The sea is where Black Flag lives. Master the Jackdaw's arsenal and the boarding loop and you can plunder anything afloat — from lone schooners to the Legendary Man-o-Wars.
The Jackdaw's weapons
💥 Broadside cannons
Your main damage against big ships — aim for the waterline and fire on the roll.
🎯 Swivel guns
Pinpoint shots to finish weakened crews, snipe powder barrels and pop weak points.
🔗 Chain shot & mortar
Chain shot slows and disables; the heavy mortar rains on distant ships and forts.
🐏 Ram & fire barrels
Ram brigs and gunboats for instant kills; drop fire barrels to escape a pile-up.
In battle
- Brace (hold the prompt) just before incoming broadsides to cut the damage you take.
- Keep the wind at your back for speed and use islands to break line of fire.
- Whittle a ship to boarding range, then complete the objective to plunder or claim it.
- Prioritise the most dangerous ship (Man-o-War, frigate) and mop up gunboats with the ram.
Boarding
- Boarding objectives vary — kill a number of crew, destroy barrels, or reach the wheel.
- Use swivel guns from the rigging, then the rope dart and air assassinations on the deck.
- Choose your reward: repair the Jackdaw, lower your Wanted level, take gold, or add the ship to your fleet.
- Capturing (not sinking) is how you grow Kenway's Fleet and its passive income.
Ship types you'll fight
⛵ Schooners & gunboats
Fast and fragile — ram them or a single broadside sinks them; easy early plunder.
🚢 Brigs
The workhorse merchantman; board them for metal and wood to fund upgrades.
⚔️ Frigates
Tougher warships with real firepower — brace their broadsides and target the waterline.
🏴☠️ Man-o-Wars
Floating fortresses; only engage with a well-upgraded Jackdaw and plenty of mortar.
💬 Community Strategies & Discussion
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