Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale
1 being the worst.
3 is average.
5 is the highest rating.
Date Reviewed - 02.21.08
Cadet-Captain Mike
Name: San Estaban (Spain)
Card: RF #034 (Uncommon)
Points: 9
Masts: 3
Cargo: 3
Moves: S+S
Guns : 3L,3S,3S
Hit %: 150 (S), 50 (L)
Ability: Once per turn, if this ship carries
treasure and is within S of an enemy ship, you can
randomly trade one treasure with that ship.
The San Estaban has one of those abilities that
sound great in theory, but are hard to use well in
real life. Fortunately, her ability doesn't limit
her to just one role. Her stats are okay for a
secondary fighter or a gold ship. Use her ability as
an optional extra, rather than as her reason for
being.
As a gold ship, she needs no crew, although Dominic
Freda could make her into something good. For
fighting, she needs a Captain, and a Helmsman
wouldn't hurt. A compromise would be to use just the
Captain, pick up some low-value treasures, and head
for the enemy; you can either shoot him or trade
treasures with him, depending on the situation.
The San Estaban is no La Resolucion, but she's no
Maman Brigitte, either. If you're looking for a
medium-sized ship to round out your fleet and you
can't choose between a gold ship and a fighter, give
this ship a try.
San
Estaban, 9 points, Spanish
Masts: 3
Cargo: 3
Speed: S+S
Cannons: 3S 3S 3L
Abilities: Once per turn, if this ship carries
treasure and is within S of an enemy ship, you can
randomly trade one treasure with that ship.
Flavor Text: The crew of the San Estaban have
discovered the lucrative business of exchanging
goods for gold—an easy way to get rich as long as
the Crown doesn't catch on.
Apparently, the new fad for naming Spanish ships is
to put a 'San' in front of their name. Although, I
think that means Saint. Nevermind, it does. Sorry, I
don't take Spanish.
Sorry, I like going off on a tangent for the first
part of my review.
Now, onto the ship.
The San Estaban isn't too bad of a ship, in my
opinion. It has average cannons, fair speed, and
good cargo. It wouldn't be too bad for a runner.
Although, the ability is one that I do not see much,
but I do see a fair amount of opportunity.
Especially if you're in enemy territory. Was the
island you just ransacked a dud, netting you a bunch
of 1's? Well, go up near an enemy goldship, trade
the treasure, and then blast it with your cannons.
See, that's the nice thing about this ship. You can
give an enemy ship some negative UT's, and you
-hopefully- get some good stuff in return.
It's not nearly as helpful, as say, the trading
treasure after looking at a wild island ability, but
it seems fairly useful. Too bad that it doesn't see
much play, the ability (and the ship, for that
matter) have a good amount of potential.
I bestow upon San Estaban, the honorable rating of
3.5/5.
