coan.net:
I thought maybe it would just be based on how many ships black had left the previous turn, like if white takes out a black ship on turn 1, black would still get 5 shots on turn 1, but then 4 on the next turn, exactly the way white would if black took out a white ship on turn 1. That would make sense right?

Though, if this has been said 'no' to before, then I guess it doesn't matter... I didn't actually see where it was asked before but I thought someone else might have had the sense to ask... : /... oh well