Name:    Paradox (Pirates)

Card:    PC #048 (Common)

Points:  4

Masts: 2

Cargo: 5

Moves: S

Guns : 3S,3S,3S

Hit %: 150 (S), 0 (L)

Ability: This ship can't shoot when she carries treasure.

I'm guessing that the Paradox got her name from a song in "Pirates of Penzance" by Gilbert & Sullivan. Whether that's true or not, this ship really is a paradox -- she's hopelessly slow and doesn't deserve a Helmsman, but she can still be very useful.

Her strong points (and a ship this slow needs several of them) are her fine cargo and her wonderfully low point cost. Her role is to be a mothership to other cheap Pirate gold ships, which can't carry many coins. While the Mermaid, Rover, and Jolly Mon are scooting for gold, the Paradox creeps along behind them. Those little ships then transfer their gold to the Paradox, which turns and creeps for home while the little guys make a second gold run, starting from mid-ocean instead of home this time. You'll get very rich, very quickly.

Those 3-rank cannons might be tempting, but forget it -- the cost of Captain and Helmsman is higher than the cost of the ship. Instead, think of those three masts as damage insurance in case an enemy raider gets loose in your backyard. Most raiders have only two cannons, which means it will take a minimum of two turns to take her out, which gives your own fighters more of a chance to intervene and save her.

I don't like S-move ships as a rule, but every rule has an exception. If a ship this cheap can do anything useful at all, she's worth it, and if you use her right, the Paradox is worth every penny.

Goldship rating: 2.5 / 5

Gun Ship rating: 1.5 / 5

Boarding rating: 1.5 / 5

Value for points: 3.5 / 5