Name: Royal Louis (France)
Card: RF #029 (Uncommon)
Points: 12
Masts: 4
Cargo: 5
Moves: L
Guns : 4S,3S,3L,4L
Hit %: 167 (S), 83 (L)
Ability: Parley.

France used to be famous for speedy, relatively inexpensive ships, with a mix of good gold runners and adequate fighters. If the Royal Louis is typical of where the French are headed, then the Spanish aren't the only nation that's in decline.

This four-master has good cargo. That's the good news. The bad news is that her cannons weren't made for fighting. She lacks the speed (and the low price tag) of a gold runner, so forget using her that way. How about boarding? She has enough masts to succeed at it, and her ability can get her out of a jam if she picks on the wrong ship. I'd give her one of the French crew that allow you to board from S-range, and maybe a Helmsman so she can catch some real gold ships.

Of course, a boarding strategy can win only if the enemy uses either lots of gold ships you can rob, or lots of small ships that can be crippled by ramming. Against a typical big-gun English or American fleet, the Royal Louis will be a royal loser. So if you're going to give this ship a try, choose your enemies wisely.

Goldship rating: 3.0 / 5
Gun Ship rating: 2.7 / 5
Boarding rating: 3.2 / 5
Support rating: 1.0 / 5
Value for points: 2.7 / 5
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