War Sloop worth it?

[Dan_OB]

Originally Posted by Edward Edgemenace

What I've noticed, is that for a given pirate captain, war sloops are no harder nor easier for NPC ships to hit, than a war galleon. The NPC ships seem to make an attack and the game-server calculates their ship level vs. the pirate captain's level, then animates cannonballs to either hit or miss, based on that calculation.

The pirate ship's direction and speed seem to affect that calculation, but not the pirate ship type (from what I've seen.)

Not being privy to the code, I don't know what the algorithm is for NPC ships firing accuracy is, but I suspect that it is a lot simpler then that. I agree that the ship type probably doesn't play in to it, but I also doubt that player level plays in to it. I find it is more likely that the two ships relative position and distance are the key factors and maybe a handicap calibrated according to the enemies lvl. From what I've observed the target area a ship offers is a factor.


I think our different views on this may have to do with different sailing styles. If you sail in a manner similar to the method discribed in your superlative guide Sailing by COMPASS the sloops advantages will rarely if ever come in to play so you will understandably shrug your shoulders and say "why bother with a sloop?"

If you sail like I like to do, getting up close behind the enemy and hitting them with alternating broadsides as fast as you can you will see the advantages of a sloop real quick, especially if you have to sail along side the ship to get in position behind them. In the sloop the cannon fire and broadsides often fly over or land behind and sometimes can be avoided with a hard turn.

If you try this method with a galleon things can get ugly fast. First almost everything hits you, nothing flies over you and little behind you, the misses are few (target area?). But the worst part is you'll have a very hard time getting into position because you can 't make sharp turns and you don't have the speed. For the same reasons you'll have a hard time maintaining your position behind the enemy ship.

[League]

I think that post, which does exist in memory (yet, if it is not in existance, my mind must be one heck of a crazy dimension) is probably irrelevant, since they did mention in updates increasing the gold gotten from endeavors and all---so I'll concur, not that I know what it means to concur.

[mlratto]

I mostly sail solo and to be honest am able to fill the cargo hold in my war galleon quickly against high level ships without taking much if any damage. but i also have a ton of experience sailing which has a great deal to do with my success. that said, for me, i don't see much of an advantage the war sloop has over the galleon.

if you are working on your first pirate and are still getting your sea legs then yes i think a war sloop is an excellent choice. the extra speed and manuverability will certainly help you out of sticky situations.

and as edward stated...in SvS the war sloop is the preferred ship...especially with a crew.

[jason davy]

Personally, I'd try to save for a bigger ship first. A war sloop is certainly a must-have, but it'll be much easier to get a war sloop later than a war gal or frig later. =]

[Edward Edgemenace]

Very interesting. You are very correct, when you say I did not consider that driving style. I use that method on new pirates for sailing level 1-5 with some degree of success, but always go back to distance methods as the new pirate graduates to better ships. I'm not sure I ever consciously acknowledged that that method even works for high level enemy ships. You can't actually sink a predator or a corsair that way, can you? When I tried it just now, the first two volleys missed due to my windcatcher, but when I was hit, went to jail (from that one stray shot.) Maybe I've forgotten entirely how to drive a sloop (but I doubt it, as that is almost exclusively what I use when I sail in SvS.)

You point out something very, very valid. If your driving style is the up-close to the enemy aft style, a sloop can help a great deal. By sailing level 15, I assume most people have switched to more effective methods. So, unless they are vehement about that aft-driving style, most people will build their war fleet much faster, by starting with the war galleon. (That was the question in the original post, right?)

[League]

He asked if the War Sloop is a waste of 20k. Since I seem to pick up that it is an essential to have for PvP, I'd say not.

Should i buy the war sloop, and use the sloop to get a war galleon, or is a war sloop a waste of 20k,and should just save for the war galleon?"

That's not to say you didn't provide a good case for getting it after a war galleon or so. He just didn't ask if he should get a war galleon first and a war sloop later--I think that he wanted the war sloop if it got a good review since he had the amount necessary for it. This is typically the way I go about the game, for it takes me forever to get 20,000 when I do play.

[Dan_OB]

Yes you can sink any enemy ship that way even with a reg sloop and maybe a lite, but I haven't tried it - its tougher with enemy sloops like the corsair and predator . because they can out maneuver you if your not on the ball (and as you experienced, the corsairs explosives are murder). It's riskier then other methods, but thats why its fun. I don't always use that method, just with the sloop and some times a frigate. I'll use a method much like yours with the galleon and the frigate. I rarely use this method with a crew, unless I want to get rid of them lol. I get bored with the distance methods pretty easily.

