[Ben]

Historical Custom of the Day #227

Anthony Jenkinson
English
Crew
5 points
Ability: Explorer. Parley. Ship treasure trading. [Once per turn, if this ship carries treasure and is within S of an enemy ship, you may randomly trade one treasure with that ship.]
Link: Aid

You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas

[Ben]

I like the Gurahk, but feel she could be 10 points. However, I think the Kurak’s ability could get ugly; I hope Woelf responds to that one.

[Ben]

Historical Custom of the Day #226

Finally going to TRY and go away from the Pirates a bit after such a long run of them. I seem to have over 150 Pirate named crew in my historical set now (nearly the same as the total number of English pieces O_O), so I think it’s time to divvy things up and get some balance. However, the historical pirate pages on Wikipedia are usually the shortest, so it’s a nice fallback if I can’t afford to spend more time on the historical customs in the near future.

Manuel Ribeiro Pardal
Spanish
Crew
3/4 points
Ability: This ship gets +1 to her d6 rolls against the English. This ship gets +1 to her boarding rolls against land entities (campaign ruleset ability).

This is where it gets a little complicated, since I want all of my historical crew with very specific abilities to still be playable in regular games. He would cost 4 with the second ability, which could also be simplified to +1 to boarding in general for 5 total points.

You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas

[Ben]

Hmmmm. Suppose the range was S and it could only eliminate up to one mast, in addition to my suggested wording change. Would look like this:

Once per turn, before you give this ship an action, roll a d6 for every ship within S of this ship. On a 5-6 eliminate a mast from the target ship.

That sounds much more reasonable, though the cost might be too low. (not sure where to put it without testing)

[Ben]

That ability would be a huge nuisance. I don’t see it working well – in home waters you might end up doing severe damage to friendly ships (unless the ship always had a “bubble” of space around it), and in combat situations it’s just overpowered.

[Ben]

Lehrak seems like the right cost.

Historical Custom of the Day #225

Samuel Liddell
Pirate
Crew
1 point
Ability: Ship treasure trading. [Once per turn, if this ship carries treasure and is within S of an enemy ship, you may randomly trade one treasure with that ship.]
Link: Henry Jennings

You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas

[Ben]

Historical Custom of the Day #224

Nicholas Brown
Pirate
Crew
2 points
Ability: Loyal: Pirate. When touching an English ship, this ship can load as much of that ship’s treasure as she can carry. This crew can use their abilities on Spanish ships.

You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas

[Ben]

I agree! It’s MUCH better than Fear in a lot of ways. Those changes sound good.

[Ben]

I think Turak is definitely too good. Great ship to start with, and a crazy good ability on top of that. I think making it less automatic would help: 3-4 for T movement, 5-6 for cancellation. Even then 19 might be too low, but that would be a better start for playtesting in my opinion.

[Ben]

Interesting that you say that about the Savant and Sub-hunter, as you were the one who suggested their cost of 8 on MT when I first posted them.

