ODD!!

Originally published to Miniature Trading on September 3rd, 2016

57 Points

This is my entry to El Cazador’s Odd Fleet Challenge.

The strategy is simple – crush the other fleet. The scorpion runs out and slashes opponents, causing Fear to spread among their ranks. The Plague and the Runes of Death wreak havoc on crews, allowing Davy to possess them. Terrox is the fastest kraken and can move faster with Davy’s bonus. The bonus may not be used since it uses the Scorpion’s action for that turn. The Proud Tortoise cleans up the scraps and acts as a third attack ship. No forts were included because this fleet is not designed to get any gold.

(Originally my grand plan was to put copier Davy Jones aboard the Bloody Blade and have him copy the Longship keyword from the Hlidskjalf, which would also give him access to the longship’s secondary ability, which is extremely obnoxious. That would make the Bloody Blade an extreme offensive and defensive threat. The Libellule with a helmsman and explorer would have acted as the main gold runner. It was a good plan, until I remembered that we can’t use Limit for this challenge. Oh well.)

Fleet page at Miniature Trading

American Pirates

Ready to sail out!

40 Point Competitive Fleet

Originally published to Miniature Trading on September 3rd, 2016

45 Points

Here is a fleet I’ve used with substantial success. Check out how it did in these battle reports (I plan to eventually redo those battle reports with the pictures).  I created it around January 1st 2015, and it’s been used extensively since then.

Participating in VASSAL Tournament #1, this fleet finished second by losing in the finals to UPS 5.

This fleet managed to win an epic 8 fleet multiplayer game, which is really cool.  It also came in second place in a 12 fleet game, making it one of the few fleets I’ve seen that is somewhat objectively good at games with lots of fleets involved.

It did quite well in VASSAL Tournament #2, where you can see even more battle reports!

After losing in VASSAL Tournament #2, this fleet’s record is now 14-12. It’s my third-most-tested fleet that I’ve used in games.

What I find amazing about this American Pirates fleet is that it’s not even optimized for competitive play, yet lost in the finals of one tournament and in the semifinals of another, more competitive tournament.  You could easily swap out the Bandido for the Banshee’s Cry with a helmsman and explorer, and even swap out the Amity for the Bloody Jewel and another cheap Pirate gold runner (or two with Rover + Mermaid, etc).

Fleet page at Miniature Trading

More Gimmicky Fun – 200 Point Fleet

The start of the game this fleet was used in.

Originally published to Miniature Trading on September 2nd, 2016

205 Points

Created for a 200 point game of Water World.

This battle report tells you everything you need to know about this fleet. Perhaps someday I’ll use it again to have more gimmicky fun!

Proxies

Lady Roimata instead of Jordan Dumas:

Lady Roimata
RtSS-043, Super Rare

French
Points: 6
Link: Fetu

Ability: Captain. Once per turn before you give this ship an action, roll a d6. On a 5 or 6, this ship can be given the same action twice.

Black Coral instead of Abomination:

Black Coral
RtSS-016, Uncommon

Cursed
Points: 15
Masts: 4
Cargo: 4
Move: S+S
Cannons: 4S-3S-3S-4S

Ability: Secret Hold. This ship gains the Eternal keyword as long as she has a crew with the Captain keyword or “Captain” in its name.

Fleet page at Miniature Trading

Delusion Fleet

The Delusion glows in the dark!

Originally published to Miniature Trading on September 1st, 2016

100 Points

I’ve mentioned this many times in the past, and have played this fleet before. I’m not sure why I never bothered uploading it as a fleet. It’s generally for deathmatches.

As far as I know this is all legal heh. The Delusion setup may be the most total points you can fit on one ship in the entire game (77, I suppose you can fit another oarsman to make it 78 lol). The crew total 42 points for 8 crew, and Eddie gives -1 to the other 7. 42-7=35, so it works out perfectly. The cargo is actually better than perfect – there’s still a spot left! DJ links to make it 8 cargo, minus 7 crew who take up space.

The Delusion just sails around doing whatever she wants. She’ll move L+S+L+S with 20 shots 5/6 of the time, and Nemo will pair with Ozat to nab enemy crew. These crew can either be used as backups for the main crew (since you already have most of the main abilities you’d want on a monster gunship), or as sac fodder for Fantasma. Ideally you’ll capture a reroller so DJ can get more 5’s and 6’s, and start using Fantasma’s sac ability to get extra actions so the All-Powerful/sac captain combo doesn’t “waste” many points.

