there’s a character who can control other people by stealing their shadow
Keyword “people”. 😉 OK I’ll try not to get too snarky. XD
I do think it would work better as some kind of crew Possession though – a great opportunity for a modified version of that ability. I think doing that would solve the problems all at once – lower the cost and make it more practical/efficient but also less OP at the same time. (for modifications, I think making it on rolls of 5-6 or not having to give up the action either way (or both) would help justify the original overpriced cost of 8)
I find it interesting that you have a lot of ships whose inspiration are people or human-like figures. It makes sense given that this game has more ships than crew and that there aren’t a high quantity of actual fantasy ships to draw from (compared to characters), but I usually find it easier to just keep characters as crew rather than trying to convert them into “things”. In this case the Shadow Thief could be a crew with the Possession ability (possibly modified to make them stand out and/or additional attributes based on the character). Keeping it a ship but making it crew Possession would be less game-breaking/useless than being able to steal ships.
Your concept reminds me of a combo I made just this week that I’m excited about. However, it’s pretty rough and could use some feedback.
Dream Master
Faction Affiliation: Mercenary
Rarity: U
Type: Crew
Point Value: 7
Ability: Once per turn you may take control of one enemy crew until the beginning of your next turn.
Link: Dream Weaver, Dream Weaver II
Flavor text: Having spent a fortune on mind reading techniques, seeing psychics, and basking in the heat of a 10 year journey through southern Asia to live with monks and gurus, the Dream Master finally discovered “the secret”. He is able to influence the subconcious of those around him, occasionally taking over to the point where they do his bidding. News of his bizarre expertise has reached the Cursed, who are preparing to offer him a massive lump sum (in stolen loot, of course) to obtain his “services”, which he claims are not for hire.
He’s basically another “big” independent crew who mostly operates on his own and isn’t part of a nationality or group. (big meaning important/famous/powerful/etc)
I’m not sure how to word his ability properly. Basically you’d be able to use whatever abilities the crew had, as if they were your own. Ex: If an opponent’s ship was given a move action and had a captain, by controlling the captain you could choose if they shot or not, what the targets are, etc. Or simply use it to shut down the crew for the round and not have them get used at all (like they are dreaming while asleep instead of at their post). I think there would have to be a giant Pirate Code entry for this idea though. Thinking about something like All-Powerful, it would get weird on rolls of 5-6. Or using a Possession crew to possess the Dream Master in some kind of strange alliance. XD Lots of possibilities, many of them confusing. I had him at 5 figuring it wasn’t much better than cancelling, but just bumped it to 7….
Dream Weaver
Faction Affiliation: Mercenary
Rarity: U
Type: Ship
Point Value: 20
Number of Masts: 4
Cargo Space: 4
Base Move: S+S
Cannons: 3S-4L-4L-4S
Ability: Mercenary. Once per turn you may take control of one enemy crew within L of this ship until the beginning of your next turn.
Link: Dream Master
Flavor text: The first and primary ship of the Dream Master, the Dream Weaver is an average vessel with an exquisite interior. Her lack of firepower and exceptional handling is more than made up for by her spacious and luxurious quarters. That said, apparently the Dream Master is looking to take on a more expert crew to help him achieve his mysterious goals….
Dream Weaver II
Faction Affiliation: Mercenary
Rarity: U
Type: Ship
Point Value: 17
Number of Masts: 4
Cargo Space: 3
Base Move: S+L
Cannons: 5S-3LL-3LL-5S (not typos, middle cannons have range of L+L)
Ability: Mercenary. Schooner. This ship gets +S to her base move if she is within S of an island at any point during a move action.
Link: Dream Master
Flavor text: The Dream Master wanted a backup ship, and found one in this speedy but pricey new schooner. He rarely sets foot aboard, but keeps her safe in the Philippines if something were to happen to his beloved flagship. Looking after the ship is a small crew tasked and educated with the art of evasion and escape.
You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas