Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale
1 being the worst.
3 is average.
5 is the highest rating.
Date Reviewed - 10.15.08
Cadet-Captain Mike
Name: HMS Auckland (England)
Card: MI #052 (Common)
Points: 12
Masts: 3
Cargo: 3
Moves: S+L
Guns : 2S,3S,2S
Hit %: 183 (S), 0 (L)
Ability: Schooner. This ship gets +1 to her boarding
rolls.
This trim schooner has a good turn of speed and
three good cannons, which could make her a secondary
fighter (although I could name half a dozen English
ships that would be better for the same cost or
less). I'd want to try her as a boarder at least
once, though. The schooner ability is extra useful
for a boarder; you can swing into contact with your
prey without being pinned. Of course, you can't ram
and knock a mast down that way, but if you're
boarding a big ship, or one where ramming can't
eliminate its masts, that won't matter. If you do
get pinned, your cannons are good enough to get you
out of a jam.
I can see the Auckland with a Helmsman, rocketing
around the battle area at S+L+S in search of enemy
gold ships, which she would then schooner-turn into,
board, steal a coin, and zip for home when both her
remaining cargo spaces are full. In fact, I might
just try that with the very similar American ship
Concord (BC). But the Auckland is a better value.