The Fallen Angel originally had El Fantasma aboard, but that would violate the no-duplicates rule and the point limit. I originally had the Delusion setup at 76 points, allowing 24 points for other stuff. However, the new crew setup on the Fallen Angel might actually be better. Fantasma would let the Fallen Angel keep up with the Delusion (sort of), but now she’s more of a weapon. 4 shots at S+S range and a rank-2 cannon shooting firepots is decent support for the Delusion. The Fallen Angel is to survive as long as possible with her ability and oarsman so the flotilla can stay mobile to support the Delusion. You could also go with the Executioner + captain/helmsman/firepot specialist (or oarsman + equipment). Other than swapping Fantasma for the 6 points of crew, this setup is in its original form.

What do you think of my Delusion Fleet?

Fleet page at Miniature Trading

Keywords Everywhere!

Originally published to Miniature Trading on August 17th, 2016

55 Points

Libellule

NO STRATEGY, JUST GIT RICH QUIK!!

Tribal Chieftain & Native Canoes
RtSS-018
French
Points: 9
Masts: X (Canoes)
Cargo: 1
Move: S+S
Cannons: 3S
Native Canoe. When this ship carries no cargo, she gets +S to her base move.

Indeed. I simply used the search function to find the cheapest ship at each keyword, and then put them in the fleet. (Thus the Lightning not really being a creative choice, but thanks!) I did consider the Skipping Stone or HMS Hermes, but when I saw that the Grinder was not only the best Turbine, but also the cheapest, my decision was made easier. It was the cheapest I could have gone without adding a flotilla, which would have left room for more crew that I didn’t want to add. I felt like I was selling out a bit adding a gunship, but I would try to use the Grinder as a hybrid/escort.

This fleet started off as a complete joke, but once I realized that some of the cheapest ships of their type were actually among the best (Libellule and French canoes, etc), I realized that the fleet would turn out better than I had expected it to, hence adding the Grinder to optimize even more. And yes, Plague should be fun because I might even try to pass it off to my own ships on purpose since they don’t have any crew! (Not to mention the thought of a dismasted Grinder moving S+L with the plague as a perfect flavor touch)

Fleet page at Miniature Trading

Triple Pirate Barrage

Originally published to Miniature Trading on July 11th, 2016

60 Points

This is my fleet for El Cazador’s Triple Threat Fleet Challenge.

I really like 3 masted ships, so choosing a faction was tough. I decided to make a quick decision and go with my gut, which actually said Pirates this time. South China Seas has been one of my favorite sets over the past year and a half, so that made my decision even easier. I happen to adore the Greed’s Hammer, like the Accused quite a lot, and I generally like the Madagascar. 

All three of these ships are underrated, a somewhat unfortunate hallmark of SCS’s rarity. The Greed’s Hammer is simply fantastic, boasting great cannons, good cargo, and one of the absolute best abilities in the game for a very fair price tag. She’s got Hammersmith and Coconut to help her play a hybrid role.

It would be cool to have 3 hybrids, but I wanted to maximize the Accused’s ability and cannons. Therefore I packed her with crew, and the firepot specialist will not be firing at a reduced range since all of the ship’s cannons are S range. Her point limit and cargo hold is maxed out, and with luck she’ll move L+S+L+S and rip off 6 shots at rank-2 with a firepot in the volley.

The Madagascar is the main gold runner – I really wanted to go a lot of different ways with her in terms of crew. I initially wanted a helmsman and either a smokepot specialist or smokepot shot, which would give her fog immunity in times of trouble. However, this left only 2 cargo spaces, and I didn’t want to leave the helmsman at home either. I then considered Captain Mysion which would give each ship the captain ability, formidable indeed. The Parley would help protect the Madagascar, while the captain keyword would give her flexibility. However, her rank-4 cannons seem out of place compared to the other two ships. I also considered Captain Sao Feng. In the end, I went with the tried and true option: the good ‘ol canceller. Tia Dalma will protect the ship from most initial attacks, and could cancel an annoying ability if need be. She should give the Madagascar the opportunity for the first shot, after which the Madagascar can reverse captain away. 

I personally think this fleet is a very strong entry for the challenge. Ships that cannot be shot at within S could prove to be hindrance, but I didn’t see any 3 masters with that ability. That was another reason for bringing Tia Dalma along – if there are any problematic defensive abilities, the Madagascar can sail over and cancel them. Having a canceller on a gold runner is a luxury – the two gunships are already loaded considering their point costs and 3 masted-ness. Each ship possesses one of the best abilities in the game in one form or another: +2 gold bonus, SAT, and cancelling.

Hopefully I’ll be able to test this Triple Pirate Barrage fleet on VASSAL sometime to see if it works well! Until then, comment and vote!

Fleet page at Miniature Trading

Ladies Scorned Everywhere!

Originally published to Miniature Trading on June 30th, 2016

80 Points

After Woelf‘s comment I decided to make a theme fleet based on the Lady’s Scorn!

The fleet is all about the girls – no male crew in this fleet. The 5 masted Lady’s Scorn will try to capture crew and/or steal gold with boarding parties and grappling from L range. She’s also got 2 cargo spaces available if she wants to simply grab gold from an island.

