Newbie question about boarding

[Skeletor9292]

I'm getting killed instantly one hit have armor equipped any tips? Blocking aswell

 

[Skeletor9292]

Also let me know if posting in right area I dont want to flood the forum with idiot skeletor lol

 

[Grey Roger]

What is your "Melee" skill? What sort of armour do you have? What sort of sword?

Enemy captains are likely to be well trained and have a good sword. Merchant captains are less skilled than naval or pirate captains, so they are easier to defeat. Larger ships have better captains. All of this means that, until you have good armour (battle cuirass or gold cuirass) and good melee skill (probably at least 5), you don't want to try boarding warships. Even large merchants are dangerous.

Try bombarding the ship with grapeshot to reduce the crew morale. If you're lucky, it will surrender. Merchants start off with lower morale and are more likely to surrender. At least then you don't have to fight the crew.

The captain may still duel you. If his ship is significantly bigger than yours, he will definitely duel; if yours is significantly better, he definitely will not. Otherwise, if he has better "Leadership" and "Melee" skills than yours, or has better abilities than yours, he thinks you're a weakling and not worthy of his ship, so he'll fight. If you have better skills and abilities then he'll surrender. Again, merchant captains are likely to be weaker than naval or pirate captains.

All of which means, until you're both well equipped and well skilled, concentrate on merchants, and then only relatively small ones - don't try taking on a big Spanish galleon as your first target!