Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale
1 being the worst.
3 is average.
5 is the highest rating.
Date Reviewed - January
10, 2011
Cadet-Captain Mike
Name: Duke (Pirates)
Card: CC #013 (Common)
Points: 15
Masts: 3
Cargo: 3
Moves: S+L
Guns : 3S,3L,3S
Hit %: 150 (S), 50 (L)
Ability: Schooner. L-range cannons cannot hit this
ship.
Fifteen-Point Ships Week commences with an old
Pirate ship, the Duke.
Like many of the older ships, there's a lot to like
about her.
Speed is great; guns and cargo are adequate for a
three-master; and the defensive ability is always
useful. I'm just not sure she's worth fifteen
points. Compare her to a very similar ship, the
Jarvis, and
(amazingly) the American ship comes off the better
value, with three red cannons and four cargo for the
same price. If you're running a Pirate fleet, you'd
compare her to the Silverback, which is slower and
has slightly better cannons for three points less.
If you use her for gold, she needs no crew, but if
you use a 15-point ship with only three cargo for
gold, you need your piratical head examined. For
fighting, all she needs is a Captain, but for
fighting, you might prefer the Longshanks (one of my
favorite Pirate ships), which has the same guns and
speed but no red-cannon immunity, for only six
points. She can ram and board, but you could buy a
much better boarder for fifteen points (or less).
The Duke's only real problem is her high cost, which
is probably due to her ability. Don't get me wrong
-- that ability can save her life, or let her bang
away at some enemies without retribution. But for
fifteen points? That's just a bit high, especially
for a Pirate. She's a pretty good ship, as long as
you're willing to pay for her.
Name: Duke
Masts: 3
Cargo: 3
Speed: S+L
Firepower: 3S, 3L, 3S
Cost: 15pts
Ability: Schooner; L- range cannons can’t hit this
ship.
My first review in quite a while and we start with a
Pirate ship. Not the cheapest Pirate ship going and
probably not the best, but she does have a use.
That use is fighting, she’ll never make a capital
ship and gold running is best left to cheaper ships
with bigger pockets. It’s that ability which you
need to make full use of, otherwise there’s no
point. She came out in the Crimson Coast expansion,
along with forts. Since forts are mainly equipped
with Long range guns the Duke’s ability comes into
her own. Don’t forget that she’ll also make a good
secondary fighter, even if she is a little costly.
She’ll be perfect for helping to deal with those big
gunships that have all long range guns.
For crew all you need is a captain, since she won’t
probably be your main gunship due to her size.
Chances are you’ll want to keep points for crew to
put on the bigger gunships. You probably won’t need
a helmsman since she’s fast enough. Forts don’t move
and the large majority of large gunships won’t be
moving much faster than S+L anyway. Plus with less
crew you’ll have room to maybe pick up the odd
goodie if you’re lucky.
Just remember she’s not cheap, if fact a little over
priced so you'll need to make the most of that
ability. If you don’t she’s not going to pay for
herself.
