Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 50 of 52

Thread: Captains' abilities.

  1. #1
    Admiral of the Fleet.
    Baron
    England

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Notts
    Log Entries
    22,273
    Blog Entries
    22
    Name
    Rob

    Default Captains' abilities.

    Eris just came up with a great idea over on the Drome in view of the Ace abilities for pilots.
    To extend the Captains' abilities beyond the "Specials".
    Name your favourite Captain of this era and say what special abilities he should have and why.
    Rob.

  2. #2
    Stats Committee
    Captain
    Sweden

    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Linköping
    Log Entries
    3,943
    Blog Entries
    6
    Name
    Jonas

    Default

    Perhaps not a favourite and a fictional captain, but one I think fit him...

    Horatio Hornblower: Use to get an extra action during one turn.

  3. #3
    Stats Committee
    Captain
    Sweden

    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Linköping
    Log Entries
    3,943
    Blog Entries
    6
    Name
    Jonas

    Default

    Admiral Edward Pellew, 1st Viscount Exmouth
    Charismatic Captain
    Sailing Captain: When wind attitude of the ship is determined, it may use a sailing attitude as one level better, ie treat red as yellow or yellow as green. May be used once per game.

    Admiral Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald
    Lucky Captain
    Quick Captain
    Boarding Captain: During a boarding action and an enemy ship draws one or more "0s", the Captain can make the enemy ship draw an additional counter. May be used twice in a game.
    Beguiling Captain: When an enemy ship is about to fire it's first broadside against this Captain before this captain has fired any broadside, that action is discarded without being performed. May be used once per game.
    Last edited by TexaS; 02-22-2016 at 08:41.

  4. #4
    Admiral. R.I.P.
    Admiral
    UK

    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Norfolk
    Log Entries
    6,691
    Name
    David

    Default

    Captain Philip Broke (of H.M.S. Shannon)
    Innovative Trainer: Improved accuracy of gunfire - enemy ship receives one extra damage counter; More effective boarding - enemy ship receives one extra crew damage counter.

  5. #5
    Captain of the Fleet
    Captain
    UK

    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    South Glos
    Log Entries
    2,220
    Name
    Chris

    Default

    Captain George Duff RN captain HMS Mars, killed by a cannonball at Trafalgar 21 Oct 1805

    Duff was a proud Scotsman as well as a strict disciplinarian. He enforced cleanliness parades every week, and made every effort to make sure that as many Scots as possible served on his ships, although he never gave them preferential treatment over their English comrades

    Takes two casualties to fill the last crew box due to discipline of crew.

  6. #6
    Stats Committee
    Captain
    Sweden

    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Linköping
    Log Entries
    3,943
    Blog Entries
    6
    Name
    Jonas

    Default

    I hope nobody thinks I "reserved" those captains. I hope to hear others give their opinions about the same captains so my suggestion can be improved upon.

  7. #7

    Default

    François-Paul Brueys d’Aigalliers, Comte de Brueys (died 1. August 1798 at Abukir on board of his flagship)

    Ability: "Tend to Explode"

    Following page 40 of the rulebook - optional rule Ammunition Explosion: Your ship explodes definitely with the second fire damage.

  8. #8
    Surveyor of the Navy
    Captain
    UK

    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Gloucestershire
    Log Entries
    3,143
    Name
    David

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Comte de Brueys View Post
    François-Paul Brueys d’Aigalliers, Comte de Brueys (died 1. August 1798 at Abukir on board of his flagship)

    Ability: "Tend to Explode"

    Following page 40 of the rulebook - optional rule Ammunition Explosion: Your ship explodes definitely with the second fire damage.
    Play this card once only

  9. #9
    Admiral of the Fleet.
    Baron
    England

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Notts
    Log Entries
    22,273
    Blog Entries
    22
    Name
    Rob

    Default

    Now come on be serious chaps, or I will have to play my on fire capability card and no one wants that now do they.
    Fireships plus damage.
    Rob.

