Quote Originally Posted by Boohugh View Post
I'm not saying it would be easy, and would still be a rather epic battle, but it would certainly be possible

You're certainly right chain isn't as good in 1.5 but that doesn't mean it's bad either. In 1.4 you could take ships out using just chain shot and they'd surrender, which doesn't work now. What it's useful for (especially against larger fleets like the one in the screenshot) is taking down the rigging of each ship as it comes at you, sailing away abit, then taking down the rigging of the next one. When you've finally slowed them all down (will take some time with 20 of them ) you can start hammering them with round shot one at a time to sink/surrender them.

It may seem like a slightly cheesy tactic but I personally see it as using chain shot for it's intended purpose - slowing down ships and removing their manouverability, thus ensuring you always have local naval superiority. I've had some great naval battles (most won, some lost) in the 1.5 campaign I've been playing and really like where naval balance is currently.
Personally, I try not to use round shot.

From the demo on I have been using chain shot and when they are spread out and crippled I go in with grape shot and rake them into submission.

I never use British Naval Tactics; go in close with round shot and strike them. That creates too money fires and explosions. And sunken ships count for 0 prize money.

Naval Prize Money has been in some campaigns the only cash I had to run the economy.

As for the 5 5th rates taking on 20 galleons, anything is possible but I would say ill advised in this version. I would recommend as the minimum force; 6 3rd rates and 2 5th rates...

Also when using chain it is best to give the enemy the weather gauge and catch them coming down wind with full sails.

If everyone were using battle sail then it would be a whole new game.