Name:   Fly (USA)

Card:    RF #042 (Common)

Points:  9

Masts: 2

Cargo: 3

Moves: S+S

Guns : 2S,3S

Hit %: 117 (S), 0 (L)

Ability: Schooner. This ship can't be pinned.

This ship, like yesterday's example, is not stunningly great in any way.

But unlike yesterday's ship, I'll recommend this one because, compared to most American ships, she's head and shoulders above most of them in one key area.

That area is gold ships. The USA doesn't have anything in the same league as the French Le Bon Marin, the Spanish La Monarca, or the Pirate Banshee's Cry, all excellent gold runners for low price tags. A ship like the Fly wouldn't even get noticed in a gold fleet from those nations. But to the Americans, this is about as good as it gets for the gold game. Her speed and cargo are average, her price tag is a single digit, and for American admirals like me, that makes her one of the USA's top-ten gold ships. It's kinda sad, compared to other factions -- even the English have better gold ships than this -- but gold isn't the USA's strong suit anyway. We just need something to bring in some doubloons to put us on the scoreboard while our fighters are blasting the enemy.

Alternately, you could put a Captain on her and use her as a fairly effective support fighter. But the USA has plenty of support fighters, many of them truly excellent for the same cost (USS Maryland, Quigley, and Emerald are three examples). But if you want a little gold for the Stars and Stripes, the Fly is an above-average choice.

Goldship rating: 3.2 / 5

Gun Ship rating: 2.2 / 5

Boarding rating: 2.7 / 5

Value for points: 3.3 / 5