At the beginning of a game of Naval Tactics, each player will be dealt six Captain Cards. Before play begins, each player must discard three of those Captain Cards, leaving each player with three Cards to use during the course of the game. Captain Cards provide a variety of benefits, and the player should consider them carefully as they are outfitting their fleet before combat.

Careful Aim

Play this card on your ship to boost its accuracy to 100% for the turn the card is played. This card is very useful for getting the kill shot on a fleeing enemy vessel, or when combined with other cards to inflict massive damage at range.

Damage Rudder

Play this card on one of your ships that has a clear line of fire to another ship’s stern. If you ship successfully scores a hit on that ship this turn, that ship will be unable to turn during the movement phase. This could cause the ship to sail off course, perhaps even collide with a friendly frigate.

Devastating Broadside

A tricky card to pull off, but worth it! To play this card you must have a ship broadside to broadside with an enemy ship at very close range. Play the card, fire your broadsides, and the enemy ship will be unable to move this turn.

Favorable Wind

In a game of Naval Tactics fleet positioning is often the key to victory. Use this card at a critical moment when two extra movement points can mean the difference between victory and defeat.

Hold the Line

Forming a line of battle is a strong naval tactic to employ; this card gives your ships in a tight line formation a considerable advantage for one turn (at least two ships, bow to stern, in two adjacent hexes).

Improvise Armor

Normally your crew is only able to repair hull and sail damage (using Crew Focus: Repair). This card will have your crew nailing anything and everything to the sides of your ship, repairing up to 25% of your ship’s armor.

Iron Will

No one should question the hold a rigorous Commanding Officer can have over his crew and ship. Often times they manage to survive horrible situations which should most certainly have spelled doom to most vessels. Use this card to pull off one of those miraculous feats (for one turn at least)!

Military Intelligence

Knowing the disposition of the enemy forces will go a long way to securing a naval victory. Use of this card will lift the fog of war on the next turn, allowing you to view all ships in the battle arena.

Shred Sails

A ship without canvas is a wallowing beast indeed! Combine this card with a broadside of dismantling shot to wreck havoc in your opponent’s rigging.

Volatile Powder

Embark on your mission with these casks of specially brewed black powder. While they will send devastation on your enemies, they are just as likely to backfire on your own ship. Use with caution!