Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale
1 being the worst.
3 is average.
5 is the highest rating.
Date Reviewed - November
08, 2009
Cadet-Captain Mike
Name: Black Bear (USA)
Card: FS #042 (Uncommon)
Points: 8
Masts: 2
Cargo: 3
Moves: L
Guns : 3S,3S
Hit %: 100 (S), 0 (L)
Ability: Once per turn, this ship can randomly take
one treasure from any ship she touches.
As a die-hard USA fan, I hate reviewing ships like
the Black Bear. She's proof of the great evil
WizKids conspiracy against the USA, which saw them
get no good ships at all in the releases after OE
and before SS.
Okay, I'm exaggerating about the conspiracy part,
but this really is a cruddy ship.
Everything about her is below average. The only good
thing I can say about her is that her point cost
reflects her ability; you don't get much, but you
don't pay much, either. Her ability suggests a
ramming and boarding role, which would require a
Helmsman. Now she has two cargo free, one for the
coin she'll steal with her ability, and one for the
coin she'll (hopefully) win with a boarding action,
after which she's full and has to run for home. That
can work if the enemy lets you get away with it, or
if your fighting ships keep him distracted. But if I
wanted to spend 8 points on an American two-master,
I'd much prefer the superb USS Maryland, the killer
USS Quigley, the sharpshooting USS Montezuma, or the
French-hating Horizon. Or, if I wanted gold, I'd
pick the old faithful Rattlesnake with a Helmsman,
and have 4 cargo free at
S+L speed, and still save a point compared to this
ship.
I have to say that the Black Bear's price tag is
fair. I also have to say that she deserves her low
cost. Her rating numbers are well below average
across the board. Ships like this make me want to
take out my Franklin, Philadelphia, and Intrepid,
and remember the USA's good old days. Sigh.
