Pirates of the Spanish Main – Captain Jack Hawkins – #PC-004 (1^st), #4 (Unl)

Name: Captain Jack Hawkins

Set: POSM

Card #s: PC-004 (1^st), #004 (Unl)

Type: Crew

Cost: 4 Points

Rarity: Common

Faction: Pirates

Ability: “This ship may move and shoot using the same move action. On the turn this ship is pinned, eliminate one crew from the enemy ship.”

Flavor Text:  “Hawkins was an expert marksman and poacher until he was caught and shipped to Port Royal as an indentured servant. Blackheart liberated Hawkins when he sacked Port Royal, and the pair was dynamic until a dispute over Lady Arcadia de Sol. Hawkins won the girl, but also a powerful enemy. “

Pirates of the Caribbean week continues with WizKids version of the seminal Johnny Depp role, Captain Jack Sparrow.  And since there’s actually TWO different versions of Mr. Hawkins, I thought I’d actually review both, giving you a bonus treat today, a THREE-FER! 

The first version of our lad is the original Spanish Main piece, which costs a mere 1-point more than a standard captain.  The additional ability to eliminate 1 crew from an enemy ship on the turn that his ship is pinned on, really isn’t much of an ability, because how often do you actually WANT to get pinned?  Sure, it’s good when ramming and boarding, but you can’t move until your opponent moves or is derelict.  And if he’s derelict, then all his crew are dead anyway.  To me, it’s a worthless ability, and I wouldn’t use this piece at all.  Unless I was playing in a sealed environment.

At least he’s a common, and basically if you pay more than buck for him, you’re getting ripped of.  I guess the best thing that can be said for this card is that it comes with an additional basic crew.  I forget which one, but it does.

My Ratings

Playability 2 of 5

Pirates of the Crimson Coast –Jack Hawkins – #025

Name: Jack Hawkins

Set: POCC

Card #s: #025

Type: Crew

Cost: 6 Points

Rarity: Common

Faction: Pirates

Ability:  “Once per turn before you give this ship an action, roll a d6. On a 5 or 6, this ship may be given the same action twice. This ship’s crew cannot be eliminated unless she sinks.”

Flavor Text:  “There are more stories about Jack Hawkins' adventures than seem possible given his age. He has taken more treasure and ships than any other pirate in the Caribbean, yet he is always broke and looking for a new ship. He courts only the most beautiful—and deadly—women, with more than his fair share of love-hate relationships, emphasis "hate."”

Why WizKids decided to re-do this piece is beyond my comprehension.  But at least they did, and wonder of wonders, you can actually use BOTH Jack Hawkins pieces in your fleet build should you desire to do so.  I don’t know why you would, but you can.  This particular Jack Hawkins is much more desirable than the POSM version, as anytime you can get an extra action you’re on the winning track.  The additional ability that the ship’s crew can’t be eliminated is basically free, and worthwhile at that. 

Again, as a common, you shouldn’t have to spend more than a buck to get him.  He’s a full portrait card at that, which is kind of nice that instead of making all full portraits rares, WK decided to vary the rarity on full portrait cards.  Good on them.

My Ratings

Playability 4 of 5

Pirates of the Spanish Main – Countess Diana Doone #EC-006 (1^st)

Name: Countess Diana Doone

Set: POSM

Card #s: EC-006 (1^st)

Type: Crew

Cost: 2 Points

Rarity: Common

Faction: English

Ability: “Place this crew face up during setup. Reduce the cost of all other crew placed on this ship by 1.”

Flavor Text:  “Countess Doone is the sweet-talking belle of English Caribbean society. Her dark secret is that she was actually shipped to the Spanish Main as an Irish indentured servant. When her ship was attacked by pirates, she took advantage of the chaos to take the possessions and personality of a rich young lady who no longer "needed" them. She has spellbound the Jamaican royal court ever since.”