Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale
1 being the worst.
3 is average.
5 is the highest rating.
Date Reviewed - 04.16.09
Cadet-Captain Mike
Name: Ophidious (Pirates)
Card: SS #004 (Rare)
Points: 12
Masts: 4
Cargo: 0
Moves: S+L
Guns : 2L,2L,2L,2L
Hit %: 267 (S), 267 (L)
Ability: Sea Monster, Eternal. If a ship wins a
boarding party against this sea creature, one of its
segments is eliminated and loaded onto the ship. It
takes up no cargo space and becomes a treasure worth
2 gold when unloaded at the ship's home island.
This "Snake-like" monster has a negative ability. It
also has excellent speed and cannons, for a
drop-dead low price. I'm liking it.
The ability means you don't want to lose any
boarding actions; not only will this enrich your
enemy, but your sea serpent loses a body segment in
the process. The solution is either to pick on ships
smaller than you are (and with S+L speed, you can
catch many small gold ships), or to focus on your
fine long-range cannons and skip the boarding
actions altogether. If you get shot to bits on the
surface, the Eternal ability will bring you back.
Either way, you're getting a bargain for only 12
points, the second-cheapest sea monster ever (and
the cheapest one, Squalo, has only 2 body parts
instead of 4).
I don't own Ophidious and haven't seen it played,
but it looks to me like the Darkhawk II and
Banshee's Cry now have company in the category of
"Pirate ships so undercosted that they break the
game." If I did own it, you better believe I'd use
it.
