Pirate ships....

**Maleficus** · 03-12-2009, 15:08

Can anyone tell me what ships, and how many of them are likely to be in the pirate fleets in the trade theatres?

I think it might be worth my finding out before I send my French trade fleet.

**Belid Hagen** · 03-12-2009, 15:39

well, it might depend on difficulty settings. But i've been consistently meeting 6-10 ship fleets, with 60%-75% being galleons, and the rest brigs & sloops.

I've learnt not to engage them before i have 3rd rate. I simply cant sink those galleons with 4th rates and below.

PS. this is from engagements in the carribean, all pirates in trade zones i simply avoid.

**Maleficus** · 03-12-2009, 15:41

Originally Posted by Belid Hagen

well, it might depend on difficulty settings. But i've been consistently meeting 6-10 ship fleets, with 60%-75% being galleons, and the rest brigs & sloops.

I've learnt not to engage them before i have 3rd rate. I simply cant sink those galleons with 4th rates and below.

Thanks. Looks like I better take some 5th rates along then....

**pdoyle007** · 03-12-2009, 15:44

In the caribbean I am having to go 5:2 against the pirates as the galleons are pretty tough.

Although these constant battles do all you to build the experience of your navy and you can try and capture enemy vessels.

**Maleficus** · 03-12-2009, 15:51

Well I just captured an enemy Fluyt, so I want to send it to trade.

**pdoyle007** · 03-12-2009, 16:09

yes my first Indiaman was from the pirates (I'm 99% certain) and I have my eye on a galleon now.

**Sir Beane** · 03-12-2009, 17:56

I've seen Pirates using third rates, I think they must have taken them off a Spanish fleet I beat up. Otherwise Pirates can build:

* Galleons
* Race-built galleons (quicker and weaker)
* Xebecs (weak but fast and manouverable)
* Sloops
* Brigs

**Shadow_Wolf33** · 03-12-2009, 18:13

All I can say, is that when you bring the guns of a heavy first rate up against a galleon, the galleon tends to well....melt

I don't know if I would reccomend taking an evenly matched fleet of 5th rates vs. a fleet of galleons though unless your naval control and tactics are exceptional. Galleons are closer to a 3rd rate in terms of firepower, so unless you really out maneuver them, you'll be floating on a board before the day is through.

**Baron von Beer** · 03-12-2009, 22:05

And Fluyts. Seen them in the Carib/Brazil/Ivory Coast.

Pirates do seem a bit over equipped. I'm in 1705 in a campaign and have captured 4 Admiral's 5th rates, 3 galleons, 1 race built galleon, 4 fluyts, 5 xebecs and a brig, not counting the 15+/- vessels I've put on the bottom including 4 more galleons. (mix of both types)

The only smaller "plausible" pirate ships I've come across were the brig I captured and another I sank. Everything else has been large vessels. (I won't count the xebecs since it's more of a regional thing, and while they have strong hulls they are on par with the smaller vessels in firepower.)

IMO numerous small single/pairs of ships would be a much better representation. Enough to endanger trade ships, and be a severe nuisance, but not enough to easily outfight a task force of 2-3 frigates in a single engagement.

**Sir Beane** · 03-12-2009, 23:31

CA seem to be operating on the principles of movie pirates rather than actual pirates. Just be glad there isnt a pirate brotherhood and a secret pirate base where ships from all over the world meet.

Actually that sounds awesome. But then I'm a fan of the romanticised version of piracy.

**Belid Hagen** · 03-12-2009, 23:47

Originally Posted by Sir Beane

CA seem to be operating on the principles of movie pirates rather than actual pirates. Just be glad there isnt a pirate brotherhood and a secret pirate base where ships from all over the world meet.

Actually that sounds awesome. But then I'm a fan of the romanticised version of piracy.

If all you met were single ship pirates, they would be absolutely no challenge. Sine the AI is pants, they needed to group pirates to give them a chance.

**NimitsTexan** · 03-12-2009, 23:50

One the other hand, it would give Brigs, Sloops, and 6th Rates a chance to operate in the historical role (Commerce Raiders, Pirate/Privateer Hunters, Convoy Escorts).

**Sir Beane** · 03-12-2009, 23:51

Originally Posted by Belid Hagen

If all you met were single ship pirates, they would be absolutely no challenge. Sine the AI is pants, they needed to group pirates to give them a chance.

I agree. I'd much rather have challenging pirates than single ships popping up here and there.

**crazyviking03** · 03-12-2009, 23:59

Pirate fleets are scarey as hell, but I find that if you focus your fire (especially if you are playing as the Dutch, those Fluyts aint too shabby) things can go better than you'd think. I've noticed that if you can get crossfire focused on a Galleon, they have a habbit of exploding. I love it, have taken down 5 or 6 that way. Not sure if the fire from shps hitting both sides at once raises the chances of a powder room hit or what, because in all but 1 of those explosions, the Galleon's armor was never below 50% on any side.