The Captain's Logbook

Last week, we had a Last Captain Standing 40pt game. There was no gold or no Home Island immunity. This was a pure gunbattle. We had 3 players, including myself, with the other 2 players using 5-masted gunships towing Flotillas. I opted for a different strategy based around the San Cristobal, a very fast ship.

Here is what was in my fleet:

• San Cristobal (17pt, RotF): If this ship has a crew with the Captain keyword, she gets +L to her base move.
  • Contessa Anita Amore (0pts, CC): Limit, Ransom, +5 build points. This crew cannot leave this ship unless captured or eliminated.
  • Luis Zuan (0pt, RotF): Hostile: Pirates, Loyal: Spain, Captain.
  • Almirante Devante del Nero (3pts, SM): This ship gets +1 to her cannon rolls against Pirate ships.
  • Helmsman (2pt): This ship gets +S to it’s base move.
  • Exploding Shot (1pt, FnS):
    
• Slipstream (12pts, MI): Submarine, Mercenary, Crew of any nationality can use their abilities on this ship.
  • Lord Mycron (6pts, FnS): Instead of giving this ship an action this turn, you may give any ship in your fleet 2 actions.
  • Helmsman (2pt): This ship gets +S to it’s base move.

The basic idea for this fleet is to have the Slipstream submerge, hopefully keeping it out of reach of the enemy. While it’s submerged, Lord Mycron gives the San Cristobal 2 actions, meaning the speedy ship can move S+S+L+S and shoot, and then move S+S+L+S away. FOOM!

Trying it out: I tried this fleet in a 3 player gunbattle. My main gunship, the San Cristobal, was the fastest ship on the table. The other 2 players were playing big gunships towing Flotillas.

For the first couple of turns, we head toward the middle of the table. I kept Lord Mycron hidden (face down) on the submerged submarine, and I also kept Luis Zuan and the Helmsman face down to lure the other ships into striking distance. Eventually, One player’s HMS Endeavour got close enough, and I was able to sail in, fire all three L range cannons (I was concerned about cancelers), and sail away. After 2 turns of that, and not doing much damage, I ended my move too close to the Endeavour. That player managed to roll his “5-6 for extra action” ability, sailed up and did massive damage to the San Cristobal.

On the next player’s turn, she rolled a 6 for Davy Jones (OE version), and so she gave a Shoot action to the Endeavour, and sank the San Cristobal.

After that, I tried to use the sub’s underwater ram to sink the other players Flying Dutchman, but wasn’t able to roll high enough to knock off a mast. Then, the canceler on board canceled my sub’s keyword, which brought me to the surface, where she was able to shoot and sink me.

The game continued with the slow Flying Dutchman chasing the HMS Endeavour, but eventually, the Dutchman was able to sink the Endeavour and win the game.

I think my fleet is a good build, with some possibilities, but you have to be careful about cancelers and Davy Jones/Emperor Blackheart. If you are playing a game that includes Home Island immunity, you can probably save a few points by putting Lord Mycron onto a cheaper ship and just leaving it docked at home.