  10. #10
    Master & Commander
    UK

    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Northumberland
    Log Entries
    1,821
    Blog Entries
    2
    Name
    Neil

    Default

    Sven remind me NOT to take this man as a named captain!

    Quote Originally Posted by Comte de Brueys View Post
    François-Paul Brueys d’Aigalliers, Comte de Brueys (died 1. August 1798 at Abukir on board of his flagship)

    Ability: "Tend to Explode"

    Following page 40 of the rulebook - optional rule Ammunition Explosion: Your ship explodes definitely with the second fire damage.

  11. #11
    Admiral of the Fleet.
    Baron
    England

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Notts
    Log Entries
    22,273
    Blog Entries
    22
    Name
    Rob

    Default

    Captain William Bligh.
    Following the Bounty mutiny, his 48 day passage in an open boat from Tahiti to Timor 3,600 miles in an open boat with no charts and only a sextant for navigation should qualify him for the "Navigation" ability. If his ship leaves the table at an edge other than a friendly one, his skills allow him to get his ship back to a home port. Also a strange one for Bligh. "Loyal crew." In spite of the much mentioned Mutiny on the Merchant ship Bounty, he was the only Royal Navy Captain who's crew refused to Mutiny during the troubles at Spithead and the Nore when the Home Fleet went on strike.
    This should allow him to gain one extra crew action twice during a game.
    Rob.

  12. #12

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bligh View Post
    Now come on be serious chaps, ...
    Wait until I worked out the special abilities for Pierre-Charles-Jean-Baptiste-Silvestre de Villeneuve.

    Coward
    Bad luck in Battle
    Undying

  13. #13
    Stats Committee
    Captain
    Sweden

    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Linköping
    Log Entries
    3,943
    Blog Entries
    6
    Name
    Jonas

    Default

    Some of these apply to Vice-amiral Charles-Alexandre Léon Durand Linois even if he also could have Charismatic Captain as he was described as very pleasant.

  14. #14
    Midshipman
    Germany

    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Bavaria
    Log Entries
    242
    Name
    Richard

    Default

    Sir Sidney Smith
    Charismatic Captain
    Intuitive Captain
    Evasive Captain: When taking damage from a shooting action, the damage chit with the highest value may be redrawn. Usable twice per game (not in the same turn).
    Last edited by Torrence; 02-24-2016 at 08:24.

  15. #15
    Stats Committee
    Captain
    Sweden

    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Linköping
    Log Entries
    3,943
    Blog Entries
    6
    Name
    Jonas

    Default

    Jean Jacques Étienne Lucas
    Charismatic Captain (522 casualties out of 643 before surrendering at Trafalgar)
    Deadeye Captain
    Iron Captain

  16. #16
    Stats Committee
    Master & Commander
    United States

    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Maryland
    Log Entries
    1,987
    Blog Entries
    13
    Name
    Dobbs

    Default

    I am composing a collection of positive and negative cards beyond the ones released by Ares. If anyone has any suggestions, for captains or crew, I'd love to hear them.

    When I'm done, I'll try to upload them to here as a PDF. Let me know if I should leave the Ares ones out for copyright reasons.

  17. #17
    Admiral. R.I.P.
    Admiral
    UK

    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Norfolk
    Log Entries
    6,691
    Name
    David

    Default

    Captain John Paul Jones

    Tenacity - "I have not yet begun to fight." His ship may be allowed one extra damage box at the right hand end of the track. (?)

  18. #18
    Stats Committee
    Captain
    Sweden

    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Linköping
    Log Entries
    3,943
    Blog Entries
    6
    Name
    Jonas

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Naharaht View Post
    Captain John Paul Jones

    Tenacity - "I have not yet begun to fight." His ship may be allowed one extra damage box at the right hand end of the track. (?)
    With a free boarding action?

  19. #19
    Admiral of the Fleet.
    Baron
    England

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Notts
    Log Entries
    22,273
    Blog Entries
    22
    Name
    Rob

    Default

    The same card could be used for Nelson when he was a Captain, thus allowing him an advantage if using the Patent Bridge.
    Rob.

