Pirates of the Spanish Main –Thomas Gunn the Elder #EC-004

Name: Thomas Gunn the Elder

Set: POSM

Card #s: #EC-004

Type: Crew

Cost: 3 Points

Faction: English

Rarity: Common

Link: Thomas Gunn the Younger

Ability: “This ship gets +1 to her cannon rolls against Spanish ships.”

Flavor Text:  “Gunn's family was sailing to Jamaica when the Spanish warship El Tiran attacked. His wife was killed, and Capitan de Alva took Gunn's 18-year-old daughter, Catherine, hostage. Gunn sold his soul to the navy for ransom money, but Spain denies any knowledge of her.”

Pirates of the Spanish Main –Thomas Gunn the Elder #EC-008

Name: Thomas Gunn the Younger

Set: POSM

Card #s: #EC-008

Type: Crew

Cost: 5 Points

Faction: English

Rarity: Common

Link: Thomas Gunn the Elder

Ability:  “This ship may move and shoot using the same move action, plus. Once per turn when this ship hits an enemy ship, also eliminate one crew from that ship.”

Flavor Text:  “Gunn became a marine in His Majesty's Navy to seek revenge on the Spanish for his mother's death and sister's abduction, and he becomes more convinced every day that pirates deserve to die. His marksmanship is famous on the Main, as is his pension for keeping to himself.”

The two Thomas Gunns represent to me some of the best flavor of the game.  Their abilities represent a specific archetypal character that most successful games have.  These guys are driven by revenge, plain and simple.  The Elder, for 3 points gives you +1 against Spanish Ships.  A nice bonus, but in my mind too expensive.  I’d like that ability to cost less, obviously.  Just think in the next set we’ll be getting characters that for one more point give you a +1 against ANY faction (except your own).

The younger is your basic move and shoot captain, with the added bonus of eliminating a crew.  For five points, that’s an AWESOME bonus, and using him on your gunboat would be very wise.  Throw daddy on board, and for a mere 8 points and 1 cargo spot, you can wreak havoc on the Spanish at least.

Both Gunns are commons, and thus are easy to obtain.  The Younger Gunn is a tad more desirable, but still cheap.

My Ratings:

Playability:

Elder – 2 of 5

Younger – 4 of 5

Collectability

Elder – 2 of 5

Younger 2.5 of 5

Pirates of the Crimson Coast – The Hag of Tortuga #027

Name: The Hag of Tortuga

Set: POCC

Card #s: 027

Type: Crew

Cost: 0 Points

Faction: Pirate

Rarity: Common

Ability:  “Limit. Ransom. Place this crew face up during setup. You may build your fleet using 5 more points than the game's build total. This crew cannot leave this ship unless captured or eliminated.”

Flavor Text:  “Creole Amelie Lejeune, better known as the "Hag of Tortuga" is a sea crone feared and respected by all the sailors on the Crimson Coast, regardless of nationality. It is said that she can commune with the dead, control the winds, and stop a man dead in his tracks with just a glance.”

Straight from the FAQ:  Limit Keyword: The keyword "Limit" refers to the exact ability that it accompanies, not the named card. In other words, you can only have one card with Ransom in your fleet.

Ransom Keyword: Crew with this keyword are permanent crew of their ship & can only be transferred or eliminated by an enemy. Friendly abilities cannot be used to modify this ability!

So, you can only have one crew with Ransom in your fleet.  Not that bad.  The Hag has one of the BEST crew abilities in the game.  A free 5 points to build your fleet with can always be handy.  Nothing in life, however, is free, so you have to be aware that your Hag could end up costing you five gold.  Still, put her on your large cargoed treasure runner, and you’re good to go. 

Hag is one of the best commons out there, and I’ve found that she’ll even get you a 1 masted rare everyone once in awhile. 

My Ratings:

Playability: 4 of 5

Collectability: 3 of 5.

Friday: Constitution, another GREAT American vessel.  Join us won’t you?