Masts: 3
Cargo: 3
Moves: S+S
Guns : 3L,2S,3L
Hit %: 167 (S), 100 (L)
Ability: Schooner. As part of a move action, this
ship can initiate a boarding party against a ship up
to S away from her, without having to ram. The
boarded ship can’t use any boarding bonuses.
The Mercure has very nice blue and white sails. She
also has some very nice stats, so she isn't just a
pretty face.
You can use this ship without any crew at all if you
just want to board with her. A Helmsman gives you a
much better chance of catching speedy gold ships,
and reduces your free cargo to 2. If you want to use
those fine cannons, you need a Captain, and now
there's just one cargo free for stealing treasure.
Of course, boarding can also kill enemy crew, which
can be even more lucrative than stolen gold.
The Mercure begs comparing to other French ships
with the S-board ability. All four of them (Marie
Antoinette, St. Denis, Le Pluton, and the OE version
of Le Gaule) cost more than this one, but have more
masts and cargo. The best of the lot is probably the
St. Denis, with S+L speed and the Galley keyword
(and awful cannons). A very similar Spanish ship, La
Sirviente, costs one point more but has S+L speed
and better cannons.
In sum, the Mercure isn't the best S-boarder out
there, but she's a fine value, and she can also
fight well. For a medium-priced ship, you're getting
more than your money's worth from her.
First up we had a fighter, then we had a wannabe
gold runner. Today we have a boat that specializes
in boarding. The Mercure is one of those many boats
that can initiate boarding parties from S away,
which works out well if you can find a crew member
who adds to your boarding roles. She does about as
well as the Jaguar at fighting with two 3L cannons
and one 2S cannon. She has good base speed though
with S+S but her cargo of three spaces is a little
disappointing.
At 13 points, the Mercure is slightly overpriced.
Keep her boarding the little gold runners and away
from any gunboats.
