Mercenary Empire

Originally published to Miniature Trading on September 21st, 2015

This fleet was inspired by xerecs’ idea.

The Mercenaries have a unique advantage in deathmatches in the form of submarines. This is an all-sub fleet besides the Celtic Fury.

The Celtic Fury is loaded up. I dislike her cannons, and the more masts you have the greater value there is in putting a world-hater aboard, so Barbinais enters the fray. O’Brien provides a potential SAT and more firepower against the powerful English. Lenoir provides the first of three cancellers in this fleet, almost as many as my American fleet. Herr Fuchs adds captain and cannoneer, so between the cannon bonuses, SAT, and cannoneer ability, the Celtic Fury will be dishing out some damage. I don’t like relying on 10 masters, but unfortunately she has to lead the pack and weaken enemy ships (especially 5 and 6 masters) so they’re more vulnerable to being rammed by the subs. Therefore, she may purposely go after multiple targets and not concentrate on sinking individual ships, at least in the early game. She also has a funny-looking shipwright, who could see action with the SAT and/or if the cancellers can “hide” the Celtic Fury for a turn or two.

With this many points it would be a shame to exclude the Nautilus. The Nautilus is rather obnoxious, with Submarine, Canceller, and the Acorazado ability.

I finally acquired Count Gustov for my collection, so I wanted to showcase him. Only a 16 point ship could hold what I wanted to do, and the Terror is an underrated sub. With Thane’s reroll, the Terror will be just that, a terror of the high seas. Fear can augment the numerous cancellations going on, while the captain and helmsman help the sub ram and shoot at enemy ships. The Terror would likely be the first submarine to surface, and possibly the only submarine to surface willingly.

The Hephaestus completes the trio of the most powerful Mercenary combat subs. She’s moving slowly, but her ability and guns make her a considerable threat if an opponent can bring her to the surface.

Last but not least, I really wanted to include Shaihulud, but the cancel ability is simply too important. The Mobilis resembles a junior version of the Nautilus, and it’s possible that these two submarines will surround the Celtic Fury for a devastating triple-canceller wave of destruction!

Thanks to xerecs for the idea, and feel free to comment and vote!

Fleet page at Miniature Trading