<p><b><center>Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean PocketModel Game<br />
Sneak Peek #4</b><br /><i>by Mike Mulvihill</i></center><p>In each set, we produce a booster that contains nothing but Super Rare pieces. These hard to get pieces usually include something that are unique or just plain different. We have a special super rare pack in the <b>Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean</b> PocketModel game by WizKids. This super rare pack includes two ships, a crew, and a unique treasure.</p><p><center><img src="http://www.wizkidsgames.com/images/figures/rotating/PPDC/PPDC_087.jpg" /></center></p><p><b><i>Black Pearl</i></b><br />Let’s start with the 4-masted ship. It’s the <i>Black Pearl</i> (#087). What’s so special about that? After all there are two different versions in the regular set. Well, this version is not only based on the wraithlike ship from <i>Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl</i> but also printed on clear plastic, giving it a scary and mysterious “ghostly” look. It is a 16 point ship with four 3L cannons. It moves S+S but only has 2 cargo. It features the <b>Fear</b> keyword, and it gets +1 to its cannon rolls if a captain crew is aboard.</p><font size="1"><p><b>Fear</b><br />For each target enemy ship within S of this ship at the beginning of this ship’s turn, roll a d6. On a result of 5, none of the target’s ship or crew abilities can be used this turn. On a 6, the target’s base speed is S on her next turn.</p></font><p>So the <i>Black Pearl</i> can slow a ship down long enough to get its cannons a bonus (as long a Captain is on board).</p><p><center><img src="http://www.wizkidsgames.com/images/figures/rotating/PPDC/PPDC_088.jpg" /></center></p><p><b><i>Fantasia</i></b><br />This 1-masted ship is going to quickly be a favorite of all the Disney fans. It’s called the <i>Fantasia</i> (#088, 11 points), and it looks like a certain hat that has captured imaginations for over 50 years. With a simple ability of giving all friendly ships within S of it +1 to their cannon rolls, the “magic” of the <i>Fantasia</i> will be a must in any pirate fleet. It moves at a speed of L and has one 2S cannon.</p><p><center><img src="http://www.wizkidsgames.com/images/figures/rotating/PPDC/PPDC_089.jpg" /></center></p><p>The super rare crew is Cursed Captain Jack (7 points, card #089). That’s right, skeletal Jack Sparrow with the Aztec Gold curse all over him. Though only seen briefly in <i>Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl</i>, the image will stay with you forever. He has the Parley keyword:</p><font size="1"><p><b>Parley</b><br />If a ship is given a shoot action to shoot at a target ship, before any dice are rolled the target’s player can parley for safe passage. In order to parley, the target must be carrying treasure coins or her player must have treasure coins on his or her home island. The attacking player receives one treasure coin at random from either the target or her player’s home island (chosen by the target’s player). The treasure coin is automatically placed on the attacking player’s home island, and the target can’t be shot at the remainder of that turn.</p></font><p>Cursed Captain Jack has a twist on basic Parley (doesn’t he always?). Once at the beginning of your turn, roll a d6. On a result of 6, no abilities except Parley can be used until the beginning of your next turn. Sometimes Jack know exactly what he’s doing and sometimes . . . well sometimes things just kind of work out. As for the quote on this card . . . only hardcore <i>Pirates of the Caribbean</i> movie fans will be able to identify it.<p><center><img src="http://www.wizkidsgames.com/images/figures/rotating/PPDC/PPDC_090.jpg" /></center></p><p><b>Kraken Gong</b><br />
Finally, card #90 is the Kraken Gong, a unique treasure that ties into other game elements in a way never done before in any PocketModel game. This treasure lets you manipulate the kraken on the board even if you don’t have any in your fleet. For more on the kraken, <a href="http://www.wizkidsgames.com/pirates/pirates_article.asp?cid=41611">click here</a>.</p><p>Load the treasure on your ship to use it. At the beginning of each of you turns, roll a d6. On a result of 1, eliminate a kraken. (How cool!) On a result of 2–5, ignore any damage dealt by a kraken to a friendly ship this turn. (Jack wishes he had that in <i>Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest</i>). Finally, on a result of 6, choose any kraken and place it within S of an enemy ship.</p><p>So, if you are playing kraken this treasure will be invaluable (unless, of course, you roll that 1). More importantly, if you are not playing kraken, this gives you a means to control them. As we know from Davy Jones . . . the Kraken Gong is one of the most powerful unique items in his possession. Now it can be in yours!</p>