Name: Armada (Spain)

Card: FS #018 (Rare)

Points: 9

Masts: 1

Cargo: 0

Moves: T

Guns : 3S,3S,3S,3S

Hit %: 200 (S), 0 (L)

Ability: Flotilla, Extended Range. When this ship hits an enemy ship, you can also eliminate one cargo from that ship.

A semi-immobile fort isn't what I'd call a Spanish Armada, but that's the name given to this flotilla. Not that there's anything wrong with the flotilla herself. With her special ability, she might be one of the most useful of her breed, picking off crew and treasures at a range where most ships can't even fight back. Her cannons are okay, which becomes above average when you double their range.

It wouldn't be hard for any well-run gunship to take out the Armada in one turn. But anything less than a four-masted killer is going to have a hard time with her. For only nine points, you can give a lot of protection to some area you want protected, or drag her along behind a lesser ship to give a serious wallop. This little fort is a superb value.

Goldship rating: 1.0 / 5

Gun Ship rating: 2.9 / 5

Boarding rating: 1.0 / 5

Value for points: 5.0 / 5

Hey everyone! I'm back! (Boo, hiss) Yay for finals, right?! Okay, enough with my terrible jokes.

Armada, 9 points, Spain

Masts: 1

Cargo: 0

Speed: T

Cannons: 3S 3S 3S 3S

Abilities: Flotilla, Extended Range. When this ship hits an enemy ship, you can also eliminate one cargo from that ship.

Flavor Text: Spain was the last of the nations to create a flotilla, but now uses them aggressively to protect its precious ports in the New World.

Good ol' Spain, always staying with the current times! Hahah,not. Want to know something embarrasing? The crest is UPSIDE-DOWN. If they did that with the American flag, there'd be a riot. And I know what you're thinking...what the heck are you going to do with something that is almost 1/4 of your build total, and it can't even move?! I'll show you.

I also know that you're thinking this: What good are rank 3, S range cannons? With extended range, these are doubled to S+S range. Not satisfied? Whenever you hit an enemy ship, you also eliminate one cargo! Statistically, this flotilla eliminates 2 cargo when it hits! A popular tactic is to have an oarsman onboard your ship to protect your good crew, but this flotilla will statistically get past that. And this goes for all ships, but without crew, you're pretty much useless.

Maybe except USS Stephens.

Here's a fun, but expensive combo. Put Master Bianco and Commandante Antonio de Silva aboard this flotilla, they cost 5 points total. You now can eliminate up to 4 cargo, and 1 crew! Ouch!

The problems with this flotilla? Its cost. Not only that, but you need something to tow it! So if you use El Raton (by far the cheapest) then it'll cost you 11 points. And if El Raton becomes derelict, eh...you're done for. Plus, you'll often be dead weight, since the ship towing it can't have its base speed increased.

In all, the Armada receives a 3.5/5 from me. Really good, but the costs add up.