Name: Augusta (Spain)

Card: FS #034 (Uncommon)

Points: 12

Masts: 4

Cargo: 2

Moves: S+L

Guns : 4S,3S,3S,4S

Hit %: 167 (S), 0 (L)

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

When I chose the ships to review this week, I didn't set out to pick four-masted schooners that looked good. But that's the way it turned out, at least up to this point. The Augusta is a fine-looking ship, but is she a good ship in any other way?

I like the S+L speed a lot, and 12 points is about right for four masts.

Her ability says "gold ship," but her tiny cargo says "Don't even think it." The solution to this problem is either Master Bianco or the RF Domenic Freda, who add a cargo space without taking up space themselves.

Too bad you can't use both at once. But if you use either of them, then the Augusta goes from fair to good (her Goldship rating rises to 3.6). A gold ship with four masts is especially nice because the two- and three-masted fighters that prey on gold runners can't sink her in one turn, no matter how lucky they are.

Yes, the Spanish have better gold ships, but your collection may not include them. If you pull the Augusta, then give her the crew she needs and turn her loose on the wild islands. I don't think you'll be sorry.

Goldship rating: 3.4 / 5

Gun Ship rating: 3.0 / 5

Boarding rating: 3.3 / 5

Value for points: 3.4 / 5