Pirates!

[Redbirdy]

Well I guess since there are now at least two of us playing Pirates I should start a Pirates thread of its own; though with all of Phil's other Christmas goodies I don't know how much time he'll be putting into it for a while .

Just yesterday I retired my 7th Pirate since getting the game. This was the first time I played on Rogue Level (4th hardest of 5 settings) and I didn't really find it all that much harder than the previous difficulty level...although I know a few who have had a lot of problems at Rogue. I suppose I sailed through it (pardon the pun) because I'd played the original to death and was geared for the harder challenges.

The one HUGE difference between the original and this sequel is ... ... ... DANCING! Arrrgh what a pain that was when I was first starting out. Some people have two left feet, well I had at least three. I could do fairly well until they started moving forward and backward...I just couldn't seem to pick up the cues and once I started stumbling it was all over. I'm finally getting my "ballroom feet" under me though, and can usually finish a dance without being laughed at any more.

I keep thinking of new strategies and variants to try so the game is staying fresh. So far I've tried playing a patriotic Spaniard in 1600 (hard to do because there are so few non-Spanish ports); a pure Pirate-Hunter in 1660 (also hard to do because of the constant temptation of those fat Spanish prizes); and several variations in between. My last Rogue pirate played in 1680 making it even harder: take any vessel close to a city and you'd have swarms of Pirate Hunters chasing you...many in 30+ gun fast galleons.

My first choice for Pirate Ship is the Royal Sloop. A lot of people don't agree with me on that but I favor speed and maneuverability over brute force. I can often sail rings around larger ships while peppering them with those 20-gun broadsides.

-J

[Phil Walker]

Now now Redbirdy!!!

Just because I have others, I do "assault" what is of interenest even though I've tried all. Being I'm just a beginner at it in the first place, I'll ask you a few things.

I have yet to retire any yet, so I do wonder how you've done so many?! Let alone to change your levels. So, I must ask this; how do you change levels? I'm running the DVD version, and it WON'T let me change ANY of the "check boxes". Do you have to retire one first?!

I have achieved the rank of number 5 on the most wanted (thanks to defeating Blackbeard and some lower level "swabs"), so exactly when do you retire? I'm first trying to hunt them all down! ;D

As to the dancing, there are SOME aids as I have found, but I can't tell if the gal is asking for a turn let alone a right or left move at times, so how do YOU manage? Just a bit of curiosity from a "rookie"...


Sincerely,
Phil

[Redbirdy]

Well I've had the game since Day One so I've managed to put a few hours into it . I don't think the manual mentions it, but you can NOT change any of the settings if you play on Apprentice Level. The boxes will remain grayed-out. Also it appears that the first game you play is automatically set at Apprentice so you're stuck with it. That's rather dumb if you ask me but that's the way it seems to work. Once you begin a second character at Journeyman or above you'll be able to choose all the other options.

There's a lot to do in this game so don't think about retiring soon! I'm usually around 40ish when I retire, and in poor health (all those sword wounds and cannon balls take their toll I guess).

As for dancing, all I can say is "practice practice practice, then practice some more." There are some basic patterns that will develop (3-4-3-4-3-4-3-4 for example, using the number keypad as reference) so once you begin to recognize the beginning of a pattern you can finish it with a minimum of fuss. Also buying the calfskin boots and the dancing slippers will greatly improve your footwork.

-J

[Phil Walker]

As to the dancing, I heartily agree! I found having the catskin boots did help, although finding them was difficult and WHEN I had the cash to pay for them. I have seen the pattern, but I've had to use 5 number keys at times. 1 to rotate left, 2 to move forward, 3 to rotate right, 4 to move left, and 6 to move right. I always use the number keys, but after the first stumble, I'm dooomed!!!

So, from what I gather you also need to retire later and THEN you can choose your levels. Somebody else did tell me about playing a character first, but did not mention getting to journeyman above in the career, so I'll have to pursue that

There are 2 items as well to keep your health up in case you didn't noitce as well. One being the herbs and I believe the second to be some kind of oil, so get those if you can and it may give you maybe 5 more years if you haven't done that. All I know is come 32 I was unable to fight anything at that age, so was a nasty deal and WHEN I met up with Blackbeard. Regretfully I didn't save that character and just opted to start over. Now, back to the "drawing board". AAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!



