Nicolas-Thomas Baudin

Name:  Nicolas-Thomas Baudin

Set: POSCS

Card #s: 082

Rarity: Rare

Type:  Crew

Cost: 3 Points

Faction: French

Link: Le Geographe

Ability – Once per turn, if this ship is within S of an island, you may mark the island as explored without docking at it. The island becomes unexplored in regards to all other players.

Flavor Text – “A sailor, scientist, botanist, and geographer, Baudin discovered a way to safely transport plants and animals to France from the South China Seas. Even as he sends one ship back, he buys another to keep mapping and exploring.”

The new fabled “super-explorer” comes to the French.  For just three points (that’s 2 points higher than a regular explorer) you can explore an island without even docking!  One tactic might be to place him on a speedy one or two master that’s low costed (such as Le Pique) and shoot that ship ahead of your main treasure vessel as a scout.

Even though this piece is a rare, he’s a rare crew, and they don’t usually command more than a couple bucks.  Both of the single piece auctions for him didn’t end with a buyer after the minimum bid of a couple bucks.  Ebay stores have him from $2.50 to $5.00!

My Ratings:

Playability 3 of 5

Collectability 3 of 5

Princess Arii Auraa

Name:  Princess Arii Auraa

Set: POSCS

Card #s: 084A

Rarity: Common

Type:  Crew

Cost: 0 Points

Faction: French

Ability – Always place this crew face up; it cannot be eliminated unless its ship sinks. Crew placed on this ship cost no points, but they always each take up one cargo space. When this ship is hit, roll a d6. On a result of 5 or 6, move the crew on this ship with the highest point cost to a wild island chosen by the player to your left.

Flavor Text - Arii Auraa was captured by a lecherous captain who planned to keep her forever. After her father prayed to the sea gods to avenge his daughter, the captain was struck dead after eating bad dates. Since then, ships carrying the princess have been beset by strange events.

The French get a third Limit/Ransom piece, which really isn’t any different than the other pieces with the same ability.  She’s just prettier.  Sometimes you just need to build a ship with a lot of crew.  This piece allows that, with a drawback.  Just make sure you don’t get hit.

She’s paired with one of the new interesting events, which might make her a bit more valuable than your standard common.  My only other comment is: what’s with that name?  I think she needs to buy some consonants!

My Ratings:

Playability 3 of 5

Collectability 2 of 5