General description:
The concept is simple enough, replace one of your cannons with a claw cannon...a grappling hook that allows you to both damage an enemy ship and pull it close to you for boarding purposes. Unfortunately, firing the claw cannon requires all of your gunning crews, probably because like anything interesting it draws a crowd.
Uses:
Shoot an enemy ship and reel it in!
Strategies and game play:
Like the claw game commonly found in the lobbies of children's restaurants and department stores, the claw cannon is usually a bust. You only can fire a single shot, and your other cannons are useless. There are several good uses for it, but only in combination with the right ships or crew.
Combos with other miniatures:
Double range cannons or power cannons are the way to go with the claw cannon! If you can combine them, life will become very interesting. On a small ship, such as the Fancy, you can use claw cannon to drag an enemy within range of a large powerful warship. Better yet, just tow a flotilla with you. The flotilla probably will only have S+S range cannons, but with a doubled L range cannon you can drag in enemies otherwise out of reach. Claw cannon also can be fun with terrain. Sail your small ship on a reef and try to pull large ships in.
One masted ships that cannot be shot at within S will benefit from claw cannon. Turn your only cannon into a claw cannon and drag enemies close enough to prevent them from attacking outside your normal range.
If you see a burning enemy vessel, slow down its dash home with Claw Cannon.
Here is a really rare circumstance that would be great: if your enemy has La Republique, use a captain and Claw Cannon instead of towing. You can't sink it (not sure if claw cannon can sink for sure, but I assume it can...if not, apply this idea universally) so you might as well keep dragging it along at L instead of S. Another neat way to use Claw cannon would be to drag a ship out of the clutches of a Kraken, although I can't think of a practical use for this in a two player game.
Claw cannon can also be great for defense. If captured by an enemy, the enemy loses a regular cannon, which can be the difference in surviving the game or not.
For treasure running, you can use the claw cannon to pull an enemy away from an island, perhaps the one with the game winning gold, if you are slightly behind them in reaching the island.
After dragging them in, crew with boarding bonuses are great.
This also would be very fun with Plaque, Runes of Death, or Scurvy. Power cannons makes it even better.
Lastly, use claw cannon against sea monsters. Where else will you find a massive treble hook? (Trogs make good bait...)
Ways to counteract it:
Don't put it in the mix.
If Claw Cannon annoys you, Carbon Charlie can take care of it. You can exchange it for a S range rank 3 cannon and get your original cannon back!
Strengths/Pros:
You can drag an enemy close while eliminating a mast, which is useful sometimes.
Weaknesses/Cons:
You effectively lose a cannon in most cases.
Artwork and aesthetics:
Aptly named UT isn't it?
Overall rating:
4/10, not that good.
Miniature Trading