Oops, sorry about the confusion!
For Umarak, a “crazy speed boost” could be more OP than fog hopping.
Jan is just an awkward crew in my opinion, especially since it’s tough to justify getting a cargo bonus while face down. I think a rework might be best.
Doctor is pretty much functionally equivalent to Crew Protect, which we can both agree is a pretty darn good ability, especially on maxed out gunships. (and your boarding-focused players)

~~~~~

Historical Custom of the Day #223

Leigh Ashworth
Pirate
Crew
3 points
Ability: Hostile: France, Spain. Helmsman. This ship can use Parley against English ships.
Link: James Carnegie

You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas

[Ben]

Finally joined! Huzzah!

Super happy to have you here! Among other things, the forum is still under development and will probably see significant changes in the future eventually. However, for now I’m still building the master spreadsheet/database, and after that will be trying to save as much of the MT Pirates forum as possible. Happy to respond big-time here as I shouldn’t have to worry about my typed up post potentially getting nixed in a few months or whatever. XD (trying not to spend a lot of time writing big posts at MT anymore, sadly)

I do feel that the Grand Masque could be 21-22 points, as the Endeavour is OP and could easily be 24-25. As often happens with customs though, more a Wizkids mistake than anything else. XD

Ionics Fleau is simply fantastic, perhaps too much so. Reminds me of the excellent Pirate 4 masted schooners like Golden Medusa/White Rose/Neptune’s Hoard. Though I suppose her cost is fine given how new the Ionics are. Lately I’ve been doing a +1 to d6 rolls against “the Pirates” (or +1 to cannon/boarding rolls, etc) as a catch-all instead of listing ships/forts/crew. I think it’s a decent blanket term that helps abilities be a little more clear. (though there could be gameplay issues I haven’t discovered with that haha) For example, +1 to cannon rolls against the Ionics. Then it would cover any additional craziness like lighthouses or other “entities” that can be shot at, unless you do want some kind of restriction on what the bonus applies against.

Masque Royal is surprisingly balanced compared to the Battleships I’m used to seeing from you. 🙂

Grand Colisee’s shockwave ability might be too good, but the drawback is solid, not to mention the poor speed and massive cost. I’d have to play with/against this to suggest actual edits. I like how it will be pretty hard to pull off more than one shockwave, since the ship will be so dormant for a while after that opponents should be able to neutralize the threat (assuming they have stuff left over to do that with, on a large enough battlefield XD).

I like the Savant’s ability, don’t think I’ve seen it before. She could probably go to 7.

That small sub hunter reminds me of HMS Challenger, but similarly ineffective. The abilities are kind of expensive, but I could still see her going down to 7 as well.

The Chasseur definitely seems overpriced. Reminds me of the Grendel a little, 15 point Cursed-hating 2 master. 🙂 Abilities are good, but still not a great ship. I don’t think 10-11 points would be unfair. 13 points might work if it said “+2 to d6 rolls against the Cursed”, to include boarding/ramming/etc rolls. (if you want to make it even more anti-Cursed at least)

The Grand Cataclysme is one of those frustrating things where one lucky die roll can determine the outcome of too many games. Not very cost-effective, but too annoying for my tastes. I’m glad it should affect friendly ships as well, but I could still see a speed decrease or even just a lesser version of the ability. (within L rather than L+L, at maybe 15 points) I have very similar concepts coming for some of my craziest and most powerful fantasy stuff, but they have big drawbacks or “sacrifices” required to make the big ability happen.

The Chateau is really neat, especially since I find it interesting that as written it would apply to friendly ships as well. Looking forward to the flavor explanation there.

Hmmm… not sure that fog hopping should be on ANY crew. That just begs for OP setups… Umarak on the Celtic Fury (and turning it Cursed with Black Mark) or various other ships is rather disturbing. Fog hopping is still gimmicky, but I’d say it needs to be at a big premium if it’s going to be on a crew. Such as 8-10 points rather than 5-6. Honestly it might just be kinda “too good” though, but perhaps time will tell. (I would say that using 11 point copier DJ to copy fog hopping to a 10 master isn’t really even overpriced, and that requires a ship to copy as well, so for 6 points on a French/Cursed crew… uh oh!)

Phillipe Dubois should be more expensive. With cancelling at 5 and Fear at 2, 7 is the minimum here. Black Mark makes him a bunch better (again, turn the Celtic Fury Cursed with cancelling too? O_O). This is a case where I would “play” with the cost of Fear a bit – he’s a great named crew, so just putting him at 8 or even 9 would be quite reasonable to help avoid him becoming more OP.

Great idea for Amalie! I’ve done the “1 point reducer”, but changing it to 3 points and -2 is even more interesting. So you’d have to have only 2 other crew to get -1 overall… interesting. Definitely a crew I’d have to experiment with to see if I’d like using her, but I love these kinds of twists on existing abilities. Also neat that you’re continuing flavor storylines. That should help with future campaign games in terms of overarching stories/flavor themed stuff/etc.

Jan de Richelieu feels a bit strange, and possibly overpriced for what you’re getting. The +1 wouldn’t kick in until revealed, and 7 points is what I’d pay to get a canceller or maybe a WH captain. Don’t think I’d use her.

Louis St. Croix is an amazing crew for any gunship and should be 9 points. SAT=3, WH=4, +1 to boarding=2. Throw in the fact that SAT is worth more than 3, WH against ALL factions (including France) is arguably worth 5, and that you’re getting 3 good/great abilities in just one cargo space, and you could make a great case for him to be 10 points.

Huh, not sure why Bordeaux is underpriced as well. Doctor is worth about 4 (like Crew Protect), so 7 is fine.

LOVE the last line of Krakua’s flavor text. But the last line of the ability needs to be more clear. Can’t be used on consecutive actions, or consecutive turns? I would recommend both, as in no more than once every other turn. I’m glad the range is shorter, but I’m still a bit concerned of course. Would have to see in action to suggest further changes; I’m glad the cost is pretty high.