Sincerely,
Phil

[Redbirdy]

The named pirates sailing around can be a tough fight at the best of times.

One "trick" I was told about is that when you fight your very first sea battle of your career, your ship is INVULNERABLE so pick out a juicy first target! However, even though you're ship will take no damage you still will probably need to defeat the enemy in a boarding action so you still need to be a bit careful. I also found out (on my own) that the invulnerable ship does NOT exist at the highest setting (Swashbuckler). Almost got blown out of the water at the outset in my new game .

Yep, I always try to buy the two health-prolonging items when I'm able. I also usually choose the Medicine skill when I create my pirates, which will help too.

You'll be given a limited option to change the difficulty level every time you Divide the Plunder. If you had a particularly successful tour then you'll be given the chance to go up one level. If you fared poorly then you'll be given the chance to go down one level.

-J

[Phil Walker]

So MUCH to learn for a beginner! ... Anyway, I DID manage to get up to Journeyman. I did save the game as well, so I can go back. So, I DID also in fact retire him at the rank of "Merchant". STILL not able to modify the settings! YEESH !!! Just WHAT does oen have to do to be able to edit the settings?! Will keep at it, although it IS a bit discouraging...

Sincerely,
Phil

[Redbirdy]

Once you start a game you can't change the settings. The only option available will be to either go up (if you're doing well) or down (if you're doing poorly) to the next difficulty level when you Divide the Plunder.

Also, I was wrong about changing the settings when you start at the Apprentice Level: Only the starting era is grayed out (defaults to 1660 and you can't change it) but you can choose what Skill you want to start out with. Starting at Journeyman Level or above you can also choose which era you want to play in.

-J

[Phil Walker]

Well, I've given up on changing things right now. I even contacted the support and they didn't know anything about it. So, I'll wait until I find something out as I CAN'T change ANY settings yet. I realize the starting era is just one of the 3 but I can't change any of them even after retiring at Joyrneyman. Must be a "bug" in the DVD version I guess. Will mantion what it is once I find out in case I'm not the ONLY one!

Another thing that goes back to the beginning that was mentioned that I had no comment about at the time. That being preference as to ship that is desireable. I have had ALL of them and my preference is a "Fast Galleon". Good speed, DECENT manuverability, AND enough room for some POWER too !!!

Sincerely,
Phil

[Redbirdy]

Do you hit ENTER after typing in your Pirate's name? The options will stay grayed-out until you do. I stumbled over that part as well, since the options appear when you initially type the name you'd think they'd be available on that screen...but that isn't the case. Type in your name, hit ENTER, then (hopefully) you'll have all the options available as long as you play at Journeyman or above. I have the DVD version too, so if it is a bug I didn't catch it .

Fast Galleon huh? I've found them too slow to maneuver. And you have to be careful with those broadsides...several good ones can end up sending your opponent to Davy Jone's Locker before you can close and loot . To each his own though... I've been playing my latest game with a Brig of War and I like it better than I did when I tried it in a previous game. I've tried using a Large Frigate too, but I have the same complaints as a Galleon: too slow for me, and a better-than-expected broadside can mean no loot. Too bad you can't tell your gunners how many guns to fire!

-J

[Phil Walker]

Well, anytime I hit enter it takes me to the next screen, but will try it again. Just have to keep trying I guess.

Now, as to my choice. It does depend on how many guns you have onboard. I usually have no more than 24, but 20 is my normal. I typically use chain shot so I can just take down the sails and/or masts without sinking it. One shot usually does the trick and then I make my way in from the forward or aft angle so if they can still fire, won't get a decent shot at me. You do have to consider I go all out for the large ships as for the most part they carry the most AND keep them, just soI can bring them back to sell. I found the "Brig" to be slower in my eyes and the "Sloops" aren't worth it, so I don't engage them unless in the case of an "escort". As you said, it DOES come down to preference.

Sincerely,
Phil

[Phil Walker]

One word! FINALLY!!! Yes, NOW the game will let me choose my settings. It must have been some kind of "glich" as now, NO problems!

Also been doing some experimenting with other ships as well. The Brig of War is a nice ship too. Funny thing is HOW I got the one I did. As you said, the "invulnerable" ship from the beginning and I tried to find a nice-sized target. Well, I did ;D! Just happen to stumble onto a pirate ship (and not raiders). So, who do you think it was?! Captain Kidd of all people! Number 3 on the list, so not bad for my FIRST battle. Not only that but he had all the improvements save for Copper Plating and Bronze Cannons. So, can't complain about that one, eh?!

