Naval Action

[RedArgo]

Maybe they changed which battle types are available for smaller ships.  You used to be able to join regular PVE/PVP with any ship, but they have been steadly changing options.. 

I know you can only join Trafalgar with a frigate or bigger, but I've never tried that mode.  I think it only goes at certain times during the day.

There is also a duel mode where you can go one on one against another human in the same ship.  I guess you'd want to plan ahead with an opponent to get in that mode.

[Nefaro]

Damn.. just had a decent showing in a 1v2 match. 

My Lynx against two player Lynxes.  Figured I was as good as dead.  Got some good hits with ball shot on the way in but my main tactic was to get in close and initially upwind with double shot loaded.  Sunk one guy fairly quickly that way but they were shredding me with chain to my sails the whole time.  Severely damaged the second Lynx enough to make him flee out of range for a very long time while he was repairing.  Unfortunately my sails were in such a poor state, I couldn't keep up.  Match ended after the timer reduced the playable zone and left me outside, missing a mast at that point.  The last guy still wouldn't get close.. just waited the timer out.  >:(

Did enough damage in the Lynx to unlock the Cutter after four matches. 

Easy game to play while imbibing, so it's been getting some time today.  Rum ration'd.  O0

[GDS_Starfury]

[Sir Slash]

Yeah I was wondering about how effective it was in the game to use different types of shot. Whether chain and grape was worth it or just use solid shot for effect. And does the wind ever change mid battle?

[Nefaro]

Yeah I was wondering about how effective it was in the game to use different types of shot. Whether chain and grape was worth it or just use solid shot for effect. And does the wind ever change mid battle?

The type of load matters.  I have only used Chain shot once, when attempting to chase that guy and slow him down.  Haven't used grapeshot since I've been avoiding boarding.  I've only been sailing one of the two noob ships so they have very little crew.  Boarded once to check it out and the Brig had wayyy more than I did.

I don't think the wind changes during the fight but I could be wrong.  There are definitely different kinds of weather currently in there.  Have had a couple battles with very heavy seas which make gunnery extra difficult.

[Sir Slash]

Sounds great. Thanks Nefaro.

[Nefaro]

I've seen videos of people fighting in the middle of a storm, but I haven't seen one yet.  Only been in around five battles though, and two of those were in heavy seas.

The way they did the gunnery is really cool.  It relies on player skill to get the proper range and lead to score hits.  Requires a little practice but you'll catch on quick after you know the hotkeys.  There is no tutorial so here are the basics:

RMB - Cannon view
Shift - Eyeglass 'zoom' view - must hold down , best used to spot where your shot falls short or long of target for better ranging and to get a better gauges of where the enemy ship is heading at longer distances.
LMB - Fire full broadside.
Space - Fire one cannon per press.  Used to get the range before firing the rest of the broadside with LMB.
1/2 - Select Shot Type for Port/Starboard guns.
3-6 - Repair Options and Crew Task Focus.


w/s - Raise/Lower Sails.  Self-explanatory.  Stop/Dead Slow/Slow/Half/Full levels IIRC.
a/d - Rudder Left/Right.


Pretty easy, right?  Not so fast. Unlike games such as PotBS, this one actually has some better sim modelling.  For example, if you're running to fast with the wind abeam, your ship will heel over on it's leeward side.  So much that you can't elevate your guns high enough to reach your target so you'll usually want to lower sails in order to slow down and lessen it.  You'll also sometimes have to time your gunfire near the apex of the upswing, such as in heavy seas or using a short quick turn towards to heel back just a bit extra for more elevation before firing.  So the wind & sea state provide a notable effect on your gunner and you'll have to adjust sometimes.

I'm not sure whether the large Liners with numerous gun decks can have their lower leeward gun decks forced closed in heavy seas but it wouldn't surprise me if they do, or is planned.

You'll also lose speed quickly, heading into the wind, and if you're not going fast enough when you first try to tack through then you may end up being blown backwards until you recover.  This is one of the complaints I've heard about stuff like PotBS - still being able to sail forward directly into the wind for too long.  No issue with that here.