Windrose GuidesWindrose Frigate Guide: Heavy Warship — Max Firepower, Stats & Build (2026)
The Frigate is the ultimate warship in Windrose — a floating fortress bristling with cannons and layered in reinforced armor. It represents the endgame of naval power, capable of dominating fleet battles and tanking damage that would sink smaller vessels in seconds.
Frigate Stats
Frigate Overview
The Frigate is a three-masted heavy warship unlocked in the late game. With eight cannons per broadside, the largest crew capacity, and the heaviest armor in the game, it is designed to be the centerpiece of any fleet engagement. Acquiring and upgrading a Frigate is a major milestone representing endgame readiness.
Strengths
- Maximum firepower: Eight cannons per broadside deliver devastating volleys. A well-aimed full broadside can cripple most enemy ships in a single pass.
- Heaviest armor: Can absorb sustained fire that would sink a Brigantine three times over. Ideal for tanking in fleet combat and boss encounters.
- Largest crew: 4-6 crew members allow full role specialization: dedicated helmsman, multiple gunners, repair crew, and a boarding party — all operating simultaneously.
- Highest cargo capacity: Can carry large quantities of supplies, trade goods, and loot. Ideal for bulk trading and extended voyages.
- Intimidation factor: Many smaller enemy ships will flee rather than engage a Frigate. This saves time and ammunition during exploration.
Weaknesses
- Slowest speed: Cannot chase down faster ships. Sloops and even some Brigantines will outrun you. Position well before engaging.
- Poor maneuverability: Wide turning radius makes dodging telegraphed boss attacks difficult. You will eat damage that a Sloop would simply avoid.
- Cannot access shallow waters: Deepest draft of all ships. Rivers, shallow coves, and narrow channels are completely inaccessible.
- High resource cost: Expensive to acquire, upgrade, and maintain. Repair costs are significantly higher than smaller ships.
- Large target profile: Easy for enemies to hit. Your armor will be tested constantly — there is no dodging in a Frigate.
- Requires large crew: Not viable for solo play. You need at least 4 crew members to operate effectively.
Recommended Configuration
The Frigate is built to take hits and deal devastating damage in return. Your upgrade path should lean into these strengths.
Upgrade Priority
- Hull Reinforcements (Top Priority): You will be hit — a lot. Maximize armor to turn the Frigate into a true floating fortress. Each upgrade significantly increases your effective health pool.
- Cannon Upgrades: Eight cannons per side means every damage upgrade is multiplied. Prioritize damage per shot over reload speed — each broadside should be a knockout blow.
- Sail Improvements (Low Priority): Speed upgrades have diminishing returns on the Frigate. Invest only after hull and cannons are maxed. Even fully upgraded sails will not match a Brigantine.
Recommended Ammunition
- Heavy Shot: Your primary ammunition. The Frigate handles the slow reload well, and the armor-penetrating damage synergizes with its role as a ship-killer.
- Standard Shot: Carry for weaker targets where heavy shot would be overkill and wasteful.
- Chain Shot: Niche use. The Frigate is too slow to capitalize on disabled enemy sails for pursuit, but chain shot can prevent faster ships from escaping your broadside arc.
Crew Setup
The optimal Frigate crew is 5-6 players:
- 1 Helmsman: Focused entirely on positioning and calling targets. The Frigate's slow turn rate demands constant proactive positioning.
- 2 Gunners: Each manages one broadside (port and starboard). With 8 cannons per side, having dedicated gunners maximizes damage output.
- 1-2 Repair Crew: The Frigate takes constant damage. Dedicated repair crew keep the ship operational during extended engagements.
- 1 Boarding Specialist: Leads boarding actions when enemy ships are disabled. The Frigate's large crew gives you a numbers advantage in melee.
Frigate Combat Strategy
Fleet Flagship Role
In multi-ship fleet engagements, the Frigate serves as the flagship and primary tank. Position yourself between the enemy fleet and your allied ships. Your job is to absorb damage, draw enemy fire, and deliver devastating broadsides to priority targets. Let allied Sloops and Brigantines handle flanking and pursuit.
Positioning
With the Frigate, positioning must be proactive — you cannot react quickly. Anticipate enemy movements and position your broadside before they arrive. Use islands and terrain to funnel enemies into your firing arc. Never chase — make the enemy come to you.
Broadside Management
With 8 cannons per side, managing reload cycles is critical. Alternate port and starboard broadsides during turns to maintain constant pressure. Communicate with your gunners so both sides are ready to fire when you present the appropriate broadside.
Boarding with the Frigate
The Frigate's large crew gives you a significant advantage in boarding combat. After crippling an enemy ship with heavy shot, send your boarding party of 2-3 fighters. Keep your repair crew on the Frigate to maintain your ship while the boarding action is underway.
Frigate in Boss Fights
The Frigate's role in boss encounters is situational:
- Good for: Bosses with sustained damage phases and no fast projectile mechanics. The Frigate's armor trivializes chip damage. Against Blackbeard and similar tank-oriented bosses, the Frigate can outlast and outgun.
- Bad for: Bosses with heavy dodge requirements like Charon's Obols Phase 2. The Obol Storm will shred a Frigate that cannot dodge the targeted projectiles. Use the Brigantine instead.
- General Tip: If bringing a Frigate to a boss fight, accept that you will take damage. Bring extra repair kits and assign a dedicated repair crew member. Your strategy is to outlast, not outmaneuver.
Frigate vs. Other Ships
| Scenario | Frigate Performance | Best Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Solo Play | Not viable | Sloop |
| Small Group (2-3) | Viable but under-crewed | Brigantine |
| Large Group (4-6) | Excellent — best choice | — |
| Fleet Combat | Flagship role — unmatched | — |
| Boss Fights (tank bosses) | Excellent | — |
| Boss Fights (dodge bosses) | Poor — too slow | Brigantine |
| Bulk Trading | Best cargo capacity | — |
| Exploration | Poor — cannot access shallows | Sloop |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Frigate worth the slow speed?
Yes, for endgame content and fleet combat, the Frigate's overwhelming firepower and durability more than compensate for its slow speed. In situations where you can position before engaging — such as defending a port or fighting a stationary boss — the Frigate excels. However, for exploration and solo play, the slow speed can be frustrating, and the Sloop or Brigantine is more enjoyable.
How many crew members does the Frigate need?
The Frigate supports 4-6 crew members. A minimum of 4 is recommended for basic operation — any fewer and you cannot manage cannons, repairs, and sailing simultaneously. The ideal crew is 5-6: one helmsman, two gunners (one per broadside), one dedicated repair crew, and one to two boarding fighters.
Can the Frigate be used for boss fights?
The Frigate can be used for boss fights, particularly against bosses that rely on sustained damage rather than fast projectile patterns. Against tank-style bosses like Blackbeard, the Frigate's armor and firepower are ideal. However, for bosses like Charon's Obols with heavy dodge requirements in Phase 2 (Obol Storm), the slow speed is a significant liability. The Brigantine is generally safer for most boss encounters.
How do I unlock the Frigate?
The Frigate is an endgame ship unlocked after completing the main story or accumulating significant late-game resources. It requires rare materials from boss drops (including Charon's Obols), a large gold investment, and a shipyard capable of constructing heavy warships. Expect to invest heavily before your Frigate is combat-ready.
Can I use the Frigate for trading?
Yes, the Frigate has the largest cargo capacity of any ship, making it excellent for bulk trading. However, its slow speed means trade routes take longer. For high-value, time-sensitive trade runs, a Brigantine may offer better profit per hour. Use the Frigate for low-value, high-volume cargo where capacity matters more than speed.