Miniature Trading

General description:
This has to be in the top 3 of cost effective treasure runners out there! Its low point cost and decent cargo hold makes her one of a long line of great low cost treasure runners.

Uses:
Honestly, the best option for this ship is to have it run treasure. With 1 mast and a cost of 2 points, a Captain is almost a far flung prospect. Also there is the fact that although its cannon is good, it is only one cannon.

And with a helmsman on it, it costs 4 points! That's one less than the Pique, and 2 less than the vaunted Le Bon Marin. Although it is without that precious Explorer ability.

Strategies and game play:
The best strategy is to throw a helmsman on it and make a run for the nearest or even farthest wild island.

With its 1 long cannon, it could be argued that this little ship could be an effective raider. Though this a strategy you could use at your local venue once.

Combos with other miniatures:
With its relatively low point cost, this ship is limited in what crew you can have. The most logical choice is the helmsman to get you that speed necessary with how far away islands are. And if your venue uses a lot of UTs, then the 2 cargo spaces should be more than enough to get all the gold off the island.

Now if you wanted to use this ship as a surprise raider, you could do this combo, though in my opinion it would work once.

Princess Arii Auraa, Captain, Helmsman

With this you could head towards a wild island that another small treasure runner is heading towards it. Then when you are in range, show the Captain and attack! When you've sunk it, you can either use divers as appropriate, or get the treasure with the Lion, and leave the captain and Princess Arii Auraa on the wild Island. Seem ignoble, but it works for gameplay.

Ways to counteract it:
Honestly, catching it, then blowing it out of the water or ramming it puts this little one out of action.

Strengths/Pros:
cheap cost
good cannon
3 cargo

Weaknesses/Cons:
base S+S speed
point cost allows you few crew

Artwork and aesthetics:
The mostly black hull and black sail with the orange lion is absolutely pretty! I love it!

Overall rating:
I give it a 9 out of 10. I'd give it a 10 if it were at least a S+L movement. That's the only thing holding it back.