Ship Building & Naval Combat Guide

1. Your First Ship: The Sloop

You receive a free Sloop after completing the starter island quest chain. The Sloop is fast and agile but fragile — it has only 2 cannon slots and low hull HP. Use it primarily for scouting islands and avoiding fights. If enemies engage, outrun them rather than trading shots.

2. Upgrading to the Brigantine

The Brigantine requires defeating the first boss (Thomas Richards) to unlock its blueprint. Materials: 80 Wood + 40 Copper Nails + 20 Iron Ingots + 10 Rope + Sail Fabric. The Brigantine has 4 cannon slots, significantly more HP, and can carry a full crew of 4 players comfortably. This is where naval combat becomes viable.

3. Naval Combat Mechanics

• Wind Direction — Your ship speed depends on wind angle. Sailing with the wind gives maximum speed; sailing against it slows you to a crawl. Use the wind indicator on your compass.
• Cannon Types — Round shot for hull damage, grape shot for crew damage, chain shot for mast damage. Always carry all three.
• Boarding — When an enemy ship is disabled (mast destroyed), pull alongside and press F to board. Boarding is the fastest way to loot pirate ships.
• Repair Kits — Craft Ship Repair Kits before any naval engagement. A single hole below the waterline will slowly sink your ship.

4. The Frigate (Late Game)

The Frigate is a floating fortress with 8 cannon slots, massive HP, and cargo space. It requires defeating Israel Hands and gathering Foothills-tier materials. Only build a Frigate if you have a co-op crew of 3+ — solo players cannot operate all cannons effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions