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Date Reviewed - Sept. xx, 2009
Cadet-Captain Mike
Name: Brave Selkirk (Mercenaries)
Card: MI #008 (Rare)
Points: 11
Masts: 2
Cargo: 3
Moves: L
Guns : 3S,3S
Hit %: 100 (S), 0 (L)
Ability: Mercenary. Submarine. Once per turn, if
this ship carries treasure and is within S of an
enemy ship, you may randomly trade one treasure with
that ship.
The Brave Selkirk was probably named after Alexander
Selkirk, who was marooned for four years on Juan
Fernandez Island and became the real-life
inspiration for Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe." I don't
know why such a brave man also became the namesake
for such a mediocre ship.
Her cannons aren't very strong and her speed is low.
She can play the ramming game that any sub can play,
and she's one of the least expensive of all the
submarines. But you'd better add two points to her
sailaway cost, because if you don't give her a
Helmsman, she'll never accomplish anything. Her best
role is to pair off with a gold ship from some other
faction; she'll take a low-value treasure, chase
down an enemy gold ship while submerged, and swap
her penny for something that can't be worse and will
most likely be better. Then, still under water,
she'll meet her friendly gold ship and give over the
booty, so the gold ship can take it home and unload
it. Repeat until the game ends. It'll work if the
enemy doesn't have any submarine-shooters, and it
will annoy the heck out of him, but it's not the
most cost-effective way to make a buck.
This ship has a clearly defined role for a price
that isn't too high.
But you won't get more than one or two chances to
use that ability in a typical 40-point game, so the
Brave Selkirk won't be able to pay for herself.
She'd be worth a second look if she had more speed,
but she doesn't. You can try her and see how she
does, but don't say I didn't warn you.
