Take Cover
 

Has anyone figured out the effectiveness of this skill. I think it reduces cannon fire damage but not special (fire etc..) damage. Does anyone have a better explanation/description.

According to what I read somewhere, it entirely deflects one attack. (only one cause it lasts 10 seconds) It's in this subsection, I'm almost certain it's in the part about "Open Fire!"

EDIT: Here it is, straight from Open Fire! (Battle Order) thread.

I have that skill and have found it somewhat.... useless. Doesn't block anything in my opinion. Maybe reduces damage by -1, but that's about it...

Is it something useful when you're running?

I don't notice any difference when I turn it on, even from 1 shot. But I've heard people who swear by it on here.

Damn, for 10 seconds I was hoping it would be like a shield that stopped all damage.

Ohwell...

We should be so lucky....

Doesn't do anything worthwhile at all :-/

It's gotta be about as usefully as 'open fire' then?

It's sorta sad with all these useless skills around, and no way to respec out of them.

Yeah, Kinda makes me wish I didn't waste those points on Grape Shot and Chain Shot.

I was always wanting to start another character though....

I'm reviving this thread because I'd like to hear more opinions on "Take Cover". Is it useful or not? I just reached Sailing level 19, and I'm thinking about saving the skill point so I can apply 2 points to Take Cover. But if it's useless, I'll spend it somewhere else.

Jury's still out...
 

This one Im still not sure about as I have yet to use it effectively. However, I know others on here will tell you it works for them. I do know that as of now when I have used take cover I have not seen a difference in the damage taken/prevented, it seems to be about the same as not using it. However, I only have 1 on it, so that could have an affect as well.

I wonder if some of these skills we are finding currently ineffective, will become more effective as the game matures.

If anyone is bored who has a high level character may want to start a new thread on skills not to invest points in, not just for sailing but for all useless skills.

That's a bit difficult unless there's a discussion for each skill, so people can make their own decision.

One person might find a skill useless, while another person might like the skill. For example, I like throw dirt, but I know others think it's useless. Or ramming, some people think it's a waste, while others like it. Same with this thread, some people find take cover helpful, while others don't.

It really depends on your own fighting/sailing style.

its good fighting from afar

Went out today to test my newly 1 point in Take Cover. I found it blocks just cannonballs, not the Flaming or Lightning kind. Since that rouge 1 single (or triple shot) usually kills me when I am fleeing, it could work for me. I will have to test more.

I think it is very helpfull. I just got the skill yesterday and saved up a point to increase it. I was facing a marauder and wondered how it worked. I went strait up to it and if fired a firebrand brodside i used take cover and about 90% of the damage was blocked. I have a war sloop and it should of been at half health after that but it was only 1/10 damaged taken. I love it!

I found it useful against all attacks when properly timed.

Zeppers lvl40
http://pirates.teamofx.us

Same here, like I said before about it. We had a war sloop race, my friend came up on a rev, he sunk by its lightning. I came up on the same ship and used take cover...I won the race :)

Is there any reason to invest more than one point though? One sounds like a really good investment actually, though I do need reasons to invest more.

I wouldnt put more than two on it. One is likely sufficient... Timing of its use will vary its effectiveness, the more points, the longer it stays in effect, and thereby more effective.
BUT, i would never put more than 2 on it myself, and only have 1 on my current pirate. I have started saving skill points and using them only as I see them required. I dont want to be hasty about what I assign them to.


Zeppers Lvl40
http://pirates.teamofx.us

I have 2. It lengthens it by 2 secs I think. Not worth more points IMO.

Im unsure too.. but I thought I'd let you know that I recently added a second skill point to Take Cover. I was really disappointed when I saw all it did was add 2 seconds to the time!! So now, it lasts 12 seconds rather than 10. Anyone know what additional pts will add to it?

Add more seconds in measures of two or less.

I have two skill points in take cover and that is all I am going to put into it. It does work but timing is key and recharge takes to long.

i really dont think it does anything, just kinda mimizes damage

Rank 3 is 15 seconds which is what I got. Not sure what Rank 4 is, probably 17 seconds or something. My guildmaster has it maxed at 5, and its 20 secs.

I think I am going for the one point in this. Basically what you need to go through bb anyways. Now with pvp out we can start to really see maybe what some things do. Soon as they anounced ship pvp I went and mastered another character. Now sorta thinking maybe five points in ramming speed or something might be nice. I don't see much effect of slight longer take cover.

I was running away with 7 royals on board and practicall zero hulkl left when an ogre fired a broadside so just before they hit i activated take cover and i still sunk it does nothing totally useless......

Gee, that enemy ship's health was real low, ready to sink, and I shot a broadside, and it lowered his health but didnt sink it!!
Broadsides are useless!!!

This is what that comment sounds like... hehe

Unfortunately, your situation was NOT a situation for take cover.

Pirates who think its going to be this special shield to stop damage 100% are going to be unhappy with it all the time. It reduces damage, doesnt stop it. Your ship was already nearly sunk... take cover 'might' have saved it, but didnt. Doesnt mean it's useless.

I skipped to the end of this convo, but I have to say I use Take Cover all the time in SvS. I can usually tell when the other player is going to fire off broadsides (especially if they're one of the ones who lowers their sail, then turns their boat a little, then fires). I'll use it when I'm shooting the gap between two enemy boats, full knowing I'll be blasted from both sides. Usually works amazing in that situation. Barely get hit compared to two full broadsides....and I end up on the tail end of my prey....

I'm all for Take Cover. Just my two cents.

Take cover doesn't stop all incoming damage, it makes it less. It will be useless for those that have already reached the point you are about to sink, you need to use it before that.

I can guarantee it does help, somewhere here I have pictures on the bb, and take cover was just enough to make it through. The time before completing it, I forgot to use take cover and sank.

A lot of my friends have said Take Cover is a lifesaver and they never sink because of it, but to me it seems pretty useless. Like Open Fire, they could have something better or make it more effective, but maybe it's because i haven't upgraded them :p

Actually, that was my mistake, your right. I was considering it from the fact, that the ship was already apparently too far gone to be saved by Take Cover.


And I apologize for my bit of sarcasm in my previous response, I guess I grow weary of hearing the "Take Cover doesnt work" statement which we all know is a very common observation and inaccurate conclusion made by those not yet experienced with its use.

Now ill go take a grumpy pill and try to be a nice pirate the rest of the day.. hehe

I unlocked this skill today.. It totally works for me :) I use it every time that I see a great amount of cannon balls coming to my ship!

I like it a LOT! It doesn't prevent damage, but it really minimizes it big time. Just have to hit it before you're geting pelted with a massive broadside. Also works best when you're not limping back to port.

Hint--if you're on fire and low in the red, try Ramming Speed and Full Sail to avoid getting hit. Save Take Cover for the big sea battles to minimize damage while fighting.