One factor also is gold is rarely my motivation. My motivations are in order: fun, rep and questing, either for myself or friends and guildmates. If I'm helping others get rep I use the frigate first then galleon , helping others get gold galleon first then frigate. Solo questing, or rep for myself, usually the sloop. Just for fun, going after the big ships on my reg or war sloop.

EDIT: Forgot to answer your question - tho I answered indirectly before - to get gold in a hurry and hence get your war fleet sooner - yes I agree go with reg galleon till you can get a war galleon and take it from there. Actually, I think the question was - is a sloop worth it. That varies depending on your goals and preferences.

[Edward Edgemenace]

Originally Posted by Dan_OB

...I rarely use this method with a crew, unless I want to get rid of them...

You made my day. Wow, what a hearty laugh!

[Jack Garrett]

in my experiences, i feel the medium frigate is superior to the war sloop. so with my pirates, i purchased the light frigate first, medium frigate next, then the war galleon. after you get the war galleon, the amount of broadsides and cargo room will quickly earn you gold and rep when saving for the war sloop and war frigate.

i only like war sloops in svs, especially with a crew.

that's just my style of course, do whatever you are comfortable with.

[akamystic]

I also like the War Sloop for SVS. I purchased the War Galleon first for big loot runs....then the War Frigate....and last but far from least the War Sloop. IMO you must have all 3...even if you don't use them all...it's bragging rights....lol

[Havelock_Vetinari]

Is the W Frigate really worth it? sure its strong, but it seems it's only use would be in PVP what with all of its cannons. The W Galleon has a better broadside.

[akamystic]

Originally Posted by Havelock_Vetinari

Is the W Frigate really worth it? sure its strong, but it seems it's only use would be in PVP what with all of its cannons. The W Galleon has a better broadside.

I have all 3 War Ships. I'll give you the nutshell version.

Pros
War Sloop - Fast, very maneuverable, great for SVS and island hopping
War Galleon - Largest cargo space for loot runs, most powerful broadsides, rear cannons have a great turning radius
War Frigate - Strongest hull, most cannons (including front), largest crew space (12), also great for SVS

Cons
War Sloop - Small cargo hold, hull mediocre, awkward cannon placement
War Galleon - Large target, hull could be better, no front cannons
War Frigate - Holds less cargo than War Galleon, top cannon view blocked when sails are down, rear cannon radius is limited

IMO -- good to have all 3...each serves a purpose

[Basil Dreadflint]

To add to AKA's post:

Pros
War Sloop: Water Taxi! Gets you where you need to go... fast.
War Galleon: Large cargo and great for Plundering solo ( those rear cannons) or with a good size crew.
War Frigate: Those front facing guns makes it the best ship for when you only have 1 to 4 gunners. The guns can take enemy ships head on, and the Capn can be backing up to keep the enemy from firing back. Almost invincible that way.

Cons
War Sloop: Limited fire power, Easily sunk.
War Galleon: All guns are for broadsides only. Means you are open to enemy return fire.
War Frigate: Not as good as a Gall when sailing alone. Smaller cargo means that you have to port more often if you are doing pure plunder.

My order of buying ships: ( just my opinion)
Light Sloop - given to ya.
Skip the other "Light" class ships.
First ship to buy: Regular frigate when you can. 5K isn't that much, and you can now carry 9 cargo, and use the advantages already mentioned. This ship will help you get sailing to level 15 faster than the regular Galleon or Sloop. Keep the light sloop for speed runs to other islands.
Second ship to buy: War Galleon as soon as you hit level 15 sail and have the gold. This is the ship you will use to earn the gold you need for anything else you want to buy. Keep the Frigate for small crew action, and the light sloop for speed runs. (Some people stop here. This is enough to keep them happy.)
Third ship to buy: War Frigate, when you can afford it. Sell the regular frigate in order to make space for it.
Last ship to buy: War Sloop last. Sell the light sloop to make room.

My current pirate, I skipped the War Galleon and went stright to the War Frigate first. I had the 60K in gold, so why not?

[Eliza Creststeel]

I love all my babies for different reasons.

My Own Pros
War Sloop: If you Ship PvP, none better - unless you have no gunners.
War Galleon: One simple reason. More CARGO in the HOLD
War Frigate: Love the front guns. My favorite tactic is to engage a big enemy and back away as the forwards pound it to splinters.


My Own Cons
War Sloop: Not for a slugging match.
War Galleon: Firing angle. Your gunnies can't see forward or back.
War Frigate: Only limited by cargo space when plundering and speed in PvP.

[Juliana Maria]

In my opinion the war sloop is a great ship if your maxed on your gold. If your not maxed, stick with war galleon for your first ship.. it's a good money maker. War sloop is more for those who enjoy SVS and/or have all 3 wars in which case the War Sloop is good for speed and quick runs.