~~~~~

Whew! I will continue my series. As I said previously, I plan to start posting fantasy customs again once I’m satisfied with the “resolution” of the MT crisis. (which could be 2+ months)

Historical Custom of the Day #222

James Carnegie
Pirate
Crew
3 points
Ability: This ship gets +1 to her d6 rolls against the French.
Link: Discovery, Henry Jennings, Leigh Ashworth

Don’t like having a faction bonus be so expensive, but the French are one of the Big 4 factions and the bonus would apply to cannons/boarding/ramming/etc, and would be solid against the OP Paradis fort.

Discovery
Faction Affiliation: Pirate
Rarity: R
Type: Ship
Point Value: 4
Number of Masts: 1
Cargo Space: 2
Base Move: S+L
Cannons: 3S
Ability: This ship gets +1 to her boarding rolls against French ships.
Link: James Carnegie

You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas

[Ben]

Historical Custom of the Day #221

Jonathan Barnet
English
Crew
3 points
Ability: This ship gets +1 to her cannon rolls against Pirate ships. Pirate crew may use their abilities on this ship.
Link: Jean Bonadvis

You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas

[Ben]

Historical Custom of the Day #220

Jean Bonadvis
Pirate
Crew
2 points
Ability: This ship gets +1 to her cannon rolls against Pirate and Spanish ships.
Link: Jonathan Barnet

You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas

[Ben]

Historical Custom of the Day #219

Phineas Bunce
Pirate
Crew
5 points
Ability: Loyal: Pirate. Hostile: English, Spanish. Only Pirate crew may use their abilities on this ship. Once per turn you may give one friendly Pirate ship within S of this crew +S to her base move or +1 to her cannon rolls.
Link: John Auger

You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas

[Ben]

Historical Custom of the Day #218

John Auger
Pirate
Crew
4 points
Ability: Captain. This ship gets +1 to her boarding rolls against English and Spanish ships.
Link: Phineas Bunce

You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas

[Ben]

Historical Custom of the Day #217

Nicholas Woodall
Pirate
Crew
4 points
Ability: This ship gets +1 cargo spaces. This crew takes up no cargo space. Once per turn when touching a friendly ship this ship may transfer non-crew cargo to that ship as a free action.
Link: Charles Vane

You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas

[Ben]

Historical Custom of the Day #216

John Cole
Pirate
Crew
5 points
Ability: Gold Capture.
Link: Eagle

You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas

[Ben]

Historical Custom of the Day #215

Richard Worley
Pirate
Crew
4 points
Ability: Filching Gold. This ship gets +1 to her boarding rolls.

You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas

[Ben]

Historical Custom of the Day #214

Richard Frowd
Pirate
Crew
2 points
Ability: Equipment doesn’t take up cargo space on this ship.
Link: William Moody

You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas

[Ben]

Historical Custom of the Day #213

James Skyrme
Pirate
Crew
3 points
Ability: This ship gets +1 to her cannon rolls if there is a friendly Pirate ship within S of her.
Link: Greyhound, Ranger, Bartholomew Roberts

You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas

[Ben]

Historical Custom of the Day #212

Thomas Nichols
Pirate
Crew
2 points
Ability: Filching Gold.
Link: Captain Napin

You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas

[Ben]

Historical Custom of the Day #211

Captain Napin
Pirate
Crew
5 points
Ability: Hoard.
Link: Benjamin Hornigold, Thomas Nichols

You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas

[Ben]

Alright, next two ships. These two I am not certain where to price them (the first one due to the ability mainly), so I am open to suggestions.

Juggernaut
Points: ?
Faction: Mercenary
Cannons: 3S,3S,4S,4S,4S
Cargo: 3
Move: S+S
Ability: Mercenary. Whenever this ship successfully rams another ship, eliminate two masts from the rammed ship instead of one. This ship gets +1 to her ram rolls.