  20. #20
    Stats Committee
    Master & Commander
    United States

    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Maryland
    Log Entries
    1,987
    Blog Entries
    13
    Name
    Dobbs

    Default

    I have made:

    Gunners Lacking Experience
    Sailors Lacking Experience

    into Crew Cards

    I have also added:

    Bad Aim

    David, Tenacity is a good one, I will include it. I need more bad Captain Traits.

  21. #21
    Admiral of the Fleet.
    Baron
    England

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Notts
    Log Entries
    22,273
    Blog Entries
    22
    Name
    Rob

    Default

    From what I have heard there were several irresolute Captains who would not make decisions unless the written order was explicit. I would include an Indecisive Captain card Dobbs.
    We could also have a Flogging Captain, where the men would not do anything without a specific order from the Captain for fear of a flogging. Makes for poor morale.
    Rob.

  22. #22
    Stats Committee
    Master & Commander
    United States

    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Maryland
    Log Entries
    1,987
    Blog Entries
    13
    Name
    Dobbs

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bligh View Post
    From what I have heard there were several irresolute Captains who would not make decisions unless the written order was explicit. I would include an Indecisive Captain card Dobbs.
    We could also have a Flogging Captain, where the men would not do anything without a specific order from the Captain for fear of a flogging. Makes for poor morale.
    Rob.
    I like it! Good suggestions, Rob. There was an expression to describe Captains who flogged excessively, but I can't quite put my finger on it. I will add both to the cards.

  23. #23
    Admiral. R.I.P.
    Admiral
    UK

    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Norfolk
    Log Entries
    6,691
    Name
    David

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Dobbs View Post
    I like it! Good suggestions, Rob. There was an expression to describe Captains who flogged excessively, but I can't quite put my finger on it. I will add both to the cards.
    Are you thinking of the word martinet, Dobbs?

  24. #24
    Admiral of the Fleet.
    Baron
    England

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Notts
    Log Entries
    22,273
    Blog Entries
    22
    Name
    Rob

    Default

    That is the one I would use Dave. I have not come across any other.
    Rob.

  25. #25
    Comptroller of the Navy Board
    Captain
    United States

    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    WA
    Log Entries
    4,298
    Name
    [RESTRICTED]

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Dobbs View Post
    I like it! Good suggestions, Rob. There was an expression to describe Captains who flogged excessively, but I can't quite put my finger on it. I will add both to the cards.
    "Douchebag"? "Arsehole"? "Just BEGGING to 'fall over the side' and feed the sharks"? :D

    For Pellew as frigate captain, maybe an ability that lets him remove one Crew Casualty marker per game, inspired by his practice of diving over the side to retrieve crewmen gone overboard.
    --Diamondback
    PMH, SME, TLA, BBB
    Historical Consultant to Ares, Wings and Sails - Unless otherwise noted, all comments are strictly Personal Opinion ONLY and not to be taken as official Company Policy.

  26. #26
    Ordinary Seaman
    United States

    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Colorado
    Log Entries
    33
    Name
    Paul

    Default

    I know it's more of a crew ability but how about rapid gunners, if using continuous fire round the number of damage chits drawn up instead of down.

  27. #27
    Admiral of the Fleet.
    Baron
    England

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Notts
    Log Entries
    22,273
    Blog Entries
    22
    Name
    Rob

    Default

    I would like to see "Bold Captain." If the Captain himself chooses to lead a boarding party it adds one box to the ships crew. However, at the end of the boarding, extra chits must be drawn to see if the Captain is wounded, in addition to those normally drawn.
    Rob.

  28. #28
    Stats Committee
    Master & Commander
    United States

    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Maryland
    Log Entries
    1,987
    Blog Entries
    13
    Name
    Dobbs

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bligh View Post
    I would like to see "Bold Captain." If the Captain himself chooses to lead a boarding party it adds one box to the ships crew. However, at the end of the boarding, extra chits must be drawn to see if the Captain is wounded, in addition to those normally drawn.
    Rob.
    Now that's a great idea! It's on the list!

