Name:    Persian Victory (Corsairs)

Card:    BC #009 (Common)

Points:  13

Masts: 3

Cargo: 3

Moves: S+L

Guns : 3S,4S,5S

Hit %: 100 (S), 0 (L)

Ability: Galley. After this ship resolves a shoot action, she may move as a free action.

This galley is a sentimental favorite of mine, for an unusual reason:

her good looks. The designers put a detailed Persian rug on her main deck. Compared to a lot of ships that are just variations on black and brown, that extra detail really looks nice on the game table.

Is she more than just a pretty face? That depends on how you use her.

She's certainly no fighter. She has the stats for a good gold ship, except for her cost, which is too high for only three cargo. She can do well as a boarder, as long as she picks on ships smaller than she is.

The reverse-Captain ability can actually be of some use to her in that role.

But 13 points will buy you any of several much better Corsair boarders, like the Jackal's Teeth and Crescent Moon. The Marrakesh is just as good at gold, and almost as good at boarding, for only 6 points. So although I like the look of the Persian Victory, I can't give her two thumbs up.

She'll do okay, but "okay" doesn't win battles.

Goldship rating: 3.6 / 5

Gun Ship rating: 2.7 / 5

Boarding rating: 3.1 / 5

Value for points: 3.3 / 5

Name: Persian Victory

Masts: 3

Cargo: 3

Speed: S+L

Firepower: 0ne 3S, one 4S, one 5S

Cost: 13

Ability: Galley. After this ship resolves a shoot action, she may move as a free action

Can’t say I’m a big fan of the Barbary Corsairs. They kind of remind me of the Cursed, set up for boarding with not the best cargo holds going. Their ships seem to have speed and more focus on gold though, but not great at fighting.

This ship is a typical example of this, with an expensive ability. For me, I would put aboard a smoke-pot. Try to avoid a helmsman if it can be helped and leave the two cargo spaces open. Pick any ship that you think you can catch and that is carrying gold. Then do what the Galley is designed for, ram, board and steal a goodie.  No worries about getting pinned and if you find yourself in a sticky situation. Then shoot the smoke and hide.

The only hard part is winning the boarding. With three masts and no chance of causing damage to the other ship when you ram. It’s not a huge advantage. Furthermore the Barbary Corsairs don’t have a great selection of crew, which hinders any strategy.

The breakdown of points.

Masts – 1.5pts

Cargo­ – 1.5pts

Speed – 3.4pts

Cannons – 1pt

Ability – 5pts+

Gunship rating 1/5

Gold ship rating 3/5

Fleet support rating 2.5/5

Value rating 2/5