Name:    HMS Diamond (England)

Card:    FS #040 (Uncommon)

Points:  12

Masts: 2

Cargo: 2

Moves: L

Guns : 3S,3L

Hit %: 100 (S), 50 (L)

Ability: If this ship has a crew with the Captain keyword, she gets +1 to her cannon rolls and +S to her base move.

This week, we're looking at a batch of 12-point ships. Our first, HMS Diamond, is a rather lackluster backup fighter. Lackluster, that is, until you take advantage of her ability. That turns her into an above-average backup fighter.

England can never have too many fighting ships, of course. This ship, on her own, has nothing to recommend her. But add a Captain, which you'd almost certainly do anyway, and that raises her hit percentages to 133 and 67, her Gun Ship rating to 2.8 (not bad for two masts), and her Value for Points to 3.8! And that rating includes the cost of the Captain. Now she's worth having. In fact, that Captain makes such a difference that, in a big-points game, you might even consider spending more points on a crew that can keeps that Captain from being eliminated.

England has two of those, Dr. Forbes Beattie and Dr. Richard Scott, for

5 points each; that's too much for the one ability. But there's also Commander Spencer Portland, with the crew-protect and SAT for 7 points.

With him and the Captain on board, HMS Diamond becomes a rather costly, but very effective, raider of enemy gold ships. You could also use her to support your big gunfighters, but that's often a waste of a SAT.

HMS Diamond is far from the best fighting ship in her league. But she's even farther from being the worst. By all means, give her a try.

Goldship rating: 2.0 / 5

Gun Ship rating: 2.0 / 5

Boarding rating: 2.2 / 5

Value for points: 2.4 / 5