  29. #29
    Comptroller of the Navy Board
    Captain
    United States

    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    WA
    Log Entries
    4,298
    Name
    [RESTRICTED]

    Default

    Talented Officers: This ship ignores Captain Wounded damage until it draws a Captain Killed damage, at which time any further Wounded or Killed markers take effect as normal. (representing having an intuitive subordinate who steps in and carries out the original plan as if having rea the captain's mind.)
    --Diamondback
    PMH, SME, TLA, BBB
    Historical Consultant to Ares, Wings and Sails - Unless otherwise noted, all comments are strictly Personal Opinion ONLY and not to be taken as official Company Policy.

  30. #30
    Admiral of the Fleet.
    Baron
    England

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Notts
    Log Entries
    22,273
    Blog Entries
    22
    Name
    Rob

    Default

    Capital idea DB.
    Bligh.

  31. #31
    Stats Committee
    Master & Commander
    United States

    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Maryland
    Log Entries
    1,987
    Blog Entries
    13
    Name
    Dobbs

    Default

    Maybe there should be a morale loss with the passing of a skilled captain, perhaps some lack of defense in boarding actions?

  32. #32
    Admiral of the Fleet.
    Baron
    England

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Notts
    Log Entries
    22,273
    Blog Entries
    22
    Name
    Rob

    Default

    Aye! We could have a crew card for that. Skilled or Charismatic.
    Rob.

  33. #33
    Stats Committee
    Master & Commander
    United States

    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Maryland
    Log Entries
    1,987
    Blog Entries
    13
    Name
    Dobbs

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Wartrain View Post
    I know it's more of a crew ability but how about rapid gunners, if using continuous fire round the number of damage chits drawn up instead of down.
    I think this is already covered with the "Well Trained Gunners" card.

  34. #34
    Stats Committee
    Master & Commander
    United States

    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Maryland
    Log Entries
    1,987
    Blog Entries
    13
    Name
    Dobbs

    Default

    I'm kind of stuck. The original cards have a "Fast Thinking" captain. The ability hinges on using the Crew Action rules, which I don't. I have been trying to figure out an alternative for this card without using the Crew Actions, but I've drawn a blank so far.

    My first inclination is to drop it. If anyone has any other thoughts, I'd love to hear 'em.

  35. #35
    Admiral of the Fleet.
    Baron
    England

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Notts
    Log Entries
    22,273
    Blog Entries
    22
    Name
    Rob

    Default

    I think that for those of us who do use the Crew action rules Fast Thinking Captain is fine as is.
    I can't myself see any way it can be modified in a sensible way, which will not impinge upon the Intuitive Captain or Skilled Tactician.
    Maybe you could link it with avoiding collisions by allowing him to change a card if a collision looms, and call it "Advanced Ship handling" or some such.
    Rob.
    ,

  36. #36
    Stats Committee
    Captain
    Sweden

    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Linköping
    Log Entries
    3,943
    Blog Entries
    6
    Name
    Jonas

    Default

    I think it would be better to make a different card and keep the one using crew actions as is. Then you can use either card and there would be no confusion as to which effect is in use.

  37. #37
    Admiral of the Fleet.
    Baron
    England

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Notts
    Log Entries
    22,273
    Blog Entries
    22
    Name
    Rob

    Default

    I totally agree Jonas.
    Rob.

  38. #38
    Stats Committee
    Master & Commander
    United States

    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Maryland
    Log Entries
    1,987
    Blog Entries
    13
    Name
    Dobbs

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bligh View Post
    I think that for those of us who do use the Crew action rules Fast Thinking Captain is fine as is.
    I can't myself see any way it can be modified in a sensible way, which will not impinge upon the Intuitive Captain or Skilled Tactician.
    Maybe you could link it with avoiding collisions by allowing him to change a card if a collision looms, and call it "Advanced Ship handling" or some such.
    Rob.
    ,
    Okay, so... We have the Fast Thinking captain, unchanged. It shall be done. Now, the Quick Thinking captain,.. What are his skills? I like the collision avoidance idea, and might just go with that. Maybe he is able to pick any card within the Veer of the card that was going to be played?

