NAVAL Tactics in Empire:Total War

[Sir Beane]

After reading this thread and trying another couple of naval engagements, I'm still lost at sea.

A recent example: my 5th rate and sloop vs. 2 brigs and a sloop. I suspect I'm going to lose, but don't anticipate the frustration involved. They have the wind. I try to cross the T well in advance, and just about make it. Chain shot damages their rigging somewhat. And yet they're still going faster than me. I'm now going with the wind, chasing after them. They then proceed to circle around me, peppering me with cannon shot, while my ships flounder about uselessly. They seem to be able to sail into the wind at fair speed, while I can't make much headway - and yet, visually at least, their rigging is damaged more than mine.

It's probably my ineptitude, but I can't help feeling they have a speed advantage that negates my attempts to bring guns to bear on them. Are brigs just faster than either sloops or fifth rates? Am I just an idiot?

Brigs and sloops are as fast as each other, and both are faster than a a Fifth Rate. I'd suggest not even attempting to use chain shot and just sticking with cannonballs. The effect of wind isnt strong ebnough for chain shot to be useful.