Name: Santa Lucia (Spain)
Card: SC #201 (Limited Edition)
Points: 10
Masts: 2
Cargo: 3
Moves: L
Guns : 3L,3L
Hit %: 100 (S), 100 (L)
Ability: Two hits from the same shoot action are required to eliminate one of this ship's masts.

This is "Same Name Week," where we look at two ships (or crew) with the same name. Our first victim is the Spanish Santa Lucia (Saint Lucy), which started life as a tough little gunship.

A pair of 3L cannons doesn't make much of a gunship; it's her ability that defines her. She's not as fast as a lot of other small Spanish ships, but that's typical for ships with double-tough masts. Give her a Captain, and hopefully a Helmsman, and she's in fine shape to assist a bigger Spanish ship when the cannonballs fly. Cargo and speed are a bit too low for effective gold running.

Her weakness is that she has only two masts, and her ability doesn't protect her against ramming. Spending 15 points on a ship and crew that will usually score only one hit per turn may not seem wise. But her ability makes her tougher than most 4-masters, so she makes up in staying power what she lacks in offense. If raw hitting power is more your style in Spanish 2-masters, you'd be better served by the CC El San Salvador, the RV La Cazadora, or the OE La Reconquistador, all of which have 2-rank cannons and cost less. But on average, in a one-on-one duel, the Santa Lucia will outlast any of them.

This certainly isn't Spain's best fighter. But she certainly isn't the worst, either. She has the ability to be a major pain in the neck to an enemy (I know it's true because I've used the similar Emerald in my USA fleet). If you can overcome your reluctance to punch out and use a limited-edition ship, the Santa Lucia will probably not disappoint you.

Goldship rating: 2.5 / 5
Gun Ship rating: 2.6 / 5
Boarding rating: 2.1 / 5
Value for points: 3.1 / 5

Name: Santa Lucia

Masts: 2

Cargo: 3

Speed: L

Firepower: two 3L cannons

Cost: 10 points

Ability: Two hits from the same shoot action are required to eliminate one of this ships masts.

Same name week kicks off with the Spanish ship Santa Lucia from the South China Seas set. With an ability which keeps her in the fighting for longer. Reasonable guns, speed and good cargo all spell out a good small/light fighting ship. However there are a few small issues:-

Her ability, although good isn’t something to write home about on a two mast ship. It might make her a little tougher in a fight, but she’s vulnerable to ramming and fire-pot shots. As for her point cost, well she’s about average compared to other two mast Spanish gunships. However, the La Reconquistador and El Alqeciras OE are better value and will serve you just as well.

Standard crew compliment of captain and helmsman is all that is needed. However, that will still leave a cargo space and 5 points left. You might want to put on a shipwright to keep her ability going if damaged. Cannoneer or musketeer could also help with her two guns. If you have Roberto Santana somewhere in your fleet he adds great flexibility to any ship that you want to improve on cannon ranks.

For use, send her out alongside a main gunship. She’ll be too vulnerable on her own and watch out for subs. El Garante, for me would be a good choice (if you have the points). Santa Lucia, if close enough will give +1 to El Garante’s gun’s while at the same time the bigger ship can cover the more vulnerable smaller ship.

That’s take a look at the breakdown of costs.

Masts – 1 point

Cargo­ – 1.5points.

Speed – 2 points.

Cannons – 2 points

Ability – 3.5 Points – For me this is a little high ( but acceptable) since she’s only got two masts.     

Total 10 points.

Gunship rating 3/5

Gold ship rating 2/5

Fleet support rating 3/5

Value rating 3/5