Ship Controls
There are quite a few things that are different when you’re captaining a ship compared with walking down the street. Let’s look at the differences.
Speed Up
Press this multiple times to get your ship up to speed. At its fastest, you lose the ability to fight but can traverse the oceans at a fair clip. If you need to maneuver or fire your weapons, then slow down. On your ship, speed comes at a heavy cost in terms of maneuverability.
Slow Down
Make slower approaches when you’re getting close to ships, docks, or obstacles in the water. You should also slow to a crawl if you need to make any wide turns. The Morrigan turns like a battleship at high speed, but it’s as limber as wind if you nearly bring it to a halt.
Release Wheel/Dock/Board Vessel
This lets you lock the ship into either its docking or boarding procedures and lets you release the wheel to walk around the deck. In all three cases, you eventually let go of the wheel and can resume normal movement.
Bracing
If your ship (or boat) is about to strike an object in the water or take damage from enemy fire, it’s wise to brace. This prevents you from maneuvering momentarily, but you can hold the button down to reduce damage from these dangerous events. Don’t release the button until the danger has passed, or there won’t be much point in bracing.
Look Back
To see how opponents are moving behind you without having to turn the entire ship or your camera, use Look Back. If you see targets getting into position, then get your flaming oil ready and set up a nice trap for your encroaching enemies.
Free Aim
Use the camera to find your targets and then fire away when you’re ready to go. Make sure to account for the waves (which can block your attacks if they’re too high), enemy movement, and your own ship’s motion. If you take all of these factors into account, you won’t miss very often.
Fire Weapons
The primary weapon control fires the front carronades if you’re facing forward with the camera or the broadside cannons if you’re looking out to either side of the ship, or it releases flaming oil if you’re staring aft.
For ranged weapons, a pale arrow appears to show you how far the attack is going to go before it drops. Raise the angle when you need to fire farther or get over waves to hit your target. This is your best tool for accuracy in battle because it makes leading your targets fairly easy.
Fire Mortar
Though the Morrigan doesn’t start with many weapons, you can soon purchase mortars, Puckle guns, and other fun toys. The mortar has massive damage potential and range. Use it to engage targets before they’re ready to fire at you or to punish anyone who tries to flee from battle.
Fire Puckle Gun
The Puckle gun is a crude machine gun that can be mounted on the Morrigan. It’s an adequate antiship weapon, but it’s even more effective for spraying the deck of a ship that you’re about to board. Why fight everyone fairly when you can load them with shots and waltz over like a champion?
Use Spyglass
Don’t engage enemy ships before you know what you’re getting into. The spyglass lets you see the relative power of your target and their cargo. Make sure that the ship you’re about to fire on is controlled by an enemy nation, has cargo you need, and isn’t so powerful that they’ll blow you out of the water in response to your provocation.
While going after specific ships, use the Spyglass to tag your target. Highlight the important ship with your Spyglass and use the D-Pad to mark the ship. This makes it easier to find the target during storms, large battles, and other confusing events.
Change Shanty
If the sailors aren’t singing something you like, change the tune with this command.
Stop Singing
When you’ve had enough of song and merriment, stop the singing and focus on the task at hand.
