General description:
This is a I have been waiting for months. A very nice vessel that looks great (always look good in black) and it has a nice ability with 2 masts instead of one like in the Santa Theresa or the San Leandro. Its stats make it a little on the heavy side points-wise, but it leaves so much open for you to setup some nice combos.
Uses:
With only 2 masts it definitely is a support ship, but what a support ship it is. It has enough cargo to lay in some surprises, and its ability means you won't get bombarded from afar. It excels in the escort role and should be used to shield your main gunship, especially against say a Le Superbe.
Strategies and game play:
Using it as an escort ship for a treasure runner or gunship is a great idea. It is made more for the enemy to come to you not have it attack. Unless the enemy ship has all L range cannons in which case go in! And with a base move of S+S, it can definitely create a wake with a helmsman!
Another tactic is to stay back in L range and bombard the enemy with your L cannon while your main gunship attacks..
Combos with other miniatures:
Here are some great crew combos:
-Captain Helmsman Nemesio Diaz: I love this one. They can't hit you from L away, but if they come in close you hit them with the crew canceller! Its a lose lose situation for the enemy. But this only works one on one. If he comes at you with 2, be sure to have backup!
-Almirante Miranda Helmsman Musketeer Oarsman: This makes it a little expensive but you get 3 cannons and a reroll. And if you are derelict you can still move and shoot.
-Luis Zuan Helmsman Musketeer Duque Marcus Vaccaro: Kind of like the combo above but has better cannons.
-Duque Alfonzo de Castilla Helmsman Musketeer Oarsman Duque Marcus Vaccaro: Same as the above, but now with crew killing capabilities
-Helmsman explorer Master Bianco: This is an expensive but defended treasure runner combo. Be sure to ditch the Explorer when you get to your WI. But this combo is susceptible to Natives and other crew killing UTs.
Ways to counteract it:
Go in close and personal and attack it with ships that have more Short range cannons. Or if you are using say the Superbe, ram it till its derelict. Crew canceling works to cut off the L immunity and then shoot it.
Strengths/Pros:
Immune to L range cannons
2 masts
3 cargo
S+S base movement
Weaknesses/Cons:
one L range cannon
Guns are 3 rank
Artwork and aesthetics:
As I said before, it looks great in all black. It looks good with the Alma.
Overall rating:
9 out of 10 for Spain, maybe a 7, 8 at most for Pirates in general. I think I would give it a flat 10 if its guns were 2s.
Miniature Trading
