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Pirate Piece of the Day

Frontier (USA)
 

Piece Ratings: 3.65

Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale
1 being the worst.
3 is average.
5 is the highest rating.


Date Reviewed -
July 7, 2009

 
Cadet-Captain Mike Name: Frontier (USA)
Card: SS #005 (Rare)
Points: 17
Masts: 3
Cargo: 8
Moves: S+S
Guns : 4S,3S,4S
Hit %: 117 (S), 0 (L)
Ability: Hoist, Secret Hold.

American admirals went bonkers when they saw this ship's stats. For the first time ever, the USA got a world-class gold ship.

Seventeen points is a lot for a gold ship, but this one is worth it, starting with the cargo of 8 (yes, 8). Then add the Hoist keyword, with its triple abilities to move gold around, and the Secret Hold ability that safeguards your doubloons against thieves (like the Cursed Blade that we'll be reviewing at the end of the week). Her S+S speed isn't stellar, but it's adequate, and if you can afford to add a Helmsman, she'll really rake in the pieces of eight.

A Helmsman is all the crew you'll likely want to add; an Explorer would be redundant compared to the Hoist keyword. If you plan to also use the Cargo Master crew, he might be better off on a ship that isn't the focus of your enemies' attention. The American Native Canoes would be especially effective in combination with this ship; the Frontier loads the gold, then the Canoes use their ability to take a coin from a distance and then run for home with their superior speed.

Unlike almost every other USA ship in existence, this one isn't meant for fighting. Her high cost means you'll probably have to compromise on your other ships' combat ability. USS Emerald would make a good escort; she's cheap, their speeds match, and she can soak up so many hits that the Frontier can make a clean getaway. It took a while, but American admirals finally have a ship that can be the center of a gold strategy.

Goldship rating: 4.8 / 5
Gun Ship rating: 2.6 / 5
Boarding rating: 3.0 / 5
Value for points: 3.3 / 5
 
Jesus Z. Ship Name: Frontier
Set/Faction: Savage Shores/ American
Number: 005
Ship Type: Hoist
Points: 17
Cannons: 4S,3S,4S
Speed: S+S
Mast: 3
Cargo Space: 8
Abilities: Hoist, Secret Hold

Flavor Text: Constructed in the spirit of exploration, the Frontier pushes ever onward to new horizons.

One of the last gimmick ships from WizKids, Savage Shore gave us a very interesting ship design. Of the three Hoist ships that have come from the SS set, the American faction got a needed boost in it’s limited amount of gold ships. (The English got the potential fighter while Spain made out with the cheaper of the three) This ship has a steep price (17 points) for what is really a three mast ship, but you really get what you paid for. With a decent speed of S+S, the Hoist and Secret Hold keywords, and a very generous cargo space of 8, this ship pretty much pays for herself from the get go. So add a helmsman, go quickly to one unexplored island, use the Hoist arm to explore it, and on the next turn make that land barren of gold. The Hoist arm itself can be used in many different ways from exploring derelict ships to transferring gold from her vast cargo hold onto other ships while she goes on to rob islands blind. The problem that I can find with this ship besides it’s price are it’s cannons. With two 4S and one 3S, you will be missing more than scoring a hit thought one would wonder why make this ship into a fighter. You will have to play this ship in a smart way in a 30 to 40 point game, though at a higher point game you can provide a sufficient escort for this ship. Presumably since Savage Shores may be the last set, America made out very well with this unique ship.

Rating: 4/5
 

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