Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale
1 being the worst.
3 is average.
5 is the highest rating.
Date Reviewed - 09.02.08
Cadet-Captain Mike
Name:USS Kettering (USA)
Card:FN #200 (Limited Edition)
Points:16
Masts: 3
Cargo: 3
Moves: S+L
Guns : 3L,3L,3L x2
Hit %: 300 (S), 300 (L)
Ability: Longship. Once per turn,
one crew or ship within S of this ship cannot use
its ability that turn.
For Pojo's 500th ship review, it
would have been nice to pick a really exceptional
ship, but we've already reviewed all of those. This
ship is an interesting one, though, and a pretty
good one at that.
I don't think any other three-masted
longship can catch the USS Kettering in speed; most
of them move only L. She also has good cannons (six
shots at 3L isn't world-class, but I'd still hate to
be on the receiving end), a very useful ability, and
a price tag that's lower than some longships that
are much slower and less capable. She has the
longship's usual 3 cargo, but she doesn't need to
fill one cargo space with a Helmsman, which helps.
As a nice little detail, the figurehead has been
lightened in color to resemble a bald eagle.
Fighting is this ship's reason for being; a Captain
is all the crew she needs. If you can spare the
points, a Shipwright would be a good second crew,
since he gives back two cannons for each mast he
repairs.
The USA has three ships with the
Canceller ability: the one-masted Hessian, the
windcatcher Ghost Walker, and this longship, which
is the most versatile of the three. Yes, she's a bit
expensive for three masts, and yes, there are
longships with better cannons. But if I could get my
hands on the Kettering, I'd use her in a heartbeat,
and I think my enemies would not be happy about it.
Goldship rating: 3.2 / 5
Gun Ship rating: 4.1 / 5
Boarding rating: 3.1 / 5
Value for points: 3.4 / 5
Draco
Starcloud
USS Kettering
Happy 500th PCoTD Review! We celebrate by taking
Labor Day off and reviewing a boat-load (HA HA HA)
of American boats.
Starting off the week is the American
limited-edition longboat, USS Kettering. It's a
longboat, so based on previous experiences, you can
bet it's going to be a pricey fighter.
The USS Kettering does not disappoint in the
fighting regard.
As a longboat, it gets two shots per mast, resulting
in the possibility for six hits against a target.
All three of its guns are 3L, so they're good for
fighting. The one weakness in the USS Kettering's
attack plan is its ability.
The USS Kettering has an ability-canceller, but you
have to move within S of the boat whose abilities
you're cancelling, negating the range advantage
offered by your 3L guns. Against some enemies
though, trading range for ability cancelling is
worth it.
The USS Kettering has a great S+L speed and an
average 3 cargo spaces. USS Kettering can gold run
in a pinch, but why waste its potential when you can
likely find two equally-skilled gold runners for the
cost of one USS Kettering? Those spaces are better
filled with crew, especially a captain and a
shipwright. A helmsman would be good if you want to
leave most opposition, and the rest of your
fighters, in your wake.
The USS Kettering, like many longboats, is very
pricey. 16 points would be a great price to pay if
she were a bigger boat, but longboats only get to be
three masts at their biggest. If you're good at
rolling and getting in the first hit, maybe this
ship is worth it. Otherwise, I can only recommend it
in high-point games.
I give the USS Kettering a 3.5/5.
Vladsimpaler
Yay, I'm back! : D
And school's back, so I'm going to
be gone...again. But for our 500th card of the
day...what is this? No San Cristobal? Heresy!
USS Kettering, 16 points
Masts: 3
Cargo: 3
Speed: S+L
Cannons: 3L 3L 3L
Abilities: Longship. Once per
turn, one crew or ship within S of this ship cannot
use its ability that turn.
Flavor Text: The United States
stole this longship with the unofficial help of
France, and then turned her into a spy ship.
Pfft! Did you just read what I
did? 16 points, and only 3 masts? What is this,
anyway? A longship? Why yes, yes it is. And sadly,
the best one. Yes, you read that right. The
Americans have the best longship, and not the
Vikings. Does it makes sense? No. Anyway, onto the
ship.
First of all, you'll laugh at how
expensive the darn thing is. But, you can cancel
stuff! And, you get 2 shots for each mast! That's
pretty good. This means that you'll get an average
of 3 shots per turn, which is good.
The canceling mostly makes up for
this ship's pitiful lack of defense, and you can do
some nice damage, meaning you can cancel your
opponent's USS Constitution ability. Very useful,
indeed! Of course, your opponents are going to know
of this ship's ability. For the most part, anyway.
And extra action ships are this ship's bane...at
least 2 direct hits are all that's needed to ruin
this ship.
So, I recommend this:
USS Kettering (25)
Captain, 3
Brent Rice, 4
Helmsman, 2
Err...it's deathly expensive, but
you get good kick, scoring an average of 4 hits per
turn and moving at S+S+L.If you really want, drop Brent Rice (the
worldhater) to save 4 points, but then you have
those nasty 3 rank cannons again.
I don't know...Longships just
really stink. But this one's a little better,
garnering a 3/5 from me.
