards from hand to draw back X amount once per turn". That would've been just fine. But the truth is, I really appreciate the new currency mechanic introduced in the 2017 expansion Armed and Dangerous. Making mule into an orange bordered card adds an element of risk taking and injects a little more strategic play into its use. Will you bide your turns, only discarding unhelpful cards or will desperation have you throwing everything out all at once in search of that badly needed card? The number one priority for FRONTIER cards is to increase player decision-making opportunities. I want effects to evoke a little more scheming and contemplation - nothing is a straight shot. And I think this version of Mule does just that.

Experience new game mechanics with effects and interactions never before seen! FRONTIER releases in Fall 2025.