Ship battle in simulation mode: Rigging types & points of sail ?

[Cat Lord]

I have not fully investigated that, but did players experiment if the type of sail and rigging arrangement had a great impact on the best points of sail for the ship's speed ?

I would expect the biggest ships (frigate, etc...) to reach their maximum speed when running downwind, while I would expect to see real differences on medium/small ships depending of the rigging (i.e. I would expect the sloop to get really fast when at beam reach or close reach).

Unfortunately, from my few tries on the open beta, it seems that running downwind is always the best point of sail, which seems pretty innaccurate to me for some of the rigging (Sloop & Xebec for example).

Cat

 

[unmerged(145700)]

Yep that is exactly how it is...downwind always the fastest. I always seem to be downwind when I start the fights.

 

[unmerged(137712)]

Yep that is exactly how it is...downwind always the fastest. I always seem to be downwind when I start the fights.

You are lucky. About half the time I end up starting directly upwind.

I agree with the previous. Half sails does not appear to greatly affect ships speeds. Fastest point of sail appears to be down wind regardless of rig type.

I believe the fastest point of sail for a square rigged ship is about halfway between a beam reach and directly down wind. Going straight downwind the sails on the mizzen and main then to mask/block the wind from getting to sails on the mast in front of it. Also going downwind you want the sails to be fuller and rounder to catch the wind and flatter when going across or upwind.

The fore-aft rig should be able to sail slightly faster slightly upwind compared to the square rigs. They should also be able to point higher.

 

[unmerged(145700)]

You are lucky. About half the time I end up starting directly upwind.

I agree with the previous. Half sails does not appear to greatly affect ships speeds. Fastest point of sail appears to be down wind regardless of rig type.

I believe the fastest point of sail for a square rigged ship is about halfway between a beam reach and directly down wind. Going straight downwind the sails on the mizzen and main then to mask/block the wind from getting to sails on the mast in front of it. Also going downwind you want the sails to be fuller and rounder to catch the wind and flatter when going across or upwind.

The fore-aft rig should be able to sail slightly faster slightly upwind compared to the square rigs. They should also be able to point higher.

ok guess I messed up...I always start against the wind...I have never had the wind at my back starting out. Have sunk nearly 600 ships in game now.

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

ok guess I messed up...I always start against the wind...I have never had the wind at my back starting out. Have sunk nearly 600 ships in game now.

And how many have you lost ? I mean, is the battle AI worth a shot ?

 

[unmerged(137712)]

And how many have you lost ? I mean, is the battle AI worth a shot ?

The AI is pretty deadly. Especially if you have a new ship or fleet commander. I would not recommend Auto-Complete unless you have overwhelming odds or you just enjoy building new ships. Sometimes it is best to fight a battle just to be able to run away.

In the early game Xebecs are king. Fast, maneuverable, good firepower and decent survivability.

Those times you get to start a battle with the wind at your back are nice, just not the norm.

I rarely tried to sink anything. Allows you to scavenge for cargo or ships. It be a lot easier and cheaper to build your fleet and fill your warehouses from somebody elses pockets.:rofl: