Historical Background
The 6th Rate is the smallest class of warship in the English Navy. Weighing 450 to 550 tons and fielding 20-28 guns on a single deck. In the 18th century, they fielded as many as 30 guns and often upgraded from 6-pound cannons to 9-pounders. With crews of 150-240, often with trained marines among the ranks, they were also formidable ships for boarding actions.
A quick-moving warship, they were popular among privateers or picket ships for larger fleets. The early success of the 6th Rate faded quickly as 5th Rates began to fill their role to be able to stand up to larger ships of the escalating naval arms race. By the 1800s many of the aging ships were retired or moved to auxiliary support roles.
6th Rate Frigate Analysis
| Attribute | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maneuverability | 50% | ||||
| Speed | 83% | ||||
| Durability | 43% | ||||
| Firepower | 46% | ||||
| Brawling | 50% |
6th Rate Frigate Overview
There are three ships in this bracket of ships: a Fluyt, Petite Frégate and 6th Rate. Each has it’s own specialty. With it’s High Freeboard, the Fluyt better protects the crew from Fatigue. The Petite Frégate focuses on speed and maneuverability. And the 6th rate focuses on firepower and the options to increase it’s durability for ranged combat.
Because of its lower point cost and combat focus, this ship can be an excellent backbone to a range focus squadron build. At 13 points you can take 3 6ths rates over a 3rd Rate and 4 for less than a 1st Rate. While you do not have as high of a chance for a single salvo of Critical Hits causing a magazine explosion, you are rolling 15 Cannons vs 9 and 20 vs Cannons vs 11 respectively. You also have more ships allowing you to pull off more strategic maneuvers or gain even more attack dice for being in formation.
Pros
- This is an inexpensive ship with Fortitude 2 that is truly combat-oriented.
- With the ability to take Addtional Crew and Stout this ship can extend its durability
- Fast allows it to change speeds without using special Actions
- With Weatherly as an optional upgrade this ship has the potential to keep up with ships half its size as long as it stays out of the Wind’s Eye.
- 3x 6th Rates can outmatch a 3rd Rate and 4x can outmatch a 1st Rate in raw firepower for roughly the same point cost.
- In a 50 pt game these are sharks that hit fast and hard. Add Stout to them and they can be extremely difficult to sink at range.
- One of the most versatile and useful ships in the game at all point levels of play.
Cons
- The ship lacks the Yare ability of the Fluyt
- The ship lacks the High Freeboard ability of the Petite Frégate so it can take Fatigue quickly.
- It can be easy to get overconfident in this ship’s firepower and have it taken down by Fatigue, so you will have to spend points on a good admiral or Rally often or have the right initiative cards in your deck.
- The ship doesn’t have the Fortitude to match Ships of the Line and can crumble under concentrated fire.
Product Referral Links
- This ship is available in the Men of War expansion pack for Oak & Iron