Rusty Spear
Points: ?
Faction: Pirate
Cannons: 2S,2S,3L
Cargo: 3
Move: S+S
Ability: Icebreaker. On the turn this ship is pinned, eliminate one crew and one mast from the rammed ship.

Interesting, I don’t think I’ve seen the ability of the first one anywhere. The Cursed already have a ship named Juggernaut, so there could be some confusion there. (I also would think of a more heavily armed ship when I see that name) That one I could see at 15 points – the abilities are strong, but the cargo and guns are lackluster for a 5 master. The good base move will help a lot with the ramming strategy. I like the price customs conservatively, meaning start high and go lower if playtesting shows they’re overpriced. (to avoid OP and gamey situations)

The Rusty Spear is like an upgraded version of HMS Granville, so about 14 points might work for her. That said, Icebreakers are pretty much universally overpriced by Wizkids, so I could see Granville at perhaps 11, and therefore the Rusty Spear at maybe 13 (improvements in speed/cargo/guns make a big difference). Thanks again for posting! I have implemented a preview function, but deleting posts and replying with quotes is something I still have to work on.

~~~~~

Historical Custom of the Day #210

John West
Pirate
Crew
3 points
Ability: This ship gets +1 to her boarding rolls, and +2 to her boarding rolls against the Spanish. This crew may be assigned to Pirate Native Canoes.
Link: Benjamin Hornigold

You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas

[Ben]

Historical Custom of the Day #209

Daniel Stillwell
Pirate
Crew
1 point
Ability: When touching a Spanish ship, this ship can load as much of that ship’s treasure as she can carry.
Link: Benjamin Hornigold

You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas

[Ben]

Historical Custom of the Day #208

Ranger
Faction Affiliation: Pirate
Rarity: C
Type: Ship
Point Value: 10
Number of Masts: 3
Cargo Space: 4
Base Move: S+S
Cannons: 3S,3L,3S
Ability: Filching Gold.
Link: Benjamin Hornigold

You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas

[Ben]

Historical Custom of the Day #207

Benjamin Hornigold

Pirate
Crew
8 points
Ability: Captain. Once per turn, if this ship is touching another ship, she can randomly take as much treasure from the other ship as she can carry. This ship gets +1 to her cannon rolls against Pirate ships. This ship cannot shoot at English ships.
Link: Ranger, Concorde, Blackbeard, John Cockram, Daniel Stillwell, John West, Captain Napin, Richard Noland

Can’t believe I hadn’t made this guy already!

You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas

[Ben]

Historical Custom of the Day #206

John Cockram
Pirate
Crew
5 points
Ability: Parley. Ship treasure trading. Once per turn you may transfer one cargo from this ship to a Pirate ship within S as a free action.
Link: Benjamin Hornigold, John West, Daniel Stillwell

You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas

[Ben]

Historical Custom of the Day #205

Sans Pitie
Faction Affiliation: Pirate
Rarity: C
Type: Ship
Point Value: 8
Number of Masts: 2
Cargo Space: 4
Base Move: S+S
Cannons: 3S,4L
Ability: This ship gets +1 to her cannon and boarding rolls if she is within S of an island. French crew may use their abilities on this ship.
Link: Jean Thomas Dulaien

You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas

[Ben]

Historical Custom of the Day #204

Jean Thomas Dulaien
Pirate
Crew
5 points
Ability: Captain. This ship gets +1 to her d6 rolls against the Spanish.
Link: Sans Pitie

You can find my custom sets here: Pirates of the Age of Sail and Pirates of the Epic Seas

[Ben]

Glad to be here. I did notice things slowing down over there after the news and thought I would come here to stay a part of the community just in case MT does go.

I am glad you caught the spelling error (if there was a way to fix it I would haha, it was pretty late when I wrote that up and also forgot to have the faction in the info.

Oh wow, you don’t have the option to edit your posts? I’ll have to make sure users can do that. Obviously the forum is still a work in progress to say the least, I just implemented it and have mainly been working on the database issue since it’s a more pressing topic (pun intended) than another Pirates forum. I have the edit option at the top of the post to the left of the post number (no idea why it started in the triple digits haha), but I’ve got all sorts of fancy options since I’m the admin of the site haha.

I also don’t like how these comments aren’t functioning linearly, so I’ll have to fix that too. Thanks for being part of this in the extreme “early days” when things are bound to be less than optimal…. XD

[Author]

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