Naval Action coming to Steam EA on the 21st......

Skoop · January 29, 2016, 02:01:36 PM

So you actually see the pixel crew man engaging in combat but abstract in a sense that you can't micromanage them like an rts ? You pick some baisic moves then sit back and watch it play out ?

Silent Disapproval Robot · January 29, 2016, 02:19:06 PM

Boarding is by far the weakest component of the game. It's an entirely menu driven affair. You select a tactic from a list of options (brace, attack, defend, musket volley, grenades, deck guns) then wait while you watch a timing circle fill up. Once the circle fills, you get a spreadsheet that shows the number of casualties your tactic inflicted, morale losses, and changes to boarding efficiency. There are no graphics showing the boarding action. What you see is a close in view of the two ships involved as a background image with the boarding mini game menus superimposed over the image. The fight continues until one side's crew is wiped out or their ship sinks. It's really quite dull.

Additionally, you're prevented from seeing what is going on around you as you board. If you're lucky enough to have decent allies, they'll luff up and fire grapeshot onto the deck of the enemy which will cause crew casualties. If you're unlucky, your allies will fire round shot into the fight and sink the ship you're trying to board (or into you). Even worse, they'll ram you out of the way so they can try to board.

Skoop · January 29, 2016, 05:37:57 PM

Maaan, I so wanted to see pixel marines firing and throwing grenades from the rigging.

SirAndrewD · January 29, 2016, 08:24:33 PM

Woo! I finally made Ensign. Things are finally starting to get a little easier after I swapped to Carronades from Long Sixes. Still 1-1 against humans, but I'm doing well against the AI.

I want to start working my way down towards French waters and seeing if my prospects improve on upgrading. It seemed to take forever to make Ensign, and I don't quite see a logical next step ship considering the prices I am seeing on the market in Kingston.

Still haven't managed to capture anyone or anything. They seem to sink before I have opportunity to grape them and get to grips.

Silent Disapproval Robot · January 29, 2016, 08:34:52 PM

I went PvE and I'm finding it fairly easy to climb ranks. I made 2nd lieutenant a few days ago and I'm about 1/2 way to 1st lt now. I traded up to a brig with 6lb medium cannons on port and starboard and 6lb long guns as stern chasers. I'm finding it difficult to fight as I got used to sailing my cutter. The brig is nowhere near as manoeuverable and I often find myself caught in irons as I fail at tacking (gotta get a run at it or you'll never get the bow around before you lose steerage.)

SirAndrewD · January 29, 2016, 08:41:35 PM

Quote from: Silent Disapproval Robot on January 29, 2016, 08:34:52 PM
I went PvE and I'm finding it fairly easy to climb ranks. I made 2nd lieutenant a few days ago and I'm about 1/2 way to 1st lt now. I traded up to a brig with 6lb medium cannons on port and starboard and 6lb long guns as stern chasers. I'm finding it difficult to fight as I got used to sailing my cutter. The brig is nowhere near as manoeuverable and I often find myself caught in irons as I fail at tacking (gotta get a run at it or you'll never get the bow around before you lose steerage.)

Yeah, I think I was doing it wrong in the early going, trying to go more for captures rather than just bruting out the early ranks. Now that I'm just sinking pirates with carronades, it's become a lot more smooth.

It took me forever to make Ensign, but I'm already a third of the way to 2nd LT after just an evening.

SirAndrewD · January 29, 2016, 11:38:50 PM

Yikes, approaching 2nd LT and I see Brigs at Kingston are selling at over 100k. I'm assuming these are player Brigs as they have a player name next to the seller. Is this standard price for an upgrade?

Silent Disapproval Robot · January 29, 2016, 11:40:34 PM

I paid 55,000 for mine. Player-made one (green category with extra speed. I can't remember what quality green is. Good, I think).

RedArgo · January 30, 2016, 10:45:03 AM

I learned a lesson about teleporting this morning.

I spent the better part of my last two play sessions sailing from Charleston down to West End which is an island east of Florida. I set up an outpost there thinking I could use it to teleport back and forth without having to sail. Apparently though, unlike teleport to capital which teleports your character and your ship, teleport to outpost only teleports your character.

So, I teleported with my ship back to Charleston, so I could sell a couple ships, then I planned on teleporting back to West End, to do some sailing. Instead, when I teleported back to West End it was just me and I don't have a ship, since that is back in Charleston. So my options are to wait four hours until the teleport will work again and go back to Charleston and get my ship and start sailing south again or get another free cutter ship in West End, I think I'll go clean the garage and come back later.

I guess now I know. :)

Nefaro · January 30, 2016, 03:08:36 PM

Quote from: RedArgo on January 30, 2016, 10:45:03 AM
I learned a lesson about teleporting this morning.

I spent the better part of my last two play sessions sailing from Charleston down to West End which is an island east of Florida. I set up an outpost there thinking I could use it to teleport back and forth without having to sail. Apparently though, unlike teleport to capital which teleports your character and your ship, teleport to outpost only teleports your character.

So, I teleported with my ship back to Charleston, so I could sell a couple ships, then I planned on teleporting back to West End, to do some sailing. Instead, when I teleported back to West End it was just me and I don't have a ship, since that is back in Charleston. So my options are to wait four hours until the teleport will work again and go back to Charleston and get my ship and start sailing south again or get another free cutter ship in West End, I think I'll go clean the garage and come back later.

I guess now I know. :)

That's the kind of thing that needs a pop-up warning & confirmation button.

RedArgo · January 30, 2016, 04:45:35 PM

I agree that is a bit of a pain.

Also, I've heard of some people becoming pirates when they accidentally click on attack on one of their county mates. I'd like to see a confirm there too.

Silent Disapproval Robot · January 30, 2016, 05:49:02 PM

Don't you have to chase them and keep them in the circle for 20 seconds in order to attack?

RedArgo · January 30, 2016, 06:46:04 PM

I'm not sure, I've only attacked on a non-mission once. Maybe clicking attack changes you to pirate instantly, otherwise, yeah, just move away.

SirAndrewD · January 30, 2016, 07:16:10 PM

Quote from: RedArgo on January 30, 2016, 06:46:04 PM
I'm not sure, I've only attacked on a non-mission once. Maybe clicking attack changes you to pirate instantly, otherwise, yeah, just move away.

Game needs a few "Are you sure" prompts. I accidentally stuck a blue quality rudder on my Niagara, thinking I'd had my cutter selected. Really would've liked a fast undo for that.

Of course it was Friday and I'd had, ahem, my full ration of Grog, so it might not have made a difference.

DennisS · January 31, 2016, 06:34:31 AM

Quote from: SirAndrewD on January 30, 2016, 07:16:10 PM
Quote from: RedArgo on January 30, 2016, 06:46:04 PM
I'm not sure, I've only attacked on a non-mission once. Maybe clicking attack changes you to pirate instantly, otherwise, yeah, just move away.

Game needs a few "Are you sure" prompts. I accidentally stuck a blue quality rudder on my Niagara, thinking I'd had my cutter selected. Really would've liked a fast undo for that.

Of course it was Friday and I'd had, ahem, my full ration of Grog, so it might not have made a difference.

I am THIS close to having enough crew for my Niagara. I went on a test run, and blew UP a Cutter. Good times, good times!