Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale
1 being the worst.
3 is average.
5 is the highest rating.
Date Reviewed - January
13, 2011
Cadet-Captain Mike
Name: Le Pluton
(France)
Card: SC #076 (Uncommon)
Points: 15
Masts: 4
Cargo: 5
Moves: L
Guns : 2S,3S,4S,2S
Hit %: 217 (S), 0 (L)
Ability: Schooner. As part of a move action, this
ship may initiate a boarding party against a ship up
to S away from her, without having to ram. The
boarded ship may not use any boarding bonuses.
Oh, joy, a Frenchman with the S-board ability. Is
there anything wrong with that? No, unless you
dislike repetition; there are no less than six
French ships and four crew with this ability. Those
French mariners really must love swinging across
open water on ropes, or maybe rowing across in small
boats. Either way, it's a pretty common ability for
the Tricolor.
A few red cannons would have been nice; even if you
assume that this ship is going to be going for
S-range most of the time anyway, some of her cannons
may not be close enough at the end of her move.
Cargo is very good; speed isn't. To use her
properly, she needs a Captain and Helmsman. A
worthwhile third crew would be Capitaine Arazure,
who doubles the damage you do if you win your
boarding action. And don't forget the Oarsman, who
serves as your meat shield if you don't win your
boarding action.
For a French fighter, you can do better; for one
point more, you could take your pick of Le Superbe,
La Ville de Paris, or Le Bonaparte (DJC), all
excellent fighting ships. For a boarder, you might
prefer La Marie Antoinette, pretty much equivalent
to Le Pluton, for one point less.
Like a lot of mid-period ships, this one isn't bad,
but she isn't great, either.
Name: El Pluton
Masts: 4
Cargo: 4
Speed: L
Firepower: 2S, 3S, 4S, 2S
Cost: 15pts
Ability:
Schooner; As part of a move action, this
ship may initiate a boarding party against a ship up
to away from her, without having to ram. The
boarded ship may not use any boarding bonuses.
We continue with a French schooner from South China
Seas expansion. Again, she’s not cheap, but that
seems to be a common place this week. So, what’s she
good for. Again you need to concentrate on her
ability. And that is boarding. Which is not an
easily thing to do, because in brings you in direct
conflict with the other ship. For me boarding
happens at the end of an engagement. Not because
it’s planned, more so as an extra. Taking gold is a
hard way to make it pay. But boarding to kill crew
can be an effective, final strike to subdue that
enemy gunship.
El Pluton can certainly do that. Now, she’ll need
crew. First off you have to decide whether or not to
have a captain. Not strictly necessary, but you do
have three good cannons which could help bash down a
few masts before you go in. A helmsman to bring that
speed up in case you need a fast get-a-way.
Remember, no need to get any closer then S, so no
need to get pinned. An oarsman in case the boarding
goes pair shaped. Not forgetting named crew
options. Capitaine Arazure, allows you to choose two
options for the outcome. Eliminate a crew, a mast
and/or nick gold. Or for the whole hog, Jordan
Dumas-OE. Gives you a re-roll for the boarding and
allows you to use other folk’s crew. This is where
you could plug that gap which the French have. The
Spanish Inquisitor for example will allow you to
kill all of the other ships crew, (very powerful
ability).
Whatever the crew choice the final cost wouldn’t be
cheap. But if you do successfully target a big enemy
gunship, full of expensive crew. You’ll be sure to
cripple her, then that’ll be points well spent.