Does come down to that I still like the Fast Galleon, but a Brig of War isn't a bad second choice! What can I say?! I'm getting there NOW, but SLOWLY!!!


Sincerely,
Phil

[Redbirdy]

Glad to hear you can finally change the settings! Congrats on finding Captain Kidd for your first prize...that was a sweet turn of events.

Speaking of "finally," I've finally figured out how to use the spyglass. I kept trying to go up, down, and all around with it but the view is fixed based on the direction you're looking in. Makes tracking down those map landmarks a lot easier . I also had trouble with the compass in the beginning...took me a long time to realize it was always pointing North instead of the direction I was heading. I may be slow figuring some things out but I (usually) get there eventually, hehe.

-J

[Phil Walker]

THANKS! It is nice to be able to choose! Also, WELCOME to the club!!! Guess we are all still learning but nice to know I'm NOT the only one!!!

Of course it WAS a nice turn of events finding Captain Kidd I do have to admit. More and more I'm liking the Brig of War too. For the most part the Brig and the Fast Galleon are equal, BUT when it comes to tightness of turns and maneuverability the Brig is better, so MAYBE I'll stick with it in coming games. Although one I haven't seen that the specs do look good on is the "Ship of the Line". All good save WIDE turns...

Best of Luck to ALL who play it and hope if you read this it helps...


Sincerely,
Phil

[Phil Walker]

Well, my latest observations and some notes as well!

I do have to ask you Redbirdy (and any other who is playing), what has been your highest score so far? My personal best yet has been 80 with the final rank as a Surgeon. So, how about any others?

Of course I also have more questions too. First being, has ANYONE gotten romance points? I just can seem to get the "knack" of it when it comes to dancing, so guess I need to work on it. That does prompt an additional question too. I've received points for all save 2 things. One being romance, the other being lost cities. I read in the manual somewhere you get "tips/hints" about the lost cities from the governor's daughter, so anyone had luck with that? Just a bit curious as I have received points on all other areas. In my score of 80 for instance, I had 22 out of the 24 promotions, ALL the Pirates retired AND their treasures found, 3 of the 4 lost relatives, and all the villain pointts. So, it's just the romance and lost cities to work on. Although I can't seem to get above 10 on the wealth points, so any tips to improve that? Think that's it for now!

Sincerely,
Phil

[Redbirdy]

Well I'm not sure what my highest score is numerically. I do know I've had Fame over 100 several times...is that what you're counting? I haven't seen any overall numeric score on the Hall of Champions. My first game was at Apprentice and I retired a Governor (highest rank), 2nd game was at Journeyman and I retired at 2nd-highest rank, 3rd game was at Adventurer and I retired 3rd-highest rank...see a pattern here? LOL. Except for my one try at being pure pirate and attacking everyone, I've managed to stay in the top 4 ranks in all my games. I still haven't finished my Swashbuckler game though, and I imagine that I'll finish a bit lower down the scale when I finally wrap that one up.

I can usually finish the game with 10/10 for Romance. There seems to be a regular routine there: once you have several successful dances behind you (or maybe you just need to visit the governor often...not sure) the lass will ask for a ruby ring/diamond necklace. Give her one and next time you return she'll say that her jealous suitor found out about it and has challenged you to a duel on your next visit. Next visit you defeat the suitor and you'll get either info or a gift from the girl. A little while after that when you visit you'll find the worried governor begging you to help save his daughter, who's been kidnapped by the Evil Colonel Mendoza. Track him down and rescue the girl then take her back to her father. The next time you visit you can pop the question and you'll be married. That gets you 10 points. I believe just getting to the suitor will give you 4 points.

The Lost City tips seem to come randomly, though will appear more often after you've found all the buried treasure. I've had Lost City hints come from rescued relatives as well as the governor's daughters. Even had one Lost City tip after a succesful dance. I've yet to find all 4 of the cities though...best I've done is find 2 with a map to the third.

Not sure on how to improve wealth points. I've never really paid much attention to my point score for that so I'll have to look at the Hall of Champions to see how I've fared in that area. From what you say you've accomplished, I doubt that my wealth scores are any higher than yours.

-J