Thank you for buying the game! I’m so glad you had fun with it.
- The strengths and liabilities are just there to give you ideas for ways to narrate how things go wrong or are helpful, but they don’t mechanically make it harder or easier. I agree that can sometimes make for weird juxtapositions. You can house-rule it that the ship’s strengths allow you free, “extra” plays of Complications Cards.
- “Deal with unforeseen consequences” is in there to allow you some flexibility in what you narrate for your turn. But it doesn’t get you any closer mechanically to a particular goal.
In general, despite all the board gamey elements and the total randomness, a lot is left in your hands as players in how you narrate your moments. I hope this helps!