Ultimate Speed Fleet

Originally published to Miniature Trading on September 12th, 2015

105 Points

Unlike a lot of my other fleets, this fleet is designed to win at all costs. It’s cheesy and overpowered, but it’s fast and effective.

The San Cristobal (SC) is the expected flagship. With de Alva’s link, she’s got three cargo spaces available, which she can use to get gold from an island or enemy ship. Diaz provides the fantastic canceller ability, making the Cristobal a fast force to be reckoned with. Her max speed is S+S+L+S+S+S+L+S. The SC plays a dual role here; the only way to win is to get the most gold, and therefore this fleet is based on getting treasure. The SC has the speed to hit almost any target on the sea on any given turn. Mycron (big surprise!) will make sure she can move if de Alva doesn’t give the EA. The SC acts as a deterrent and possible gold runner. If she explores, she’ll explore one of the most distant islands.

Next we have the Hai Peng. CJS links, so the HP still has 2 cargo spaces available, which she might not even need with CJS’s ability. Similar to UPS and HPFF, the Hai Peng will work with the Intrepide to teleport gold home to build forts. Ideally, Mycron will give the HP an extra action on the first turn of the game, and the HP will be able to build Paradis de la Mer on the wild island closest to your opponent’s HI. Think about it: imagine having by far the most difficult fort to destroy sitting on your doorstep before you’ve even moved your fleet!

The Intrepide sits at home waiting for the Hai Peng’s gold to flow in. Aristide bumps up the value and you can start building forts. Again, build forts on the furthest islands to protect the gold and then work your way backwards. If the HI’s are close together, build a fort on the nearest contested island to establish dominance of the area (which you may already have with the SC). When you run out of oarsmen to feed CJS, the Hai Peng can grab two coins and sail away at L+S+L+S, possibly doubled by Mycron. Also, once the oarsmen are gone the Intrepide can run gold herself, with 2 spaces and Aristide’s bonus still available.

The Banshee’s Cry (surprise!) can explore the nearest wild island, which is why she has an explorer rather than a helmsman. The BC could also tow the Doombox if something happens to the Raven.

The Raven/Doombox combo is fast and deadly. With a captain on the Raven, the combo moves S+S+S and shoots 2 cannons at 2S and 4 at 3S+S. However, similar to the SC, the fleet’s goal is to win above all else, so the explorer lets the Raven take a few coins quickly. The captain could also be substituted for something like Divers, Raft, and another oarsman for the Intrepide, or even 3 oarsmen if you want Mycron to focus on the Hai Peng and building forts.

The Patagonia joins the Intrepide at your HI, where Mycron gives this fleet a lot of flexibility. Even without extra actions this fleet is very fast, but with de Alva and Mycron doubling speeds, it’s a very competitive fleet.

I’m not a fan of events, but this fleet is made for pure brutality and winning effectiveness. Becalmed should be played on the first turn to freeze as many ships of the enemy fleet as possible, giving the Hai Peng more time to build as many forts as possible. Hidden Cove would also likely be played early in the game to give the HP or SC a head start on the first turn. It could be saved for later in a pinch if the SC or other ship needed a boost.

I figured I’d find the UT’s before my opponent between the SC, HP, and forts.

There you have it! One of the most effective fleets I’ve ever submitted. Hope you liked it! Be sure to comment and vote!

Fleet page at Miniature Trading