Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale
1 being the worst.
3 is average.
5 is the highest rating.
Date Reviewed -
July 16, 2009
Cadet-Captain Mike
Name: Le Pique (France)
Card: RV #058 (Rare)
Points: 5
Masts: 1
Cargo: 3
Moves: S+S+S
Guns : 2S
Hit %: 67 (S), 0 (L)
Ability: You may double the range of this ship's
cannons each turn, but you must roll a 6 to hit.
The French are quite well-endowed with small,
inexpensive gold ships that range from fair (Le
Fureur) to magnificent (Le Bon Marin). Today's ship,
Le Pique, is one of their better ones.
Triple-S movement and three cargo, for only five
points, definitely says "gold ship" to me, and
she'll serve you very well in that role. But unlike
most cheap gold ships, this one has a decent cannon
on board as well. It could be tempting to put a
Captain on her and use her as a speedy sniper,
darting out from behind Le Soleil Royal or Le
Bonaparte to land one more hit on a stubborn target.
Or she could help La Toulouse, which gets +1 on
cannon rolls if some other ship shoots at her target
first; let Le Pique take that first shot, from S+S
range with her ability if necessary. Eight points
for a good cannon and a Captain on board is pretty
good, and you still have two cargo free for gold if
you wish.
Anyway, that's the theory. Every time I or anyone
else I know has used Le Pique, it's been as a gold
ship. That's probably her best function.
Either way, she's an excellent value.
The Revolution set was good for S+S+S boats it
seems, as today's is another good boat from that
set.
Powers: The Le Pique's only power is to double the
range of her cannons as the expense of having to
roll a 6 to hit. I've seen this power used well on
bigger ships, but Le Pique doesn't have enough guns
to use it well.
Cargo Space: 3 is a good amount of cargo to carry,
though you may want to leave the Explorer behind so
you can carry a lot.
Masts: If you can only have one gun, it might as
well be a 2S. A good regular gun plus the double-S
power could make Le Pique a decent support fighter,
but I wouldn't recommend it.
Base Move: Le Pique can make good use of her S+S+S
speed.
Point Value: Le Pique is a very good value at 5
points. She can do a little gold running and, if
you're fighting longboats or ships that can only be
hit by rolls of 6, do some fighting.