The 4 masted version may not have a captain, but she’s ready for war. Tia Dalma will cancel any enemy captains that don’t have canceller support, which will allow the LS to get the first shot. She’s well-crew with none other than Calico Cat herself, who gives the ship better guns and provides an EA roll to perfectly complement the ship’s built-in reroll. Even without a captain, the LS can potentially move and shoot with an extra action, and between the Canceller and Eternal abilities, she won’t be going down easily.

The 3 masted version of the Lady’s Scorn may be the worst of the bunch, but she’s well-supported here. She can move and shoot with 6 shots if Crimson Angel gives her the SAT, and her guns are now 1S,2S,3S, impressive indeed. Even if one of them miss, Teresa can reroll it! Her boarding bonus could come in handy to steal a coin, which could be transferred to the 5 masted LS to get Gallows’ bonus. (Using Broadsides Attack is NOT recommended for either ship)

Overall, a fun fleet that has some of the best crew abilities in the game. The lack of helmsmen is a serious weakness, but it was necessary to keep the theme. (I experimented with Crimson Angel, Hermione Gold, and Vicomtesse Angelique de Richelieu on the 5 master, but I didn’t like how it turned out.) As a side note, these ladies don’t look too happy, so perhaps you should steer clear of them! 

Thanks for reading; comment and vote! 

Fleet page at Miniature Trading

Spanish Main English – Old School Fleet

Originally published to Miniature Trading on June 22nd, 2016

30 Points

I was annoyed the other day to see that I haven’t submitted any fleets under 40 points. While I do love huge games, I’ve also played numerous games under 40 points and even got started soon after the game came out, with the 30 point build total of Spanish Main.

My favorite faction is the English, and I went with two of my favorite ships.

The Bolingbroke is the main gunship, and hunts for any enemies. The Dover is a great hybrid, but will look to grab gold before fighting. For an extra cargo space you could swap the Dover for HMS King Edward, but then you lose the extra crew flexibility.

I wanted to add Thomas Gunn the Younger to the Bolingbroke, but the helmsman and oarsman is more practical. I also considered having three ships, but decided that two ships with captains and helmsmen was a better option.

Thanks for checking out this Spanish Main English fleet!

Fleet page at Miniature Trading

Large Fry – Spanish Swarm

Originally published to Miniature Trading on April 8th, 2016

This is my entry into brettb45’s Large Fry Fleet Challenge.

Though 5 masters are my favorite ship type, I didn’t take long to figure out what kind of fleet I wanted to use. With only large ships available, I figured that most fleets would feature one or two large gunships with good crew. As a result, I decided to try making a swarm fleet, despite the Large Fry and 40 point restrictions.

With two of the cheapest 5 masters in the game, Spain was easily the best option. The Morning Star runs gold, with a helmsman giving her S+S+S speed with 5 open cargo spaces. The ability shouldn’t affect her since she won’t be shooting (an example of those irrelevant negative abilities).

The Neptuno is the second-cheapest ship in this fleet, and she’ll be a hybrid. Her speed is lacking, but the captain and L+L range of her cannons makes up for it somewhat. With 4 spaces available, she’ll try to get some gold as well.

The San Cristobal was the cheapest way to add fast firepower, as this fleet barely fits into the 45 point total. I didn’t like cutting corners with Zuan, but it allowed for the helmsman on the Morning Star, something that could really help this fleet. With two essential crew aboard the SC for just 2 extra points, the SC can move S+S+L and fire five cannons. Possibly even more important, she still has room for 3 coins, making her the best hybrid and a candidate to look for gold on the farther islands.

Roles:
San Cristobal: Take any major enemy threats head-on to prevent losing the main gold runners. Try to grab gold from distant islands while harassing enemy trade.

Neptuno: Gather gold from nearby islands while using the sniping ability for defense (and offense against enemy gold runners). As the main hybrid, support the San Cristobal in major battles and escort the Morning Star.

Morning Star: Get as much gold as possible. As the main gold runner, empty one island very quickly to get an advantage in the gold race, then move to farther islands.

The large cargo holds and relatively fast base moves (for large ships) make this fleet a decent attempt at a “Large Fry Swarm” fleet. Indeed, with 16 cargo spaces available before adding crew and no less than 15 masts, this fleet has great stats. The weaknesses lie in crew killers, extra actions, and the other inherent weaknesses of a “minimal crew” setup. Also, using these ships wasn’t creative at all, but that’s not my strong suit anyway (especially at 40 points).

Here’s the other fleet I briefly considered for the challenge. 
Terrox
Mourning Star + captain, helmsman, oarsman, fire shot

Thanks to brettb45 for doing the challenge, and thanks to you for reading, commenting, and voting!

Fleet page at Miniature Trading