  39. #39
    Admiral of the Fleet.
    Baron
    England

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Notts
    Log Entries
    22,273
    Blog Entries
    22
    Name
    Rob

    Default

    That sounds reasonable Dobbs, and would mean that there was still some chance that he might not escape all collisions.
    Rob.

  40. #40
    Admiral. R.I.P.
    Admiral
    UK

    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Norfolk
    Log Entries
    6,691
    Name
    David

    Default

    Panicky Captain - every time the ship receives fire, in the next round one of the crew commands is chosen at random.

  41. #41
    Admiral of the Fleet.
    Baron
    England

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Notts
    Log Entries
    22,273
    Blog Entries
    22
    Name
    Rob

    Default

    Good idea, may I suggest a title such as Irresolute, indecisive or timid Captain.
    Rob.

  42. #42
    Stats Committee
    Master & Commander
    United States

    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Maryland
    Log Entries
    1,987
    Blog Entries
    13
    Name
    Dobbs

    Default

    I was looking at the Evasive Maneuver card from the Victory pack. When we play, we shift the ships if they get too close to the board edge, making this card irrelevant. Does anyone else have any thoughts?

  43. #43
    Admiral of the Fleet.
    Baron
    England

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Notts
    Log Entries
    22,273
    Blog Entries
    22
    Name
    Rob

    Default

    We always play the same as in Wings Dobbs. If your peg, in this case Main mast goes over the edge the ship makes off into oblivion, and the Captain is Court Martialed later.
    Rob.

  44. #44
    Master & Commander
    UK

    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Northumberland
    Log Entries
    1,821
    Blog Entries
    2
    Name
    Neil

    Default

    If there is sea room on the table I move all ships the required distance in the same direction so I don't fall off the table. However if a ship is that far from the action I make a decision Wetherby to remove or return to play.

  45. #45
    Master & Commander
    UK

    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Northumberland
    Log Entries
    1,821
    Blog Entries
    2
    Name
    Neil

    Default

    Apologies I must add this is for solo play only. Otherwise a gentlemans agreement should suffice.

  46. #46
    Admiral of the Fleet.
    Baron
    England

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Notts
    Log Entries
    22,273
    Blog Entries
    22
    Name
    Rob

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Union Jack View Post
    Apologies I must add this is for solo play only. Otherwise a gentlemans agreement should suffice.
    That comes up at the Court Martial Neil.
    Bligh.

  47. #47
    Stats Committee
    Master & Commander
    United States

    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Maryland
    Log Entries
    1,987
    Blog Entries
    13
    Name
    Dobbs

    Default

    What about Ship Attribute cards? Even though ships may have been the same class, some were better (or worse) than others?

  48. #48
    Admiral. R.I.P.
    Admiral
    UK

    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Norfolk
    Log Entries
    6,691
    Name
    David

    Default

    Neglectful Captain - the ship leaks - the crew must pump water once every three moves.

    Careened Ship - the ship moves slightly faster - add the orange Backing Sail straight distance onto the move of the ship.

  49. #49
    Admiral of the Fleet.
    Baron
    England

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Notts
    Log Entries
    22,273
    Blog Entries
    22
    Name
    Rob

    Default

    Some Captains also trimmed the ships better than others for the sailing qualities, and some ships could sail closer to the wind than they should be able to.
    Could we work that into a Ship handling attribute somehow.
    Rob.

  50. #50
    Admiral. R.I.P.
    Admiral
    UK

    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Norfolk
    Log Entries
    6,691
    Name
    David

    Default

    That would mean changes to the green/orange/red border on the ship cards. Rob, and you would need a different one for each ship model.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •