General description:
Arrr, if ye be setting sail for gold, and ye want to maximize the quality of yer loot, best to be bringing along these Maps of Alexandria. Or mayhaps some scurvy dog amuses himself, by setting the plague out. Well, this little treasure can set ye straight, and make sure ye sail smoothly to the island of you choice, and leave the scraps for the Landlubbers!
Uses:
Maps of Alexandria is one of the best and most useful UTs in the game. It lets you determine which island has the best treasure so you can either swoop in and take it for yourself, or blockade that rich island and sink all comers!
Strategies and game play:
Maps is of course a great UT to see where the best loot is. But it has other uses too. If you prefer to sink ships, it lets you know where the best treasure is so you can meet the enemy there and sink them! But it is really useful for avoiding islands that have bad UTs i.e. if an island has plague. Or if someone put out Message in a bottle, you know to bring 2 ships to that island.
Maps is also great in that if you or your opponent picks it up, it is a win win scenario. No matter who receives it, it goes off in the same way.
But the key thing to remember is when Maps is shown, your opponent knows what is on all the islands as well, and can plan accordingly. They may be in a better position to get those "gold Mine" islands and might steer you towards those nasty islands i.e. message in a bottle.
Combos with other miniatures:
Maps of Alexandria honestly works with almost any strategy, ship, and UT. Unique treasures in and of themselves are a strategy all their own. And whether you like to use a lot of Positive UTs, or lace islands with Volcano or Scurvy, it can be so useful. It can literally and positively be used with any UT.
Ways to counteract it:
2 words: Kharmic Idol. It really is the only way. Maps can't be destroyed or made not to go off. But when the Maps does go off and you get the Idol, all the UTs that were used are now gone.
Strengths/Pros:
Shows you all the treasure still in play on Wild Islands
Works if you or your opponent gets it.
Works well with any UTs and fleet designs
Weaknesses/Cons:
Your opponent knows what is on each island as well.
Artwork and aesthetics:
The art is very nice and definitely has the feel of the Barbary Coast set.
Overall rating:
A perfect 10. It is honestly a must for myself and other players that have it. It works with any fleet and makes things easier for your treasure running needs!
Miniature Trading
